I feel the choice of radios is much like the old Ford / Chevy thing. It's more about preference than anything. Both JR and Futaba are certainly very good radios, and along with Airtronics, the Multiplex name is starting to show up more and more.

I have been flying Futaba for more years than I want to count, and have had little if any trouble with their products. I feel the 9Z has several features that out weigh the 9th channel situation. I often use chan 9 for retracts, and assign the control to the normal retrct switch which then gives me 8 fully programable channels for flight controls or other options. I only use 8 ch on my Bandit. Except for certain scale opertations, I can't think of a need for more channels than that. The 9Z has the fully synthisized and tuned module so you don't have to change modules to change freqs and airplanes. The Campac module also offers added aircraft memory and non-volitile memory back up. The ability to assign any function to any switch, slider or knob is also very handy. Range is also very good. If installed properly I consistntly see ground checks that are equal to or greater than of JR. The 9Z does take a bit longer to learn the programing, however any of the advanced radios require time and effort to learn regardless of the brand. That is simply a function of our hobby.

With all that being said, I do believe that the JR product is very good, and if Futaba disappeared, I could use the JR brand with great confidence.