I just started on Micro helis, but I spent 250 on an ARF combo and have not broken anything yet..........yet!
Helis are expensive just by nature of it.
I had two helis before, gasser and electric, and you'll be surprised how much it accumulates over time!
I want to get the brushless system and lipo's and the airwolf body and....and...and
It's going to be alot later.
Try not to think about it. You spend alot on entertainment w/o realizing it anyway. a movie here, a theater there, cable bills, theme park, zoo visit. Just cut back on the "other" stuff for funding on the helis!
