For the last 6 years I was using Futaba FX-40, first it was was running with 40 MHz, then 2 years ago I changed the modul to 2.4 GHz...and 3 Month ago I bought the T18.
The first reason was that the FX-40 is pretty heavy due to being a “tray” type transmitter. I put the FX-40 on ebay and was surprised how much money I got for it....the stuff keeps it's price compared to other brands.
When I got the T18 it was almost an religous act to touch it, feel it and switch it on the first time.....it's a bit like buying an expensive car and taking a seat the first time.
This T18 got so many options and settings, I think the RC vehicle which brings the T18 to its limits has to first to be invented....
I used many different brands of transmitters, but Futaba in general has never failed or let me down, from the low-end models up to the T18....always a reliable working horse.
With the T18 I have one receiver for the flight control and one receiver for the gimbal operation (as a one man setup) and borrow the Futaba FX-20 from my son for a two-man setup...the gimbal receiver is bound to the FX-20 in just a few seconds....
If I were on a budget, I would go for the Futaba T8FG Super as my main Tx and get myself a low-end Tx for a two-man-gimbal-operator setup, like the Futaba T6EXP....doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.
One point to save some money is the receivers....Futaba receivers are pretty expensive, and my top option is the FrSky TFR8 SB receiver....
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=24785
First I was suspicious 'cause I could not believe that you get top quality for 1/4th of the price of an equal Futaba receiver, but we tested that thing over and over again....THERE IS NO NOTIABLE DIFFERENCE....range, response, reliability....exactly the same.
The question is: Do I really need a T18....answer is: NO......but is nice as hell to have one.
Chris