The great macross 7 mecha battle chesiness is about the sound force valks, transformation, sound boosters etc... the other mechs like the vf-11, vf-17, vf-19, vf-14, vf-22 are shown in a much more serious way.
Diamond force(vf-17) rocks, cool mechs and great characters IMHO.
Emerald force (vf-19) is ok but not considered in the anime like the DF.
Cannon fodders(vf-11) Well... you can't find "cannon fodders" more cannon fodder then the M7 white nameless vf-11, when a missile miss a vf-17 or vf-19 you can be sure that it will hit a poor vf-11. UN should have gone for the ghost X-9....
Sound Force, Ugly and silly mechs, overall nice characters IMO.
I have too see Max and Milia kick ass in their Vf-22S yet
If you can endure the sound force I suggest to give a try M7, its always better have self-made opinions.