Transmitter??????

[Davej9999]

Hi I'm going to buy my first heli over the next couple of weeks which I'm 99% certain that it's going to be a raptor 50 BUT which transmitter do I go for and why the main 2 I seam to see are a spectrum or a futuba but which ones best and how many channel do I need is the more channels the better??? Please any advice and info would be great as I'm totally new to this!!!!!!

[Hangar-7]

I used both but now using Futaba 7C exclusively. Futaba may be ~£75 more but product quality control is excellent. Also, no binding is needed.... + a few other benefits. At the end of a day, it's a personal preference. You also need to talk to your club members and their suggestion.

You need 6 channels minimum.

EDIT : You might find this thread interesting or very confusing but have a go :
http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/transm...-bad-idea.html

[buckers]

You need at least 5 channels to steer the thing round the sky, another one if you want to be able to control the gain of the gyro from the tranny (trust me , you do!). A seventh will benefit you from maybe running a governor, or any other add on you'd like.....

Loads of guys have Futaba's and Spektrums. Probably a split camp. I myself have a DX7. Loads of DX7's starting to come on the market now that the DX8 came out this week, albeit with a few hiccups. So you should be able to pick up a cheap DX7. It does what it says on the box. I have had Futaba's in the past, but can't comment on the newer models.
HTH

[Davej9999]

Sorry to sound stupid but when you mention a governor or binding I ain't got a clue what your on about lol but need to learn I just gather the more channels the better and a min of 7!!!!

[Disc]

Right a Governor is not needed to begin with you need to learn pitch throttle curve's and learning with a gov will loose a skill that is needed.

But BUY once BUY Right so Buy a Tranny that will last so if Budget Allows then get a 7 channel set up becuase you won't change it in 6 months time when you find the limits of it.

Also most 7channel sets like the Futaba 7cap have a better screen layout and allow you to read whats going on far better than the 6 channel ones.

Futaba is what I would recomend and a 7cap is ideal, then its the Futaba 8FG as the next one up.

Binding links the receiver to the Transmitter so only that receiver will work with that transmitter. Spektrum are known to require re-binding... Futaba once is binded it will keep it.

I think the DX7 is not a bad tranny but but the 2.4ghz set up is not as robust as futaba and JR are jumping to a diffrent system where it channel hops like futaba so there has to be a reason why there dropping the current system.

[KnifeEdge]

Get the best you can afford. So many people (myself included) start out with cheap tx and 6 months later have to get another.

I personally prefer JR tx's to Futaba or Spektrum. (I have used both, so not just saying it because I have it)

I went from a Futaba FF6 to a JR PCM 9xii (now been replaced by DSX9).

I would get the DSX9 if your serious about starting out.

You can get these for £350 ish if you look around.

[Davej9999]

Thanks mark that's cleared a few things up I'd rather buy a decent one first than having to buy one then another!!!!

[derrick]

Here are a couple of addresses for getting them repaired.if you buy spectrum. lol


Horizon Hobby, LTD.
Units 1-4 Ployters Rd.
Staple Tye, Southern Way
Harlow, Essex England, United Kingdom
441279641097
sales@horizonhobby.co.uk
http://www.horizonhobby.co.ukHorizon Hobby, Inc.
ATTN: Spektrum
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
Only joking i'am a futaba man.lol

[gorber]

In choosing a 50 nitro, I think you have made an excellent choice of first heli. I wish I had done the same as you.

I would strongly advise to go for the Futaba 8fg. It will take you a long way in the hobby.

The Futaba FASST system seems to be a lot more robust than Spektrum. I have had both and much prefer Futaba.

The down side to Futaba is the cost and range (as in diversity, not transmission) of receivers. But the extra expense is not a significant percentage of the cost of any model you will be building, and attaching it to, the difference maybe £10-£20.

The upside is that it is faster and more care free. You don't have to worry so much that it hasn't bound properly when switching everything on and, well, you hear a lot about Horizon (umbrella company of Spektrum) customer service being excellent, but wouldn't you just rather not ned it in the first place?

Andrew

[CookieMan]

Well I would vouch for a DSX9, personally. It will se you a long way through.

BUT then, this is definitely a good option - Ben's DX8 - HERE. I was really surprised to see this in the for sale section as this was purchased just merely days ago. Its a very good deal, if I may add. Ofcourse, truth be said, since you're just starting out, you will not "essentially" be needing all what that radio has to offer mate but then... its a good one.

Then, comes the story of the DX7. Another good one - a little cheaper (price wise) - again - more than enough to see you miles and miles.

The DX6i is a good radio, Dave. There are limitations but, if you plan to stick around with this hobby for a while, as the size of your models grow - so will the power and its different features. This will demand more output channels.

Please bear in mind, there are excellent Futaba Tx's out there as well mate - the only reason I dint comment on them specifically is because I don't use them and don't know much about them. But hell yeah - they are good!

Look Dave, decide your budget first. Then if possible, go down to a local club or ask in here who's local to you. You could probably meet the flyers and check out the equipment first hand. I would indeed stress the importance of this because however new or brilliant the radio might be, if once you hold it in your hand, if you don't feel right - that won't be good mate. It just wont. (I bet Ben will second me on this! - Im still surprised mate )

Buy once. Buy it right.

EDIT: P.S.: Please get your self a SIM first and practice hard before you take that 50 Rappy out mate
Its quite stable, yet very powerful.

Good luck mate.

[Davej9999]

Another thing what does it mean when it says transmitter mode 1 or 2 ???? Cheers

[Disc]

Another thing what does it mean when it says transmitter mode 1 or 2 ???? Cheers

Right there are 4 diffrent mode's.. 1 and 2 common

mode 2 is now the most common

Throttle on the left and rudder and on the right is elevator and aeliorn (spelt wrong)

Go for Mode 2 its the most common and you'll be able to get people to help you far easier down a club.


Although I have 2 met people who fly Mode 4 which is really strange!

[CookieMan]

Another thing what does it mean when it says transmitter mode 1 or 2 ???? Cheers

As Disc put it well, go for MODE 2 mate Dave. It will make life a lot easier for you. Once you get better, you can get to test fly other models of your friends - they can get to test fly your's.

All in all, they're common the most here in the UK (and so many other countries.)

[electricsceadu]

Get the best you can afford. So many people (myself included) start out with cheap tx and 6 months later have to get another.

I personally prefer JR tx's to Futaba or Spektrum. (I have used both, so not just saying it because I have it)

I went from a Futaba FF6 to a JR PCM 9xii (now been replaced by DSX9).

I would get the DSX9 if your serious about starting out.

You can get these for £350 ish if you look around.

i should hope a pcm9x is better than the ff6

i know you can't compare the ff6 to the 9c or 10cg as the 9 and 10 are far better tx's



and to answer the op
as said buy the best you can afford, be it futaba,jr,hitec,spectrum
but first see what they use to fly with at the club you are going to fly at
as with the same make of tx the others will find it much easier to help you with the radio set up

[KnifeEdge]

I wouldn't worry about what others at the club have, get what you prefer the look and feel of.

Most pilots can setup a Heli on any tx.