ok...i am trying to buy my boyfriend a new transmitter for his bday, but i am clueless about them. I know that he wants the type that does not use channels, but i do not know what this type is called. I also do not know what the best brand to buy is. can anyone help me out?

Does he fly planes, helicopters or both? How long has he been flying?

He is probably refering to the new 2.4 gigahertz radios.
These are the 2 most common
DX7
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM2710
Futaba FASST
http://2.4gigahertz.com/systems/futk6900.html

It's really hard to recommend for someone else too. You may want to read this thread:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6564746/tm.htm

Also give a lot of thought to a gift certificate to either a local hobby shop or
www.Towerhobbies.com or http://www.horizonhobby.com/

He indeed probably wants a 2.4ghz radio.....there kinda the new craze as far as transmitters go. And well worth the money too. I personally recommend Futaba. We would need to know a tiny bit more about this guy as far as what he flies. If he's flying basic radio controlled planes like most of us and not going extremely overboard like some guys,he's probably in need of just a 6 channel radio2.4ghz(not channel as in 37,or 43,or 51 etc.,2.4's dont use them)......he probably wants this for $220:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPZT8&P=0

Same radio,but comes WITH extra stuff he'll be able to use for $40 more:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPZT8&P=0

I could be wrong,but 9 chances out of 10,this is whats he wants

Jester-
Your second choice only includes 3 micro servos
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0161p?&I=LZ2376 would be a better choice if a full "typical" system is needed for a standard nitro powered plane. Unfortunately it costs @$90 more.

Mahonie, There are two major brands of the new 2.4GHz radios - And they are like Ford and Chevy

If your boyfriend is a "Futaba Man" He will want the FASST System Available at Tower Hobbies (The link above)

If he is a "JR Man" He will probably want the Spektrum System available at Horizon Hobbies

Look at his radios and get the brand he already has - if he has something other than JR or Futaba, I would recommend the FASST System

If you can't tell . . . a gift certificate fits all. ;-)

Here is what I think you should do .....
Tell your boyfriend that you want to get him the new transmitter and you need him to help you pick it out.
Its as simple as that, if he wants to get it at the hobby shop take him there and buy it together or if he wants to get it mail order ask him to help you order it. This will avoid any chance of getting the wrong item. You then keep it and make him wait until his birthday to play with it.

She wants to buy her boyfriend a new radio?
He needs to marry her, and FASST

well, thanks for the help....futaba sounds very familar. he flies planes and helis, but seems to prefer helis. i am going to visit the hobby shop tomorrow where he goes and talk to the owner there. i am hoping that he will know what my boyfirnd's preferences are. I guess from now on I should pay more attention to these things!! thanks everyone for your help.

....wooooops,thank you for the correction Bruce! Thats the one I wanted

Why should he marry her if he's getting the milk and transmitter for free?