I agree with Z! If I was starting over again, I'd buy a bare bones kit and put the parts I really wanted on it myself! I also started with a $130 HBK2 (still my only "real" copter - the Air Hogs don't count! ), that has about $600 of upgrades on it - including a 2100T HH gyro and Dx6i radio system. All much better than anything I could have gotten "off the shelf", unless I got Michael or Rusty to build a custom copter for me... It has taught me a lot so far, and still has more to teach me - like how to fly without landing in a heap (I also still have some upgrades like the CF frame and CNC head and tail components that I haven't even put on yet - pending some more crashes and "learning" with these stock parts) - before I move on to something a little bigger (that hopefully will be easier to fly)!

I'm not a fan of the HBK3 of Belt CPv3 because you still don't get to pick the best parts and upgrades available - as you can do with a real bare bones kit for near the same money.

There is plenty of free advice and help for putting together any bare bones kit - including advice from just about everyone out here! Talk to Michael (U.S. Hobby Supply) or Rusty (Castle Rock Hobbies) and they can probably help you pick the parts you'll need too - so you can get all or most of what you'd need in one or two orders! Neither of these guys will sell you junk, and will support you before and after any sales.

I wish I could start over again, so I could get to the pretty nice bird I have now a lot cheaper and faster!

Have fun!
Dave