I get asked this question a lot and my standard answer is 'get as much radio as you can realistically afford'. There are advantages in the 10X over the 8103. Mostly in ease of setup, but with a normal pattern airplane the needs of the radio are not that great.

10X advantages for pattern are:
Throttle curve
7 point curved mixes vs 5 point in the 8103
Triple rates
Flight modes

The other advantages of the 10X show up as airplanes become more complex. Plan on flying any giant scale aerobatics? The 10X offers up more ease of setup options and channels there. Maybe going to fly Jets down the road? Again.. more channels, which are used up very quickly in jet aircraft.

If you think you might need the extra capability of the 10X in the NEAR future, that's the direction you should go. If the 8103 will do everything you need, go that route. Both will certainly do the job.

Doug Cronkhite
Team JR