I believed what your challenge is skill/technique issue follow by understand the 'capability' of the product and pad on the paintwork that you working on....

Before existence of DA, painter were using RB and they can deliver fabulous work...

I dunno....to me yes and no DA does help in shorten your detailing time but will that fix your challenge in handling RB ?

Its always good to learn and master the toughest part than the easier/improve one will be subsub sui...just my 2 cents

Since you mentioned budget is not a problem, by all means go for a Rupes LH15ER. Yes it does steal your Makita work a bit, but then believe or not on harder paint, the Makita still the workhorse to go.

No master, did not own any machine lol

I went for the LHR15E mainly because my elbow just couldn't tolerate the vibration that a DA produced. Before I got the Bigfoot, i've been finishing with a rotary and always wanted to get a DA for those one-step light corrections or 'deep' cleaning maintenance job, which are really more often required to be done as compared to deeper corrections. A one-step light corrections or 'deep cleaning' requires more concentrations and care with a rotary, and some times quite time consuming and, as you said, a little 'slack' and you'd risk getting hologrammes.

When I bought the Bigfoot, I was able to achieve *almost* the same level of light corrections and holo-free finish in lesser time, and also less stressing. I believe a DA can also achieve this cuz I did, once in a while, borrowed one specifically for these 'maintenance' job. But, like I said, what put me off frm purchasing one is its vibration....and oh...the level of noise it created (due to the vibration) on flat, hollow panels. I believe the bigfoot can achieve more cut than a DA or at least, achieve the same cut in a shorter time. Like ZeroSP said, it would be able to 'steal' a little bit of a rotary's job during those times when you'd need that extra little bit of cut but don't want to two-step with a rotary.

Last but not least, remember what I said about the disadvantage of the bigfoot - it cannot take smaller 'spot' pads but a DA can. But for those, i've no problem using the rotary with spot pads, even on soft paints.

I used Rupes, also got hologram. I think what you should check is the pad and liquid combination.

For me, my pad and liquid combination not that good. In the end, I do another round of compound and polish.

Revise your compound.

For one stepper, I always reach out for the DA with white pad and light cut polish. For tight spots, I use rotary with 3.5" pads.

scholl concepts got many good compounds.

It's the Ultramate that I bought from Osren aka DAS6Pro which is also similar to the Griot's Garage 6" polisher. Surprisingly powerful little DA and very easy to use.

in sri hartamas

So far in my experience, still ok la Last weekend I did a one stepper on Vios. Still can feel my arm after close to 4 hours of DA operation

Rupes, their compounds/polishes are color coded with their pads, should work fine.

Else, Hyper Polish/Compound, Menzerna FG400, SF4500 are all good. 105/205 are fine, just dust a lot for me.

I got the Rupes only...no package no nothing...just the machine in the box together with backing plate and other basic accessories. Price...errr....add another RM100 to the standard package....and replace the '2' in front with '1'....    
To put it simply...a good quality coating is just like a good quality wax. The only difference is you don't need to reapply every few months or so. The rest of the maintenance parts are the same, and I have to stress, you'd still need to do proper MAINTENANCE, as if you're using normal wax...except for the re-applying part la. Neglect that, you'd be better off not applying anything on.....

Can't comment on the rest of your questions cuz I do everything myself......

ZeroSP krismas MyWifeCar roxx waaa liao eh... You all so ganas suddenly gila on Rupes. I was left behind after few days busy leh.      SIFU'ses!

running to a high-end DA? Why so sudden?

What are the old one?
How to delete this post it post twice when my internet lag.   

Why is it? but DA usually less powerfull right?

sounds interesting. SO when you can come show us some DEMO so we could get poision also...         

To me yes. Cause somehow now I wouldn't be bothered to compound deep scratches, even lessen it I would be happy. Well, if let's say you really taking care of your car (minus external factor like jealous itchy hand of people), the FLEX is more than powerful to do your annually cleaning and moderate swirls/scratches removal.

P/S: Pad size is a problem though, no spot buffing AFAIK.

Get from SG....should be, more or less, around RM1700.

Ok, source for us lol

Thanks for the info  Will try to visit them when I do head over to Sg.

Lol, if I jadi go over then we talk again

Thanks for the recommendation. since it has a 600W motor, i assume it will have more corrective performance compared to the 125ae, am i rite?
where can i get it online? hard to find those things in penang

Partially agree....in a way...rotary will be able to do corrections QUICKER. With the right pad and compound, even the Bosch ROB can do corrections....albeit in LONGER TIME. Well....ok....you're right. Better corrective performance with a rotary....

Just bought and receive my items. Legitimate web store. Recommended. You can shop without worry.