JR and KO are not the same company, they simply work together from time to time. One other key feature about the Z-1 is the 3-year warantee which no other manufacturer comes close to. Also, and you've mentioned you have an XS3, is the fact that you have receivers you can use NOW. So if you can't spend the money to do both a new radio and the Spektrum Modules and receivers, you can bide your time until you can.