I'm planning on purchasing the Hobbico Ultra-Tote Field Box Complete Combo from tower hobbies for $119, is this a good field box for a rookie pilot like myself? Looks like a great deal and it comes with everything I would need at the field. Anything custome can come later. Any thoughts?

If you were planning to buy those exact components it might be worthwhile. However, just like every other combo, one may want different things, which means it might not be the best choice. Personally, I prefer Sullivan starters. I've had mine for more than 20 years, still works great. However, I actually use my starter mostly for boats. The power panel is a good choice, but I would get a different glow clip. Electric fuel pumps are a luxury, and in fact I don't use them for planes because they tend to break quickly. A manual pump such as the Dave Brown one will last much longer.

Thanks Chuck, the only thing I was really planning on changing or exchanging at my near by hobby store that placed the order is the glow clip. I'm thinking about getting one of them dubro springloaded glow clips.

Re: Electric fuel pumps are a luxury, and in fact I don't use them for planes because they tend to break quickly. < when I bought my electric fuel pump it was only $2.00 more at my LHS than a hand crank pump. Since I have a 12 Volt gel cell for my starter and glow panel all ready then I just power it off this. I use 2 filters on the pump, one on either side of the incoming and outgoing. That way nothing gets into the pump. Occasionally the pump will make a noise and the fuel flow slows down. This means that one of the filters are dirty. I open then up and clean them and I'm good to go again. Going into the 6 season now with no problems.

I have the exact combo that I bought from my LHS. It's a good combo and it comes with everything you will need to get started. I have heard that electric fuel pumps do eventually go out but so far, no problems with mine. You can probably piece together your own custom setup for around the same price but if you are just beginning, it will have everything you need to get started.

The only recommendation that I would make is the one you have already suggested in purchasing a new glow plug driver. The wired version for the power panel is nice as a backup, but if you ever have your engine quit while taxiing out, you will appreciate having one in your pocket.

I think I understand you are buying this through your LHS. If so, see if they will swap the starter for a higher torque version of the same starter: Hobbico TorqMaster 180. The extra power will come in handy some day and it is only a few dollars more. The HobbyTown here has done this for several local new fliers.

Oops, that was Derek who bought local. Have you checked your local LHS? Sometimes if you show them Tower prices they will match them to get the sale. Asking is free and it shows them that you want to support them too. Saves shipping charges but adds taxes.

I agree with everyone else. I purchase that same combo and if I did again I would not. The electric pump worked for six months then I purchased the Hanger 9 fuel manual pump. Great pump and very easy. The glow start that came with combo did not like. You have to take the whole field box to the flight line. I purchuse the GP glow starter just like the Dubro. I would do what bruce said, change out the starter. The only thing I like about the combo was the box, panel, battery & some misc stuff. The starter is not that bad, but I think it needs more torque.

My .02 worth.

I personally liked the combo when i got it several years ago. It gave me everything i needed to get started at the time. I agree with the glow clip, but i still use it a bit.