No need to apologize for flying a Hitec radio, burnin1st. The Optic 6, Optic 6 Sport, and Eclipse 7 are all fantastic values. All of these radios are shift selectable and can fly Airtronics or JR receivers as well as Futaba or Hobbico/Tower receivers. The fact that all of them are upgradable to the Spectra synthesized frequency system means they'll most likely be 2.4Ghz upgradable whenever Hitec figures out what direction they want to go with their next-gen equipment.

The simple fact is that everyone makes a great 6 to 8 channel computer radio in the $159 to $275 price range. I'd be quite content to fly my planes with a JR Sport SX600, an Airtronics VG6000, or a Hitec Optic 6 if I didn't already own my Futaba 7C.

I'd go so far as to say being able to buy an Optic 6 with the Spectra synthesizer module and an 8-channel shift selectable dual conversion receiver all for $179 is such a great deal that it's almost silly. 8 model memory with model naming, plenty of mixing and programming features, shift selectable to work with virtually any 72Mhz FM receiver, fly on any channel you want with the Spectra module, fly airplanes/sailplanes/helicopters off the same radio, and QPCM compatible all for $179??? Why the heck wouldn't you want one?

When you move up to the Eclipse 7, you get all of this plus more advanced mixing capabilities, a seventh channel, and more. Hitec radio systems are an outstanding value.