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Post by Vanders on Feb 2, 2008 18:07:32 GMT 10
Just curious what everyone is using, thinking I might upgrade from my Hitec Flash 5. I figure it would be wise to go for something others are using for some experience in setting things up.
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Post by callun on Feb 2, 2008 19:26:52 GMT 10
Many of us use the JR Max 66 - 6 channel computer radio, and to be honest, it's a good radio, though Steve (Ding) who has been using JR for decades has noticed several of them are beginnign to have minor failures and are possibly cutting corners with them.
I've had to replace nearly all of my trim switches, Jase (flyer who moved up north) had issue after issue, but Aidrian (Geobytes) has had nothing but success - that being said, he flies less than me.
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Post by atmosteve on Feb 2, 2008 20:59:51 GMT 10
Hi, the JR max 66 is a nice but very basic DP set, but it has some limitations with elevon programing modes in the delta set. other than that i love it, its simple to use and good value for money.
EDIT; I havent had it that long, only a few months, but it has done more than an average amount of work. Yet to see if it developes the common problems
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Post by ding on Feb 3, 2008 8:51:06 GMT 10
See Calluns comments above. I have real doubts about the max 66. People have broken sticks, switches, and trim leavers. Wheras my x347 that I bought in 92, which literally has thousands (I'm not sure how many thosands though) of hours on it has never suffered a single failure of anything. If I was buying a new radio now I'd consider getting one of those 2.4ghz radios. There is a little futaba radio that I'd give a try. I see windrider has them on special at the moment. You'd want to check out exactly what you get and so on before buying it though. "Futaba 6EX 6-channel 2.4GHz system promotion.US$180 plus US$20 shipping cost to ship worldwide."
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Post by thevon on Feb 3, 2008 14:19:39 GMT 10
I have the Optic 6. Pro's are that it's got good programs, easy to program, good price. Con's are that the module mount can glitch up and cause dropouts (On my warranty replaced set I have it shimmed in place to prevent any movement, no probs now). Also elevator trim switch is getting fairly unresponsive. I think I'd like to move up to something like the JR PCM9X one day, I like the big screen with lots of info and quick scrolling ability. I also liked the look of Ken's Multiplex but he's had a problem with it lately.
Obviously 2.4G is the way to go, but I'm reluctant yet, due to the cost of the Rx's. If you have 5 or 6 planes and you don't like swapping Rx's it would be very Xy. Apparently 2.4G just doesn't work inside carbon, too.
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Post by skyboyken on Feb 3, 2008 20:32:12 GMT 10
If you don't have many 36MHz receivers to worry about then 2.4GHz is a good option to consider. It's only part of the picture though. As far as I'm concerned any Transmitter purchase is an investment. It is going to determine what kind of models I can fly, how many different models I can cater for at any one time, and how easily I can set those models up and modify them as I get to know them, and/or as I repair them. Things like how the sticks feel in use are really important, because that's the only 'feel' you have - everything else is visual.
I would make a short-list of Tx'es you think may be good for you and then read every review you can get of each of them. Once you have narrowed the list to 2 I would download the manuals for those 2 from the Net and check what mixing functions they have available and how easy do they look to use. Typical mixers used for flying wings are Delta or Elevon mix. Other useful glider mixers are Rudder to Aileron and Aileron to Rudder, Spoilerons, Flap (camber) mixers, Crow (Butterfly) braking for full-house gliders and some 'free' or user-defined mixes so you can fine tune the way your glider flies, for example by mixing a little elevator into the throttle function so you can have an elevator trim function on the throttle stick or on a slider as I do for all my flying wings.
You haven't mentioned a budget so all I can do is make a couple of suggestions: I am biased, however I certainly do recommend the Multiplex "Co-ckpit" SX. At around $380 for a 36MHx synthesised Tx including a 7 channel synth Rx it's an extremely capable 7 channel Tx at a very good price. My research says it is the most capable 7 channel Tx on the market (12 memories and heaps of mixing functions) plus it feels great in the hand and it has sliders at each side for various functions. The other thing about it is that it is incredibly easy to set up and modify models; by far the easiest Tx I have ever used and many others feel the same way.
