I've been putting off a move to Futaba (or JR) for several years, but I suppose now it's time. At this point, I have 5 functioning Airtronics receivers (4 in models and one on a test-stand setup). I do still have another RDS8000 that I could use for "Sunday flyer" type models (i.e. cheap ARFs), but with my special scale models I should get something better. I could start with just two new receivers (for the Snipe and SE5a) and the Futaba 8JA, which would come to about $450.

I agree that Airtronics isn't moving forward. And even though they are ultimately Sanwa, they are virtually unknown in Japan (where I live).