while i've been flying mode 1 for a while, i recently acquired a JR PCM9 single stick controller. today i finally flew it for the first time on my thunder tiger lazy tiger. it has an O.S. 32sx that has been a pillar of reliability so at least i was fairly confident it wouldn't die on me.

so... it was very disorienting. while i've held it at home numerous times (i have kraft single sticks as well as antiques not in use) i wasn't as well prepared for it as i imagined. i thought the rudder using the knob would be even easier than with the sticks but it was difficult to even get the right direction. i turned the wrong time numerous times while taxiing. just isn't as second nature. i've had R/C cars since i was a kid using pistol grip controllers but still it was hard to orient with the knob.

once in the air, it was okay since rudder is used less in the air. but the long throw of the stick was difficult to adjust to initially and i was having a hard time controlling the airplane since it was too numb at the center. i fly with thumbs so it was also difficult to get use to. throttle was also tough since there were some times when i forgot which way was open and which closed. luckily i'm young and my reactions are still pretty good :-)

landing was nerve racking since i knew i get confused with rudder AND throttle. i'd throttle up when i'm suppose to cut the throttle and turn the wrong way on the roll out, once ending up in the dirt.

i offered my friends a chance at the stick and they all declined!!! lol. for some it was the first time they'd ever seen a single stick controller.

all in all, though, it was wonderful. i loved the feeling of the single stick and JR's PCM9 is made so well. i'd recommend avid R/C fans to try it just once just to see what it is like. maybe you'll like it. as for me, it's a nice thing to boast about but other than one or two planes (astro hog and 2 Cubs), the rest will still be using mode 1

For those that don't know what it looks like

Flew a Kraft single stick 20+ years ago. I would pass on repeating the experience too. I hope you get used to it and enjoy it though.

Where did you get that?

where do you think? ebay!!! pricey, though... after this experience, i wonder if i didn't overpay :-)

When did they stop making that model? I can't find any info out about it. Sounds intriguing!

looks interesting, you would just have to be careful...

DOH...kinda goes without saying

Seems to me that being careful pretty much applies to all of the flying we do.

Ken

lol, You have the be EXTRA careful, do you use a neckstrap? It would be hard to grip with your hands and i can't point out a hook..

As in any other operating mode its not difficult if that is the way you normally flew. Its the switching between modes that is of course tricky and involves a learning curve. All the operating modes will have their varied advantages along with disadvantages.

Most flew with their forearm cradling the box and this hand operated the throttle which is a slider on the side and the other hand operated the three axis on the stick. A strap or tray would be difficult to use. You could always tell a SS flyer as they always looked as though they were hugging a baby.

John

I flew a Krart salad bowel (see if you remember that SS nickname) for a dozen years. I found it very easy to switch back and forth, and would sport fly a SS today if they were available. Since you rest your wrist on the face of the transmitter you can move very precise and it is easy to do coordinated turns with it.

high planes, i have a kraft single stick radio that i've grafted a futaba skysport into. had some trouble with the potentiometers being different but ultimately resolved it by using modified servos. it's an easy transplant and seems like it's going to work well. if you're at all able to solder, i'm sure you could make one yourself off an ebay $50 antique. servos have to be modified so that the signal is amplified, otherwise it will only sweep about a 15 degree arc.

try it... i mean everyone has a cheap 4 channel lying around!

HI,

My name is Stuart I live in the U.K I also have one of these, but would like a manual, is there any chance I may have a copoy of yours???


Regards Stuart M..................