Laser Cannon versus HMG

I recently asked a question About the commando and EAT I am also wondering about the laser Cannon versus the HMG. I've had a lot of fun with a laser cannon, but when I tried to use it against a factory strider, I did almost no damage. I eventually killed the strider, but it took a while is the damage on the HMG any better or is one or the other better altogether?