I love sarcasm.

The truth from my experience is this; I have been through 3 radios. I soloed 16 months ago. I started with an airtronics 6ch, moved to a 9303 and then a 10x as I progressed. I have made a point of flying with people who are better than I am. (Not hard to do for me). I changed radios as I needed more features. The 10X can do very little that the 9303 is not capable of, BUT...the people who KNOW how to do pro-class setup have pro-class radios. I bought a used one so I could benefit from their experience.

It's simple really. You can progress very quickly in the hobby or you can take your time. It's up to you. My second transmitter has a cumulative timer. I have well over 200 hours on that radio and I bought it last summer. The features I described are all features I have needed within the last twelve months.

I am now flying only the 10X...even for foam. It was too hard to get all the stuff needed for gas, glow and foam into the truck with an extra TX case to carry. I have taken 2 gas airplanes (one 50cc and one 100cc), one glow (ST .90), one foamie (Charger CR-1), all of the needed gear, two TX's, clothes/toiletries, my laptop and all of my work papers on a 3-day work/flying trip 260 miles away. I drive a Nissan pickup...a small one...with no shell and no trailer. I will never do that again....what a hassle.

I can say from experience what I have needed. I'm sorry if that was inapropriate for the beginner's forum. I still consider myself a beginner. I probably will for a long time to come. I know what I have been through and I am only trying to be helpful.

Expensive radios, airplanes, engines, servos and associated gear are expensive for a reason. (Although, for a couple thousand dollars, I think the 14MZ should have an espresso machine in it, or at least a cup-holder. But that's just me).