Go back and read the OP (which I just did to be sure)... he said he was "leaning" toward the Futaba.... he asked about the Spektrum.

For a large part this thread has not been a manufacturer war... good information by both sides and there are good sides to both.

Both systems work.... it just happens that my field went the Spektrum route... likely because of the initial cost of the Dx6i. At the time 6 channels for $150 was the best deal... still a good deal, and now the $50 Dx5e is even better.

If we were planting planes all the time because of the radio system, I guarantee that we would not be buying Spektrum/JR...

I know and understand the frequency hopping issue... and JR even has systems sold elsewhere in the world with that capability... It just does not seem as important as Futaba makes it out to be... The retort is; if it works, and it does, that is a pretty good marketing point for Spektrum. DSM2 is alive and well, no matter how many say otherwise. Good radios at reasonable prices... and now you can buy DSM2 receivers for about $13 out of Hong Kong.. further reducing your cost.... and they work.