I first got a 4ch then a 6ch then 8uaps and now i have 9cap. nowing what i no now i would have got the the 9c first..

It really depends on the type of flying you do and airplanes you want to own.

I've been "sport" flying on and off for the last 18 years and have never needed more then 6 channels. But some people seem to need more right off the bat.

When you think of it if you fly average sport models (1.20cu or less) What else is there to control after 6 channels


Basic 4 ch controls plus

1. Flaps
2. Retracts (not a good idea off rough grass strips)
3. on board glow driver ?
4. bomb release
5. glider tow
6. landing lights

How many options can you possible combine on one sport model?

Know I am not talking scale, Giant scale or 3D just you basic sport planes.

crashem i see your point, i was just saying that you might save money in long run

SLINGSHOT,

I do agree with your point. The only thing I can say is that it usually takes a person some time get to where you are.

I personally own many (8) different radios and don't reget any of them I allways have a spare for a buddy box or if one should need repairs.

Like I said the key to picking a good radio is knowing exactly what you are going to do with it.... something that can be difficult when you're just starting out.

I am currently debating the merits of either a JR 8103 or Airtronics RD8000 and I can tell you that for me my decision is based not on the 2 extra channels but on the programming capabilities. I may find a use you the 7-8 channels but its not high on my list price vs features are higher

9C, you won't get a better radio for the money

Futaba 9C

Crashem, you can go through channels pretty quick even on sport models when you get to 60 size and bigger. Here's an example of what you can do on an Ultra Stick 40, 60, or 120:

Throttle
Rudder
Elevator
Aileron1
Aileron2
Flap1
Flap2

With the 9C you can add another elevator servo if you want. All of this is done with no Y-harnesses, which opens many mixing possibilities.

Also, many planes now come set up for two elevator servos. To ultilize this you'll want a radio that can mix two servos and include a trim link. The Eclipse and 6 channel radios cannot do this. That leaves you with the 8103 and 9C. And as everyone has seen from my previous arguments in various threads, the 9C is a superior radio to the 8103.

Last summer I bought a 6XAS because I thought it would do everything I would need. Six months later I bought a 9C. I wish I had just bought the 9C in the first place.

I think im probably going to go with Futaba but im going to wait on it. Im going to get more into the flying side of RC until i get back building.
Strato the radio you showed me looks really good but i dont really want to take a chance with a "no-name" brand radio. Futaba is by far the most popular radio at my club and theres got to be a reason for it.
The 6XAS has come out in the lead so far but like some of you said youre not going to be satisfied and wont a new one again.
Example slingshot you bought 4 radios i want to skip the middle ones and just have 2.
Agentbishop i felt the same way when i started out.
The amount of channels i need is much larger they i intended:
1-4 :normal flight controls
4-9: everything Crashem said excluding number 5 (glider)
10. sliding Canapy
11. brakes (jets)
12. spoilers
13. The list goes on and on

Most of these things are needed but when your into scale you want everything to be a realistic and scale as possible.

Im probably going to go with either a 9CAF or 8U. But it will be in a while.

Thanks for all your replies,

Papa

I absolutely love my 8uafs! This is my 2nd radio, which I needed only 2 months after I started flying, for my US 60. Because of the 9c they are out there for a good price right now. Good luck, Papa!

If you go with the 8U, get the book from ebay to help program it. You can pick up the radio cheap and the book for about $10. I can pretty much guarentee knowing what I know about you, if you get the 8U, in less than a year, you will be looking for the 9C anyway. I would wait till you can get that one. You will be way happier and have the coolest looking, best working transmitter at your field.

Papa - Polk's isn't exactly a "no-name" company. Many years ago they sold the radio division of Aristocraft (long standing brand name) and it became known as Hitec. Also, they have recruited two engineers formerly from Hitec to design the Tracker II. I agree that they are relatively unheard of though. However, untill I had heard of the Tracker II, I was faced with the same choices you have now.

The Tracker II can do everything the Eclipse can and then some, for around the same price. I especially like the fact I can change the frequency of the receiver without having to remove it from the plane, and I don't have to buy crystals for it. The only other synthesized receivers are extremely expensive (Futaba & Multiplex), and you still have to remove the Futaba from the plane to change the channel (multiplex can be changed without removal). My other favorite features include a built in scanner which tells me which channels have interference, and a 99 model memory.

