No the 9C is definitely not to much and it was a very popular radio many have started with it. Problem is and anyone please correct me If I am wrong but its been around a long time and I think it has been discontinued. I would not recommend buying any radio that is discontinued.

Almost all the new folks at our field usually go with Hitec or Futaba and I usually fly with those using Hitec and another does so with the Futaba users. Although my preferance is Hitec I must say most of the Futaba users here start with the 7c which is a very, very capable unit in terms of features. I believe the 9C predates the 7C by some time and the 7C Is more capable in some ways.

John

Actually, the 7C came out before or at the same time as the 8 and 9C IIRC. The difference is the 7 and 8Cs were reworked into a 2.4 sets while the 9C was replaced by the 10C. I have a 9C with a 75MHz PCM module that has been discontinued along with all PCM receivers. I can still buy a 72MHZ FM and 2.4GHz modules as well as receivers so I'm good to go for several years at this point. Is it future proof? Not hardly as Futaba turned it into an antique with the release of the 2.4GHz 10C system