OK Guys I think I have made my mind up and think I am ging to get the Polk Tracker II. I know the unit had some problems but I hear they have all been worked out in the latest software update. What I would like to know is how everyone that is familure with this system likes it. I know in 05 they are comming out with a new case designe and buddybox support. Don't ask me why but while I know the case dosen't look the best I can get buy this and if that is the only changes then I will buy this unit now. Any input on this unit would be a big help as I plane to drop the money in the next week. Thanks all the more info the better. I should also mention that I plan to do mostly scale and sport flying with aerobatics for recreation only. I can't afford evo so thats out. I really like the scanning feture of this radio.

Thanks all for your help in advance.

Are you absolutely against the proven brands? JR? Futaba? Hitec? Airtronics, even?

no not at all. I really like the simplicity this radio has to change chanels and scan chanels. I like JR and FUtaba as well.

Best,
Rob

I don't have a Polk, but have considered one. I too like the fact that you can asign any channel to any switch or knob.

There was a thread a while ago about them, but I only remember one guy saying he had one. He seemed to be having a good experience with it.
Dennis-

A Tracker III is about to be released. Have a look at the Polk manufacturer's forum under Radios.

Ross

My brother and my father both have Polk's radios. I believe that one of them had a minor quality control issue with the power switch, which was immediately taken care of by Polk's (not that hard to do, since their sales rep. lives about 15 miles away from my town). Anyway, both seem happy with their purchase, and it does have a heckuva lot more memory than my Eclipse 7. Incidentally, if you didn't already know, the Tracker II was designed by a former Hitec engineer.

I have a Tracker II and really like the radio. The case is styled after the early style radios (boxy ) and the radio is a little larger than my Futaba 6XAS. The receiver is fantastic. It can be used with ANY MAKE of transmitter AND/OR ANY CHANNEL. You can set it for positive or negative shift. You can also set EACH MODEL for a positive or negative shift AND the channel you want. No more having to buy a particular type of receiver or a particular channel - you can use ANY FM PPM receiver you have.

The style doesn't bother me and I like the fact it is larger since I have big hands.

The programming is good and quite flexable. The only downside to the programming that I find, is that EACH TRIM must be saved or reset separately.

The only other negative I can see is: there are 2 programming modes. Because of this, in one mode you MUST turn the transmitter off, then back on to get into the programming mode, and then, after you save the changes, turn the radio off and then back on.

Overall, I really like the radio and while the programming could be a little smoother for my own tastes, it is great. The service from Polk's is great and their turn around time is excellent. I had a problem with the aileron control on ONLY ONE model setting. I called them and we went over the programming on the phone - no go. I sent it in (cost me about $5 for postage ) and from the day I sent it out until I got it back was 8 days. The problem was fixed (bad pot on the aileron gimbal ). No charge for the repair, they paid postage back and upgraded the programming at the same time.

I feel the quality and performance of this radio is equal to or exceeds the other brands out there in the same price range.

If you don't need the buddy box port, I would say get it now. If you need (or want ) the buddy box port, get the 2005 model.

Hope this helps in the decision making.

Why be afraid to try what might be a better product, after all, that is how a system gets "proven" in the first place.

Two or three guys at one of my clubs have these radios. I haven't asked about any programming issues or anything, but so far, they seem to like them.

Well thanks for all the input. Unfortenetly polk is not making the tracker II and they will not be putting any more out until they realese the tracker III if anyone has one that is in like new condition and willing to sell please let me know.

Best,
Rob

Ok guys it I found one used and I will be spending the money to buy tomorrow software version 1.31.

I am a little concerned and would just like a little more info from owners of the unit. I was told tonight from the lhs guy at my field that the tracker II was junk and old technology. I like this guy but I think he may be thinking about another unit and not the tracker as he didn't know about the scanner feature. I know it is not the best But for now I am using this as a first computer radio and for scale and sport flying. I like some of the features of this unit like scanning and easy channel changing and I got a good deal. How does this unit work with futaba rx as I have one in my current plane. I figure if I get into comp. flying I can always move up to a better radio. But my main concern is reliability.

Thanks,
Robert

Hi Rob,

My Tracker II has no problems at all with my Futaba 127 rx OR any of my HiTec receivers. For a more detailed info on the Tracker II, see my message above and also see the review on it here.

The latest software ver is 1.35 You may want to send it in for a software upgrade. The unit has a 5 year warranty. I can not locate my paperwork on it right now, so I can not tell you if the warranty is transferrable. If you call Polk's and explain what is going on, they should be able to help.

Ted