I don't know the new Futaba 2.4Gz 6 channel but that would have to be worthy of inspection. I wouldn't recommend the Spectrum DX7 2.4GHz Tx because it is based on an older JR transmitter and doesn't have a very capable set of mixers. Having said that if you were absolutely sure you aren't going to ever fly anything advanced it may do everything you'll ever need. Be very careful about this decision though.
As an example I know 2 people with JR 2610 Tx'es, (it's a nice 6 channel set with reasonable mixing functions) who now cannot set up their gliders as they would like because the Tx simply isn't capable enough. My "Co-ckpit" SX does everything they need plus it's synthesised so I can use any channel I want provided I use a synth receiver as well.
Basically, if you stay with flying wings then all you need is a Delta mixer (sometimes known as an Elevon mixer). You can get that with ANY Tx because you can buy a module to plug into your plane if your Tx doesn't have that mixer already. The challenge is that as soon as you move beyond flying wings then gliders are among the most demanding of models as far as mixing functions go.
Another Tx that is very capable and reasonably priced is the Hitec Eclipse 7. It has all the glider mixes you'll need and I believe there is a synth module available for it.
The least expensive 2.4GHz Tx that is really capable (for gliders especially) that I know of is the JR PCM9X2, of which there is a 36MHz and a 2.4GHz model available. That's a 9 channel Tx and you certainly won't outgrow it except by needing more than 9 channels, however you get what you pay for and you pay for what you get.
I've done a fair bit of research however I certainly do not claim to know everything about choosing Tx'es. Please feel free to correct me or add other options where my knowledge is lacking.
And whatever you choose, enjoy it!
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Post by Vanders on Feb 3, 2008 21:25:56 GMT 10
Ken, I'll catch up with you when the Moths' arrive & check out your Tx & have a chat..... cheers for the effort you put into your post!
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Post by ding on Feb 5, 2008 19:32:00 GMT 10
Good posts everyone. Can I just add that generally you get what you pay for. Also, you should consider getting something that parts are readily available for. There isn't much worse than being stuck on the ground for a month while the importer brings in a widget for your radio.
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Post by skyboyken on Feb 5, 2008 20:00:18 GMT 10
Ding makes a good point. I've tested JR and Multiplex service and parts availability (oh the lengths I go to!!) and they are both excellent.
Can anyone else comment from their experience with Futaba and/or Hitec?
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Post by ding on Feb 5, 2008 21:12:00 GMT 10
JR seems to have reasonably good backup. But it's mail order only which can be annoying. Hobbyrama have a number of futaba spares on hand though. They can be pricey though.
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Post by st on Feb 6, 2008 10:59:46 GMT 10
JR max 66. Been good - no problems and done everything I wanted it too so far! I would consider going 2.4Ghz next time though simply to avoid frequency issues.
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Post by thevon on Feb 6, 2008 11:54:36 GMT 10
I wasn't too impressed with the Hitec service. In the US, Hitec gear is covered by full manufacturer warranty service but that doesn't apply over here. So when Hitec in the US finally admitted that there was a fault with the module mount, they began a recall and began replacing faulty case backs. But that hasn't been offered in Australia. Hobbyrama were helpful in sending it back to Model Engines, but I had to push to get them to acknowledge the problem which was already well known in the US) and really all they did was replace it with a new one of exactly the same design, and I was radio-less for several weeks, and they didn't even swap the memory chip from old to new radio, so I had to re-program all my planes back into the new radio.
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Post by ding on Feb 6, 2008 19:42:49 GMT 10
That's not really good enough IMHO. One of my big jr's had a problem at one point, and they replaced 4 of them before we realised there was a software bug in all of them! They didn't fix the problem, I just avoided it.
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Post by skyboyken on Feb 14, 2008 15:49:35 GMT 10
Hey guys, how's this for service? I sent my Multiplex Co-ckpit SX in for service because it was having random problems with mixing functions. It was 2 months out of warranty. Today the service agent called me to tell me he's sending a brand new transmitter under warranty, that he has copied all my model memories for me and upgraded to the latest version of software for me. Oh, and did I use a minor mixing function which is only there for backwards compatibility with the older Co-ckpit MM transmitter because there's a known issue with that which is being fixed in the next software update? No? OK I'll send your new Tx today! Brilliant!! Did I mention I really like my Tx?
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Post by Vanders on Feb 14, 2008 17:10:16 GMT 10
Ken,
You don't get service like that too much anymore. helps narrow my decision when I'm ready for my next Tx!!!!
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