As usual there are posts on here between manufactorers.

Here's the easy chart.

Futaba-

6EXA - a nice low-cost 6ch radio, with 6 model memory and all the expo, mixing you'll need for foamy aircraft. The stick gymbals are garbage though, but it works great for foamies.

7CAP/7CHP - Great radio for the price - LOTS of features and has room to grow for most pilots.
9CAP/9CHP - same as above, just more channels and more feature tunability.

JR-
8103 is the only one here that I like.
In my opinion JR has the best stick gymbals, but they need to hire someone with a brain to design their ergonomics and the settings manipulation isnt the best.

Hitec -
While they make good servos and recievers, Im kinda hesitant to get one of their transmitters. But for price, they cant be beat. The eclipse 7 is a hot deal, and has lots of features.