What Tx is best for me???

[combateib1]

I want a great Tx to fly both my helis and very soon fixed wing. I have been wanting a Spektrum DX6I, but I eventuality want to get up to the 12 ch EDFs, like an A10 I have been dreaming about. I'm going to buy a trainer first, of course, and an MCP X2 by Blade, (which will be my first 3D heli). Got a lot of flying to do, and only want to shell out what I have to, because the Mrs. Controls my finances, (disabled veteran, TBI, PTSD, all the works), and want to do this right the first time around. I know I want to stick with Spektrum, but what model Tx do I need???
Thanks for the help...
Ransom out.

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by combateib1

I want a great Tx to fly both my helis and very soon fixed wing. I have been wanting a Spektrum DX6I, but I eventuality want to get up to the 12 ch EDFs, like an A10 I have been dreaming about. I'm going to buy a trainer first, of course, and an MCP X2 by Blade, (which will be my first 3D heli). Got a lot of flying to do, and only want to shell out what I have to, because the Mrs. Controls my finances, (disabled veteran, TBI, PTSD, all the works), and want to do this right the first time around. I know I want to stick with Spektrum, but what model Tx do I need???
Thanks for the help...
Ransom out.

Get the very best comp radio that you can afford, and give it to me Ok just kidding on giving it to me, just get the best radio you can Afford like a JR or Spektrum, you will only need to buy the radio transmitter once

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...ode-2-SPM18800

DX18QQ Quique Special Edition w/AR12120, X-Plus 8, Mode 2

by Spektrum (SPM18800

[CHELLIE]

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...ode-2-SPM18000

http://www.horizonhobby.com/browse/p...parts-10001017

[combateib1]

I would looove the DX18, but just don't have the cash, especially if I have to give it to you... :')... Would the DX6i or 7 work for what I'm wanting, heck, even the 8 is pricey, but I may be able to convince my wife I reeeaaalllly need it, lol.
Thanks for the help.
Ransom out.

[Fishbonez]

I too want a DX8. I own a a DX6I and I love it however I am limited to 6 channels. I wish I would have dropped the cash fopr the 8 in the first place but it was what I could afford and a great beginner Tx (if there is such a thing) for me. I plan to keep it as a trusty back up. I think DX8 is good buy or even the 7 because of the model memory and you will have those extra channels for what ever you can imagine to do with them. The DX18 well...I want a sports car as well and I aint got one yet.
Chellie is a smart cookie has sound advice on many things.

[CHELLIE]

Originally Posted by combateib1

I would looove the DX18, but just don't have the cash, especially if I have to give it to you... :')... Would the DX6i or 7 work for what I'm wanting, heck, even the 8 is pricey, but I may be able to convince my wife I reeeaaalllly need it, lol.
Thanks for the help.
Ransom out.

the DX7 would be the best thing to get for now, buy it new, not used or you could be buying other peoples problems, unless you buy it fom a Wattflyer member $299.00

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...t=ubec+chellie

http://www.horizonhobby.com/browse/p...parts-10001017

here is a DX8 for 349.00 about 50 Dollars more

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...y-md2-SPMR8800

its best to use a seperate UBEC with 2.4 to prevent a brown out situation.

only use full range 2.4 receivers, the park flier receivers, none full range are prone to short distance and masking = crashed aircraft

[combateib1]

Thanks a lot, think ill aim for the DX8, seems logical for what I'm wanting to do. Thanks for the links CHELLIE, and I want a sportscar too Fishbonez...

[CHELLIE]

Take care and have fun, Chellie

[combateib1]

Thank you, and I will. Have fun, and stay safe.
Ransom out.

[AEAJR]

Originally Posted by combateib1

I want a great Tx to fly both my helis and very soon fixed wing. I have been wanting a Spektrum DX6I, but I eventuality want to get up to the 12 ch EDFs, like an A10 I have been dreaming about. I'm going to buy a trainer first, of course, and an MCP X2 by Blade, (which will be my first 3D heli). Got a lot of flying to do, and only want to shell out what I have to, because the Mrs. Controls my finances, (disabled veteran, TBI, PTSD, all the works), and want to do this right the first time around. I know I want to stick with Spektrum, but what model Tx do I need???
Thanks for the help...
Ransom out.

