Hey Guys

I figured that my next investment will be a nice radio..

ok heres the 2 ive been looking at...

FUTABA 6EXA

http://towerhobbies.com/products/futaba/futk55.html


AND

FUTABA 6XAS

http://towerhobbies.com/products/futaba/futk31m.html


Would it be worth spending the extra cash and getting the more expensive one ?
Seems like it has a few more features..

also...what is exponential ?
no clue..

is there a radio that i did not mention that is like these in the same price range?
Thanks alot

Felix

I just started flying in September on a 4 channel and got the 6XAS for christmas. 2 complaints. First is that it only holds 6 models. This means I'll probably have to spend money on a new radio later. Second is that they came out with a 7 channel soon after I got the 6. If i did it again I would get the 7. It hold 10 models. The radio is really a great radio and easy to program after the first time.

Expo is a setting to make the sticks less or more sensitive around the center.

Chris

I've owned many none computer 6 channels radios for over 15 years used them in many sport planes with no problems I also have several computer radios and love them mixing and mutilpe model setup are great.

Bottom line if you get hooked this won't be the last radio you buy by a long shot. Pick the one that suits your budget either will take you through several models on a traditional learning curve..

ok, i think that the FF6 is the best to get, its everything you could ask for, but the new FF7 is a better invesment. I dont have any complaints about the FF6, apart from 2: model memory, and the second the trainer switich is a buttin not toggle swtch, this is much harder for the instructor, but especially in the cold.

BUT THE 6EXA HAS A TEO SECOND DELAY WHEN USEING THE BUDDYBOX SYSTEM!!!
BE CAREFULL

I WOULD GET THE FF6 TO LEARN WITH

This may be a dumb question, but when it say's it hold's 6 models, is that refereing to planes?

You would be way ahead if you are going to stick with the hobby to get the 7C radio. It is far superior, and you won't want to replace it in 6 months like you will with the two you are looking at.

If you are going to just fly for a season, get the cheap one.

I used a buddy box with my 6EXA radio to learn to fly and did not notice any delay.

Here is a cut and paste directly from Futaba that explains exponential.

Exponential Rate
Offers servo travel that is not directly proportional to stick travel. Control response is milder below half-stick, but becomes increasing stronger as stick travel approaches 100%. Great for aerobatics and trouble situations.

felix i think its a good choice for your first digital radio eather one will do fine i own both the t6xa will do heli's if you decide further down the road to do so for an extra $20.00, i use both and find them very easy to program and use.EXPO is used for taking some of the over stick handling of a plane..... ive been flying some of my models with about 20% expo in them so you dont over steer it... it sofens te throws...... it will do all you need to get started,and the price is very reasonable $189.00 for the 6exa and $200.00 for the t6xa..... ive used it on a buddy box sorry guys i never noticed a diffrence it worked fine for me

I would recommend that you get the 9C if you like the futaba.
You will not "NEED" another radio again.

would you guys rather get the hitec eclipse than the 2nd futaba shown up there ^ ??
it seems like a better radio than the futaba for almost the same price....

Felix

I personally have the t6xas, and it's a super great radio but the 6exa has digital trims I don;t know if you want that I right now haven't liked the digi trims when I have used em but thats the only difference from what I know

I have a 6exa, I think the best thing is digital trims because after you turn the power off you don't have to worry about bumping the trims accidently. I wouldn't worry about how many models it holds. If you are good enough to own 10 planes, I think you would be proficient enough to retrim a plane if you have to in about 2 minutes.

The only thing I don't like about the 6exa is that it don't have dual rates or expo's on the rudder. I don't know if the other models do or not, but that would be really nice, specially for taking off.

I have the T6XAs and love it. Wish it held more planes in memory.

Flying High...yes the radio hold setting for your planes. So if you have to reverse servo throw or set limits or mix for elevons, you can save each setting under a different plane so you don't have to reconfigure your radio every time. You just change plane/model numbers.

Hi,

I agree completely with Geistware, if ur upgrading ur radio and u know you will stay in this hobby go for the 9C, i started with a 4 channel system, then went onto the 6EAX (which i outgrown in 3 months as i wanted more features) and now onto the 9C with Campac soo it holds 32 Models........... if youve ever held the 9C it will make all the rest fell like plastic toys............. the cheaper radios are ok but its only a one off investment which i should have done at the start

Good luck with your choice........

I bought the FUTABA 6EXA last year and this past winter bought the 9caf. If you are going to stay in the hobby skip the lesser ones and go right to the 9c it is far more flexible and gives much better control of the computer functions. My 6EXA is just surplus now after only one season.

I agree with the recommendations of the guys saying to upgrade one step further.......IF you're definitely hooked on this hobby........I bought a 6X about 2 years after I started flying, and used it for about a year, but then outgrew it....fortunately I was able to sell the transmitter for a pretty penny.......I have a 9C now and love it.....very easy to program also (easier than the 6X)....the 7C is also a very nice radio with almost as much functionality as the 9C......It would work well also...but you are limited to 10 model memory, with the 9C, you can keep adding CamPac modules....the 7C is definitely bargained price however.

think long and hard about either the 6xas or 6exa.. I had the 6xas exactly a year before I outgrew it. (actually outgrew it earlier, just didn't want to replace it that quick...) that line has some serious limitations. heli support on the 6xas line in minimal at best, and the lack of good mixing is a problem. (dual elevator servos are becoming common on 3d planes, which isn't possible on the 6xas without mixing on the plane side)

I love to see how someone is in the 6 channel budget and you guys 'upsell' him to the 9C!! Incredible. In your defense, however, I went with the 9C and have not regretted it!! -- Ha!!!

BTW, exponential is wonderful. It can soften a really twitchy plane (3D) or give one (Cub) more response. It allows the user to define the type of response you get from the aircraft without having to change your flying style (thumb inputs).

If it was between the

Futaba 7caf
and the Hitec Eclipse which radio can do more ? which is better..

and i want to know that if both were made by futaba or hitec no prejudice here.please
Felix

felix just go w/ the 9c and be done with it...

Since I'm a beginner, and am in the same boat as you are, I agree with the others recommending the 9C if you are truly hooked on this hobby. I took others advice and bought the 9C, as soon as I found out that I was hooked, and I've never been disappointed. I figured, why buy 2 transmitters a year apart, when I could buy one now that would last me for quite a while. I set up my trainer on it right off the bat, and have since programmed a total of 4 planes, with another on order right now, and I've only been flying since November of 2003. I am now flying a low wing trainer (Tiger 60), with the other models waiting in the wings for their turn. The 9C comes with a 14 model setup, and you only have to add modules for more. It is a true computer transmitter, and you can program switches to your hearts content, or stay with the basic 4 channel setup, and learn as you go (which is what I'm doing, I've only setup end points, dual rates, idle cut, and engine shutdown for now).

I bought mine from servocity.com, and am quite satisfied with their service. I believe that they are running the 9C transmitter for $249.00 plus crystal module now (I'm not sure), which is very competitive.

See Ya,
John

hey guys

i looked at the 9c...and its probably what ill get...just get it over with haha..

but what are the differences between 9C 9CA
???
thanks
Felix

Really nothing, since the 9C will handle both airplanes (CA), and helicopters (CH). If you have a choice, get the CA, as it probably defaults to airplanes, and not helicopters (not sure).

See Ya,
John

I have the 9CH and it has a smooth throttle stick (not ratcheting) and the retract switch is on the right. I believe this switch is reversed between 9CA and 9CH. Other than that I think the differneces are the defaults in the programming. Functionality is completely the same as far as I am told.