Well, I like my buddy cord, because I didn't have to hand over the radio I was holding, if I made a mistake. What I didn't like about it, was that it was a stripped down trainer radio, not my Skysport. It is all your preferance. I have seen potential crashes that could not have been stopped with out a buddy cord. But, I have only seen a couple. Exp. Student throws power to the engine, starts to take off, and banks the plane sharply. He did not have two feet under the plane. The instructor managed to save it, which he could not have if there was no buddy cord. On the other hand, if you don't want the buddy cord, don't use it... it is all your choice.

Just my $.02