I would agree up to a certain point regarding how many octaves your layout is equipt with. Actually what I meant was down to a certain point. Any less than 61 keys for me personally is not comfortable when the controller or board is in a split RH / LH mode (which is usually what I would do). Unless I am having fun tinkering rag tunes into different syncopations, the weighted keys don't really do much for me either, although I must admit that I do like to feel a little something under my fingers. When there's nothing there but lightweight plastic, my playing tends to become timid because it feels really cheap like I might break the stupid keys.
The flip side of it is that they recoil instantly and you can get better velocity from the "numb" keys. Wouldn't it be nice if someone made it a feature where you can select the weighting on the keyboard!?

Seamus,

I just checked the prices of the RS-5 and the Alesis qs6.2. It looks like they're both going for around 600 bucks. In that case the QS6.2 might be better than the RS-5. The RS-5 has a pretty good apregiator, I don;t know about the QS6.2. But the Yamaha S-03 is about 500 bucks.

Hi Bob,

Thanks again for the info. Thanks also to everyone else who posted as well. I'm saving this information to help me with my search!