RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics?  
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
       

All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> The Clubhouse >> RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics?
Page: <<   < prev  1 [2]

Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 7/9/2007 4:32:26 AM   
bobzilla



Posts: 889
Joined: 8/4/2004
From: Henderson, NV, USA
Status: offline
Well, after some very imformative posts..and reading..and alot of persusion by fellow flyers in out club and flying field..I think
the new JR x9303 is in my future. I can't say it has alot of things better, or even cheaper than a 2.4ghx Futaba..but I will have lots of help at my field with any installation and programming..and that is priceless. No one at our field has Airtronics, only one has a Tracker (major problems there for him), and one Multiplex (one strange lookin piece).


(in reply to scale dail)
       Post #: 26

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 6:20:23 AM   
Grampaw


 

Posts: 499
Joined: 10/31/2002
From: Opelousas, LA, USA
Status: offline
This is not a reply with reasons to either buy an Airtronics or not. I haven't even seen an Airtronics radio in years and just the mention here of the name triggered a brain burp in my head. Back in the 70s I built the first "Proportional Radio" I had. It was a Heathkit, and you had to build it yourself. I chose to build the Heath Single Stick 3 Channel, but got the 4 Channel conversion kit as I wanted a 4 channel radio. It was a simple mod, the Aileron right stick was hollow, so the conversion kit had a new hollow stick threaded to mount a pod to hold the Pot, which was the Rudder controls. It was really neat. Twist the knob right or left and the rudder followed. Move the Aileron stick right or left and the ailerons reacted. I taught myself to fly on that thing and had a ball.

Later on we got some new guys in the group that wanted me to teach them to fly. I said OK, bring your planes and radios next Sunday and we'll get started. They all showed up with their airplanes and their brand new two stick Airtronic radios! I just stood out there wondering what I had done! I'd never flown a two stick! So the first thing I had to do was learn to fly with it, so I could then teach them how to fly! After I soloed, I went to work on them. The Airtronics radio was as good as any other moderately priced radio available in those days. As time passed I must have flown any and all that showed up. There was one time a whole month passed in which I didn't fly my Heath once!

Another story along the same lines, about an FBO friend of mine. Early one morning out at the local airport, I saw a pretty little Silver and Red Ercoupe parked next to the main hangar and strolled over to check it out. The Ercoupe was the little plane that had no Rudder pedals on the floor, but it was a nice little airplane. Anyway, once I got close to the 'Coupe my FBO friend walked out with a handful of papers. I asked what he was up to. He told me in a non too polite manner that he didn't have time to fool with me, that he was busy boning up on how to fly that danged Ercoupe with the missing Pedals! He had never even sat in one before that morning! I was amused as it reminded me of my Airtronics deal, and similar to my case, He had to learn to fly it before he could teach it's new owner to fly it! It had been ferried up from another city and the new owner was to come in for his Flying lessons! He was non too amused, and shouting some not so nice things in my direction as I walked away laughing my head off at his predictament!

Oh yes, he got it figured out, and eventually soloed the new owner and added the hours in the pretty Silver and Red little Ercoupe in his Log Book.

(in reply to bobzilla)
       Post #: 27

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 6:48:44 AM   
bobzilla



Posts: 889
Joined: 8/4/2004
From: Henderson, NV, USA
Status: offline
quote:

To each his own, heck even BMW puts out a lemon once in a while according to Consumers Report


I checked my consumer reports going back to May 1966 and they have never identified any BMW as a lemon! What issue did you read it in?

bobz

(in reply to Grampaw)
       Post #: 28

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 12:49:54 PM   
Cyclic Hardover



Posts: 7236
Joined: 5/7/2002
From: New Mexico, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: bobzilla

I see hobbypeeps now sell airtronics...anyone can please give me 1 great reason why I should buy Airtronics over Futaba or even JR?



Well one good reason is you may be the only one at the field with one makiing you stand out. Also if you need any on site tech advice, good luck.

_____________________________

Retired Army Aviator - Excuse Me! You sold me a hair with a cake around it!

(in reply to bobzilla)
       Post #: 29

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 12:53:11 PM   
Cyclic Hardover



Posts: 7236
Joined: 5/7/2002
From: New Mexico, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Grampaw

This is not a reply with reasons to either buy an Airtronics or not. I haven't even seen an Airtronics radio in years and just the mention here of the name triggered a brain burp in my head. Back in the 70s I built the first "Proportional Radio" I had. It was a Heathkit, and you had to build it yourself. I chose to build the Heath Single Stick 3 Channel, but got the 4 Channel conversion kit as I wanted a 4 channel radio. It was a simple mod, the Aileron right stick was hollow, so the conversion kit had a new hollow stick threaded to mount a pod to hold the Pot, which was the Rudder controls. It was really neat. Twist the knob right or left and the rudder followed. Move the Aileron stick right or left and the ailerons reacted. I taught myself to fly on that thing and had a ball.

