I'm confused. I have a Futaba 6exas radio. I have several kits waiting to be built. But I have a question regarding the cost of a new radio system vs a flight pack. I've looked on the web and talked with the local LHS on flight packs. It seems that flight packs run just a few dollars less than a radio system. But some flight packs don't furnish the battery pack, and some furnish the battery pack, but you still have to purchase the crystal either way. I understand the crystal purchase. It seems the only advantage to buying a flight pack is to reduce the number of TX's you would have to store, and less confusion as to which TX would go with what plane. I'm new to this but would like to hear from all of you on your preferences.

Thanks
CC

I suppose it depends on what radio you use. I am not familiar with Futaba, I use Spektrum DX7. The Radio system costs $349.

If done separately or as a 'pack', the RX costs 99 bucks. Servo's cost about 30 bucks each, depending on what ones you get, and I typically use 5 servo's, although the throttle servo is usually a standard torque servo.. nothing fancy needed for the throttle. Now, for a more capable plane, high-torque servo's are probably gonna be needed for aileron, rudder, and elevator, and those can cost upwards of 60 bucks each, depending on what one you choose. Of course, there are cheaper servo's, for instance, a standard BB servo from Airtronics cost about 19 bucks each as I imagine do the Futaba servos and other manufacturers. But, the ones that come wth the DX7 are high quality, high torque servo's and they cost about 33 bucks each, which is a good price...And, you don't have to have a DX7 to use them, they will work on any of the 'big three' systems (Futaba, JR, and Airtronics. Hitec also, I think, and perhaps even Tower's radio). Sorry, I didn't mean for this to be an advertisement, I wanted to just offer several options.

The battery pack (s) plural.. because I use two per airplane, cost about 20 bucks or so each, so I also need two switches, about 5 bucks each, and one voltwatch which is about 20 bucks. You can do the math, but after all is said and done, you spend a lot on the electronics.

But, yes, the main reason is not to have seven transmitters and seven different systems to set up. It's a simple matter with the Spektrum to setup, say model #3 for plane #3, and so on.. it has a 20 model memory.

For futaba, it is cheaper to get the 4 channel radio with servos and reciever and battery than it is to get the flight pack. You don't have to use the radio and even better can give it to the club to use as a buddy box. BTW, they ship the 4 channel radio with an 8 channel reciever. Go figure. So you can get an 8 channel flight pack for less than and 8 channel flight pack costs.

I am not sure why they do this, but alas they do.

I prefer to buy the pieces. For me this works better than settling on the manufacturer's choices. Watch for sales and when they happen, buy what you need.

I buy pieces too! I get 8-channel dual conversion receivers at LightFlightRC for only $33, servos (usually Hitec) any place they go on sale, which is usually Servo City or Tower Hobbies. For batteries, I usually go to Cheap Battery Packs.Com. The rest of the stuff like switch harnesses, charge jacks and extensions, I usually pick up at the local Hobby Town as needed. I do give them the first shot, but they never can match the prices typically available online. I really wish we had a decent local hobby shop, but HT is all we have.

Just my two rubles....


Erik

It really is just personal preference. I use a Futaba 6XAS (predecessor to your radio) and it has 6 model memory. I currently have 4 flyable planes and one on the building board.

I did buy a Hitec Laser 4 system to get the flight pack for my second plane. I've tried to give the transmitter away but no one in the club wants it. After that I decided to buy flight packs to avoid building up a pile of transmitters that will never be used.

Hobby People sells a Hitec Flight Pack (that meets most of my needs) for $99.99 plus crystal. It goes on sale fairly often for $89.99 plus crystal. It comes with 8 channel receiver, 4 ball bearing servos, switch harness, and 600 mah battery. Add a standard servo for throttle and it is ideal for the 40 to 60 size trainers and sport planes I like. If you need micro or mini stuff, or need upgraded full size servos, it is not for you.

Servo City lets you "build your own" Hitec flight packs, and the price is usually a little cheaper than buying the individual parts. You do have to shop carefully though, as it's not always cheaper to do it this way. And, you have to want Hitec receivers and servos. Other vendors may offer the same thing, or do it with different brand product.

I buy the 4CH radio systems. Unless you want a different servo this is the way to buy it. You just get more for you money. Plus you get a new TX battery. The one you have will not last forever. When I go to a fly-in I like to take an extra TX battery for my 9C. You can field charge it but switching the pack is faster.

David

Futaba actually pays you $3 to take their 4YF sport radio:

$109.99 - Flight pack with R168DF, 4 S3004 servos, 600Mah 4.8v NiCd, switch harness, and servo extension
$12.99 - Futaba receiver crystal for flight pack
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$122.98

$119.99 - Futaba 4YF Sport radio with AC charger, 9.6v 600mah TX battery, plus flight pack and receiver crystal

The only thing I can figure is that Futaba realizes every transmitter that they can ship out the door will eventually end up somewhere and get used. Even if we're all buying radios we don't need to save three dollars, it will strenthen Futaba's brand penetration.

I recently bought the Futaba 7CHP radio system so I could use the flight pack and then E-Bay the transmitter. I paid $249.99 after $30 discount for the radio system and resold the 7CHP transmitter with box, instructions, TX battery, AC charger, neck strap, and freq flag set for $136.02.

I kept the R138DP PCM receiver, receiver crystal, 4 S3151 digital sport servos, the 1000mah 4.8v receiver battery, switch harness, and 6" servo extension. Priced seperately, these components are normally $254.96 minus discount. My net cost after reselling the transmitter was $113.97.