|
Post by callun on Nov 11, 2007 20:12:30 GMT 10
I've got em, Aidrian has one, Jase has one, and possibly a few others have them too. It's a good radio, though there's debate as to whether the build quality of them has declined in recent years. Jase's broke, and I had to have half a dozen switches replaced (trim and menu select switches) after about a year of service.
Other than those switches, I've found it to be a very useable radio, and the $300 I've spent on a decent computer radio has saved me considerably in the short term, because I now have half a dozen or more planes, each with their own individual quirks that can be programmed in.
|
|
|
Post by jase on Nov 11, 2007 21:43:19 GMT 10
i paid $280 from Mr Toys Toyworld, Lawnton for my radio.
It's a good radio, don't get me wrong and a lot of people use them on our slope. Like callun was saying, we have both had problems, but there's a lot of people out there too who have never had an issue.
Ask the guys how lost i was when i went 3 weeks without a computer radio.
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 11, 2007 21:56:46 GMT 10
If you can stretch the budget a tiny bit the JR 2610 is a great choice, it'll be good enough to use in almost any sloper you can build without getting super serious, even then it'll do the job if required. You can get the transmitter, transmitter battery and one of the best receivers you can buy from www.modelflight.com.au for $319. To that you'd need to add servos, a receiver battery and a charger, for your first sloper you'd only need two cheap servos, no more than $20 each. I guess it'd be much easier to buy the complete system with servos, which cost $429 but then that's a fair but more expensive than the JR 66 . I don't reckon you'd regret it though.
|
|
|
Post by callun on Nov 11, 2007 22:03:53 GMT 10
I bought the AC/DC Swallow charger - will charge almost any battery known to man, from a 5-12v or 110-240v power source, and will charge at a current of 0.1A-5A. For only $130 or so, it's virtually a steal. I bought a charging lead bundle too for $15 and it's fantastic.
|
|
|
Post by st on Nov 12, 2007 8:15:52 GMT 10
Hi all have been madly researching computer radios. at this stage the budget doesn't extend to 2.4 ghz. Has anybody got any opnions on the JR max 66 set? includes receiver and 4 servos for $280-$295? Budget hobbies (capalaba) has it for 295 and RC headquarters (weribee Vic) has it for $280. registered post would most probably suck up any saving. appreciate any thoughts. I have one, and it has been trouble free. The receiver that comes with it is a synthesising one too - only one crystal to deal with (in the transmitter).
|
|
|
Post by callun on Nov 12, 2007 11:19:55 GMT 10
I'd say that my problem is probably due to locations we fly in. SC kicks up a lot of dust, and when ya put your Tx down to get a plane, a fair bit gets deposited. I'd say that's the main cause for my failures - and not catastrophic either by any means. Had I been a newcomer, I would've had to retrieve a lot more times than I did.
|
|
|
Post by mtmellum on Nov 13, 2007 20:15:39 GMT 10
thanks all
so at this stage, I'm going to get the JR max 66 and the BEE. should give me a nice starter package and the capacity to add more planes as the budget allows.
I need some advice on where everybody is buying their lost model alarms?
and after that it will be build tips! and then some coaching if someone's willing.
thanks again
|
|
|
Post by thevon on Nov 13, 2007 20:46:39 GMT 10
I get my Lost Model Alarms from Glenn (Zipper) and I like them, they work really well. The last one I got was $20 plus post. You can PM him and ask.
|
|
|
Post by ezza on Nov 13, 2007 21:08:33 GMT 10
I have the GWS be found alarm from Wowings in all my planes. $15 and it also beeps when the voltage drops below 4.1. This gives you vital time to land before it completely runs out of power. Of course you should never push it that far, but it has saved my bacon a few times. Eric
|
|
|
Post by pioneerroaster on Nov 15, 2007 17:35:50 GMT 10
Toyworld on Nicklen Way Kawana has lost model alarms for around $15, I also got my Bee there for $90.
|
|
|
Post by mtmellum on Nov 24, 2007 8:50:18 GMT 10
Hi all
thanks for the help, just wanted to update all.
Have brought a BEE and coupled that with a Hitec Optic 6 computer radio set. Brought at Kawana Mr Toys. whole package was $390. (thanks for the tip, pioneerroaster)
The temptation to build it as per the box instructions and do it right now is very strong, however am looking at spackling it and sanding it prior to final taping. Also am going to install a Lost model alarm.
I'm going to try and do a build thread from a beginners perspective from whoa to go for my own benefit and to get people's input as I go.
again thanks for the help and I looking forward to meeting a few of you out there.
Dave
|
|
|
Post by jase on Nov 24, 2007 9:28:06 GMT 10
with the Bee being your first plane (assuming you haven't flown before) i wouldn't worry about spackling as the bee really doesn't need it, and the abuse the plane is going to get doesn't really warrent for the spackling.
those who spackle do it to add a little extra stiffness for our DS planes. if your thinking about combatting with it i really wouldn't worry as it adds unnecessary weight.
just my 2c.
|
|
|
Post by st on Nov 24, 2007 11:28:36 GMT 10
with the Bee being your first plane (assuming you haven't flown before) i wouldn't worry about spackling as the bee really doesn't need it, and the abuse the plane is going to get doesn't really warrent for the spackling. .................................. just my 2c. The reason being it is moulded EPP, and has a smooth(ish!) surface compared to cut epp with is mostly holes in the surface!
|
|
|
Post by mtmellum on Nov 24, 2007 22:11:56 GMT 10
so build it as per the book , except maybe epoxy the join to give strength?
|
|
|
Post by sean on Nov 24, 2007 23:26:10 GMT 10
Hi Dave,
I'd recommend you don't spackle. The problem with spackle is it can make your tape stick poorly... it will seem to stick OK at first but in a big crash it can let go and the only way to fix it when that happens is to re-tape.
The one deviation from the instructions that I strongly recommend is to sand off the little injection moulding lumps on the wing surface - it's not hard and will take aout 15 mins. If you do this your covering will be smoother and will stick much better making your plane more durable. Use either 80 grit sandpaper or better yet the screen-type paper for sanding gyprock (looks a bit like flyscreen).
Sean.
|
|