Why bother with a flight pack?  
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Tower Hobbies
Enter up to 4 keywords or Tower stock numbers
Logged in as Guest



Users viewing this topic: none
  Printable Version
       


ACE R/C Ultimate - Kit
Seller:  stuk_at_work
Details:   $45.00   |  12/2/2008   |  Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Beginners >> Why bother with a flight pack?
Page: [1]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 6:38:21 AM   
Rick Lindsey


 

Posts: 184
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: SAnta Barbara, CA,
Status: offline 		Maybe I'm missing something, but what's the point in buying a flight pack?

An Airtronics flight-pack with a 7-channel receiver, 4 servos, battery etc. costs $115. An airtronics VG-400 4-channel transmitter costs $130, and includes everything found in the flight-pack.

Seems like a no-brainer to skip the flight pack, and get a second transmitter (on a different channel, perhaps) for $15.

-Rick
       Post #: 1

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 6:45:21 AM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Sure it makes sense. You could probably sell just the transmitter on eBay for $30.

It just depends on how many Tx's you want lying around I guess. Once you've bought equipment for 4 or 5 planes, all those tx's get in the way. You'll find it's easier to stay on one frequency too. (Nothing like bringing the wrong tx to the field.) I use one computer tx for up to 6 planes right now.
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys is, none the less, still dead.

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 2

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 9:38:28 AM   
glowplug



Posts: 1862
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Weirton, WV, USA
Status: offline 		I agree with Dennis.....once you get a computer radio with multiple model memory, you'll have no need for more Tx's......until you run out of memory!

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 3

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 9:46:59 AM   
3DFanatic


 

Posts: 2669
Joined: 7/22/2003
From: Tacoma, WA, USA
Status: offline 		But he's got a point... Buy the whole works and sell the TX for more then $15 and have yourself a nice little profit

_____________________________

-Aaron
3Dfoamy.com

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 4

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 10:12:37 AM   
Papa Tango



Posts: 104
Joined: 5/9/2003
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline 		My question is, do you already have the 7 channel computer TX? If not then your're buying the wrong flight pack. If you do, then go ahead and buy the 4-channel package, but make absolutely sure you're getting the same servos and RX as shown in the flight pack. One digit off in the model no. of an RX and you could be looking at as much as a $50 drop in value. Same applies to the servos.

Be thorough in the examination of the components you're about to plop down your hard earned cash for.

If you're still in doubt after that, give us the specs on what you want and we'll check it out for you.


Good Luck!!

_____________________________

Cogito, ergo volo

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 5

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 10:14:07 AM   
Jim C.



Posts: 730
Joined: 1/4/2003
From: armagh, PA, USA
Status: offline 		thats why you buy the 9cap or your equivilent... with the memory pack what is it?? like 16 models?? hahahhhh works well... i dont have that many models yet as i only use my 9c for my heli at the moment.

_____________________________

http://jimsrc.com
Mulligan Hill RC Club

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 6

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 7:30:58 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19989
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: offline 		I am one of those old dinosaurs that happens to agree with you. I would rather spend the extra 15 bucks and get the whole package. I would rather bring the wrong Tx to the field and not fly, than to take off with the wrong model selected (I've seen it happen too many times - as a matter of fact, just last weekend it happened to an expert flyer - resulting in one rekitted Dazzler), and with my brain... let's just say I KNOW it will happen.

Besides, even if you have a computer radio (which I do) you will still have a wealth of extra parts (Tx battery packs, switches, knobs, etc) if anything should need replacing.

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 7

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 7:53:52 PM   
glowplug



Posts: 1862
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: Weirton, WV, USA
Status: offline 		Minn, you make a good point. A flying buddy of mine that has a 6XAS has never used it for fear of selecting the wrong model! (even after I spent an hour setting up 4 of his planes in it one day!)
I put small numbers on my planes to signify what number in memory they are.....also, I have a list taped to the back of my TX with the model numbers and plane names.....and I look at it every time just to be sure!

For you 40-60 sized flyers that are just looking for flight packs, check out [url]www.spectrumhobbies.com[/url]
I've bought a couple of flight packs off of this guy on Ebay before, and he also sells online. A Hitec flight pack w/ a shift selectable rx (works with JR & Airtronics too) with 4 HS 425BB servos, switch & battery goes for $105 shipped.....PLUS, he includes a 12" extension and the rx crystal.....pretty good price! He also has the same pack with 5 servos for $115.

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 8

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 10:44:11 PM   
Rick Lindsey


 

Posts: 184
Joined: 6/11/2003
From: SAnta Barbara, CA,
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Papa Tango
My question is, do you already have the 7 channel computer TX? If not then your're buying the wrong flight pack. If you do, then go ahead and buy the 4-channel package, but make absolutely sure you're getting the same servos and RX as shown in the flight pack. One digit off in the model no. of an RX and you could be looking at as much as a $50 drop in value. Same applies to the servos.

Be thorough in the examination of the components you're about to plop down your hard earned cash for.

If you're still in doubt after that, give us the specs on what you want and we'll check it out for you.

