The only issue I EVER had with them was when I ordered four high-torque servos. For some odd reason, I three high torque servos and one car engine. Hmmm.. They immediately sent me the right fourth servo, did not charge me for it, and asked me to return the engine. They provided me a shipping envelope (packing type) to return the engine. So, it really wasn't an issue, but an example of great service.

CGr.

Sorry, but I find Tower to more expensive for mostitemsthan others and they thieve you on shipping. I keep hearing about service. I've been in r/c for almost 35 years now. I think I needed service maybe twice. Maybe I don't understand what the service deal is with most people. When I buy something it either works or it doesn't work. If it doesn't, it gets returned for a replacement. If I have questions about anything, I get the best answers from people onRCU, other online forums, and face to face with people who are at the field / track / pond. And no, I don't shop my LHS. They are the biggest thieves of all.

Proof that there is at least 2 in every crowd.

Get a radio system!!! You wont regret it!!

CGR, it sounds like what they did to me. I ordered a O.S. 32h engine and I get a really nice super high end car motor worth about 4 times the cost of the 32h. If I would have had a car at the time, I may have kept it. Tower sent out the correct motor next day air with a return shipping label.

I have done business with Tower from way back when you had to fill out the order form and, hold your breath, MAIL it in. They have been good at fixing the issues I have had over the years.

Hobby People has also been a good company to deal with. They have replaced engines, servos, planes and a few odds and ends over the years.


Johnny, service is the thing you hope you never need, yet when you do need it, it can become priceless.

Buzz.

Guess i've been extremely lucky

I have used a DX6i for a year now in 8 planes and Helis without a single issue.  Good starter radio that can handle many different planes, and can do V tail mixing if you ever come across one of those.   It has two mix settings, standard flaps and landing gear, and is comfortable in the hand.  I got mine for $125 with rechargeable batteries and charger. I got a second one when I bought an Eflite T-34 and traded that with an RX for a Top Flite P-51 kit.


If you are being overcharged for shipping with Tower, you just aint doin it right.  So far I have had 2 orders from them and paid NO shipping, and got my stuff on quickly and correct.

Horizon I have also had Very good service from, and the pricing is the same as if I went to my LHS, and again no shipping charges. It all depends on when you buy.  Keep an eye out for their specials and get stuff when on sale and have free shipping.

so far as I know, Spectrum would be a good choice.

While not with 8 differing aircraft, my own Dx6i has been a great starting tool for getting into this hobby (even if it was via a 3D capable nitro heli) - not one single glitch in almost 2 years, though I do run on a 6volt Nimh battery system to ensure I don't get any brown out issues re low voltage off a 4 cell 4.8 volt pack (I don't like the idea of 2cell lipo's and voltage regulators, too many links in the chain to go wrong IMO - K.I.S.S!!)
Still, now that I have a desire to get an engine governor on my heli, and with my planes run more control options and functions on my P51 (nine servos in that puppy, 10 if I add a choke system on the gasser in it), I'd like to have a higher spec radio with 8-9 channels, for simple things like variable servo speed on flaps/retracts etc - cannot get them adjustable options on the Dx6i, just on or off.

So on personal experience, if I was to offer one bit of advise, buy the best system you can afford or justify spending time on saving for, it will save you money in the long run that's for sure!

You can't put AA batteries in the TX?

You can run four duracells in it if you want to.

get yourself a DX6i. This radio has the largest demand of all 6 channels, provides dual rates and expo on all channels with mixing, and can easily be sold for around 120 bucks should you out grow it. Also, you won't find more receivers than spektrum that people are buying and selling on the internet. The availability of high quality unused receivers at good prices are everywhere. That and you can go to HobbyKing and buy Orange 6 channel receivers for 8 bucks.

Don't get caught up in the hype that Spektrum is unreliable. I've never had one glitch with my old dx6i. Just remember to use more than a 4.8v pack if you're using digital servos.

While I agree that there's nothing wrong with Spektrum, I run it myself, I do think that A: There's also nothing wrong with Futaba and that if OP wants to use it he can, and B: Those OrangeRxs aren't to be trusted. Hobbyking is going to be completely MIA if when they act up. You have no warranty, it's pure luck. At least with the genuine stuff you can send it to Horizon for warranty work if need be.

While I agree to almost everything posted there - as for online receivers (ebay etc) I have to disagree based on personal experience and state that you should get them off reputable suppliers, preferably your trusted LHS.
I say this as I nearly lost my 65" nitro trainer to one of them "original Specktrum AR6200" online auctions (not on e-bay, but our national equivalent here in NZ) - it was a utter fluke that the plane was coming back around towards us and came back into range allowing us to land it after it started to cut out on us mid flight re TX /RX response - it's VERY scary when your plane is heading right for the pits/car park while you have no control due to knock off 'cheap' receiver that looks just like the OEM one!

At the end of the day, is that $50 saving worth risking (or replacing) your expensive and time consuming model? ... it's not worth the risk on my nitro trainer, or my gas powered mustang, and is in no way worth the risk on my nitro heli that's for sure.

I understand and respect other's opinions. I can just tell you my experience. I've purchased several used rxs including 6200's and they all worked flawlessly. I also have used a couple hk orange rxs in my cheap Foamies and they have never even so much as glitched. Then when I was ready to move up to a dx8, I was able to sell the dx6i for 120 dollars in literally a matter of minutes after posting it to the for sale boards.

Isn't the AR6200 the RX without the remote antenna box? On those if you don't set the antenna just right you can lose signal to it. They work great in foam fuse planes, and in fuses that have open spaces under the covering, but not so well in solid wood fuselages, and dont work well at all if there is CF in the frame. I have one in my Apprentice, but my T-34 has an AR6210 with the remote box on it. I don't think I would trust the AR6200 in any solid wood fuse only due to the antenna placement, if you dont get it just right, you could drop signal at certain angles.

EDIT: Went to my planes, the Apprentice has an AR600, I thought it was a 6200. Are you guys referring to the AR6210?

The AR6200 is a full range 6ch RX with a satellite receiver that is designed for use in nitro planes/helis.
The original one that I put in my heli has never given me a single issue in almost two years (again, only using a 6volt NiMh pack), it was just the knock off (fake copy) one I received off an online auction site that caused the ONLY problem I have ever had with my specktrum radio gear, thus my lack of desire to ever take shortcuts by saving a few dollars by buying of auctions again - it's just not worth the risk.

I just ordered the Futaba 6J W/Servos to replace my DX5E.

Have you received your radio yet? What's your impression of it? I helped a guy at the field program one and found it really easy to work with.

I just ordered (2) 6J's to use for flight training. Tower super saver club special price was $149.97, and with the additional club enhanced $25.00 discount it knocked the price down to $124.97 (with free club shipping). This is the 6J with (4) S3004 servo's. One of those deals that couldn't be passed up. I'll convert both to rechargeable batteries, but even with that expense, it's still a good price for a 6-ch radio.

For anybody who orders from tower, it's worth looking into the super saver club.

Hogflyer

To the OP: Please don't believe everything you read here and do your own research. The statements above are bogus.

Kurt