Yup, batteries are the big issue, and their costs keep going down...

I'm quite pleased with the performance of the Pulse with the 480 motor and feel no need to change it.

It's just too bad that E-Flite seems to usually undersize their motor requirements, leading to less than steller behaviour.
I guess this is usual with the manufacturers...

With a larger electric motor the plane does great...

I had exactly the same experience with the Super Sporster EP... replacing the motor with a 500-600 watt one has resulted in flights so good and long ( 25 minutes with an 11v 3800mAh LiPo pack ! ) that I'm quite often asked "what do you have in there!".

As the battery pack prices go down, I find myself looking at bigger and bigger electrics... though I still like glows/gas.