ben,
to try to answer your question about Hitec digitals. I believe their first-run digitals, the 56xx series did have some issues. This was at least a year ago or maybe 2. I don't remember the specifics but I think it had something to do with setting the radio up for greater than 100% servo travel and then they would lock up in a certain position. I know the one of the fixes was to send them back to Hitec and it seems like there were other work-arounds but I don't remember. Anyone else want to confirm?