To post my opinion on the original topic... you don't have to have digitals, and I think there are more people that "want" them than "need" them. I honestly doubt most average pilots could tell if a plane had digitals or not by just flying the plane. I have several digitals that I have acquired with planes or good deals, and I have a bunch of new style Hitec 645s that I use. I really can't tell a big difference to be honest. Use what you can afford, but I would stick with a good name brand. On a side note, I have read and personally know of several digitals that have failed, but you really don't see a lot of that from analogs. Use what you are comfortable with, and what will bring you the most fun, that is what it is all about.