How is it for HEMs? IFR platform? Thanks

Comparison?  Anyone have first-hand experience?  

Search the 100 other threads on the same topic. Strong opinions on both sides. I've flown the 429 for 5 years. It's an excellent machine and very comfortable SPIFR. It operates well at high DA's where the EC135 struggles. I've flown both, the 429 fly's circles around the EC135 in my opinion.

It's a great machine! Could use an increase in max gross. power for days!

I know there are a few EMS operators, such as INAER France, Mercy Flight New York, Lifeflight Kuwait ... but it doesn't seem to have the market penetration that Eurocopter/Airbus enjoys.

Current 2022 price for an EMS equipped 429 is over $9m

It's fast, and has plenty of power.  OEI is mostly a non-event if managed properly.

Early ships had RK displays and Garmin 430/530.  Current ships have Astronautics displays and Garmin 650/750.  I like the Astronautics displays better...   they seem brighter and clearer.

Early ships had poor life from the pivot bearings in the rotor head, but Bell changed the design and they are mucho better now.

Engines are available with & without the oil/fuel heat exchanger.

where you can utilze the extra 500 pounds, good corporate but medical people load it up with too much crap

Correct, Bell did not get the 500lbs increases in MGW waiver they were hoping for with the FAA, knocks it down a peg because of it.

As long as you dont want to carry to much and/or go very far.  EC135 UL is 3,100 lbs.  429 UL 2,500.  And you will pay more for the 429.

never heard of it.

Useful load. Depends on aircraft empty weight, and that is detrmined by configuration.

Compare apples to apples. Fuel load is more useful in terms of range, or endurance, instead of weight.

put 150 gallons on each.  The 429 will have 1,500 lbs left of usefuel load. The EC135 2,100 lbs.

One big thing nobody here is bringing up is, the gross weight issue.
The 429 in EMS configuration will only hold three people and enough fuel to fly out 30min there and back. And that's leaving at max gross.

Then below you say zero patient weight, you burned 300 pounds going out so you can take a 300 pound patient

That's zero patient weight, it burns 600lbs on hour and at 900 lbs of gas and being a Max gross, your not going very far.
Or you can do what everyone else does here in the states and illegally fly it over 7000 lbs, because the excuse is, everyone else in the world can fly it over that weight, we can to. Even tht it's illegal.

Range and endurance are better comparison for useful load.

After 800 pounds of people, how long can I fly.

Endurance or range. Fuel weight is only useful to convert to gallons when fueling, and in weigh/ balance.