ORIGINAL: gaRCfield</p>
I have the Atx RDS-8000. I say don't get it. It has some very limiting features that not even their reps had realized. If I knew about these I would never have bought it. Their new 10ch seems really nice however.</p>
As far as the 3 you mentioned, it is a toss-up. Get what you like, what feels the best and has the features you like - they are all good.</p>
Futaba has one Rx box with two small antennae in the plane, Spektrum has two RX boxes in the plane but has model match and more RX options than any competitor right now.</p>
Personally I like JR/Spektrum radios for the way they feel in my hands. I didn't love the 'programming language' of my Futaba, however you can do a whole lot with it when you fully understand it.</p>
I have used the Futaba 6EX and Airtronics RDS8000 and am now shopping for a JR X9303.</p>
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I have to disagree with you here on this matter. While the Airtronics may not fit your style of flying, it might well be a fantastic choice for this pilot. Look back to what he said, mostly sport aerobatic and some 3D. You are flying pattern, which is a totally different type of flying than he is planning. The Airtronics RDS8000 is an outstanding radio for this type of flying and would be a great choice. It currently sells for $229, but that includes TWO receivers that come with the radio. I've been flying Airtronics radios for 14 years now and have never had any issues with them. I do own a JR X9303 and a Futaba 9C (converted to 2.4 FASST) that I have for doing product reviews. But when it comes to flying the planes I use every day I use my RDS 8000. I fly everything from sport aerobatic to a glider to a trainer to my everyday flyers on this radio and it works great.</p>
Yes, there is an issue with not having dual rates or expo on the rudder, but the lack of these features only affects a very small percentage of people. While you may feel that you HAVE to have those, many more don't need them and probably never will. And in the context of the beginner's forum the lack of those two features really isn't a huge issue. I also would wonder what Airtronics reps you have spoken to who didn't know about those features not being on this radio, because every one that I have spoken to (including Mike Greenshields) acknowledges that those features were not on this radio. It's not a shock at all because the RDS 8000 has identical features as the RD 8000 which has been out for years now. But like I said, I have found that those two features are only needed by a very small percentage of people.</p>
While IMHO I would be willing to bet the RDS 8000 will be more than enough radio for you, since you're not in a hurry you might want to wait and take a look at the new 10 channel coming out. However, if the Aurora is out of your price range then the 10 channel Airtronics will probably be as well. If money is a concern then I would take a second look at the RDS 8000 as it does come with two receivers, as I said earlier. IMHO I wouldn't dismiss the radio based on the comments of one person that doesn't even fly the same type of flying as you do. I fully realize that the radio may not have suited him, but unless you're going to fly pattern like he does it might well be a good fit for your, your style of flying, and your pocketbook. It might well be worth a second look.</p>
If you are looking for a radio that will bind with the ParkZone bind -n-fly equipment you will have to buy JR/Spektrum. All 2.4 radios are proprietary and will not work with each other. This is limited to the transmitters and receivers and does not apply to the servos, which you can still use almost any brand of servo with any brand of radio.</p>
That's my 2 cents worth</p>
Ken</p>