Excellent post.
This hobby exists at all levels. One of the guys who amazes me is one who started very briefly with a CX2. He went from that to a Blade 400. He fiddled with the B400 for two days, then flew it. He didn't hover it - he flew it. In two months he was teaching the forum auto gyros and soon after he was into 3D stuff. And he did this while stationed in Iraq working as an Army Combat Helicopter pilot. Obviously, he gets it quickly.

There are a couple of us who really prefer the mechanics of the Collective Pitch helicopters to flying them. I'd rather work out the geometry and work R&D than fly. That's why there are R&D engineers and staff - and there are test pilots. I know my place.
As far as collecting and flying helicopters, I'm RTF. I don't want the extra complexity of a programmable transmitter. I believe that part of learning to fly is learning to fly the tail. I don't want to have a heading hold gyro do the work. I want my brain to handle the issue. Like you, I'd rather fly slow but proper flights around the back yard than go 3D.
I'm not willing to put the time and effort (and in this economy, the funds) into a high stakes helicopter. I believe that a good RTF helicopter should provide what's required out of the box. If it doesn't work, it's a bad kit. A good kit doesn't need upgrades to work. It may need upgrades to work better, but it should work at the level intended by the designers of the RTF package. I'm that way with motorcycles too. I don't want a basic Harley that needs $4000 worth of work to make it run hard and handle great. I set the requirements in my mind and went shopping. I came home with a Honda ST1300. RTF - excellent.

So we have a lot in common. I buy RTF and fiddle with things. My CX was the mule for my flybar experiments. My Falcon 40 sports a Slo Max motor, 10 tooth pinion and 8° Xtreme blades with a Blade CP tail motor. It flies great! I had a Belt CP. Too much messing around to make it all work. I sold it. I had a Blade CP and that is like a squirrel on crack! It's gone too. I fly Microsoft Flight Simulator with proper Yoke and Pedals and a pair of excellent custom planes from the Mid Atlantic Air Museum. Spectacularly modeled craft, if you like antique prop planes.

Frustrated? I was, but I'm fine now. The forum does a wonderful job of bringing together a bunch of like minded guys. We get along great. We trade ideas and keep what we like - and politely discard the rest. We're all individuals in our taste for helicopters, but we all support each other's endeavors. I like it there. We are all quite respectful of our individuality, and loaded with "piss and vinegar" if you know what I mean. It's all in the name of fun and camaraderie.

The guys know me because I've been around around forever and they put up with me. I keep my opinions to myself, and as they say,"If you don't have something good to say, say nothing". So I listen a lot.
I've reached the point where I want my Falcon 40 fixed pitch to fly better. I have a few upgrades in mind, but we're talking maybe $150 at the outside. It's a winter project. And the guys are right there with me.

So be who you are and join us if you like. As I noted previously, we all have CX's on a shelf and just because we are on a single rotor thread doesn't prevent coaxial talk. Notice we are also on the Eflight thread and only a few still fly the Blade 400. We have only our love of hobby in common.
Oh, and love of country and support of our soldiers. We are very supportive of our Iraq Soldiers Fund with an ongoing collection to help our guys maintain their helicopters while over seas. Right now we are having a raffle for a new Blade MCX. Tickets are $2.50 with only 200 tickets to be sold. If you care, see the site > ushobbysupply.com
I had to get that plug in. I started the project and Michael, President of US Hobby Supply is a MAJOR supporter doing the majority of the work.

Have a good day!
Soloboss