Advice on Speed Controller needed

I would like some Advice on which speed controller our Team
should buy for use in our latest heavyweight creation.
In the past I have allways used my own relay system and
this would be my first my first experience with speed controllers.

I have seen this two channel model on the Roboteq website
and wondered whether it would be suitable.

http://www.robotmarketplace.com/products/0-xdc2460.html
The motors I have are 20 amp and 24 volt each-I know I would
need to buy a cable to the reciever but have a question
regarding.
1 would the speed controller come ready to use and work
my motors straight from a rc reciever or would it need
programming.

To be honest, if you are running at 24v and only drawing around 20amps then I would look at a ragebridge 2. You can pick them up from ellis at ranglebox or straight from the source at equals zero designs and order them from the US. They are dual channel controllers but can be run as a single channel controller. For the same price of the roboteq you could have 2 of them running single channel or a primary and a spare with a bit of change left over!

Thank's for the heads up gary, I have not heard of Ragebridge but I will
look into them.
Whether it's one controller or the other-is there much setting up ie: programming
or do they tend to work when wired up correctly straight out of the box.

If they do need programming, it would be nice to know whats involved
beyond downloading or cd software and plugging in a lead to the controller.

Can't speak for the roboteq but with the RB plug the servo plug into the speedo and the receiver and you are good to go.

Go to the Roboteq site and download the manual. From my experience with a single channel Roboteq, it will run straight out of the box but a little customising will make it better. If you go that way, remember to order the RC adapter cable.

Thank's for the advice thus far it's been much appreciated.