I guess the bottom line is sure, there are cheaper ways to go and yes this hobby can get expensive so to find ways to lessen the blow helps alot but, just because 95% of the time there isnt an issue doesnt mean that you couldnt fall victim to the other 5% at some point and I would much rather spend the $60 up front on a matching hi or low band Rec and matching Crystal than chance dropping a $400 to $600 or more out of the sky to save $15 in the long run. If I crash I would feel much better knowing it was operator error than a cheap mechanical failure due to my stubborness.