Steve,
You summed up my feelings about the 9C pretty well, however, I have a couple technical corrections:
7 pmixes instead of 9. Two of those 7 are on 5 point curves.
The 149 series receivers are 9 channel, not 8.
The Futaba CAMPAC modules only have memory for 6 more models, though you can get aftermarket versions with much more memory

Additionally, the digital trims are way cool but where this radio shines is in switch assignment. As you stated you can set up the ATV for throttle mellowing on your new UCD, but lets do something a little cooler:

Lets say you have your rates on one switch (we'll call it C), and during high rates you want all the power you can get, middle rates you want 75% power, and at low rates you want 50% power. First, set your Throttle ATV to get full power. Next, set up a pmix of throttle - throttle at -25%, and assign it to switch C in the center postition. Finally, set up a throttle - throttle mix at -50%, and set it to switch C in the lowe position. Now, when you go to high rates you have max power available, go to middle rates and you automatically have your throttle resticted to 75% at full stick travel. On low rates your throttle response is effectively halved. Does this sound cool or what? Something that the 8103 can't touch.