[brian015]

If you are willing to keep mechanical brakes - you could run a 12s boat or airplane controller. The main advantage over the XL2 is you could run higher voltage/lower current with the proper motor kv and gearing - lower current being better for the esc. Eliminating motor braking should also lessen the stress on the esc.

If you decide to go with an airplane controller, you'll need a pistix to use your ground tx/rx (PM me if you end up needing a pistix - I have a couple laying around here somewhere).