I've been checking out this ONE SINGLE THREAD now for 3 days trying to catch up. I saw the Blade at a LHS and that's it, hooked. I want one. I've alway wanted one, but like Wombat said, at least $600 to get started in nitro/gas is a lot of money. I don't want to take a chance and spend that kind of money especially if I don't like it. But my problem is, I have been in RC (cars and nitro trucks - unfortunately they were all pistol grip) for several years, and once I got into it I hooked and got into it full blown. I'm affraid thats whats going to happen if I get into Helis. I have been around planes since I was a very young kid, my grandfather left me some of his gear when he died but no radio or plane. So I am somewhat knowledgable with the controls and parts of the helo just by reading the crap out of anything I could get my hands on. I UNDERSTAND this ISN'T a Trainer/Beginer model, but if do respect/patients/ & control, I should be fine with STARTING out with this model? I don't want to spend less money on something I WILL out grow / become bored with in a month. All I have been doing on my free time, which is A LOT, is read, read, read, and read SEVERAL web sites and forums, tech tips, warnings, pros & cons. Please give me an honest answer. If I get this I do plan on practice practice practice in the confines of my garage NOT inside the house. I'm just as scared of messing it as I would be getting hurt. Thanks ahead for you input.