Which Transmitter

Pappy K · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject: Which Transmitter

I am sure everyone has their own opinion on this; however I sure would like to hear some of them b4 I invest in a new transmitter. I am cheesed off with my Walkera 2801Pro.

Thinking of Futaba or Spectrum or JR. I want a 7 channel so that I can operate my landing gear when I get my 4 blade copterX going.

Be really interested in what y'all have to say.

Thanks
Pappy
_________________
You can teach and Old Dog New Tricks -or-
Don't Give Up Until a Dead Horse Kicks You!

tombo242 · Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject:

Futaba seem quite reliable (from what I hear!) I've been quite happy with my DX6i Spectrum, but I do hear of problems with the 7+ channel ones, but there do seem to be a lot of uncomplaining people out there. I hear/see almost nothing about JR, so I can't comment on them.

It's too much of a personal choice to recommend any particular one, similar to having to say
which is the best country band or brand of jeans!

Tom.
_________________
Keep Smiling Smile

solentlife · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 1:09 am Post subject:

Well contrary to various reports on forums about FlySky gear ......... I have been flying FlySky 9X on fixed wing and really having a ball .... I paid less than $100 for Tx + Rx combo ... swapped out module for FrSky module and RX as I read about its use in JR as well ... which I have old JR set that can use it.

Any problems ? No.

Any crashes ? Yes - but that was an old JR servo that failed and pranged my biplane.

I have now installed FlySky / FrSky in my second 450 Heli and waiting trial. I expect no problem as it has all the bells and whistles that anyone could want.

Would I buy Futaba / JR gear ? Yes - but my budget is seriously limited and I look for best budget gear I can.
_________________
If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer.

nick_onelove · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 7:24 am Post subject:

I heard Spektrum's original DX7 had problems, but they just released the DX7s which is supposed to have all the features of the DX8 (besides an eighth channel of course) for over $100 USD less.

I'm sure that Futaba's transmitters are just as nice, but Spektrum will always win in my book if only because of all the Bind-n-Fly helis and planes from E-Flite and Blade. I find the click-wheel programming interface very intuitive as well.
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Crashagain · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 10:44 am Post subject:

I love my Futaba. and one thing I have never heard of is a recall of futaba radio's.
You can't beat the quality....
_________________
Trex 450V1...Trex 600Nitro Flybarless, Outrage Velocity 50 flybarless. Frenzy V2 50.
Crashing is just a landing that cost you money..

Pappy K · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks to Y'all for your comments. I am really torn because I am beginning to think some of my problems are coming from the WK2801. Hate to invest is something I don't really need when the real problem is myself.

I know there are a couple of you out there using the SK2801 - Lets open up a thread on this - I will do it now and see if I get any responce.
_________________
You can teach and Old Dog New Tricks -or-
Don't Give Up Until a Dead Horse Kicks You!

admiral · Posted: Tue Nov 22, 2011 2:41 am Post subject:

Hi Pappy K,

In the past I had Futaba no problems, since getting into Helicopters I've gone to Spektrum, DX6i was great then moved up to DX8 had issues early when they introduced DSMX, the BIOS Software was not compatible with DSMX took a while to get that fixed but now that it is the DX8 is great but no better than my sons JR9.
I think that this is one of those decision that you make on price, the more you pay the more features you get so buy the best you can afford, however don't discount some of the cheaper brands that get good reports but, make sure you can get resonably priced Rx's and that it can support enough models for the future.

PS Don't panic about getting Telemetry when flying at our level your too busy to look at the screen anyway.
_________________
Keep your rotors spinning

Keith

Pappy K · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:33 pm Post subject:

Hey Admiral - How's things up in Brizzy Land? Thanks for your comments.

Ok Guys I am pretty set on a Futaba 7C 7Ch 2.4GHz Heli Radio w/ R617FS RECEIVER MODE 2 $179.95 (That's a US special - Damn $ has fallen again - Sugar) Buggers charge me $65 for postage.

Now, who knows? If I buy a Futaba am I stuck with using only Futaba Rx's or will it talk to other specktrum Rx's Anyone know - I stuck myself with Walkera Rx's with the Walkera Tx and I don't want to do that again - I desire a bit of versitility(sp?)
_________________
You can teach and Old Dog New Tricks -or-
Don't Give Up Until a Dead Horse Kicks You!

nick_onelove · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 10:22 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately that's how the game goes: Futaba transmitters will only bind with Futaba receivers and Spektrum transmitters will only bind with Spektrum receivers.

The Spektrum DX6i is $150 USD and you say the Futaba 7C is $170 so basically you just need to decide what's more important to you: an extra channel or compatibility with all the Bind-n-Fly models from Horizon Hobby?
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

WHich one is more reliable? I see and hear a lot of negativity on spektrum. I am leaning towards futaba as I have used their 2 channels on a car and boat I used to have (a crytal version) and would like to see their 2.4 ghz line. Or heck, I may even just buy an old FM version and use that instead. Its not like I have a ton of models flying around lol.
_________________
E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

nick_onelove · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 9:52 am Post subject:

As far as I know, the transmission protocols are very similar. If you want more information than you could ever want, just google "DSMX" for Spektrum or "FASST" for Futaba.

I think both are great companies and both make awesome, high-quality radios. As I mentioned, the determining factor for me was compatibility with Bind-n-Fly models. And with the Blade 450 X, mSR X, and the 3-axis gyro planes coming out in the next few months, I'm as confident in my choice as ever.
_________________
Align: Trex 250 3GX + Trex 450 Pro with Vbar
Blade: 450 X, mCP X, 120 SR, mSR X, CX3, mCX2
Esky: Belt-CP X and V2 - Futaba: Heli-Max Axe 400
Walkera: V500D01, M120D01, V100D08, DEVO 8
Spektrum: DX8 - AMA #967873 - IRCHA #4095

Pappy K · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

So am I hearing right. Barring Walkera - are most other manufacturers using specktrum compatible receivers?

The seller of the Futaba has advised me that with a Futaba Tx you must use Futaba Rx which is exactly the position I am in with the Walkera Tx.

I think I will have to do a bit more research on Futaba Rx's to see what is available. I have my Walkera 400D and my Walkera Lama3; both of these are 4Ch Coaxials. Sugar & Spice - Don't know if I could get a Futaba Rx that would serve these two birds. Damination! Got a feeling that I might just have to stick with the Walkera2800; BUT, then again, I sure someone said that the new range of Walker Tx's have different Rx's and the older ones are going by the by. Uncle Mal said life wasn't meant to be EZ; but golly gee (see how polite I am being this evening!)
Cheers
Pappy Confused

_________________
You can teach and Old Dog New Tricks -or-
Don't Give Up Until a Dead Horse Kicks You!

celticveil · Extreme 3D Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 282

Hmm...after much thought I will probably go the futaba route.
_________________
E-Razor 450 + Air Hogs Pocket Copter + Radd's School of Rotary Flight = Teh Awesomness

tombo242 · Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:51 pm Post subject:

Well Pappy,

My Spektrum DX6i has 4 helis and 5 fixed wings on it. They run with a mix of Spektrum, Orange and MX (a little know blue job I put in "Wee Jock") Rxs. All are DSM2 and bind with no problems and have never gone out of range, full control at 5~600m, I try not to let them get further away than that. Only 1 Rx has a Sat Rx attached and that model has yet to fly but range testing has been good.

Tom.
_________________
Keep Smiling Smile

solentlife · Posted: Sun Dec 04, 2011 4:11 pm Post subject: