i think it may be very worth your while to spend a little money on a brushless system like the sidewinder from castle creations. [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXUTA1&P=7]it may be a little more then you wanted to spend,[/link] but its a good solid system, and just about anybody will tell you brushless is the way to go.

[link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCFW2**&P=7]i like this controller[/link]. on a budget, i think they're good solid controllers, comfortable and functional without all the big bells and whistles, and for the money is what i'd go with.