I have my longarm set to stop with needle down. I set it that way when I first bought the machine and haven't ever changed it. I have to change my DSM's setting to needle down every time I turn it on, but the longarm remembers.
I started out with minimum cruise set to 0, but I've changed it a couple of times to continue stitching. I don't remember what the setting is, but I found something that works for me and I'm happy with it for now. I like having the ability to change the setting.