I'm looking to buy my first stand alone RC transmitter (i have a park flyer with kitted 3ch transmitter). I was wondering whats the benefit of 6 channel over 4. I would probably keep the transmitter for a future array of aircraft and would like retracts in the future on a scale warbird. So maybe i have answered my own question?

If you plan on using it for future models then spend the extra money and get the better TX. In fact I recommend getting the best TX you can afford. This is the one thing that you will use with every model you own and every time you fly.

If you're sure you will have other planes, a 6, or more, channel computer radio is a good choice. If you're not so sure, buying a 4 channel doesn't usually end up costing much more in the long run. The reason for this is the 4 channel radios usually cost little more than a flight pack. If you buy 4 channel now and then upgrade to 6 or more channels, the flight pack you got with the 4 channel should work with the new radio.

You have answered your own question. With the exception of batteries, radios don't wear out like engines do. I'd get as much radio as I could afford. 4 channels is your basic control. You can do many things with the extra channels, like flaps, retracts, bomb drop, and other fun stuff.

Dr.1

Havoc4,
Buy at least a 6 channel transmitter. I really don't know why the industry makes 4 channel radios. This only makes the would be newby have to come back later for a radio with more functions. Few in this hobby limit themselves to 4 channels only. There is a fantastic world beyond Trainers, Cubs and the like. I love Cubs, but I have a greater love for Warbirds. Keep those Fighters and Bombers coming! Good luck.

Dual rates are used almost universally, and that feature is usually not found on 4 channel radios. When you buy a 6 channel, I suggest you look for dual rates on rudder, since some do not provide that feature.

Computer 6-channels often provide exponential, which you're probably not interested in (yet.) However, if you decide later that you need it, and the radio you buy doesn't include expo... you'll be back out there looking for another radio.

Frankly, I'm of the opinion that if you're flying 3 channel right now, you could get by with a cheapo 4 channel for another year or two. Buying a four channel would save you a couple bucks as compared to a good computer 6 channel with expo & dual rates on 3 channels. Either way, you'll probably be looking for an 8 channel in 2 or 3 years.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

As you progress in the hobby you will acquire more and more complex models. Buy a radio that will carry you well into the future, so get a radio with as many channels and functions as you can afford. By the way, it won't be long before 6 channels won't be enough.

Regards,
doubledee

My first radio was a Futaba 6YG, I loved it, had dual rate for ele and ail which we needed on one of our planes but no model memory and manual trim, which was a bit of a pain. However it started to play up so I bought a FF7, absolutely love it, exponential, d/r, 10-model memory and everything. More than enough channels for me right now (still on trainer, sport low wing etc) but like you thinking of retracts, flaps etc in the not too distant future. Best £100 I spent in this hobby so far...

You can get 4-channel computer radios these days but can't see the point personally.

I'd say go for the 6 or more channels just for the ability to use dual independent aileron servos (flaperons, etc). When it came time for me to upgrade my 4 channel TX, I just bought the best I could afford - the Futaba 7CAP... great radio!!

-Mike

I was facing the same decision and opted for a 6 channel computer radio. Didn't really need those extra channels (most only come with 4 servos anyway) or programming features but wound up using the exponential control and dual rates. I've also got a bit of rudder (ch4) mixed with with ailerons (ch1). Things like sub-trims and trim memory, multi model memory come in handy. Oddly enough, my 6 ch system came with a 7 ch RX.

I've latched onto a Hangar 9 Ultra Stick 40 ARF and if I want to configure it with the quad flap arrangement, I'll need more than my 6ch system. I'm looking at a 9ch system.

My "upgrade" to a 6ch lasted one model!!

What is your budget?

The best VALUE on the market is the XP9303, but it's pricey. There are dozens of good 6+ channel TX's out there. Also look at HiTec.


I would use 6 channels as a minimum. If you ever have dual elevator servos and dual aileron servos in the same model, you will need all 6 just to fly it. And if you have 2 servos per aileron, you could potentially use 8 channels.

Trust me, you may regret not getting as much TX as you can afford....if you get hooked like I am. I soloed <10 months ago and I am VERY glad I got the 9303. Still waiting for the 'cappuccino machine' upgrade though. Other than that, it does everything.

HAVE FUN!!

Skip the 4 and 6 channel. Go for a 9 channel. I bought a 6EXAS two years ago, and have already replaced it with a 9CAP. Don't get me weong, the 6 channel is a good radio, but the 9 Channel has alot more capability.

