Hello all, I want to get the best radio for the money so I am looking for advice. I want to stay around the $300 range So my options are Hitech eclipse 7, airtronics RD8000, Futaba 7CAP. I know there are other brands available but I don't know anything about them. Using RC Universe to compare the features It seems like the airtronics is the best for a plane, I may want to do heli someday though so that leads me to the Hitec. I already have a Futaba and would like to continue using the RX an servos. So there is my dilemma. Also I don't know what the advantage of PCM over FM and if I should place much of an emphasis on it. I would hate to buy a radio and in 2 years have it using an incompatable modulation system.

Thanks in advance for the help.

YOU PROBABLY SHOULD GO WITH WHAT MOST GUYS AT YOUR FIELD USE. YOU CAN ALWAYS SELL IT ON THAT OTHER AUCTION SITE. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN...THOSE PEOPLE WILL BUY ANYTHING. GOOD LUCK...DAVE

i started with a 4C radio and now need to buy a larger one so fro mexperiance, i know your problem. i recomend the eclipse 7... just from what ive read on it it seems like the best radio for the buck and allows you to perform advanced manuvers , program it and store individual models. just my 2 cents though

I don't know if you have a local hobby store locally (?) but if you can, get out and get your hands on the radios you're looking at before you buy. Most modern radios, especially by the time you get up to the 7 channel range, are all very good, and the real difference is features and how the programming works. You can always go to your local field and ask what folks think about the radios they're using. Personally, I like Futaba, but JR seems very nice, but Hitec makes a nice radio too, as does Airtronics.

As far as PCM, it's a different way of encoding the signals to the servos. PCM and regular PPM are both transmitted in exactally the same way. PCM is more reliable, but if you don't actually NEED it, don't bother with it.

Andy

Go with the radio that is most used by your club members. I don't know how experienced you are at flying but if you need the help of an instructor you'll need to hook up with a buddy cord and that will need compatible radios. And, get the most radio that you can for the money, having extra channels and switches just makes your new radio compatible with airplanes that require dual aileron servos, dual elevator servos, etc.
My two cents....

First I'll say, welcome to RCU. Great place with a lot of terrific people, all more than willing to give advice and their opinions.

Most computer radios have the capability to switch between PPM and PCM, so I wouldn't worry about that for now. But keep in mind that PCM recievers are at least twice the cost of PPM.

I too would like to know your level of experience. Any one of today's radios are pretty much equal in reliability and quality, some are a bit easier to program, and I believe the Futaba 7C series is one of the easier ones.

However, I believe that the Eclipse 7 has a module available that lets you change between channels. So it really epends on what features you're looking for.
Dennis-

Personally, I wouldn't disagree with anything said here so far. I started with a JR662 and now use it along with a JR8103. No, I am not going to say run right out there and buy JR. Do what has been suggested, buy a radio that is compatible with what everyone you fly with has. However there is another thing to remember....yes, there is one.... Getting a good look at what you want, and beyond the features, look at how the radio fits in your hands, if possible, and get a feel for where the different controls are on each radio. Yes, they are similar, but there are minor differences sometimes. For example, the JR662 has a button to press if you use it for a master radio when training, the 8103 has a lever. During my training days (before I had the 8103) we used my 662 for the master training radio. Try holding down a button for 10 minutes while the trainee is flying. We had several instances, and one that involved a crash, when my instructors thumb moved just a little and the control went back to him and he didn't know it. Luckily, I now use the 8103 when training, and it sure is easier to use the lever rather than the button.

There are two trains of thought on buying the first radio: first buy an inexpensive one to save some money to spend on your airplane, and later buy a better one, keeping the original to use as a "buddy box", or to spend more initially and get the"last" radio you'll ever need. I did the former, but wished I had done the latter. Once you start flying and get introduced to your club members, you'll find plenty of less expensive radios available as backups or buddy boxes. One of the guys in our club, who must own about 30 planes, has a different radio for almost every one of them (mostly on different Freqs). Another guy who also owns many planes has them on about three different freqs with that many computer radios (most are WWI bipes and he and another guy dogfight them, hence the need for deveral freqs.)

Anyway, I'd recommend what you're looking at, feature and price range-wise. My 1st radio was a 6-ch. SkySport Futaba, and my second radio, and the one I use for everything but my trainer, is a 9CAP Futaba, very similar in features to the 7 channel one you are looking at. It is very easy to program and does all I need it to do, and I would highly recommend it. I'm sure the Hitech or Airtronics or JR models would be good also; there seems to be a fairly even mix of brands in my club and I've not heard any serious complaints about any one brand. Good Luck.

You need PCm if you want to flu gas planes.
The eclipse is good, but if you ever fly a large model, it might not have every thing you want. Futaba is trash, I have used them in ths past, never again.
Ask yourself,"What will I fly in the next 2-3 years" and buy accordingly.
I purchased 3 radios before my 2nd year of flying! One Hi-Tec, one Futaba, Finally a JR8103
I was trying to get by as cheaply as possible, but I would have been money ahead if I would have bought the JR 1st.

I finally made the leap, and I wish I had made it sooner.

