when my local hobby shops stop marking up products i can get by 50%... maybe then will i start frequenting them more often

i do like goign to them to wander around..... but i just get sad, that i can't afford how much cool stuff is out there

My lhs is pretty good and his prices are very close to horizon hobby prices and in some cases are better

I would just like to suggest the traxxas power up program. If you already have a traxxas Am system then for 68 dollers you could upgrade to their TQI radio. if the LHS sells traxxas trucks then they shouold be able to help you with the upgrade.
http://www.traxxas.com/v2/powerup/

if you want to buy a spektrum or futaba, you would be better off to spend a little extra for the dx3c. It is much more full featured and can be had for around 130$

I suggest the Futaba 3PL, if you have to choose between Spekturm and Futaba. Spectrum's offerings in that price range are no better than RTR radios. An Airtronics MX-Sport or MX-V wouldn't be a bad option either.

the dx3c is only 15$ more than the 3pl and blows it away in terms of both features and ergonomics

Ergonomics are perfectly fine to me on the 3PL since I'm use to that style being in RC for nearly 20 years, can take some getting used to if you're use to dropped wheel style TX's. Both have pretty much the same features, that 99% of us don't use anyway.

True true..... it is the feel of a spektrum radio that appeals to me

I also greatly prefer the ui of a spektrum......

I'm not impressed with the DX3C quality. I have two friends that own the DX3C. One had a steering wheel spring brake. The other had a steering potentiometer go bad.

P.S. I don't like the DX3S either. Buy Futaba or Airtronics!

Hmmm........ that's not good lol. I don't have a lot of personal experience with the 3c but my bro has the e and I use the r and s and we have never had a problem and I've been running spektrum since the original dx3. Now that I think about it I did have to replace the wheel spring on one.