First off; I'd say that most people on this forum will say to get the heli. ... myself included.

Second; in my opinion, the Hirobo Evo's are a better heli than the Raptor's, but you'll hear (very shortly) that other people disagree. The Raptor is a little bit cheaper and the parts are more readily available, which is why many people will suggest them. Since you are just learning, both will serve you very well. Both can also be setup to fly much more aggressive in the future as your skills progress.

One thing that most people agree on, is that you should check around to see what the local pilots are flying and what your LHS carries in the way of spare parts. It would be best if you get a heli that is popular in your area so that you can get help when you need it. Having an experienced pilot help with setup and training makes things much easier in the beginning.

Before you spend the money on a helicopter, however, I'd recommend picking up a simulator and spend some time practicing and doing lots of research. This is also something that everyone agrees on.

Good luck,
Keith