When riku was grinding for his Parsec, I was too in the start. Then I start to read comments and hear read the public chat about the real "advantage" of having a Parsec.
I had also the advantage of having all 4 Parsecs while I was sgm in old days, so I knew some about their power, and the lack of it with experience.
I gain wisdom, and I decided I will not acquire a Parsec, I'd rather save up for to buy all SOL ships, I had crystals for to buy, and equip them all when I reach SOL, first R45 Sol ships and still had cry for to buy all R60 once I got to the rank.
I did and I bought and equipped ALL 4, so in all this, with the cry I was to spend on a Parsec, I bought & equipped 7 SOL ships, cause I bought the SOL storm with Gold when still at Mizar.
I had left 134k Cry when I had all those done and bought and equipped, and armored.
So see I still had cry left, and had absolutely no need to grind for any armor, nor the fear of getting podded and loosing huge amounts of cry. Nothing.
I am still very happy with my decision, the only Parsec I would love to have is the Engineer, aka Constructor Parsec, thats the only one I miss.