have you had a look at this :

http://rcsource.hobbypeople.net/link/heli001.htm

funnily enuf theres a club just down the road from me, also look for forums on it...they usually have a 101 posts from newbies saying "what should i buy"!!!

cant remember the name but theres one that covers all R/C types, that was always good a few yrs ago!