Good Luck!! [/QUOTE]

Why would that be the wrong flight pack? Lets assume for the moment that I went the cheap route and got a 4-channel tx for my LT-25, and the flight pack is for my second plane, an Astro-Hog that I spent nine months laboring over while tearing up the sky with my LT-25 (alright, so I'll most likely be tearing up the LT-25 rather than the sky, and it will probably take me more than nine months to build that astro-hog, but this is hypothetical! )

I haven't bought my radio yet, so I'm still waffling between a 6-channel computer radio and a 4-channel basic one, but I thought one of the big advantages of the 6-channel radio was that I would only have to buy a flight-pack for my second plane rather than a whole new radio... I'm really starting to lean towards just getting a 4-channel for my trainer, and a separate 4-channel for my second plane, and then perhaps moving up to a 6-channel computer radio when I need more than 4 channels (flaps!).

Anyhow, I'm not saying this is the right way to do it, it's just what makes sense from my uneducated newbie point of view. If I'm way off base then please enlighten me!

-Rick

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 9

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 11:02:57 PM   
Montague



Posts: 4653
Joined: 4/19/2002
From: Laurel, MD,
Status: offline 		Nope, your observations are basically correct.

However, if you decide you don't want the very basic "come with" servos for your next plane, or you want a different battery pack or whatever, you can go for flexibility and not have a bunch of stuff you aren't going to use. For example, you might want smaller, lighter servos for a small plane, or higher speed and torque and higher percision. Or you might want a larger capacity battery pack. Who knows what you might want in the future.

For me, it's a no brainer. Flying combat, I frequently have a "huge" pile of airplanes ready to go for a contest. (I actually flew 10 different planes last weekend in 3 different classes). I have a Polk transmitter that has a 99 model memory. I also use 270mah batteries to save weight, and micro servos on throttle and differnet servos on other controls depending on the plane. So, for me, a computer radio and tons of flight packs is a no brainer. It's also nice that I only have to charge and keep track of 1 transmitter, and the stick feel is always the same.

But if you are just flying 4-channel sport planes in the .25-.60 size range, then you're right, there really isn't a compelling reason to go with flight packs. You save a little money, but not a ton. I, on the other hand, have save buckets full of cash by shopping around for components.

Also, it's worth mentioning that many of the useful features the computer radios have are not available on the less expensive 4 and 6 channel models. I use a lot of expo on my planes, for example, and that isn't (or wasn't?) available on the lower-line radios. Once you start using mixing and other advanced features, the cost advantages of a flightpack really start to show up.


_____________________________

Kirk Montague Adams
RCCA 560

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 10

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/28/2003 11:59:23 PM   
4*60


 

Posts: 1269
Joined: 3/10/2002
From: Blind Bay, BC, CANADA
Status: offline 		As mentioned, be careful. An example is the 4 channel may come with 422 servos and the flight pack may come with 425BB's. Big difference.

Multi-memory or multi TX's. You still have to be careful. Check for the proper model memory slot and fly your model safely, but if you flip on the wrong TX brought to the field, you may shoot me down! We need to check all the little details all the time or we get into trouble! Isn't this fun?

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 11

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/29/2003 12:57:42 AM   
FLYBOY



Posts: 8692
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Missoula, MT, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by MinnFlyer
I I would rather bring the wrong Tx to the field and not fly, than to take off with the wrong model selected [/QUOTE]

I learned that one the hard way too. I still use the 9C with most of my planes, but now the first thing I do is turn on the trans and see what it says before I turn on the rec. I do it before every flight anymore. I didn't loose one, but almost started the heli with the G-202 programmed in and that would have been a real mess. You have to look at it before every flight to get into the habbit. I used to have 7 radios and just got sick of keeping track of what is charged, what is cycled and what is not. This works nice. I am down to just 3 radios.

_____________________________

Fly it till the wings come off.

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 12

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/29/2003 7:08:27 AM   
Cessna26



Posts: 430
Joined: 6/15/2003
From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Status: offline 		ya i think that is a good idea i am getting a new tx and stuff for an extra 5$ so its a no brainer to.


_____________________________

T. Buhler
Cessna26

(in reply to Rick Lindsey)
       Post #: 13

Why bother with a flight pack? - 8/29/2003 7:46:26 AM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]I used to have 7 radios and just got sick of keeping track of what is charged, what is cycled and what is not. This works nice. I am down to just 3 radios.[/QUOTE] This was my point. I'm down to one radio (for the moment), and it really IS just a matter of programming yourself to look at the plane you just finished fueling, then looking at your radio display to make sure that's the one your trying to fly!

I regularly take three planes to the field with me now, and I fly each one of them two or three times. It takes me (at most) pushing buttons seven times to change between planes. It's become so easy that I almost don't have to think about it. Charging one transmitter all the time, and knowing I have the right one, is really nice too.

Remembering to charge three planes is my only issue now, but I usually charge one on a wall wart, one on my old peak charger in the shop, and one on my Super Nova on the ride to the field.

Montague,
I've been looking at the Polk transmitters. Are you happy with yours? Price doesn't seem too bad, but is a bit misleading because it doesn't include Rx or servos.
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the