I second the suggestion of going out to your local flying field before you go drop the money for your radio. See what the other guys you will be flying with the most are using. If the majority of the pilots at your field are using JR, you dont want to go and buy a Futaba (or the other way around), because you wont be able to buddy box between the two. It's just my opinion, but I would not limit myself by purchasing only a 4 channel radio system. True, there are some good ones, but I can guarantee you will be wanting to upgrade it as soon as you are done with your trainer. It's almost a sure bet you will need more channels for your second plane unless you are going a very basic route. The main thing I've found about radio equipment is this; dont just take one persons opinion about what is the best. Radios are just like everything else in the R/C world, everyone has their brand loyalties, and they will swear on a stack of bibles that their favorite brand is the best, and all others are crap. Think about where you want to go as far as what type of R/C flying you wish to do after you learn the basics, then start looking at the features of the different radios in your price range. I think you will find there are several choices out there that will give you more channels and more growth capacity than the models you've mentioned, with probably less than $50 more of an investment.