Also, someone posted something that a while back I thought was so true.

"The more money you try to save, the more work you create for yourself". A good set of air retracts may be $250 on a .60 size airplane but I don't have to worry near as much about whether they come down, lock and hold up even on a semi-rough landing. You don't HAVE to have them but they make life easier and flying the plane more enjoyable.

If you're going to do it, do it right and get the best set you can afford otherwise you may be burned on retracts for your entire R/C "career".