I concur,
there's a bit more to it, but there are a number of people on the forum who will say don't waste your time with fixed pitch. You can set a cp machine up to be pretty close to fp, and then you don't have to buy a 2nd heli. Another consideration is the radio gear. With most of the RTF kits, the radio won't graduate well to cp either. It's kind of a gotcha in that regard. $200 gets you addicted, prepare for the next $ 1000
I hear ya on the TRex, it is a bit pricey, but it's worth it. Come hell or high water that will be my next bird.