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next radio
11-09-2006 | 07:33 AM
#1
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From: milwaukee,
WI
next radio
i fly electrics and soon sailplanes, any where from discus launch to 3 meter. im looking for the radio that will have the most features for sailplanes and yet be a very good quality at a resasonable price.
11-09-2006 | 09:04 AM
#2
RE: next radio
I would say a Futaba 9C. Sooner of later the 7 will not be able to do all the mixes you will want, the 9 will. You can buy one transmitter only from www.servocity.com for $289.00
11-09-2006 | 05:02 PM
#5
RE: next radio
Not familiar with the RD8000 but I do very much like my 9C. Can't imagine a sailplane it can't accomidate. It will do dual/split full-span ailerons and activate them as flaps and has several "glider" specific mixes (launch, speed (tip the flaps & ailerons up slightly for a higher wing loading), butterfly/CROW). Lotzafun.
11-09-2006 | 05:55 PM
#7
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RE: next radio
If it were up to me I'd go for the Airtronics, but then again that's all I own!!!! 
Seriously, the RD8000 is one great radio and you won't have any problems with it. They are rock solid dependable, and if you ever do need to send it their service department is first rate!!! One nice advantage of the RD8000 (also the RD6000) is that they have a modulation selection which lets you use ANY manufacturer's receiver with the radio!!
Hope this helps
Ken
Seriously, the RD8000 is one great radio and you won't have any problems with it. They are rock solid dependable, and if you ever do need to send it their service department is first rate!!! One nice advantage of the RD8000 (also the RD6000) is that they have a modulation selection which lets you use ANY manufacturer's receiver with the radio!!Hope this helps
Ken
11-10-2006 | 10:36 PM
#9
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From: Lacona,
NY
RE: next radio
Hitech for me all though, I have been looking at the JR Radio's. I've had Futaba and Hitech, don't know much about the JR's except that they are Negative Bans... right? I didn't vote, my choices wasn't listed.
Anyone know where I can find a Coast Line? I need some for my receiver... so if anyone know where to find it let me know.
Happy Vets Day, On both sides of the Ocean!
Peter Dowling aka Luftwaffe Oberst
AMA District II # 865404
Aero Modelers Club
Pulaski, NY
Anyone know where I can find a Coast Line? I need some for my receiver... so if anyone know where to find it let me know.
Happy Vets Day, On both sides of the Ocean!
Peter Dowling aka Luftwaffe Oberst
AMA District II # 865404
Aero Modelers Club
Pulaski, NY
11-11-2006 | 12:02 AM
#10
RE: next radio
I own a 7C and I like it very much, but I wish I'd known more about the RD8000 when I bought my 7C. I voted for the RD8000 by Airtronics because it has some advanced features for airplanes that my 7C does not have. One big problem that is looming for me is elevator differential for airframes that require seperate servos for left and right elevator halves. The RD8000 is much better equipped to handle more advanced setups like that than the 7C.
The 7C is a terrific radio, but the RD8000 is just a few dollars more and has more advanced features.
The 7C is a terrific radio, but the RD8000 is just a few dollars more and has more advanced features.
11-11-2006 | 07:47 AM
#11
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From: Park Rapids, MN
RE: next radio
Futaba and JR seem to have a strangle hold on the R/C airplane market for some reason unbeknownst to me. Since Kraft went out of business, I have owned nothing but Airtronics. I am very happy with them and am in the process of looking at Airtronics now for a new radio! I am of the opinion that strong marketing by Horizon Hobbies and Tower hobbies, are the only reason JR and Futaba have such large market share. It doesn't mean they are better, they just have better name recognition.
11-11-2006 | 01:11 PM
#12
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RE: next radio
I rarely see Airtronic radios in my area.
Futaba is a nice radio, but in my opinion, overpriced.
I will speak blasphamy now.....I have a Polk's Tracker II and love it. If I get another radio, it will be a Tracker III. A FULLY synthesized 8 channel transmitter AND a fully synthesized 8 channel receiver with 1 servo for $200 (most people have preferences on the brand/type of servo, so in many cases, the servos are rarely used )
Futaba is a nice radio, but in my opinion, overpriced.
I will speak blasphamy now.....I have a Polk's Tracker II and love it. If I get another radio, it will be a Tracker III. A FULLY synthesized 8 channel transmitter AND a fully synthesized 8 channel receiver with 1 servo for $200 (most people have preferences on the brand/type of servo, so in many cases, the servos are rarely used )
11-11-2006 | 05:15 PM
#13
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RE: next radio
And HITEC has a couple of excellent radios that are priced at intermediate price but have the features that're usually found only on more expensive radios.
11-13-2006 | 07:58 AM
#14
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From: Montevideo,
MN
RE: next radio
I own both the RD8000 and the 9C. Both are great radios. I think the RD8000 is easier to program but the 9C has other functions that are nice. Also the 9C is more money.