Strato i must admit that the radio does sound impressive but for the most expensive item in rc flying i would rather go with a brand that i know and ive seen.
Flyboy your probably right i really dont want to have to buy another radio after this one (at least for a long time). Im not sure though if i should go with PCM or PPM Modulation. Also how expensive is modules.

Papa,
The 9C does both PCM and PPM. All you have to do is Switch the mode, then turn off and turn on the radio. The just buy the proper reciever, either pcm or ppm. There are multiple threads on the subject of PCM vs. PPM, do a search, should find plenty on that topic. THe different packages that you see for the 9CAF and the 9CAP, are the exact same transmitter, they just come with different receivers. Hope this helps

For what you are doing, PPM or FM will do fine. If you want a PCM later, like stated, switch it in the trans and get a PCM rec. Tower now has a PCM rec for about $100. Thats not bad. Seems I was paying about $169 when I bought the other 4 I have. I also aquired a few FM and use those as well. Works great. Get them all on the same freq that not a lot of people at the field use and you will be fine. You don't need to be able to change it. In over 25 years of flying, I have never needed to change freqs.

I have a T6XA (the older version of the T6XAS, with only 3 model memory and no exponential function). I paid about $130 for it online, and am really pleased with it. It has more functions than I need, but does have many that I want and use. I really had no business getting such a high tech radio, I am not an experienced pilot. I do however, get as much if not more enjoyment out of building and setting up planes than I do flying them. Having fun stuff to play with, no matter how impractical, makes this hobby all that much better!

Radios are like alot of things. My $.02 would be buy the best you can afford. WHATEVER YOU BUY, keep it in great shape and keep all the original packaging and documentation. Then you'll have something worth selling when you're ready to step up.

I started with a SkySport 6, then to a 6XA, then an 8U and finally a 9C. Those previous radios all sold well enough to make the upgrades possible.

Although the 6XAS and Hitec eclipse are getting the most votes ill probably end up going with a 9CAF or maybe the 8U. Does anyone how much these go for used (the entire system).

Ive been looking through some other threads about some info on the 9CAF and from what i hear its actually an 8 channel radio? If this is an 8 channel radio id rather go with the 8U which i can get for like $50 less. And yes i know the 9caf has other options and is easier to program.
First i need to confirm that the 9caf is an 8 channel radio? then do you still think its worth going to the 9caf rather then 8u if so what other options does it have the 8u has?

Papa

P.S. For $50 i really wouldn't mind the extra time and effort in programming the 8U.

Many people refer to it as 8.5 channels. The 9th channel is an on/off channel, and is only available while in PCM mode.

Is the only difference basically the 8.5 channels, easier to program, and servo display. To me thats not worth it. Anyone disagree?

Now do you see why I ordered a Tracker II? I don't care how it looks (I'm watching the plane ), and with the built-in scanner, synthesizer, and lower cost, it seems right for me.

Sorry im not sure i totally understood your last post strato but if its refering to the comment about servo display i dont even know what that is i was just going through the comparison notes on the Futaba website and noticed that the 9c had this and the 8u didnt thats why i put it. Dont worry i dont look at my radio either when im flying.

What I meant is that like your self, $$ makes a difference in my decisions. The Tracker II is comparable to the 9C/8U, but has a few extra capabilities for less $$.

I don't know what "servo display" is either, but I assume it's a graphical representation of the position the servo SHOULD be in for the current stick position. Whoop-dee-doo :spinnyeye

P.S. Some people say they've flown for years and never had to change channel. Good for them. It's happened twice now that a best friend and flying partner buys a new radio without checking my freq. In both cases he was on the same channel as me!

Strato im not doubting you or anything but when im talking about $500-$600 in our money id rather go with a brand name im familiar with. Besides i really dont need 99 model memory the most ill have is like 5 max. And also ill probably want to buy one used and i doubt i could find a tracker II out there. Also the 8u cost less then the tracker II.
But thanks for the suggestion it sounds like an amazing radio.

PNG,
The 9C is far more capable than the 8U in terms of mixing capability. The switch assignability is worth any difference in price. Futaba's site has a comparison page pitting the 8U versus the 9C, and it would be worth checking out. With all the people raving about the 9C, it would be worth looking into more than a 50 dollar difference.

Also, the servo display might sound like fluff but it is useful in that you can set up your programming without having to set up the aircraft in front of you. I actually used this feature when programming a complex blimp.