I started with a NexStar. I liked the plane, crashed it, bought an ARF, had that flying again in a few days. As for the AFS, I never used it. I unplugged it when it was new. When I moved the gear over to the ARF, I was delighted NOT to include the AFS. As others have said, it's useless--so I've been told at the club and hobby shops.

When first getting started in this hobby, I think it's a smart move to start with a simulator.