Looking For A Budget Transmitter...

[NFA Fabrication]

I have a Spektrum DX8 myself, but am trying to put together a complete budget plane as a starter for my roommate. He is not new to RC in general, but is new to RC flight. He is getting pretty good on the Realflight 6 simulator too! I am looking to put together a budget package that he can purchase to basically get everything he needs to start flying. I have a charger he can use.

I am looking at this plane:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

And wanted to get this transmitter: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

However, it is on back order. Are there any other comparably priced 2.4ghz 5 or 6 channel systems out there? 6 channel preferably. The batteries we need are only $6.99 each as well at HK, if I can find a decent transmitter for cheap, we should have a nice little beginner package. I have another buddy that just ordered the same plane, so I will get a chance to see it in person and probably fly it before we commit to that plane. This thread is just about looking for inexpensive transmitter options. Thoughts?

[pmullen503]

Originally Posted by NFA Fabrication

I have a Spektrum DX8 myself, but am trying to put together a complete budget plane as a starter for my roommate. He is not new to RC in general, but is new to RC flight. He is getting pretty good on the Realflight 6 simulator too! I am looking to put together a budget package that he can purchase to basically get everything he needs to start flying. I have a charger he can use.

I am looking at this plane:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

And wanted to get this transmitter: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

However, it is on back order. Are there any other comparably priced 2.4ghz 5 or 6 channel systems out there? 6 channel preferably. The batteries we need are only $6.99 each as well at HK, if I can find a decent transmitter for cheap, we should have a nice little beginner package. I have another buddy that just ordered the same plane, so I will get a chance to see it in person and probably fly it before we commit to that plane. This thread is just about looking for inexpensive transmitter options. Thoughts?

The best value is easily the Turnigy 9x (or other FlySky 9 ch clones). Super cheap, good technology and unlimited potential with user firmware upgrades.
Add a Frsky module and you have telemetry and a 2.4G system comparable to anything else out there. Now if they would just ever come back into stock........

At the low cost end is used 72mHz gear. That stuff still works just fine and with so many folks switching to 2.4g there's always channels open.

[NFA Fabrication]

I have a DX5E I can loan him for now and just wait for something to get in stock. This guy needs the most basic TX, And will not be the guy to utilize any bonus features the radio has. Anything more advanced than basic would be a waste. Just figured there had to be something else out there comparable to the HK $30 special that is in stock somewhere...

[NJSwede]

Check eBay and/or the classifieds at Wattflyer and RCGroups for a used Spektrum DX7. That's what I did and it's been a great transmitter (and still is). You should be able to get them pretty cheap now as the new DX7s is out. Just make sure the battery is fresh.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by NFA Fabrication

I have a Spektrum DX8 myself, but am trying to put together a complete budget plane as a starter for my roommate. He is not new to RC in general, but is new to RC flight. He is getting pretty good on the Realflight 6 simulator too! I am looking to put together a budget package that he can purchase to basically get everything he needs to start flying. I have a charger he can use.

I am looking at this plane:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

And wanted to get this transmitter: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

However, it is on back order. Are there any other comparably priced 2.4ghz 5 or 6 channel systems out there? 6 channel preferably. The batteries we need are only $6.99 each as well at HK, if I can find a decent transmitter for cheap, we should have a nice little beginner package. I have another buddy that just ordered the same plane, so I will get a chance to see it in person and probably fly it before we commit to that plane. This thread is just about looking for inexpensive transmitter options. Thoughts?

Yeah, the Spektrum DX5e transmitter is a nice one for the $$$$. You can buy them for about $50 without the receiver, about $100 with.

Bought one for my son who lives in the boonies in North Central Wisconsin.

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by NJSwede

Check eBay and/or the classifieds at Wattflyer and RCGroups for a used Spektrum DX7. That's what I did and it's been a great transmitter (and still is). You should be able to get them pretty cheap now as the new DX7s is out. Just make sure the battery is fresh.

I can't stress "Budget" enough for what I am looking for. I need to get this package together as cheap as possible. Once this guy actually flies his own plane, he will get the "Bug". I need to have this financially as pleasing as possible to get this guy started. The DX7 is way above what i am looking for. The DX5E is almost too ritzy, LOL! A cheap $30-$40 dollar special is what I am looking for. I have a DX5E I can loan him until HobbyKing gets stock of their $30 6 Channel special if need be.

