I was looking at buying various odds and ends, and I came into a question. Many high-end escs built for racers (like the LRP SXX V2) are programmed using the good old push-button method. However, things like the Mamba Max Pro are programmed using Castle Link on the computer. Is this because many racers have some high-end transmitter (like an Airtronics MT-4) and use the transmitters settings to fine tune their throttle, etc curves instead of using a computer program? (or is that many settings in a computer program not really necessary?)

i think its more of a braggin / selling point the more features they can cram into an esc. Honestly ive had a few and other then basic set up and lipo / nimh settings i really never mess with the other settings.
Throttle curve? my finger controls that.
Punch settings? agian the finger controls that
I just learn to control the car and really never use any of the other settings.

I tend to agree that it has a lot to do with marketing, however, not all drivers have the same equipment so some folks may rely on those setup options in their ESC. Unless you're highly skilled (the actual phrase I was going to use may not be permitted on the open forums) and can modulate precise throttle control then most drivers, including myself, usually dial in some throttle exponent to take the edge off the power delivery. I may adjust the ESC's brake setting so that it doesn't immediately lock up the wheels when you barely flick reverse but other than that I don't mess with the ESC settings.

The one setting I've really had to mess with on my savage flux. Had to turn it all the way down to keep it from flipping over from just tapping the brake.
I've also messed with timing on one motor to try and get it not to cog, but turns out that motor just plain sucked.

I got a CC MM in my truggy, and honestly never saw the need to touch any of those advanced settings.