How to select your first radio
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68741


This article should provide some help. Feel free to post questions.

As far as I can see you have provided no guidance as to budget so we don't know what you have available to spend.

Add that to the idea that you say you want an inexpensive radio now but want ot get into 12 channel planes later. So, either you jump into 12 channel now or you buy two radios. Both approaches are fine.

Note that you don't require a 12 channel radio to fly a 12 servo aircraft.

The best deal I know of on a 12 channel radio is the Futaba 8FG. In fact it is a 14 channel radio.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LWE130&P=ML

[combateib1]

I'm stretching it getting the DX8, budget wise, but how does it work on a 12 ch plane with an 8 ch Tx???
Thanks for the help.
Ransom out.

[AEAJR]

If you read the article at the link I posted you will understand more.


How to do more servos with fewer channels? Y cables.


2 flaps, two servos - 2 channels? Yes, or you can put in a Y cable and run them on one channel.


2 Ailerons, two servos - 2 channels? Yes, or you can put in a Y cable and run them on one channel.

You can easily fly a 6 servo + motor control for an electric glider on a 5 channel radio.


No question that having a channel for each servo or device is preferred, but definately not required.

Giant scale pilots sometimes have multiple servos on a surface. They can run them on individual channels or they have devices to match them and run them together, like Y cables but more sophisticated.

[barrosinc]

18 channels? Does anybody use them all?

[xmech2k]

Originally Posted by barrosinc

18 channels? Does anybody use them all?

LOL! I'm still baffled myself, unless you're controlling an RC battleship, and you have controls for each turret, each gun, torpedo tubes, yada yada yada!

OK, thought experiment: so for a super expert IMAAC flyer maybe, one channel for each control surface + throttle = 6ch... A super-duper scale plane, add flaps, gear, speed brakes, bomb bay doors & bomb drop? 13 channels with 2 flap channels and a separate channel for gear doors. I know the bigger planes sometimes need multiple servos on control surfaces. Maybe they each need a channel for some reason. Please, someone enlighten me!

[combateib1]

I'm aiming ky sights on a DX7 or DX8, whichever I find the better deal on, and my wife blesses off on...

[AEAJR]

Originally Posted by barrosinc

18 channels? Does anybody use them all?

Originally Posted by xmech2k

LOL! I'm still baffled myself, unless you're controlling an RC battleship, and you have controls for each turret, each gun, torpedo tubes, yada yada yada!

OK, thought experiment: so for a super expert IMAAC flyer maybe, one channel for each control surface + throttle = 6ch... A super-duper scale plane, add flaps, gear, speed brakes, bomb bay doors & bomb drop? 13 channels with 2 flap channels and a separate channel for gear doors. I know the bigger planes sometimes need multiple servos on control surfaces. Maybe they each need a channel for some reason. Please, someone enlighten me!

How Many Channels?

Here is a sample channel breakdown. Makes no difference if you are flying electric, glow, gas, jets or gliders.

Rudder – 1 or 2
Elevator - 1 or 2
Ailerons - 1 to 4
Spoilers - 1 or 2
Flaps - 1 to 2
Tow hook - 1
Landing gear - 1
Motor – 1 to 2
Other – 1 to

Thats up to 18 channels depending on what kind of aircraft you have and how you set it up. So, yes, people actually can make use of 18 channels.

What goes into that OTHER category. Smoke, lights, bomb bay doors, Bomb drops. Maybe a retractable canopy on a jet. All sorts of things. I have seen videos of large, highly detailed aircraft that required two pilots with two radios to work all the stuff.

If you get into giant scale or highly detailed scale models you can eat up channels. Jets, advanced Helis, first person view may have other needs, but it still comes down to channels. You can use Y cables and match boxes to reduce channel demands, or you can put everything on its own channel.

