pilotpete2

I think that Futabas marketing strategy of designing high end transmitters that are "native" 2.4Ghz systems, but not dedicated to 2.4Ghz gives you the best of both worlds.
Building high end transmitters without a pluggable RF module is a very short sighted move to my way of thinking.
Pete

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

I don't see your point. Only Skeptrum is 2.4. JR 9303 and 12 can be bought both ways. JR has the 7303 in 72 add a module and you have the DX-7. Also I see a time when 72 will no longer be the radio of choice, and in some cases will no longer be built. At some point service will become a issue. All you have to do is look at the single stick radios. At one time there were a lot of them out, but over time they got so rare nobody made or serviced them. Dennis

pilotpete2

The new JR X9303 is 2.4Ghz only, it cannot be instantly switched back to 72Mz to fly a plane that installing a Spektrum receiver in might be a problem, such as a carbon fiber fuselage sailplane. True you can buy the original 72Mhz 9303 and use a Spektrum conversion module in it, but you lose some of the performance advantages of a "native" spread spectrum system. The JR 7202 and Spektrum DX7 do not have modules, so no changing is possible with these radios.
Pete

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

My mistake on the 7203. You are right. On the 9303 most if not all of the pilots can tell the difference. Now on the 12 ch JR you lose nothing going back in forth. Dennis

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

Where did you find info on the JR 12? They keep saying it is coming but I haven't heard about a production unit.

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

Got to hold it at the i-hobbies show last week. No date for the release or price yet. I already have several that have placed B/O. It will come with case and no servos. It will come with Spektrums new 12 ch. receiver. You can see it on Horizons web-site. They have added new software for the Jets and giant scale. Dennis

kevs182

deaddog,

Like you I'm starting with a clean slate. I stopped many years ago and sold all my gear. When I decided to go back to the hobby a couple of months ago, I was faced with several choices. With no remaining investment in 72 MHz gear, I decided 2.4 GHz would be the best choice for me, and that's what I got.

Needless to say I will not be purchasing 72 MHz stuff anymore.

Newc

The above was posted in response to my post which referenced cost issues - showing very little cost difference between equivalent 72 MHz and 2.4 GHz systems. It's perhaps worth noting that my post was intended for the original poster who stated that he was a newer modeler, so his expenses would not be as cited by MMallory above.

deaddog

I appreciate the input. I'm leaning more towards the 2.4 stuff but rx's are more expensive and there seems to be a lot of arguments over how sensitive the 2.4 stuff is to battery charge. No! I am not raising that issue. The rx cost does seem to be a factor.

Kevs182 - what did you go with?

Thanks

bruce88123

You won't be running out and buying a lot of RX's all at once as a beginner so the cost would be spread over time.
RX costs right now are:
FUTABA: 6C-$90 7C-$100 8C-$160
JR/Spec: 6C-$80 7C-$100 9C-$170
Definitely more than an FM RX but close to the costs of PCM RX's I believe.

Flypaper 2

I use the 7000 rcvr in a 1/4 scaler, the rest of the ten rcvrs are 6000 or 6100 in the 60 size and smaller which are 50 bucks a piece up here.

bruce88123

Those (6000,6100) are both rated ONLY for Park Flyers and were not included in my price hunt, only full range units suitable for Nitro powered planes. They only cost that here too, until your plane crashes.

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

One thing many don't realize is that when you buy a Spektrum you are really buying three receivers. Devide the cost by three and see the true cost. Dennis

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

Dennis,

If you NEED three you can't compare that to a system which only needs one.

Mark

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

Yes you can. The Skektrum uses three to keep a solid lock. Therfore the price reflexs the added cost of receivers. It boils down to unit cost. Dennis

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

Dennis,

I don't care what it costs JR to make. I, as the consumer, only care about what it costs me. The two products do the same thing so they should cost the same. Now I do understand paying a premium for advanced features or functionality. But to try to justify the higher cost just because they needed more parts to make it work is a little out there.

No matter how you shake it, you are buying one system per plane. The fact that system requires 3 units as compared to another systems one is irrelevant. Now it may help you sleep better thinking you are getting a great deal. If so, happy dreams.

Mark

DadsToysBG

My Feedback: (35)

Gee, If you don't like the price of 2.4 why don't you just say so. The price of the 9ch. Skeptrum is not much more then the JR PCM's The Spektrum 9ch. MAPS for 169. The JR R649-9ch PCM MAPS 159. Theses prices are comps. Using a 72 or module you get 1024. Use a 2.4 radio you get 2048. You have to compare apples to apples. Granted FM is cheaper, but the 2.4 isn't FM. I only flew with PCM so the move isn't costing me much more. I sold my PCM's for $75 ea. so the final price for the 2.4 was $94. Dennis

MMallory

My Feedback: (1)

Dennis,

I believe I agreed on these points. I just didn't agree that division by three was proper. I too fly PCM on my better models so I must bite the bullet for the new technology. Unfortunately, the price is what it is for now.

Mark

nxtdoor

My Feedback: (10)

To say that 72mhz will go away anytime soon is a little off the mark. Unless the FCC takes away the band, it could be 10 or more years before its use declines. It is still too early to tell how 2.4 will pan out. Many manufacturers haven't even started selling 2.4 and people are saying 72 is dead. To say you won't be able to get service is wrong also. You can still get equipment made in the 70's and 80's serviced.

This is a similar situation to when 72 mhz replaced 27 mhz. 72 was better due to less interference, but it was not a cure all and 2.4 may not be either.

I agree with the theory that interchangablility is best between 72 adn 2.4. Thats why I bought a Futaba 12FG FM. It does all forms of 72mhz and will do 2.4 when available.

Nobody can prove any 2.4 scheme is any better than another. All this talk about whose method is better is that, talk.

Jeff

P-40 DRIVER

One of the biggest headaches in this hobby is frequency control. If it was me, I would dodge that bullit as fast as I could. Your lucky, you don't have a garage full of stuff on 72 so converting will be easy for you. If you can't afford it, you might want to keep flying what you have for now. A 4 channel radio will fly alot of different planes. Now if I only could afford to replace my 9303 with the 2.4 ghz version. [:-]

Steve108

My Feedback: (36)

I have used an XP8103 for years and never had a problem. I can understand the desire for 2.4 at certain fields, but if people obey frequency control and you set up your antenna right, 72mhz is proven to work just fine.

FlyguyIN

I sold everything 72Mz on ebay to help pay for my new 2.4 7C. I do belive that 2.4 is the way of the future so the sooner you sell that stuff the better. I did keep one radio because Futaba is having a hard time making a Micro Receiver... Is it that hard? Come on guys, pick it up!

bruce88123

Doubt that it is all that hard but rather that they haven't gotten around to it yet.

aydin3

My Feedback: (1)

umm....so cut out two of the three ex's and what happens?? it does not work..therefore three are needed and so cannot be divided out in that manner....

and all these arguements about which technology is better, hohum...the idea ( and practice) of the FASST technology has been around for a long time...in applications that require complete security ie military radio comms, and it is just abuot as bulklet proof as it gets...fixing TWO freqs for use on one radion is crazy whenyou canhop over all of them! but time will tell

for me I am going to get an airtronics FM and an Airtronics 2.4 and have thebest of both worlds

Have fun flying, that matters FAR more than what radio brand one is using

Steve108

My Feedback: (36)

I'm waiting until I can get a spektrum rx for $20