Back into it again
 

OK, it's been 40 years but this is what I'm thinking. Spektrum 7s transmitter and an Ares 370 pro with the addition of the non- aileron wing. My main question is should I buy the 7s with or without the reciever? The price difference is about $40.00. $299.00 with the AR7000, $259.00 without? What to do... What to do... Any sugestions?
Thanks,
Tracy????

Can't fly a plane without a reciever. :D

Generally it is cheaper to buy the transmitter/receiver as a package. The Spektrum 7S transmitter is a very good unit that will serve you for a long while. Spektrum also has something called "Model Match" that prevents you from trying to fly one airplane model set up in the transmitter, and a different airplane model ready to take off. If the model selected in the transmitter and the model on the ground don't match, the model on the ground won't move. Over the years, I've seen more than one model destroyed when the pilot took off with the wrong model, and had reversed ailerons.

I flew models from a itty bitty 15 inch span to a giant scale 3000 watt Big Stick model with that transmitter.

Note that Spektrum now has a full range four channel receiver on the market for under $30. Also note with this 2.4 Ghz stuff, the transmitter and receiver must be made by the same company. You can not mix a Spektrum 2.4 Ghz transmitter and a Futaba 2.4 Ghz receiver as an example. It simply won't work.

Thats true, but it seems that a lot of the ARF planes already have a rec'vr or is the a8000 rec'vr to large for the ARF foam planes or... or... or... i was just looking for a little advice from people who are in the hobby that have more knolage than me. I actually knew that a plane needed a reciever,
Thanks,
Tracy:)

Thanks Kyleservicetech, it sounds like for the extra $40.00 it would be worthwhile to get the included rec'vr.

I bought my DX7s last spring for $299 and it included the AR8000 rx. I believe the 7000 rx retails around $80 or so. It's well worth the extra $40. I've got my AR8000 in a powered sailplane. I use a bunch of these in park flyer stuff http://www.targethobby.com/spectrum-...p-4161774.html

At $4 each they're hard to beat. I made the mistake of putting one in my 2m sailplane last year (I was new to the hobby and didn't know any better) I let it get too far out and lost contact with it. Minimal damage but a good lesson for me concerning park flyer and full range receivers. In everything else they have been great. I've got one in a couple of foam planes and I have a few more for future projects! :)

Several club members are using these full range Spektrum 4 channel receivers in their 100 MPH jet foamies with absolutely zero issues with range or anything else. Our local hobby shop sells them for $26.00

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...eiver-SPMAR400

Thanks everyone!

I'm also thinking about the Ares 370 pro along with the non-aileron wing to start with. Any opinions on this as a trainer? Would it be easier to learn with something a little bit larger?

I have had both, and the idea of buying the non-aileron wing with the Gamma Pro is a great one; the size is great too. It can be flown in a large park or flying field. You can learn on the standard wing and have brushless power to boot. Incidently, I fly my Gamma 370 Pro with the Spektrum DX7s and a Spektrum AR400 receiver. Excellent combo.

Migrated into discussing which trainer...

There is no good answer, because the trainer which works best for one person may be exactly wrong for someone else.

Generally keeping things slow helps beginners, but prevailing wind conditions can mean that a slow flyer is a bad choice. You never learn if you can never fly due to wind.

Light, slow, e-power models (slo-stick especially) are just a bad choice in this area.

The Ultra Stick 25 E isn't a bad choice (usually) because it can fly slowly and can have its controls adjusted mild to wild.

Some people do better starting with a sailplane or powered sailplane. Some people can start out with a moderate performance warbird.

Bigger generally helps with learning except it is more expensive to start and more expensive when things go bad...

There are a lot of clubs within a reasonable distance from San Antonio... I recommend finding one and getting in-person assistance.
http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

I guess I'll add my 2 cents worth. I enjoy flying my Slow Stick when it's a tad windy. On a calm day I fly using a 2 cell lipo, usually anywhere between a 1200 to as much as an 1800 mah for long flights. When the wind gets up I use a 1200 or 1500 3s. Then I can fight my way thru it. I end up flying like a kite--just trying to hold position in the sky. The SS probably has done more to help me learn how to handle and especially learn how to land in winds. I think the highest winds I have tried flying in was about 20 mph.

Of course 20 is too much for a SS even with a 3s but it's great fun and very hard to really destroy one--and cheap to fix if you do!:)