The OP makes a good point. Many have posted very good advice. Most of the advice is to help find a good airplane. All of this has one very common theme. This Hobby/Sport can be very difficult to become part of. The most important thing about this thread is the effort that is put out to help this guy. Makes me wonder about all that negative things some people post about some of the clubs. The person that posted the story about the cheap equipment. I do not think for one minute the dude was doing anything but giving his best advice based on what he knew about the equipment. I like the beginners forum because of the effort of the people that are truly trying to help. All of the people that have made the effort to help have done just that. Made a effort to help. Now the OP and all others reading this will have to make up their minds based on some very solid information.
So I say thanks for the effort of all the people that have had a input. We all had to start some place and this forum is as good as place as any.