They're close, but 15's arms are thinner and thus more prone to damage.
As far as 02 popularity- I personally find it and its wide bodies a bore. There's no challenge in tuning a 02, it really comes down to a little common sense and raw driving ability. I, as a relative beginner, want to re-live the MR-01 days using my 15 and then move onto 02 once I squeeze everything there is out of a 15. I may just master it and use it on par w/ 02s; who knows, years will tell.
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