I've never used a buddy box. When I got into the hobby I did it on my own without knowing anything about the local clubs and without knowing anything about these RC online communities that would've led me down a better road. Well I purchased a Hitec Flash 5X and my eventual instructor used Airtronics gear. So needless to say no buddy cord. I only needed a few lessons before I soloed, but we just used the "pass it back and forth method". It worked fine in my case because I picked up flying quite easy, but for a slow learner I'd be weary.