Ok, so I'm the oddball in the group. I have a bit of a different opinion on new flyers getting the more advanced computer radios. It has nothing to do with cost, moving the radio to an another plane, or anything else. It has to do with learning to fly. As an instructor I've seen quite a few new pilots, planes, and radios come through our field. I've seen new students sit for hours trying to program computer radios for their trainers with exponential, mixes, etc.... IMHO, this is counter productive to learning to fly. All of those "gadgets" are great AFTER they have learned to fly. But while learning all those things can actually work AGAINST the learning process. If the student relies on the radio for somethings then they never really learn how to fly properly. As I said above, I have nothing against the computer radios for a student if they were to leave all the "gadgets" out. But how many new pilots have the self control to not play with all the knobs and switches?? I know I wouldn't be able to resist.

So for new pilots I would recommend staying the with basic 4/6 channel "no-frills radio", and move to a computer radio when they get their second plane. The can always give/sell that first radio to another new pilot down the road, or use it as a buddy-box later on.

That's my 2¢ worth.

Ken