ORIGINAL: Shenanigans
vxl works much better with a 2.4....far less interference, but its not required. Maybe the esc just needed time to dry out, and by the time your friend got it it had dried. Cell phones are like that....submerge them in water and they quit working..let them sit for a few days (maybe even a week)to completely dry out and they work again.
Yes 2.4 is a good investment for any brushless......i made the switch shortly after putting the vxl in a b4 from FM to 2.4 and saw a world of difference.
I have been running BLand Lipo batts for going on 5 years now, and all the while resisted the urge and ignored the 2.4ghz rumors, and NEVERhad a problem running off either my AMor FMradio sets. I do appreciate all you guys that have been sucked into investing in the new high dollar 2.4 tech, because it's totally eliminated any frequency conflicts at the track. I just wish you all would base your radio opinions on fact rather than rumor. Many of the top name racers in this country are still using FM, have no plans on switching, and are getting along just fine.