You can go to the Futaba site and read the manuals and compare features between their models and some of the others. A little work but will take some of the "OPINION" factor out of it and you can make your own decisions based on facts. Of course not all mfg put their manuals on the web, wonder why not? What are they hiding? Or are they just greedy and want to sell you everything? In this day and age it is just good sales policy and customer service. Saw one of the new Futaba 14 Ch at the field the other day, WOW. Whistles and bells. Way beyond what I need but sooooo purrty. Guy that has it does a lot of competition flying.

PS. Rumors are not true, it does not make coffee, only tea.