Bob

I have a JR 421ex. This is a good radio for the price. It's also computerized, but no so much that it would be intimidating. Another nice thing about the 421ex is it has a 5th channel for whatever (flaps, retracts, parachute guys, etc.). I'm waiting to get a new radio for my 4*, but I want a 6 channel for that to do channel mixing (flaperons). I would recommend not to go too complex right away. Keep it simple. Also you'll find the 4 channel radios don't cost that much, so if you want to upgrade later your not a lot.

If you plan to stay in the hobby get at least a 6 channel radio now. If you want to upgrade down the road remember that a 4 channel radio is worth almost nothing so you are going to take a bath on it.

Chuck is right, though. A 4 channel isn't going to cost you much more than a flight pack. In fact, I bought a 4 channel after I already had a 6 channel computer radio, because I literally got the transmitter for less than $10!

thanks for the replies. A wealth of knowledge and sensible replies. Cheers all.

Look at what a difference $40 can buy you between a 4 channel non-computer radio & a 6 channel computer radio with 10 model memory, dual rates, expo, & mixes. Here's a basic Futaba 4 channel for $119.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEFJ4**&P=0

Here's what you get for $159 from JR's new Sport Series


http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...dID=JSP16000**

Now I don't know about the rest of you guys, but to me that's a whole lot more radio for $40 more, it's a no brainer IMO!!

The decisions get tougher, though. A JR Sport flight pack, same servos, receiver, battery, is $99.99. Add $20, and get a four channel Quatro transmitter. (When I got mine, it was on sale at the LHS for $115, and same store was charging $105 for the flight pack). I bet Futaba has a similar computer radio for about the same as $159. And you can keep going up in small but increasing increments until your spending $2000 for the top of the line ("But Honey, it's only $500 more than the 10 channel computer radio, and this one plays MP3s. It's a no brainer!!!)

Four channels gets you all the control you will likely use. Most flyers fly with only four, most the time. People don't generally use the other channels for flaps, bomb drops, etc. If you decide this hobby isn't for you, then you have spent the minimum amount needed to get your feet wet. However, the new "Confuser" radios are great and really don't cost that much more and may be easier to sell, if you decide to get out of the hobby. I think the majority of ARFs are designed to use two aileron servos. A Y-harness will serve to combine the two, or if you have the computer radio with 5-9 channels, you plug into the flaps on the receiver with the second aileron servo and can then use flaperons and easily fine tune the ailerons for differential and other neat stuff.

Not much help here I know, but the options available now-a-days make these decisions really personal choices that only you can make.

Havoc 4

If you are pretty new to the hobby, your best bet would be to get a nice 4 channel radio that comes with 4 standard servos. This complete outfit for only $119.99 is a very good investment.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEFJ4**&P=0

By the time you're ready to move up to a plane with flaps, retracts, bomb drops or whatever, you may destroy the radio gear inside your plane in a crash. The 4 channel radio outfit is about all you need for now.

One guy in our club has been flying for years and has a 1/4 scale Dynaflite "Fly Baby" and he uses the very same "Standard" S3004 servos that come with the above radio along with the 600mah battery packs. Not only that, he told me the only charger he has ever used in all the years he's been flying has been the very same "Wall Wart" charger that also comes along with the above radio and standard size servos.

Get the lower cost radio and then you may even afford 1 or 2 more to stick into more planes you get instead of taking all the radio gear out of one and putting it into another plane you have down the road.

By the way, I have been flying these RC Planes since 1973 and have never used anything but "standard servos", and the Wall-Wart charger to charge any plane or radio. I have never had a servo go bad or any batteries go dead in all the years I been flying.

But what do I know about anything!

Good Luck!

big dan

Here's a nice one...!!! http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJHG6&P=0

I "was" going to get me the radio above but I decided to get me a Sig Astro Hog, Sig Hog Bipe, Goldberg Super Chipmunk, Goldberg Tiger 60 along with "2" OS 4-stroke engines .70 ans .91, "2" 2 cycle engines, and 4 more Futaba 4YF radios instead and still have about $600 left over for LOTS of fuel compared to the cost of that one radio above.

Good Luck on your selection of radio.

big dan

Something to be said about a cheap 4 channel,
Provided you stay with one brand a 4 channel now can be a future buddy box or knockaround radio for testing servos and such.