I also opt for going with the cheap radio. I have radios with all of the bells and whistles and they're great, but for the most part, istill do 90% of my flying with a absic 4 channel radio. Think of it like a car, Do you NEED power windows, ABS breaks, and an OnStar system? No. Are they nice to have? Yes. Are they worth spending the extra money for? That depends on the individual. Would you spend the extra money for them if this is your first car and don't know if you're going to keep driving or not? If your answer is yes, then by all means get the extras. But you certainly don't need them for driving.