RE: E-Starter vs. SS---Ideas??!!
No, not completely different, just a completely different class. The E-Starter is as close to the electric equivalent of a .40-size glow trainer as I have ever seen. It's a good basic trainer if you have help from an experienced pilot, and a good second plane after the Slow Stick if you go the learn-by-yourself route.
For the most part, the Slow Stick goes by the "bend, not break" philosophy. The wing may appear very flimsy, but it is much harder to break in a hard landing than the very rigid wing of the E-Starter.
I'm glad to hear you're thinking about getting a Slow Stick too. You can never have too many planes.