Regarding the "advice" to not get an ARF or RTF- Build a kit, yes, but I have a feeling you know a thing or to about engineering and design. Get an ARF or RTF and learn the essential skills of FLYING, that way you can fly while you build your dream project and not just spread it all over the countryside when your done!!
Building a kit won't make you a designer OR a good builder, if you don't know WHY your doing what your doing.
Also regarding radioes- I don't concider the left stick coming out of my JR radio a user error in set up or a "glitch" as MikeL put it.
This was just plain BAD quality control at the factory, or other factor. HOWEVER I still use JR equipment as well as others.
Never had a case of the "I ain't got it's" with ANY of the products I've used- guess I'm lucky there.

Just my thoughts,

Jetts