My guess is that the damping fluid isn't really necessary, I've never used it and don't feel the lack. The obvious strategy would be start small. It's not *that*hard to get out, but you're better off getting everything else perking first. Matching cart to arm wand and getting the counterweights situated is *far* more important.
I think the arm is seriously underrated in the US, but more from the fact that it is a painstaking job to get the arm "right." Most don't have the patience or the variety of wands requirted to get any one cart right. I did not find the Moerch compatibility chart to be all that useful. When it's put together properly with a cart it likes, it compares favorably with my Triplanar. YMMV
I think the arm is seriously underrated in the US, but more from the fact that it is a painstaking job to get the arm "right." Most don't have the patience or the variety of wands requirted to get any one cart right. I did not find the Moerch compatibility chart to be all that useful. When it's put together properly with a cart it likes, it compares favorably with my Triplanar. YMMV