Hi Everyone,

Just want your opinion on something. I am planning to upgrade my radio. I am considering either the HiTec Eclipse or Futaba 7C. I know some of you guys are going to tell me to get the 9C but I don't have the money for that.

Thanks.

I have the 7C. I love it!

The Optic 6 looks like a good bargain to me...

http://www.servocity.com/html/6-ch_optic_6_systems.html

Unlike the xtal based 7C, the Optic 6 takes freq modules, and will take a synth module (Spectra Module)...

Well,

What do you want to do? Why are you upgrading? What features do you need, and what features do you think you may need in the future?

What is your price range? There are many good radios out there. What receivers do you already have? Are you making a 'clean break', or are you just looking for more features?

Knowing nothing about your situation, I would look into HiTec eclipse, JR XP9303 or Airtronics RD6000-8000 . There are many radios which will fill your needs.....uh...depending on your needs, that is.

HiTec Eclipse and JR XP9303 are both popular at my field, but some of the best flyers use older computerized radios which have been long surpassed by newer technology.

The reason I am upgrading is for additional channels and mixing capabilites.

I've never had the Futaba 7 channel radio. But, have had the Hitec Eclipse (sold it) and have a Futaba 9C now. I sure as heck don't need this many channels but, the reason I got the 9C was primarily because it has an infinite # of model memories by using memory campaqs. The 9C has 8 memory locations built in. Add a 16k campaq and you increase the total memory to 14. Which is alot of planes. But you can also use a 56k memory campaq and really bump it up. Its nice having all these memory locations because re-trimming plane when you change models is a real PITA especially if you have mixes that you have to re-do.
The Eclipse holds 7 model memories. It was a good radio and never gave any problems. Also with the Eclipse, it uses a module in the back for the channels. Essentially, you can use any brand of rx, any channel xtal and the Eclipse will conform because you can select the shift and the channel.

Dave...

They are both excellent radios. As mentioned above, Hitec does offer the spectra module.

Another radio you may want to consider is the Tracker III from Polks Hobby. The Tracker III has a buddy box port and (if I remember correctly ) the ability to name your models. I have a Tracker II and really like it. 99 model memory, fully synthesized transmitter AND receiver, 900 mah battery for transmitter and receiver, built in frequency scanner, 8 channel, etc. Price is $250 (on sale right now for $200 ). http://www.polkshobby.com/

I'm currently using the Hitec Eclipse and love it, but just ran out of model memory 7. Just to get more memory and for a few less dollars, I'll be purchasing the Futaba 7C. Plus, I like how the Futaba has its retract switch on the left side, plus one is able to assign switches unlike the Eclipse. Good luck.

the futaba 9c also offers the spectra module as january

Who has the Futaba 9C synth modules in stock, though? I've not seen them in stock anywhere yet... just heard that some 9C Supers come with them, and those are hard to get...

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXHKB1&P=ML

The Futaba radio system is a better overall value..servos and radio are of better quality, in my opinion

I have the Futaba 7C and I love it. That's all I need. If you think you'll get large scales and have more than 10 airplanes then get the 9C. If you just gonna fly sport models than the 7C would do fine. Good luck on your search

I have used both the 7C and Eclipse and liked the eclipse better.
Hitec servos IMHO are better than Futaba
The 9 C is a nice radio but I would also take a look at the Airtronics 6000 and 8000 IMHO are the best bang for the buck

IMO, hitec makes better servos and rx's than other companies, especially for the $$. However, I've always heard to steer clear of the hitec TX's. Don't konw why, but I've headed the advice. I really like the JR radios anyway. The JR 6102 is also a good value, when you consider what all you get....Just another option.

Hi,

I would buy a radio that is compatible with the gear you already have and has the mixing and model memory you need.

Cheers,

Colin

cambec has a great point. How many rx do you have? are they positive or negative shift. If you already have a bunch of one type ( + or - ) then I'd get a radio that was compatible with those rx's! Of course, some are compatible with both, but recommending those would be contradictory of my post above

I again suggest you look at the Tracker. It is compatible with both positive and negative shift. It also has the mixing capabilities you want/need.

The eclipse and the Airtronics RD6000 and RD 8000 are shift selectable as well so you can use them with futaba, jr, hitec or airtronics receivers
Another reason I like my airtronics

Personally, I wouldn't own anything but the futaba. I have been flying them for almost 28 years and never had trouble with them. JR is good, but I don't like the programming in them, and I have flown airtronics and wouldn't use it again given a choice. I have a couple Hi Tech RXs but they have intermittent glitch problems and I just took the last one out of the plane it was in cause it quit in flight and I am trying to figure out weather to give it to a friend or shoot it with the 45 for something to shoot at.

You can't go wrong with either really, both are good, but I would go the Futaba. They make the best stuff and its the easiest to program in my opinion. [8D]