If you just want a cheap one to muck about with, they have finally got the little £20 or so ones, with 3Ch available, i got one from ebay in a week £15 delivered, contra rotating blades, and a 3rd channel for forward backward via a rear upright rotor, only infrared, but mint round the kitchen.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-Channel-Yell...742.m153.l1262