which radio to go for

ATM i have a futaba 6exa 35mhz radio set for my multiplex easy glider, (i'm in the uk BTW)

i want to yank my self into the 21st centuary, so it's time to go for a 2.4 gig radio set,

i origionaly thought i'd stick with futaba, logical choice would be the 6ex fasst system, i can not see my self ever needing more than 6 chanels,

but i also am wondering about maybe the spektrum dx6i, they seem to be about the same price, havent looked at RX prices yet, but i guess if one of them are half the price of the other, then that's the one i'd go for, as i now have another plane, and have been given a helecopter, i also have a boat and a buggy, so would be nice to have them all on the one TX.

Reply to
Gazz
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That's a tough choice. I just made a similar one. I read too many Spektrum horror stories and decided to go with Futaba's FASST system. The Spektrum advantage is all those neat bind-'n'-fly electric models you can buy these days that are set up for that system. I got the impression that the Futaba system is technologically superior, but I'll be the first to admit that I'm no electronics expert by any means!

I was kind of disappointed with Futaba's TX offerings. I have (and really like) Futaba's 8U Super and 9CAP transmitters. The 9CAP's programming is easier. But if you decide to go with FASST, there is really no comparable transmitter. The 8-channel FASST (8FG) uses a different programming interface than the old 8U Super or 9CAP. There is no 9-channel FASST Tx. If I bought the 8-channel Tx, I'd now have three high-end radios with three different programming systems. I could buy the FASST modules for my 8U and

9CAP radios, but it's only eight channels (which is really all I need, so far)... doesn't seem right spending money to turn my 9-channel radio into an 8-channel radio.

I chose the 7-channel 7C system, which has programming similar to my 9CAP and is considerably less expensive than the 8FG. I really wish Futaba could have standardized their computer radios! I now have four Futaba computer radios, the 4EXA, 8U Super and 9CAP, and only two of them (9CAP and 7C) have the same programming system.

Good flying, desmobob

Reply to
Robert Scott

"Gazz" wrote in news:hkqfgu$umk$ snipped-for-privacy@news.eternal-september.org:

I have been using a DX6i for about a year now and so far am pleased with it. I had an Easyglider too but lost it, most likely due to loss of contact. Make sure you get a full range receiver and not a park one that doesn't have the range. I currently use a AR6200 dual receiver an am happy.

I have a background in electronics so I dug into the details. There is a big technical difference between the Spektrum and the Futaba radios which I feel favors Futaba. However, unless you are in an area prone to 2.4GHz interference, or planning to do FPV, I think you should be ok with either one and can concentrate on other features.

Both systems use the 2.4GHz band using spread spectrum. Even with spread spectrum there are still "channels" but that is irrelevant to the difference I'm about to describe.

When you start up a Spektrum radio, it searces for two free channels (of 80?) and uses them. The receiver comes on next and scans all channels until it finds the tx. The system stays on those two channels until turned off. If by some chance both channels get interference, you could lose a plane.

Futaba, on the other hand, is constantly shifting it's channels. Unless the entire 2.4GHz band gets snuffed out, it should stay in contact.

Beyond that, I do not know anything else as I have zero experience with the Futaba radios. But I do know Futaba has been around a very long time. Oh, they did have a problem with their FASST system apparently, with the binding codes inadvertantly being set to zero which meant any radio controlled any plane - shoot down!!! But I understand they have fixed this.

Spektrum had it's issues (and recall) but any new technology is going to have growing pains.

Hope this helps.

[now if only the weather would hold for my days off so I can maiden my eFlite T-34]

Brian

Reply to
Skywise

The 6EX is also available in 2.4. If that radio covers your needs, it is great value for money. It may feel a little disappointing to upgrade to a radio that's essentially identical, but at least you are familiar with how to operate it.

That's five models right there. The 6EX has only six model memories. Boats and cars are probably quick to setup, but it's still nice to be able to keep all models stored. The 7C has ten memories.

If your heli has a glow engine and a governor, you will need 7 channels. I use 8, because I like to have a separate channel to switch the governor on and off.

If your heli is electric, you'll probably want a timer. The 6EX does not have one, while 7C does.

The 6EX does not feature sub trim. If your heli has an eCCPM setup (most do these days), you will miss sub trim, but you can live without it if you have to. Also, the 6EX has only two flight modes, one in addition to the normal mode. It'll probably be while before you see that as a limitation, but it's something to be aware of.

Your time zone suggests you live in Europe. In that case, there is one very important difference between Spektrum and Futaba: Spektrum's system is only allowed to transmit at 10mW, while Futaba, due to their frequency-hopping system, are allowed 100mW transmission power. That's going to make a considerable difference in range.

If I were to get a new radio now, I'd have Futaba's 10C, since the 9C is obsolete and not available with 2.4GHz. If that's too expensive, the 7C is excellent value for money. There's also an 8FG, but I do not know anything about it.

Reply to
Robert Roland

Cheers for the brilliant replies,

yes i am in england, so the 7C is called something else here, FF7 or something, but it's out of my price range unfortunately,

i am thinking about wanting to 'upgrade' so the 6ex would not feel like an upgrade,

the Dx6i does seem like an upgrade, much bigger lcd screen, seems easier to use with the click and scroll wheel, the timer would be handy too,

i am thinking about the power output thingy tho, but the dx6i boasts full range.

however, one day i'd love to be able to do the fly by video thingy, but i was thinking that by the time i get round to doing that there may be different frequancies for the video stuff to operate on,

Reply to
Gazz

One more thing to consider: There is nothing wrong with 35MHz. It's been working perfectly for at least 25 years, and it will continue to do so for quite a while longer. In stead of getting the radio you can afford, maybe it's better to save up for a few more months and get the radio you really want?

Reply to
Robert Roland

Reply to
Ed Paasch

I have both the RDS-8000 & the Hitec Aurora 9 radios. Of the two I prefer the A9 for its far easier programming, 100 model memories and telemetry features. In addition, Hitec is constantly upgrading the firmware to include new features, many of which were developed in response to customer feedback. These upgrades are free to A9 owners & downloadable on the web using the HPP-22 and your computer.

CR

Reply to
Charley38

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