colorpilot,

What do you want to fly with this radio?

Almost any plane can be flown with a modern 4 channel radio. Unless you need something more than that, go for a basic 4 channel Hitec, Futaba, etc.

If you decide you are going to stay with the hobby, a 4 channel will serve you for a good long while, but you will eventually want to go to a computer radio. So, if you can't afford the computer radio now, stay basic.

Are you flying electics? Sailplane/Glider? Glo fuel? How many channels do you need?

There are lots of RTF electics that come with their own three channel radios. The whole RTF pack with the radio/plane/etc is under $175, and some under $150.

There are RTF Sailplane packages for under $175 including the radio.

There are RTF glo packages that are under $275 including the radio.

So, what is your objective? What are you going to fly?

Do you love building, or would you rather get the plane already built and start flying right away?