go to www.runryder.com at look thru all the posts there. there is a ton of info there as well as here. Just take some time and look thru the posts. you will learn a lot. http://www.raptortechnique.com/ is yet another place that deals with raptors. i think raptors are the most common heli for the beginner. the venture looks to be a good heli also but its brand new and time will tell if it is a good heli. the venture just may be the replacement for the raptor. The raptor is about 3 years old. And people tend to go for the new stuff. The raptor stuff has been out along time and there are tons of upgrades for it. though it wont take too long before the venture upgrades will be out .