Elemental Companion vs. Animal Companion

[E-mail]

I am soon to play a druid again, and I am tempted to go for the Elemental Companion from CM rather than just another boring riding dog. Have any of you got any expirience with the elemental comapnions? More specifically, I am considering an air elemental, becuase I recon that they have the most advantages.

Pros:
- The elemental is intelligent and has a language, and thus is capable of carrying out complex orders.
- An air elemental is easier to keep with you than any other elemental companion, and most animal companions.
- A large air elemental can carry you (or any party member) just as easily as a horse. This may benefit non-flying characters.
- The whirlwind ability seems like it may be an efficient way of shutting down low-ref monsters and characters.

Cons:
- The animal companion seems easier to replace, and is definately better in combat.

Thoughts?

[Havok4]

For recon the earth elemental is actually better as it can do searches through most walls and also it can escape any attacker easily so it is less likely to die.

[ragnarokschosen]

I love air elementals...


Remember I believe you can still select its feats for HD.
If you can get fly by attack and give it a bow or a reach weapon it can get deadly....

Whirl wind is awsome, it makes your lighting strikes get bigger.

[veekie]

"Hey Spinny! Zappy Mode!"

[Anklebite]

"Hey Spinny! Zappy Mode!"

this must be done.

[ninjarabbit]

It really depends on what you want out of your companion, I know it's a cop-out answer but it's the truth.

Animal comapnions are better overall in combat, have more buffs that a druid can cast on them, and you have a much wider range in choice of animals vs elementals.

The elementals are smarter and can do things animals can't. I like the earth elemental especially if you plan on dungeon crawling.

[E-mail]

How exactly does a whirling air elemental increase the size of my lightning strikes? Wouldn't I hurt it if I directed my lightning strike at it to hit whoever it had picked up?

And speaking of whirlwind, can a creature that has been picked up by the elemental attack it normally? Or other creatures for that matter? If say, an enemy archer, were being whirled around while shooting, who would he hit? Me? Random bystanders? The elemental?

[Runestar]

The air elemental augments your call lightning spell simply by being in the vicinity. 

or even a tornado (including a whirlwind formed by a djinni or an air elemental of at least Large size)