Not for me but for a friend who just started getting into RC's....hard.

Text pic shows 9 for surface (we wont get into the air ones) mostly Traxxas, a scattering of Spektrum, TA and Losi, all from RTR packages. He wants to make sure the radio he gets will do it all especially his Summit (locking diffs, hi/low etc). I'm fairly confident price is not a big issue but considering he has to replace some receivers (or all depending on the Tx he gets) it can get pretty expensive in no time.

I've already suggested Spektrum DX4R Pro since he has a couple Spektrum receivers already but Airtronics, Futaba, KO are nice as well. Any other suggestions?

Well, if money is an issue and he wants a simple radio that will do most everything, the Airtronics MX-V is an 80$ radio (on A-main) and has almost everything a top dollar radio has except for telemetry and a couple obscure things (like servo speed etc.). If he is looking for something that's the next level up then in the 250$ range the two radios that I would suggest are either the Airtronics MT-4 or the Futaba 4PLS, both are around 250$ and have very similar functions, speed, latency, etc. Between the two it's basically a choice of aesthetics Anyways, those three radios are my suggestion

I would get the mt4. I love the one I have now. Receivers seem to hold value pretty good, so you could sell the ones you have. Since they are probably sr300's probably offer them in a lot, or shipping small value packages is going to get to you.

Does your friend race or go to any tracks? If so I would say yeah just go with the Spektrum and pick up a few receivers. That would cost quite a bit though. I ran the flysky gt3b for awhile because I had the same problem. Waaaay to many vehicles and was tired of swapping receivers all the time. The radio is only like $40 and receivers are $7. It has all the adjustments just like any high end radio. I wouldn't suggest using it at any tracks though,supposedly they mess up Spektrum radios. Go figure.
http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-gt3b-c...FVFgfgodF3oAxQ

They mess with the older ones since those don't channel hop.

Like I mentioned I dont think $$$ is that much of an issue as here's the text I got after he just got into this hobby a few months ago.

I'm pretty sure a Spektrum DX4R Pro or the MT4 would be a good choice once he decides.

We're going to an indoor carpet track tomorrow (2nd time for me, 1st for him) and I'm pretty sure he'll be getting into that....also a new club has come about here in our city for a proposed outdoor dirt/clay track this year....finally!

Wow that's a lot of Traxxas vehicles. I would go with the MT4 over the Spektrum only because Spektrum receivers have a weak bec and don't work well with certain servos.

If money isn't an issue then I would say the Futaba 4PLS over the MT-4. From what I've been hearing the 4PLS has an easier LCD to navigate and for someone starting out that can be a bit more helpful

receivers don't have a bec.

MT4, no issues with various servos or other problems that seem to be common with Spektrums. Although recievers don't have bec they do supply the power to the bec so it is a pelative question. This is where Airtronics works so well, virtually no compatibility issues. Recievers are $50 for the cheap ones but once you have a car programmed in the radio you can switch recievers to other vehicles without making any changes. I wouldn't do that often (might damage a wire or plug).