I have the 6XAS. It suits my style of flying just fine. You wouldn't do wrong at all with the 6XAS. I've been flying mine for about 3 years now and have no regrets.

I wouldn't see any reason to bet the 8U just yet. Perhaps in the future, but for a basic radio, I don't think that you will get the extra $$ use out of it, except to have bragging rights that you have bells and whistles that you'll never use.

If I had the two radios in front of me, I'd get the 6XAS and put the extra $$ towards another plane. If you are just starting out in this hobby, you'll have plenty of other things to spend your money on - the $$ that you save won't go to waste.

Just my $.02

Bob