Expo (exponential),
I keep hearing that is it good to have it; too bad I don't have it to see for myself, although, I hear a lot of people who do have it complain that they either had too much or too little expo dialed in when they crash. Personally, I fly for fun (read that no competition), and I think having all that fancy stuff takes the fun out of flying (makes you lazy). I really get a kick out of completing a perfect maneuver using only my skills (and a little luck). Mind you, I'm still green...who knows, I may change my mind as I get more experienced.

dual rates,
I am only using dual rates until I get some more stick time landing on hi rates on those windy days (which I just love to fly in), then its only 1 rate for me (I just love the challenge of a perfect landing).

Courious.....if I'm in trouble, the last thing on my mind is flicking switches.

Before we get too far off topic here, looks like "None of the above" has gained a little. I wonder what planes you guys would suggest for a 2nd plane. I like the Global Freestyle (or a plane like it), with the Something Extra, Magic Extra coming in a close second.