Too much choice these days
The Trex is a solid performer and you can easily get help and parts.
The Compass is more like the outsider, good engineering and performance but not as common as the Trex.
Both helis will fly great but the reason I don't own a Trex 500 is because everyone else has a Trex
Selecting helis is like selecting clothes. Some will buy the same their friends have, some will choose to be different. I tried to be smart and started first with the "standard" Trex but after the periods between the crashes have been getting longer I decided to follow my own preferences and buy the helis I really like.
If you can afford it, try bigger. I started with a Trex 450 and then moved up to a Trex 600 (which is now in a scale fuse) and then to a Mikado Logo 600.
The Logo is an outstanding heli and my all-time favourite. I thought it would be fun (and more economical) to have a 500 size heli and actually own two of them (Logo 400 and MSH Protos) and while they are both excellent helis I find I often leave them at home and only take the Logo 600 to the flying field. I really enjoy the power and presence of the bigger machine.
Currently I'm looking for my xmas present which will most likely be a Kasama Srimok 90E
My musings will probably not help you very much but the truth is that you will need to make the decision yourself. Most helis you can buy today will fly just fine so go out and look what you like most and buy it. It won't be your last heli so don't worry too much!