I have had a Futaba 6XA for 3 years now and have been very satisfied with it with one exception, it does not have exponential throws. I also have 2 - Hitec Flash 5X radios that I purchased after using the Futaba for a year. The Flash 5X does have exponential and I am very satisfied with this feature and the performance of this radio. I also like the better selection of small receivers and servos that Hitec offers. Futaba forces you to purchase their standard set with regular sized servos and receiver. In 3 years I still have the original servos that I got with the Futaba package -- I have never used them. Hitec on the other hand offers a glider package that includes their HS-81 servos and their 555 receiver.I believe that both Futaba and Hitec perform very well and will meet your needs, the Hitec costs less and has more small size options for receivers and servos.