Got my Aurora 9 on friday. First impressions were great. If just had that 'solid' feel that a lot of things you buy these days don't have. Best analogy I can think of is think of the classic big American car, close the door and it's solid, take a little tiny compact car, close the door and it feels and sounds like a tin can. The gimbles feel very nice, I especially like the heavy tension on the throttle, it can be adjusted to a less tight feel, but I like the heavy feel. To me I like knowing when I'm operating the rudder, the throttle won't inadvertantly move. Having the options for all those switch assignments is very cool. I didn't like the 'trainer' switch (momentary contact switch that returns when released) is on the top right side. I guess I am just used to the trainer switch on the top left because when I am running the buddy box, I keep the throttle wide open and my finger on the right stick so I am ready to go at a moments notice. With the trainer switch on the right side, kinda hard to hold it and the right stick comfortably for a long period of training time. This isn't really a complaint, just a preference for me, that is all. The touch screen is nice, it is so convenient not having to go thru all sorts of menus to access something. Click on E.P.A. and the next screen shows all channels right there at once, same thing with sub-trims, reversing, etc. Makes programming a breeze, and this was my first model I programmed in! So, got my P 51D Mustang all programmed in and headed out to the field today. Got the book out to do the range check. I guess I held the function button on too long on the back of the transmitter (on the 2.4 module) because things didn't seem right. In a nutshell, i switched the Tx into Scan mode from the Normal mode I thought I was still in. So, the indicator lights on the Tx module were both on, when I really only expected one to be on. Then trying the range check, things just weren't going like I thought they should. I finally thought I might have switched modes, I then switched back and the proper lights were on for being back in normal mode. The book says when doing the range check, that the lights go on after a single beep, but mine was beeping rapidly for the full 90 seconds. ?????? I did the range check and after the 90 seconds, they stopped beeping and the red light came back on solid, so I knew it was back out of range check mode. Well, I will chalk this up to the manual not being quite accurate, as when I got the radio, there was a little card inside giving a nice summary of all the indicator lights, and range check info, etc. This card described exactly what I experienced, so it is my guess that the card definitely was printed later and reflects exactly what really happens. I then fueled up the Mustang, and flew it four times with no issues whatsoever. The radio feels great in the hands. I REALLY like the gimbels as the tips of them are not a single round top, but instead have a sort of crown layout to them with a series of points. These points really grip your finger tip, and even if your finger is just catching the edge, the one or two points 'stick' into your skin and your finger just doesn't slip! The points are sharp, but don't worry, it's not like they are the tips of a needle. Just a very nice touch, that is on a long list of very nice touches. The telemetry is cool, checked the battery voltage of the Rx battery a few times. I, like a lot of others, waited for HiTec to join the 2.4 crowd, and I simply just didn't want to wait any longer, so I had went with the Airtronics RDS8000 2.4. I like the Airtronics, but it doesn't compare to this HiTec. The two radios side by side and it was a huge difference in feel, weight, gimbels. The HiTec is deffinitely heavier. Luckily for me, one of the guys here in our tiny little club has the same Airtronics 2.4 radio, so I was able to sell him both of my Tx's and all four Rx's I had to help fund this HiTec purchase. We are both happy with the deal, and I got the radio I really wanted! MY buddy got his Aurora 9 on thursday, and he had just went to 2.4 with a JR 9303 not six months ago. Him, like me, as soon as we heard all the features this radio offered, and at that PRICE, it was a no brainer. All his JR stuff is gone, all my Airtronics stuff is gone, and we both couldn't be happier. I honestly think this radio is going to be a huge game changer in RC, and I especially think that Futaba and JR have got to be scrambling right about now. I think HiTec just showed up to a big rumble carrying the proverbial big gun, and Futaba and JR are standing there with sticks. I've been a HiTec guy for the last 15 years, so I have a big grin right now! All you guys still waiting on yours, TRUST ME, IT IS WORTH THE WAIT! Tom.