[Turner]

It seems like the DX5e is an easy solution. I started out with one and can't fault it.

[NFA Fabrication]

Originally Posted by Turner

It seems like the DX5e is an easy solution. I started out with one and can't fault it.

That would be OK, but even cheaper would be better. I was originally looking at the $30 HK special. I also started with one (DX5E), and still have it. Works very well, never an issue.

[pattern14]

A couple of years back, I bought a "radiolink" 2.4 6 channel tx from Lowpricerc for just under $50.00. The Rx's are $11.00 each, and one comes supplied. 6 model memory, available in both heli and fixed version, as well as mode 1 or 2. It's simply a rebadged Futaba, or a clone (not sure which), but has been the best value for money, radio wise, that I have yet come across. A fraction of the price of my Hitec optic sport and JR max 66, with double the range, no glitches or interference. I bought two more for my sons', and they have both stopped using their previous, far more expensive radio gear in favour of this one. I know that there are lots of cheap 2.4's available now, but I'll stick to this one

[hayofstacks]

Buy an fm 4-10 channel for $10, and receiver and crystal for $10, a slow stick for $25, and a motor/speed control combo for $20 and 2 $3 servo's. Throw in a couple 400-2200mah 3 cells, and it can't get much cheaper or easier. Could get in the air for $100 if you have chargers he can use.

Then when he wants to buy a bind n fly plane, or keep more then one on the same radio, all he has to do is get a dx6I for $100 or so, and can buy receivers for $10.

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by pattern14

A couple of years back, I bought a "radiolink" 2.4 6 channel tx from Lowpricerc for just under $50.00. The Rx's are $11.00 each, and one comes supplied. 6 model memory, available in both heli and fixed version, as well as mode 1 or 2. It's simply a rebadged Futaba, or a clone (not sure which), but has been the best value for money, radio wise, that I have yet come across. A fraction of the price of my Hitec optic sport and JR max 66, with double the range, no glitches or interference. I bought two more for my sons', and they have both stopped using their previous, far more expensive radio gear in favour of this one. I know that there are lots of cheap 2.4's available now, but I'll stick to this one

My 450 Heli came RTF with the Radiolink heli version 6EH ......... 2 yrs later still using it on the Heli ........

I have only 1 reservation with it ... the trims are mechanical, not digital - so when changing memory - the trims don't change. BUT for price and performance ... it's fine. plenty of Rx's on Ebay for it.

[pattern14]

Originally Posted by solentlife

My 450 Heli came RTF with the Radiolink heli version 6EH ......... 2 yrs later still using it on the Heli ........

I have only 1 reservation with it ... the trims are mechanical, not digital - so when changing memory - the trims don't change. BUT for price and performance ... it's fine. plenty of Rx's on Ebay for it.

Hi Solentlife Pleased to hear you are having a good run from the radiolink Tx. Interesting that you have mechanical trims; the ones on mine are all digital, but it is the version for aircraft, not heli's. Another point of interest is that I left mine out in the long grass overnight, after retrieving one of my planes from a tree. It was just on dark as well, and then it poured rain all night. The Tx was still turned on over night, and still had power when I found it some 12 hours later.....it had all these weird display figures on the screen, and would not operate any of the controls on my planes. I pulled the batteries out, then left it in the sun all day, and then removed the back cover and gently blow dried it with my heat gun on a very low setting. After replacing the batteries, it amazingly went back to "normal", although I had to reset all the values for the 6 planes that it operated. That was over a year ago, and it still works faultlessly. Not bad for $49.00

[NFA Fabrication]

If you ever get another one wet (Any electronic device really, phones, etc.), pull the batteries, wipe as much water of as possible, and put the device inside of a sealed tupperware container (Or something big enough to fit it that can be sealed), and fill it with dry uncooked rice. Leave it in for 24 hours. It creates an environment that will pull the moisture out, it works amazing!

[NFA Fabrication]

I did end up finding a reasonable solution to this dilema, and it is even in the USA! $29.99 2.4ghz. 6 channel!

http://www.valuehobby.com/radio-syst...lysky-ct6.html