I am a newbie as well, I have a combination of align and copter x, I would say 60% align parts, 40% copter x parts, I bought it like that on ebay, a good deal, brand new, anyway, I am very happy with it, copter x parts are very good quality parts and If you decide to get a T-REX, get the SE, if you are a beginner the plastic version will cost you more in the long way, with the SE, after a crash I just replace the main shaft, shafering shaft and blades, with a plastic version, you would have to replace way more parts, of course, cheap, but after a few crashes the metal parts will be paid off!, also, buying the metal upgrades for the plastic version will cost you more than buying the metal kit at the beginning. Just my opinion, I had to make the same decision than you. I think most of the people go for the metal version (SE) for the same reasons, better to save a bit more of money to get the right thing.