RE: 500 Dollars how to pick a radio
I bought the Futaba 7C 2.4 as my first radio too. Have now moved upto the Futaba 10CAG 2.4 and couldn't be happier. I think I got it new off ebay for $550 shipped. You also get a $200 14-ch rx with it even though the 8 or 7 ch ones still work for most needs.