ORIGINAL: pmr
I'll be getting a high wing and an engine but would like to get your opinion regarding the radio. A fellow hobbyist is selling a Futaba ff8 super (T-8UHPS) 8 channel, I know that this certain model was phased out recently but would still need your suggestions. Selling price is about $250 with tx batt, module, receiver, tx charger but without servo's.
The specs for the radio can be found here as part of the 8U family.
http://www.futaba-rc.com/discontinued/futj80.html
Manuals are here:
http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/notes-8u.html
This is a very capable radio. Figure a new Hitec Reciever goes for about $60, so if you factor that $40 for the used receiver, you are paying about $210 for the radio. If it is a PCM receiver then value it at $60 and the radio is $190. I can't say whether it is more or less capable or easier to use than the current Futaba 9C that sells for about $290, for just the radio.
You are not likely to run out of features any time soon as a new flyer, so you can put that concern aside. One nice feature is that it uses the CAMPak expansion modules which means you can increase the model memory.
I can't comment on whether that is a fair price or not. Search e-bay; the buy/sell on rcuniverse and other forums if you want to comparison shop.
There are two values you can add to the numbers. Local knowledge and help. Since you are buying it from a club member you are probably getting a radio in good working order. Also, you have someone who knows the radio and can help you program it and use its features.
It is more radio than a new flyer needs, but who knows how long before you grow into it. You can never have too much radio.
You could pay more or you could pay less for a radio. If you want others to consider look at:
Futaba 7C - about $150 - lots of features, but probably not up to the 8U
Futaba 9C - about $290 - Consider this the approximate replacement for the 8U