I'm reading a book on feedback amplifiers at the moment and it makes comprehensive use of a simplified hybrid-pi model. A parameter that keeps popping up is hie and I've always considered this to be equivalent to $$\left ( \beta + 1 \right )* re$$ in the re transistor model and for good reason too: previous stackexchange question and here (page 12).
However, what's confusing is the size of the "typical" resistances given to hie (if you're lucky enough to find it!): 1k to 10K. Really? Lets look at an example, using that classic hFE of 100 and an Ie of 50mA. $$101 * \frac{26mV}{50mA}\approx 52\Omega$$
I'm clearly missing something, because those figures don't compare at all. In this thread a correspondent makes the same point (that the actual input resistances are much smaller). However, there's a suggestion that maybe hie is a small signal AC parameter that's distinct to the hybrid-pi model and I'm left wondering if the corresponding re model equivalent equations are correct?
Can somebody set me straight on this? Is the comparable equation justified and why are those typical values so out of whack?