Blade 200 SR X and spektrum transmitter

[Vanq]

Joe took his first flight today with his new Blade 200. Was he a happy boy! Had a few mishaps but nothing too bad. Haha! A little wind didn't help. So I got him the ready to fly kit. What's the advantage of binding with a Spektrum transmitter? Is there a difference in control over the factory transmitter?

Thanks
Vinnie

[Euclid]

I also have a 200 but I've no idea what the RTF controller is like. That said it is highly doubtful that your RC career will stop at the 200. With a DX6,7,8 or 9 you will have just one transmitter for your entire fleet (assuming you remain loyal to Spektrum). Anything larger than the 200 you will need to fiddle with settings to keep your aircraft manageable for your own particular skill level or in my case lack of... In 2 short years my one aircraft has multiplied to 11 or 12 and my DX9 fits all. Look at it as a future proof investment.

[Vanq]

I also have a 200 but I've no idea what the RTF controller is like. That said it is highly doubtful that your RC career will stop at the 200. With a DX6,7,8 or 9 you will have just one transmitter for your entire fleet (assuming you remain loyal to Spektrum). Anything larger than the 200 you will need to fiddle with settings to keep your aircraft manageable for your own particular skill level or in my case lack of... In 2 short years my one aircraft has multiplied to 11 or 12 and my DX9 fits all. Look at it as a future proof investment.

Great! Thanks very much Euclid. So if we have any problems with the Transmitter of decide to buy another helicopter, I will buy a Spektrum.

[Peteski]

There's a big difference in the gimbals on the higher quality Spektrum radios, which helps a lot with control precision. Your best bet is to try them in a shop. It's one of the few things you can't really get a feel for on-line. I finished up with a DX8 (now discontinued). If I was buying today I'd probably get the new DX7 or maybe the DX9. A decent Tx is a very good investment if you are in this for the long haul. I use my DX8 on all models plus the sim so I have consistency throughout all my flying. I have one of the cheap Spektrum RTF radios too and it only gets used by our 3 year old! The gimbals on it are terrible, but I don't know the Tx that comes with the 200 SRX - it could be a little better but I'm sure it will be nowhere near the quality of the DX7 gimbals.

[tomatwalden]

The transmitter that comes with the 200SRX RTF package is designed for that heli pretty much. It comes pre-programmed against the 200SRX features - notably the "panic switch". However, it is a basic transmitter, and not programmable for other helis.

Something like a DX6, DX7 or DX9 however is a much better transmitter. As already mentioned, the quality is better, but the big difference is the flexibility they provide - with multiple model memories, a myriad of different settings, aircraft types etc. Also, you can "tune" them for your style - using dual rates and expo, you can change the effect stick movement has on the heli. The downside for a beginner however is that they need to be programmed for each new model - this can be quite complex.

So for a complete beginner, the RTF package with custom-transmitter is the easy option. It gets you in the air quicker without learning how to programme a TX. But it has no future use.

A "proper" transmitter however is more future-proof, but may prove too much of a challenge for some beginners already struggling with the sharp learning curve of helis.

HTH.

[tomatwalden]

... I have one of the cheap Spektrum RTF radios too and it only gets used by our 3 year old! The gimbals on it are terrible, but I don't know the Tx that comes with the 200 SRX - it could be a little better but I'm sure it will be nowhere near the quality of the DX7 gimbals.

The 200SRX RTF transmitter is definitely better than those old Blade RTF TX's ... but no idea what the gimbals are like.

LP6DSM Transmitter: 200 SR X | HorizonHobby

[Vanq]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I met up with a mate today who gave my son Joe a little lesson flying his Blade. He also has a Blade 200 SRX and uses the RTF rather than his Spektrum he uses for his planes. I asked him about the Spektrum, he said the RTF's fine unless I was going to buy another Helicopter or even a plane. Perfect for me, I take your word and his.

Thanks again to you all.