What really has changed is battery technology-now with 1 or 2 1800 mah Nimh receiver batteries, you almost don't have to worry about running down a battery, like Minnflyer said, sometimes 3-4 flights a day is all I can manage anyway. Course Volt watch would let you know if there was a battery malfunction. Add a transmitter battery with same capacity and most of worry goes away. Most of the time my reciever batteries don't get down to 5 volts. Maybe I don't fly enough!!