What TX? Newbie!!

[richieclarkie]

To me it's a no brainer.....DX7.

I've got 2, One as my main one and one as backup/Sim.

Easy to use, no fuss and good resale value.

P.S. Petes Futaba is fine too plus he's a top bloke that looks after his gear so it's a good buy.

[David Drew]

There's nothing wrong with the Futaba either.

[Ade_Law]

i recently went through the spektrum vrs futaba thing, I dont like some of the issues i have seen with spektrum so ended up going futaba.

i went for the 12fg but thats probably a little out your price range :-)

futaba 7c is excellent.

Ade

[Bugster]

Batteries are not rechargeable

AA's flat after a few flights and hey presto model out of range.

But also see the BMFA handbook on batteries, AA's are not good enough...

Thats my understanding of it

Thanks Mark for pointing it out. Just checked the BMFA handbook and it does indeed seem the DX6i shouldn't be used as it relies on spring type connectors. BMFA recommend a welded pack of rechargeables and I can't see how there's room in the battery box for one of them. I wonder if it's worth contacting the importer for their opinion? I suppose this means that BMFA insurance would be invalid if an accident happened because of the standard batteries/connectors. Scary or what

[Andy from Sandy]

When I started out only 3 years ago 2.4GHz was not available. Anyway the advise then was to purchase the best radio you can afford. Not the radio that will do for now as a newbie. You will not be a newbie forever!

Just because people are having good luck with the DX7 does not make it a "no brainer".

Get the specs/instruction manual on each radio of interest and read them and ask questions about programming them.

For instance is it possible on a DX7 or Futaba 7C to assign the gyro to its own switch and the governor to its own 3 position switch and then another switch to control different flight modes? Some folks don't do this and say it isn't necessary and that you only need to put the governor on the flight mode switch. I say you get this answer because their radio doesn't have the features to have them separated.

Look at the extra features you get with the 9/10 channel transmitters. It is not about needing 9/10 channels it is about the extra things the tx is able to do.

For me personally if I was starting now I would seriously consider the Futaba 10C.

At the end of the day if you have the money and can afford it then take your pick from the Futaba 12FG or 14MZ or JR 12X.

[t-rex pedro]

To me it's a no brainer.....DX7.

I've got 2, One as my main one and one as backup/Sim.

Easy to use, no fuss and good resale value.

P.S. Petes Futaba is fine too plus he's a top bloke that looks after his gear so it's a good buy.

Not sure its a no brainer but I will agree the DX7 is very good and very popular. (Maybe as it was the first 2.4 system?)

I like Futaba programming as its what I began my heli career on so it makes life easier. Futaba has some great features which Spektrum lacks but then again its 'six o one, half a dozen the other!'.

My 7C is still for sale btw.

P.s. Richie, I love you too!!!

[t-rex pedro]

For instance is it possible on a DX7 or Futaba 7C to assign the gyro to its own switch and the governor to its own 3 position switch and then another switch to control different flight modes? Some folks don't do this and say it isn't necessary and that you only need to put the governor on the flight mode switch. I say you get this answer because their radio doesn't have the features to have them separated.

Look at the extra features you get with the 9/10 channel transmitters. It is not about needing 9/10 channels it is about the extra things the tx is able to do.

This is one of the Futaba features I was talking about, even on the lower end sets like my 7C.

[richieclarkie]

When I started out only 3 years ago 2.4GHz was not available. Anyway the advise then was to purchase the best radio you can afford. Not the radio that will do for now as a newbie. You will not be a newbie forever!

Just because people are having good luck with the DX7 does not make it a "no brainer".

Get the specs/instruction manual on each radio of interest and read them and ask questions about programming them.

For instance is it possible on a DX7 or Futaba 7C to assign the gyro to its own switch and the governor to its own 3 position switch and then another switch to control different flight modes? Some folks don't do this and say it isn't necessary and that you only need to put the governor on the flight mode switch. I say you get this answer because their radio doesn't have the features to have them separated.

Look at the extra features you get with the 9/10 channel transmitters. It is not about needing 9/10 channels it is about the extra things the tx is able to do.

For me personally if I was starting now I would seriously consider the Futaba 10C.

At the end of the day if you have the money and can afford it then take your pick from the Futaba 12FG or 14MZ or JR 12X.

Are you seriously expecting a newcommer to the hobby to pay £550 or more for a TX! What for?

I guess it's just me I just don't get it

[t-rex pedro]

The 10C is about £300 without servos and is an awesome bit of kit. Then again, Alan Szabo uses Spektrum and that lad is a bit good!

Just depends how much you want to spend and if your in this hobby for the long haul. Up to the individual at the end of the day. After all, its all about enjoyment - whatever that means to each of us is a personal thing.

Btw, my 7C is still for sale! (Shameless plug here!)

[mattie-lodge]

I fly the Dx7 and have done for the last year now. I had a 9X before which is an excellant radio however the DX 7 does everything I need.

I had a recent issue with some form of a lockout which I must add I never got to the bottom of but Horizon Hobbies provided excellant service over this so I can't fault them.

[Andy from Sandy]

Are you seriously expecting a newcommer to the hobby to pay £550 or more for a TX! What for?

In a word Yes. What is wrong with purchasing the best radio now that will have all the features the guy will ever need and never have to look at purchasing another radio.

Buy the most radio you can first, even if it means waiting a little while before buying your first helicopter. Just buy a sim an do some practicing in the mean time.

When I was looking round at the time the choice was the JR 9X2 or the Futaba 9C. They were the most I could afford at approximately £250-290.

I am not discounting the DX7 by the way. Just because 80% on here may use the radio doesn't mean to say other more expensive recommendations should be excluded.

[mattie-lodge]

I disagree with this Andy. Advising people to spend lots of money for there first transmitter I don't think is correct. They would be much more sensible to put the money into say for instance their tail or servo's then an expensive tranny. The lower priced radios still have all the qualities of the more expensive but without the bells and whistles.

7 Channel radios be it Dx7 or Futaba are ample for Newbies and IMO it will take you right up to top level flying.

PS this is a friendly disagreement

[MrBusagain]

Oh dear... I seemed to have caused a little tension here.

I appreciate all your comments gents, and to be perfectly honest, I 'm the sort of bloke who tends to go for 'all the gear/no idea'.... you know the sort? I really want to get into the sport/hobby and am quite happy to save for a very capable Tx. As I said, it would ideally need to be future proof within reason, have some quality features and stand the test of time etc..

The general consensus at the moment seems to be the Spectrum DX6i, the DX7 or the top spec Futaba Tx's you have already discussed. Gonna decide in the next few weeks I think after posting a few more threads.

Cheers guys,

Superb rc community BTW

[David Drew]

Oh dear... I seemed to have caused a little tension here.

GOOD, this site has been too tame for some time now. Needs some controversy.

My advice. 7 CH Futaba, JR or Spektrum. Best you can afford now and it will probably last you forever.

David

[Mike W]

I love my FF7 2.4ghz and tbh like Pete said ya can move the switches about ... I dont need more than 7 channels so its ideal for me .. plus with a top end radio, ya break it ... ya without a radio.. a 7 channel one wont break the bank which is even better in my view