Later on we got some new guys in the group that wanted me to teach them to fly. I said OK, bring your planes and radios next Sunday and we'll get started. They all showed up with their airplanes and their brand new two stick Airtronic radios! I just stood out there wondering what I had done! I'd never flown a two stick! So the first thing I had to do was learn to fly with it, so I could then teach them how to fly! After I soloed, I went to work on them. The Airtronics radio was as good as any other moderately priced radio available in those days. As time passed I must have flown any and all that showed up. There was one time a whole month passed in which I didn't fly my Heath once!

Another story along the same lines, about an FBO friend of mine. Early one morning out at the local airport, I saw a pretty little Silver and Red Ercoupe parked next to the main hangar and strolled over to check it out. The Ercoupe was the little plane that had no Rudder pedals on the floor, but it was a nice little airplane. Anyway, once I got close to the 'Coupe my FBO friend walked out with a handful of papers. I asked what he was up to. He told me in a non too polite manner that he didn't have time to fool with me, that he was busy boning up on how to fly that danged Ercoupe with the missing Pedals! He had never even sat in one before that morning! I was amused as it reminded me of my Airtronics deal, and similar to my case, He had to learn to fly it before he could teach it's new owner to fly it! It had been ferried up from another city and the new owner was to come in for his Flying lessons! He was non too amused, and shouting some not so nice things in my direction as I walked away laughing my head off at his predictament!

Oh yes, he got it figured out, and eventually soloed the new owner and added the hours in the pretty Silver and Red little Ercoupe in his Log Book.



Good story

_____________________________

Retired Army Aviator - Excuse Me! You sold me a hair with a cake around it!

(in reply to Grampaw)
       Post #: 30

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 2:02:34 PM   
PLANE JIM



Posts: 961
Joined: 12/22/2002
From: pinehurst, TX, USA
Status: offline
REASON # 1001-It's so easy a caveman can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

_____________________________

"WE WILL NEVER FORGET"

(in reply to fxrider)
       Post #: 31

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/26/2007 3:02:06 PM   
TLH101



Posts: 5540
Joined: 12/27/2001
From: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Status: offline
I think, unless you just "really" need a radio, there is no reason to buy any brand right now. I have a "gut" feeling, that in the next 6-12 months, there are going to be big changes in the radio market, among every brand out there. A lot of "state of the art" stuff may be obsolete in a years time. On the 2.4Ghz front, besides Spkctrum, Futaba, JR & XPS, we have still yet to hear from Airtronics, Multiplex/HiTec, Nomadio, and who knows who else?
I was ready to make some changes 3 months ago, but I am waiting for a little while longer.

_____________________________

Terry
"Old Fart" in training. (not to be an R/Cer, but to be an "Old Fart")

(in reply to PLANE JIM)
       Post #: 32

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/31/2007 7:06:38 PM   
bigedmustafa



Posts: 2680
Joined: 6/19/2005
From: Omaha, NE, USA
Status: offline
With Hobby People selling the RD6000 Tx and Rx package for $99.99, the only real question is will one be enough?

_____________________________

To a tree, balsa wood and MonoKote taste just like chicken!

(in reply to TLH101)
       Post #: 33

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/31/2007 9:44:26 PM   
bobzilla



Posts: 889
Joined: 8/4/2004
From: Henderson, NV, USA
Status: offline
rd6000...It's FM and crystals..are you nuts?

(in reply to bigedmustafa)
       Post #: 34

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 9/2/2007 1:56:14 AM   
Tired Old Man


 

Posts: 12012
Joined: 2/25/2002
From: Central, CA, USA
Status: offline
Good post. Pretty much sums up the way things truly work. I flew Airtronics radios for years and still have an old Vanguard that works just fine. The only reason I changed was due to servo choices at the time. I still believe that Airtronics makes the best heli and glider radio out there, but that's where they focused a long time ago and still maintain a lead.

_____________________________

If you can''t fix it with a hammer, you have an electrical problem.

