Most beginners want to be up and flying A.S.A.P. like myself when I started flying. I didnt even consider a kit at the time and after 25 arfs I now only build kits. I have seen a product from just about every manufacturer out there and very few are built anywhere near a kit quality airplane (for the prcie). I have touched down at 30+ mph without landing gear coming down on my patriot and skipped 5 times across a grass field only to have to repair the monokote.....try that with the GP shoestring. From what I have seen there is practically no way to keep the gear from ripping out of the fuse on a normal landing. That is why I have not yet flown mine since assembling it. Maybe this summer if I find the time when we have a crappy weather weekend. I guess I just ending up getting disqusted in the quality of the arfs and the money they cost.