I think if you're gonna spend $250 on a 6 channel, you might as well go for the 9C for about $100 more. The 9C is probably the best value in computer radios out there. It's a cinch to program and will pretty much do just about anything you will ever need for the forseeable future.

I happen to be in the "buy the best radio you can afford" camp, if you know for sure that you intend to stay in the hobby. By buying the best first, you avoid buying twice (or three times) and you won't be limited to what type of flying you can do.

When I got started in this hobby not long ago I struggled with the same issue of whether or not to get a mid-range or a high end radio. I almost bought a Flash 5x but decided to get a Super 8UAFS instead. If I had gotten the Flash 5x, I wouldn't be able to fly the 6 servo sailplanes that I do now. I also wouldn't be able to put all the advance mixes in my pattern plane either. And I wouldn't be able to fly helicopters if I wanted to. But I can do all of that now. I also have enough model memory in my Super 8 for all my planes. Plus, having had the Super 8 since I started, I've become really familar with the way it feels and how it operates. It's the one constant no matter what I fly.

Remember, no matter how many crashes you go through, the transmitter will always survive. Get yourself a good one if you can.