P.S. Pick up any JR or Hi-tec radio, hold it like your flying, look up and away from the radio, and work the sticks and switches. Do the same with the any Futaba, and you'll swear your holding a cheap cigar box full of gravel!!!!

No, you don't.

Yeah, sure

I disagree. If anything, Hitec radios look and feel the cheapest.

I will say that you should buy the best you can afford. Although it is slightly over the budget that you stated, I am going to suggest Futaba's 9C. You can get it fairly inexpensive(I paid 379 for my system with 4 servos, an 8 channel Rx and a Rx battery pack from the LHS) and the transmitter is PPM(FM) or PCM selectable. If you ever decide you will need to use a PCM Rx, your transmitter will work with it. It is a very flexible radio, and extremely easy to program. Even the "allmighty" JR copied Futaba's "rotating dial" on the Tx for programming(see their new 9303). All the switches are assignable, which means you can take any function and move it to any switch or dial on the transmitter to where you like it. When you move into models with dual elevator and aileron servos, you will find it much easier to set the plane up and adjust control throws etc. Plus you will find that a 7 channel radio may have a couple less channels than you need with some of the bigger/more advanced aircraft.

If you really can't or won't spend the $, the 7C is programmed similarly, you can still assign switches(can't do this on JR's in your price range, don't know about Hitec), and it should be able to handle quite a few types of models.

Double post

I hate to say what everyone has already said, but this is advice you should not stray from. Determine what your support group is using and select among this brand. And if you can afford it get the 9 channel, else the 7 channel will do just fine. 7 channels is going to give you retracts, flaps, and a smoke system or bomb drop. C'mon, what else do you really need?

Some people are going to tell you this or that brand feels like a toy -- guess what? They are toys!! Who cares? Ultimately you want something reliable and easy to use. Any of the top brands will deliver. I wouldn't worry too much about PCM really.

Just for the record I have the 9CHP and it is my only radio. Never had a problem learning to program it by myself. Everything about the radio is intuitive.

Thanks all for the comments, So far I am hearing that I should get what the other ppl at the local club have. There is debate as to the quality of Futaba. Hitech gets a couple of cudos. No one has an oppinion on Airtronics. If I get a JR get a 8103 but that is double what I wish to spend on a TX. As for the trainer cord issue, I already have a basic Futaba skyport 4 Ch, so that shouldn't be an issue unless I want to train someone with out a radio. I am looking for a radio that I can use exclusively for a long time, I am sure I will want v-tail, flapperon, elevons, etc. I'm sure that having 9 channels would be nice in the furure but I think that 7 should handle everything I will need. (I doubt I will want to drop bombs, or fly Giant scale.) Like I said the best TX from an airplane features standpoint is the Airtronics. But The Hitech has features for Heli, which I may want to try, and it is about $100 cheaper. I was considering Futaba for compatability reasons, because the feature set is not that good comparativly. As for the local hobbie shops, of the 3 that are within a 30 mile radius they only cary Futaba and JR. So cheking out the radios is a no go. For those of you who want to know my experience, I am a beginner again.. My father and I used to fly back in the early 80's. When he passed away I spent a lot of time remembering the good times we had when I was growing up. I decieded to take up the hobbie again, that way it will be a reminder of him.

Hey Al,

I'm new to planes but I have been in RC for about 20 years. I just bought a 7c from Tower. If you buy through their website you can get the radio with a PPM receiver and 4 servos for $239. If you look around on their site there is a code to get $20 off a $200 order, $30 off $300 etc. I wound up getting the radio for $220. That's hard to beat for what you are getting.

I have owned Airtronics and Futabas in the past. One thing to consider is that Airtronics servos are about %50 more than Futabas. Futaba is carried at more hobby shops in my area than Airtronics too. I've used Hitec servos in my boats over the last couple years and they don't last as long as the Air or Fut. From what I'm told the pots in them are very cheap and can't handle the vibrations as well.

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them, just buy what feels good and go have fun.



Chris

You haven't bought that Futaba 7C yet?

Well I can tell you that I bought a futaba 7C... and it is easy to program and I thought would do everything I need it to do..... Well I just ordered a 9C just for the mixing that you can do with the 9c. As for it being a piece of crap.... well I an a few thousand other people would probally disagree with that statement.

just my 2cent worth

John

I would personnaly agree with fiveoboy

I started out with a basic radio and now 3 radios later ive finally with happy with what i have the Futaba 9C and i will never need anything else hopefully as it does it all.............. sometimes its best to stretch your budget as it would be a lot cheaper in the long run. Also i started with one model and its now 30 or so later soo that Campack comes in very handy sooo take into account how long or involved this hobby will take you. Im now into large scale warbirds and helis soo this radio is perfect for everything........ and no i dont work for futaba

As to the comment someone stated about the quailty i guess they havent tried the 9C as soon as u pick it up its solid and looks great, i dont think u could go wrong with the 9C if u can afford it, as to airtronics i havent tried one soo i cant cast a view i wont diss a radio if i havent even tried it like some ppl. But my clubs mostly futaba and all my servos etc are soo i dont think i ever will

But thats just my personnal view and the 9C is what i would recommend to anyone new (no distrispect to anyother ppl or radio makes)

Good Luck with your choice........

Get a 9C and be done with it Then get a 7C for a back up.