[BroncoSquid]

I went through the same thing last year. I ended up going with the DX8 transmitter only. And a BNF UM T-28. $350 TX with a $99 plane.
I chose the Transmitter only option due to cash, and I knew it would be a while before I owned anything big enough to handle 8+ channels and need telemetry. It is nice when you go into a hobby store looking for a new plane and the sales guy asks you what transmitter you have. When you reply with a higher end TX the options you have are far greater.

[xuzme720]

Originally Posted by AEAJR

How Many Channels?

Here is a sample channel breakdown. Makes no difference if you are flying electric, glow, gas, jets or gliders.

Rudder – 1 or 2
Elevator - 1 or 2
Ailerons - 1 to 4
Spoilers - 1 or 2
Flaps - 1 to 2
Tow hook - 1
Landing gear - 1
Motor – 1 to 2
Other – 1 to

Thats up to 18 channels depending on what kind of aircraft you have and how you set it up. So, yes, people actually can make use of 18 channels.

What goes into that OTHER category. Smoke, lights, bomb bay doors, Bomb drops. Maybe a retractable canopy on a jet. All sorts of things. I have seen videos of large, highly detailed aircraft that required two pilots with two radios to work all the stuff.

If you get into giant scale or highly detailed scale models you can eat up channels. Jets, advanced Helis, first person view may have other needs, but it still comes down to channels. You can use Y cables and match boxes to reduce channel demands, or you can put everything on its own channel.

Having servos on dedicated channels helps for mixing and for some things such as flaperons, v tails, etc. it's almost a requirement. Basically, get as much radio as you can afford, even if you don't think you need the extra channels. It will make future growth much easier and open up a whole world of flexibility. Not to mention, at least with a neck strap and careful handling, your Tx will never have an unplanned close encounter with terra firma, so replacing it should not have to happen any time soon!

[xuzme720]

Originally Posted by CHELLIE

http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...ode-2-SPM18000

http://www.horizonhobby.com/browse/p...parts-10001017

, that's a nice radio! I want one!

[combateib1]

Meeeeeee Tooooooooo!!!

[AEAJR]

My radio has 8 channels and I have yet to need more. I fly small electrics, 6 and 7 channel sailplanes.

[combateib1]

Lookin for a DX7 or preferrably DX8

[xmech2k]

Thanks for the clarifications. Come to think of it, I did wind up using my Dx8 and an 8ch rx in my little F-35 64mm edf. 2ch for elevons, 3ch for flaperons, nose wheel steering, throttle, = 7 channels. I guess if it had retracts, I'd have used up my available channels already.

[AEAJR]

Originally Posted by combateib1

Lookin for a DX7 or preferrably DX8

Since these are readily available new I presume you are looking for used ones. Have you figured the price of the new ones?

DX7s - $299 with 3 receivers. If we account for the value of the receivers, the DX7s is about $100 to $150 depending on how you value the receivers.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...s-md2-SPM7800C


DX8 with one receiver - $429 - When you account for the value of the receiver, the DX8 is about $300 to $330.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...servos-SPM8800

I post this because I have seen people completly ignore what is in the package and end up paying more for a used radio than a new one. I see posts like, "hey I scored a used DX7 or $190. Now I need a couple of receivers and I am all set." And I feel bad for them.


Thinking of a DX6i to save money

DX6i with receiver - $209 - When we value the included receiver the DX6i is about $130, or about the same price as the DX7 in the package above. So, why would you buy a DX6i?
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...vo-md2-SPM6610

And don't forget the new radio comes with a warranty and a used radio come with the good wishes of the seller who wants to get rid of it.

Buy wisely.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

Originally Posted by xmech2k

Thanks for the clarifications. Come to think of it, I did wind up using my Dx8 and an 8ch rx in my little F-35 64mm edf. 2ch for elevons, 3ch for flaperons, nose wheel steering, throttle, = 7 channels. I guess if it had retracts, I'd have used up my available channels already.

Three channels for flaperons And why would you have flaperons AND elevons on a small F-35?