11-13-2006 | 01:57 PM
#15
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From: milwaukee,
WI
RE: next radio
i like the eclipse 7. also, i looked at polk tracker III, but i herd their radios are still iffy and it dosnt have the mixes that i want. since the eclipse 7 has 7 memory spots, and when i get more then seven airplanes, is there anything wrong with righting the presets on a piece of paper, then program the one you are going to use in the slot of an aircraft that you are not using?
example: i have 7 planes in the radio, but im bringing 2 that are not programed in the radio. so, i put them in the slots that i am not using and wright over it. "i am going to keep all the setings on all aircraft written down.
example: i have 7 planes in the radio, but im bringing 2 that are not programed in the radio. so, i put them in the slots that i am not using and wright over it. "i am going to keep all the setings on all aircraft written down.
11-13-2006 | 05:06 PM
#16
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From: ...Victoria, AUSTRALIA
RE: next radio
in my opinion your better to get futaba or jr radios, 9c or jr 9xII is your best bet if ya dont wanna have to upgrade once again when your 7 channel wont do what a 9 channel can. i learnt the hard way from this, and another suggestion , keep with the futaba/jr radios, or unless you do wish to risk your planes with a (crashtek/Hi-Crash) radio, either way i will never go back to hitec apart from servos.
11-13-2006 | 10:01 PM
#17
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From: milwaukee,
WI
RE: next radio
i realy am thinking hard about getting the 9C super. the only thing is the 350 price tag. i only make 400ish a month and trying to save up for a car and college is around the corner. btw, i am 18.
11-14-2006 | 06:18 AM
#18
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From: ...Victoria, AUSTRALIA
RE: next radio
im 17, i have futaba 9c, $700 here in aus, and 2 quarter scale planes, christen eagle and giles 202, and countless 40 size models, i just bit the bullet and bought the better radio, i pretty much spend money on planes as i get it, but ive already bought my car anyhow, so all i gotta do is save up another 800 or so for registration and insurance
11-14-2006 | 11:44 AM
#19
RE: next radio
First look at the sailplanes that you want to fly. If you are looking at the T tails any 4 or 6 channel radio will do for now, but if you are looking at the V tails you will need a computer radio. You might even be able to use the radio from your electrics for now, as long as the radio is not made for the Park-fliers. The range on the park-fliers is a lot shorter than for glow/gas/sailplane use.
11-14-2006 | 01:42 PM
#20
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From: milwaukee,
WI
RE: next radio
for now, the radio i have will be plenty for my 2 planes, but the sailplanes i want to fly are the ones that have 4 servo wings, any tail style, and have a wide mix of well...mixes. so, im gonna bite the bullet and get the 9c super pcm with the spektrum module "i would go with fm, but for 30ish more at my lhs, i can get the pcm, so im goin pcm." i work an my lhs, so im sure i can work some kind of payment plan out with her, like $125 a month.
11-14-2006 | 04:34 PM
#21
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RE: next radio
Gotta agree totally, I have two 9C's the original and the super. Also 9Z. The 9C should keep you happy in this hobby for years. At most all events, it seems to be the most popular radio and so easy to program. Had several fellow pilots go to the 7c, only to run out of capacity a year or so later and end up with the 9C anyway.
ORIGINAL: RVator
I would say a Futaba 9C. Sooner of later the 7 will not be able to do all the mixes you will want, the 9 will. You can buy one transmitter only from www.servocity.com for $289.00
I would say a Futaba 9C. Sooner of later the 7 will not be able to do all the mixes you will want, the 9 will. You can buy one transmitter only from www.servocity.com for $289.00
11-18-2006 | 09:06 AM
#22
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From: Statesville,
NC
RE: next radio
Hi
What I tell people about a radio to buy:
Go to your local flying field, find out what Brand radio most of the flyers are using.
Then purchase the best radio you can afford of that radio, so the local flyers can help you program and get it set up correct.
My two cents
Bill
What I tell people about a radio to buy:
Go to your local flying field, find out what Brand radio most of the flyers are using.
Then purchase the best radio you can afford of that radio, so the local flyers can help you program and get it set up correct.
My two cents
Bill
11-27-2006 | 06:16 PM
#23
My Feedback: (2)
RE: next radio
ORIGINAL: zackesch
i like the eclipse 7. also, i looked at polk tracker III, but i herd their radios are still iffy and it dosnt have the mixes that i want. since the eclipse 7 has 7 memory spots, and when i get more then seven airplanes, is there anything wrong with righting the presets on a piece of paper, then program the one you are going to use in the slot of an aircraft that you are not using?
example: i have 7 planes in the radio, but im bringing 2 that are not programed in the radio. so, i put them in the slots that i am not using and wright over it. "i am going to keep all the setings on all aircraft written down.
i like the eclipse 7. also, i looked at polk tracker III, but i herd their radios are still iffy and it dosnt have the mixes that i want. since the eclipse 7 has 7 memory spots, and when i get more then seven airplanes, is there anything wrong with righting the presets on a piece of paper, then program the one you are going to use in the slot of an aircraft that you are not using?
example: i have 7 planes in the radio, but im bringing 2 that are not programed in the radio. so, i put them in the slots that i am not using and wright over it. "i am going to keep all the setings on all aircraft written down.
11-27-2006 | 06:30 PM
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From: Bloomington,
IL
RE: next radio
I've gotta throw in my vote for the 9C. I started with a 6-channel cause I didn't want to spend the money, only to need something better 6 months later. The 9C will do just about anything you want to do for years to come. As stated above, you can get just the transmitter only for less than $300. I preferred to do this anyway so I could choose what receiver and servos I got.