(in reply to TEAMERICA)
       Post #: 35

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 9/3/2007 2:21:43 AM   
cap10b



Posts: 495
Joined: 6/12/2002
From: Carrollton, TX, USA
Status: offline
All,
The programming is really easier to learn. As an example the 6channel RD6000Super and the JR 62xx do just about everything but I think the RD has a smaller learning curve. As far as servos go nobody makes a faster servo than Airtronics bar none, they don’t have 400 in/oz servos but they make an extremely fast metal-geared 200 in/oz servo that nobody can come close to in speed.
Don’t get me wrong I like my 8611a and my 8711's but for my fifty size planes the 94358z is a very good choice. Also all my throttle and choke duties fall to 94151 90in/oz at .07 speed and 94741 60in/oz at .10 speed on 6.0 vdc. Their servos are tough and easy to rebuild and maintain.

I like what Mike Greenshields is doing at Global with the Airtronics line, the prices have come down, he keeps us updated on the new RD8K 2.4 progress, he lets us in on deals before they get published online and in flyers. He wants to take Airtronics back up to the leading edge of hobby and I believe he will do it.

I fly the Stylus and in looking at the new Airtronics website saw for the first time that the Stylus is being discontinued. THANK GAWD! Now we can look forward to a new top of the line radio the infamous Stylus II that everyone has worked so hard on.

The flying club I am a member of is totally dominated by JR and Futaba with a sprinkling of everything else. Just me and one pattern guy and one jet guy fly Airtronics. We may be small in number but have allot heart competing against the JR onslaught.

JDS







< Message edited by cap10b -- 9/3/2007 2:26:00 AM >


_____________________________

With Sport Greatness

(in reply to Tired Old Man)
       Post #: 36

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 9/3/2007 3:37:32 AM   
tailskid



Posts: 5527
Joined: 11/30/2001
From: Tolleson, AZ, USA
Status: offline
I too have a Stylus and JR 9303 and the programming in the Stylus is a pain - way too advanced IMHO! Both good radios - but who doesn't make a good radio these days?

_____________________________

# 93 in Club Saito

(in reply to cap10b)
       Post #: 37

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 9/3/2007 4:00:11 AM   
bobzilla



Posts: 889
Joined: 8/4/2004
From: Henderson, NV, USA
Status: offline
Good point Taleskid..so my point in this whole thread..is buy a radio within your budget and one you can get help with at your field..
Airtronics is just not your mainstream radio now..and few know about it or trust it.
I will be loving my JR.

bobz

(in reply to tailskid)
       Post #: 38

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 9/3/2007 1:53:02 PM   
cap10b



Posts: 495
Joined: 6/12/2002
From: Carrollton, TX, USA
Status: offline
All,
My buddy fly’s 40% and used to fly a JR10X, the new radio bug bit him and he bought a new 14z. The learning curve on that radio alone is astounding, coupled with antenna placement problems and a new receiver on top of the $2199.00 that he laid out for the radio and all of a sudden Futaba 14z is a royal pain in the a__. And also like someone said above there was no one at the field that could help him, the 9C and 9Z guys were just as puzzled about how to do things as he was.

During the summer I have had many opportunities to help guys with trimming and setting up their aerobatic planes and entry level pattern ships using the newer radios i.e.. JR 9303, Futaba 9C, an old JR10SXII, and a JR10X and all of them have a learning curve that’s harder to master than the Airtronics RD series or the Stylus. None of them are intuitive and none of them offer real time programming. IE... if then, and or logic.

Believe it or not Jeff Raskin of Macintosh fame was also an AMA member and an RC Flyer. He was also interested in the design of radios and the frequency they were on and so forth. He wrote a white paper on the subject and it makes for interesting reading. His design thoughts and comments were way ahead of their time. As you can imagine Jeff was fluent in some programming languages and his thoughts about the interface and ease of use were on the forefront of his thinking. The “Humane Interface” I think he calls it.

Here is the link to Jeff’s white paper on transmitters - http://jef.raskincenter.org/published/transmitter.html


Enjoy all.

JDS






_____________________________

With Sport Greatness

(in reply to bobzilla)
       Post #: 39

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/10/2008 12:20:04 AM   
dhusher


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 8/3/2005
From: Siloam Springs, AR, USA
Status: offline
I'm an "Old Ft" and just bought the airtronics RDS800FHSS 2.4Mhz systems. It is my 1st computer radio and I had no problems programing it. Very intuitive. Airtronics is currently running a special deal where they include a 2nd $80 receiver. $225.04 including tax at my LHS. Feels good, flys great. Need any more reasons?

(in reply to bobzilla)
       Post #: 40

RE: Give me 1 good reason why I should buy Airtronics? - 8/10/2008 5:17:45 PM