ORIGINAL: byrne1157
I'll start by saying that I just scrolled through the classifieds here, and saw several JR, Futaba, Airtronics, and Spektrum radios for sale. Not one single ad for a Turnigy 9x. That speaks volumes to me. When I was early into r/c, I purchased an old FM Futaba 6EXA. But I quickly found it wouldn't fill my needs with only 3 model memories in it. So I did some research, and bought the best radio I could afford. It had to have certain attributes. It had to be 2.4 Ghz, so I wouldn't interfere with any others at the field, nor would they interfere with me. It also would have to be a radio I could grow with. More channels, more model memories. It would have to be well built. And it had to use rx's that were inexpensive, yet perform well. The Turnigy 9x filled all those requirements, and more. Range checked to slightly over 1-1/2 miles, on the ground, with trees, hills, and buildings in the way. I used a philips screwdriver, installed my own smartieparts board and backlight, which also gave me a usb connector, and now I have access to other firmware for free. Now my Tx has unlimited mixes, 16 model memories, assignable switches and pots. I can use it for any aircraft. Airplanes, Heli's, and Gliders. I can store programs on my pc, and upload them just before going to the field, or, take my laptop and do it there, if I should exeed 16 models. My Rx's cost average 12bucks for8 ch, 11 bucks for 6ch. My total cost? About $150.00. I don't see any need for any other radios in my hangar...Oh, if I should find a need to fly someone else's plane that has one of those ''other'' rx's in it, I can simply switch to that brand of Module, and fly it.
I'll start by saying that I have a Dx6i, and it is indeed been a flawless 6ch radio for the 4 years I have had it. It's also been not enough channels from the moment I brought it.
I originally got it to run a nitro heli, and it does - at the absolute minimum (excluding the motor governer I want to install). It runs my 56" Yak54 fantastically, as that only uses 5 channels.
My P51 Mustang with 9 servos and a NEED for an opti kill on the gas motor, it's NOT enough. My new 30cc Sbach that will run 6 servos (twin elevator servos) and also need that opti-kill on the ignition, I can do it with a 6ch radio, but I'm forced to use Y-leads, which I do not trust.
Where am I going with this? ..... if your on a budget, and cannot afford a good "brand" radio with 9channels or more, there is NOTHING wrong with the Turnigy 9X 9ch radio. It works, and when you want to add another plane to your fleet, you can save $60-80+ on a new RX alone (this is key for pilots on a budget). They have actually been independently tested and proved to be as or more secure than a LOT of other radios systems out there, so are safe.
Sure FASST is rock solid, as is DSMX - they are GREAT systems, and there is no denying that. But they are also dam expensive systems and not everyone can afford them. On that basis, there is another option with will allow users into the hobby, but as long as they are smart enough to look beyond that 'must be name brand only' mindset that is out there.
And if you want proof they work, this is a 30cc Sbach running that exact system: [link]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP8LZPGBLP0[/link]