mclina

I'm not in the market for a trainer, but I was fairly excited to see that Hangar 9 was coming out with the new version of the Alpha 40 trainer with a factory installed Spektrum radio. All spring it was being advertised for $299, just $10 more than the previous Alpha (of which I am a proud owner). It was advertised at $299, but was listed as unavailable.

It is now available, but the price has jumped by $100. It's probably still a good deal, but much less exciting than it was at the old price [].

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN4400

Did anybody get one at the originally advertised price? How is the radio?

brett65

My Feedback: (18)

Holy Crap! I'm glad I didn't wait, that price increase would have me fuming[>:]. I'm building (ARF) my third plane already!

bruce88123

Maybe if you had one on backorder you could get it at the orig price.

F4U Corsair

My Feedback: (22)

Our local hobby shop has the new 5ch. spectrum radio. It's $100 MAP. He just told me on the phone that it looks like a nice entry 2.4Ghz Tx, only 1 memory, and takes AA batteries. The new Parkzone Corsair is also being packaged with this set up in the RTF version and it's only $30 more than the Parkzone Trojan w/ an FM radio, so I would expect to see a lot of these radios being used in the near future.

chemie

I think $399 for a trainer is crazy. With the 72MHz version at $299 why would upgrade to 2.4 be worth $100? Like said above, the radio itself is MRSP $99 and that is not that much different froma 5 ch 72MHz. Save the $100 and go for 2.4 after you learn on the trainer.

HampdenTech

Wow! I ordered mine this past Saturday and got it for the $299 price. I'm very glad I did! I got a shipping confirmation today. Along with a trainer cord and shipping costs, the total is around $320.

I'm not sure I would have spent the extra $100 on it. I was checking the status of this just about daily and happened to check it out again on Saturday. I would have been really ticked off if I waited until this week and then saw the price jump like that. IMO, that's not very good marking on Horizon Hobby's part!

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

The Nexstar Select RTF is $399 and it comes with a Futaba 4YBF transmitter. It's also one of the best selling trainers on the market. If the Alpha .40 RTF DSM edition comes with a flight simulator, it should at least enjoy similar success to the Nexstar Select RTF at a similar price point.

chemie

no mentioned of the software

HampdenTech

It doesn't mention FS1 (the simulator) on the website but the manual does refer to it. I'll let you know when mine comes in (estimated delivery is tomorrow).

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

Guys it not the cost of the radio, but the cost of getting it in this country. Diesel fuel is out the roof. All companies have increased their prices. Even if you do buy the cheaper trainer with 72 you will still endup moving to 2.4 later. So spend it now or pay later. I don't know this for a fact, but I have been told that a container that used to cost $8000 is now $13000. And the Chinese labor found out that can can get higher wages if they ask or they move to another company. Believe it or not companies there are having trouble finding and keeping employees. Dennis

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

I was under the impression this radio has no model storage, in other words one airplane one Tx. If in fact this is true it would seem this is not much different all the other so called ultimate combos and packages, simply a bottom line radio (regardless of the type RF link used) That the typical user will be in most cases trying to replace the tx possibly even before he solo's.

That often seems to be what happens with these combo's and I see no economic advantage to that.

So does anyone actually know. The web site of course gives no hint.

John

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

Your right, this a basic 5 ch. radio on 2.4. The difference is when you do move up you already own one 2.4 receiver. Even I has a LHS owner must decide whether or not to sell a trainer at this price or try and find a cheaper one. Still thinking about it. At this price it may move the pricing of used trainers up as well. Dennis

NorfolkSouthern

I just checked the price of a JR DX6i, and its price has just increased by $20.00. We're not only seeing an increase in ARF prices, but in radios too. The Alpha Trainer ARF alone is now $180.00, as opposed to $100.00; almost double what it was just this last Spring. There are still some deals to be had for the Great Planes and Hobbico products, with ARFs selling for $110.00 and RTFs (radios included) for $300.00. As of this writing, the Tower Trainer ARF is still being offered at $80.00. There is no guessing how long these prices are going to hold.

NorfolkSouthern

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

Ace Hobby has yet to raise their prices on engines, ARFs, or Trainer Super Combos. The new Tiger Trainer .40 MK III with GP-42 engine and Sky Master 4-channel 72Mhz radio is still only $249.99 street price. Of course most hobby store owners would rather stab themselves in the face with a fork than deal with Ace Hobby, but the prices are right.

JohnBuckner

My Feedback: (1)

Thank you for clearing that up and no I certainly will not recomend this combo to any of my students or any other combo out there where the purchaser will be wanting to replace the Tx almost imediately Which is virtually every time when they discover these are one airplane/one tx units.

My recomendations will remain a basic ARF not RTF of choice and engines as well as the RC system of choice. not the choice of some packager. Not always the rock bottom price but always the best choice.

John

F4U Corsair

My Feedback: (22)

Yepper, I was looking to buy a Hanger 9 P-51 ARF when they come back in stock. I see a few stores on-line quoting $219 for the ARF, it was $119. Come on....$100 upcharge on an ARF????

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

All of us are in the same boat. I have to find as a LHS something that will sell at a price the new guy will pay. Also since I fly as well it must be something that is of good quality because if it isn't I'll hear about on Sundays when I'm at the field. Most everything that I have brought into the store lately has gone up. Dennis

HampdenTech

It arrived this morning. There's no simulator with it but I didn't expect one since it wasn't listed with the product. At any rate, I have RealFlight G3.5 which works fine for me.

Here's some pictures...

brett65

My Feedback: (18)

Just saw yesterday that it's only $299 at the LHS, and the new parkzone Corsair with 2.4 is $280. I want the Corsair really bad!

mclina

I noticed these at my LHS yesterday, also priced at $299. I'm surprised that they can sell them for $100 less than Horizon.