I am very happy you are talking computer radios. I just wrote an article for www.rcezine.com on entry level 2-4 channel radios. In doing the research for the article as well as research for a new radio for myself I have come to the conclusion that the only reason to buy a standard
radio any longer is lack of confidence that you plan to go forward.

Forget the servos, receivers and stuff you need for each plane. That is the
same regardless of what radio you get. I am talking about just the radio.

A standard 4 channel radio is about $55-$85 by itself. Take this Hitec Laser
for as an example, $60:
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_l...m_systems.html

Compare that to the Hitec Flash 4 as an entry level computer radio - $85, or
about 1/3 more.
http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_f...m_systems.html

So why go with the Flash 4X computer radio?

cheaper in use -

5 model memories means you can set-up and instantly switch to any of 5 models
without having to reset anything. So the Flash costs about $17 per plane.

With the Laser, you would have to reset the radio for each plane each time you
changed planes. You have to make your surface throw adjustmetns manually by
fussing with the linkages. So, most of the
standard radio advocates I have spoken to have one radio per model. That's $60
per plane.

With the Flash, even if you only have two planes, it is $42.50 per plane so
you saved already.

Go up to the Flash 5X at $110 and you get an extra channel and some really
cool features that let you do things no 4 channel radio can do. You get
flexibility
http://www.servocity.com/html/5-ch_f...m_systems.html


Flexibility with the Flash 5X computer radio

The computer radio will allow you to do things you can't do on the standard
radio. Forget the channel 5 retracts, let's talk about things that any 4
channel Pilot/plane could use. Here are three examples:

Split Ailerons/flapperons:
You can put two aileron servos in the plane so you can adjust, trim and
control them independently by putting each on a separate channel. Still works
through the one stick but uses two radio/receiver channels to manage the two
servos.

Fly the plane normally. Then flip a switch and turn the ailerons into
flapperons. Now you can use your ailerons as flaps during landings. Flaps on a
4 channel plane that doesn't have flaps. That is just one example of what a
computer radio can do for you.

Coordinated turns
Mix rudder into your ailerons so you have a coordinated turn. On a standard
radio you have to do this manually. With the computer radio, you focus on the
plane while the radio handles the coordination.

So, for an extra $30-50 over a standard 4 channel radio you get a radio that
handles 5 models and let's you do things that the standard radio can't do.

Will you need it on the first plane? Maybe not day one but how about 6 months
out? Will you want it for the second plane? Probably! So why buy the standard
radio?

There is only one reason to buy a standard radio these days. "I don't know if
I will like RC flying so I want to spend as little as possible."

That is the ONLY reason to buy a standard radio anymore. EVER!

Heck for $150 you can get a Futaba 7C 7 channel radio with 10 model memories
that will do things you don't even know you will want today but will discover
in about 9
months of hanging around with the experienced guys. For 10 planes that is a
super flexible, super powerful radio for $15 per plane.
http://www.servocity.com/html/7ca_transmitter.html

If you get into serious aerobatics or sailplanes, a computer radio is almost a
requirement. If this is your plan, I would recommend the Futaba 9C as a great value. I just bought one so I put my $$ where my .... keyboard is.... sorta?

I have used Hitec and Futaba as examples here because I know those lines best,
but JR, Airtronics and others have entry level computer radios that are a much
better value than any standard radio.

Get a computer radio and save a bundle of money. And, no, they are not hard to
program. In fact if you want, you can just use it as a standard 3 or 4 channel
radio until you want to use the other features.