Ed,
I''ve been using Airtronics radios for a long time, so I know them forward and backwards. IMHO I think that the programming for the RDS8000 (RD8000 & RD6000 as well) is some of the easiest to learn and program. I think that the RDS8000 might actually be a little better of a radio for the beginners. But...... Yes, there is a but....... The RDS8000 package is transmitter and receiver only. The pilot needs to get servos on their own. This might be a little confusing for a beginner pilot to have to go out and get servos now. So in that department the DX6i wins because it''s an "all inclusive" package. They both have pluses and minuses.

Ken