The hobby store is very helpful. Mine is intent on helping newbies to the point that they won't push your products. I needed a starter box and went to my LHS and instead of pushing their Sportwerks box on me, gave me a link to someone on eBay who was selling theirs for much cheaper. (I didn't buy it, though, because another LHS that was slightly more local had it for 10 bucks less... luck.)