But when you do it for a living and blow color all day long every day the $500 gun will make you money I have sprayed with just about every gun , and they all lay the color and clear different , and finding one that lays it slick the first time is money well spent
True not all hobbyist's need an expensive gun , but it does help in the final finish , in time sanding and buffing The flatter you lay it the easier it is to cut and buff if needed .
Having confidence in your equipment also helps in knowing its not going to spit , pulsate , spray a bad pattern , ect.......
letting you concentrate on spraying !