ORIGINAL: bigdanusa
I've never seen a beginner that had flaps or retracts on a plane so why would they ever need a 6 channel radio starting out?
Does a beginner need a 6 channel radio? No.
Does a beginner need a computer radio? No.
Does a beginner need a 2.4? No
I've been using 4 channel non-computer beginner radios for 38 years and my planes fly just as well as any other radios will make them fly!
All true... but a beginner is far better off spending money on a better radio NOW, then wasting their money on a long string of slightly better radios as they progress.
And if they decide to jump out of the hobby, they'll have a radio which others may want to buy, instead of a cheapie no one wants.
Of course things like a built-in timer with auto-throttle start, alone can save the newbie the price difference for the better radio, in terms of not running out of fuel at the wrong moment because they lost track of the time. Or having someone else shoot down your plane, etc. etc. etc.