Anybody have any thoughts on the Multiplex micro jet? I'm trying to decide between it or the Stryker. It looks like it could be upgraded in the power department too. I thought it might be a pretty good deal starting with "good" electronics from the get go instead of buying a stryker and gutting it. By the way, Thanks for all the info here. It sure helps us rookies...everybody is great!

Neither one of these are a beginner plane first.
But since that is not the question here,
STRYKER! I wouldn't get rid of mine for nothing. Own 5 of them, 1 stock, 1 stock modded, and 3 brushless that are gone in the blink of an eye.
The "best" way to go with a stryker is buy the body and verticals, hatch and so on, and install your own set up.
This is just my opinion.

I agree with Catfish,I have 3 Strykers,all modified to varying degrees,and they are a sweet plane.I also have the microjet,and it is a lot harder to fly IMHO.Not so much when you get it up there,it flys quite well,it is just hard to launch without a nasty torque roll,and doesn't like flying slowly unlike the Stryker.If the plane was a third bigger,I think it would be more forgiving.Also being so small I find it a bit hard to see.The larger Muliplex planes like the picojet and twinjet are a better bet I think.Go the Stryker with aftermarket radio and power setup.
Cheers,
Bleary.

Completely different flying characteristics. Very easy to get the MJ into 3 digit speed, but it's a lot harder to fly (and as others have said - harder to see). Not a beginner plane by any means.

Strykers can be made to go fast (lots of threads on this), but in stock form are pretty docile. Probably still not a good beginner plane.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go with a stock Stryker to get used to it then change over the electronics and finally the motor. I went that route on my Slo-V thanks to the advice by GlacierGirl and it worked great. I actually thought the Micro Jet would be a little easier to fly due to it's size but now that you mention it the smaller size makes sense that it would be less forgiving. Thanks again!

RC aircraft are a lot like pistols. The small ones are cute - but much harder to operate