I am going to obtain a HITEC ECLIPSE 7 ADVANCED DIGITAL RADIO CONTROL SYSTEM QPCM Transmitter with module channel #49 including battery and wall charger. I plan to buy the Spectra module that will adjust to different 72mhz frequencies in the future. I would like to hear some feedback on how to use this system. The HITEC web says it is can be used with any other make of receiver. I would like any info on using it as a basic radio, What receiver and crystals
can be used and any other info a current user of this system can help me with.
Thanks,
Richardci

There were two of the Eclipse radios that I know of. Mine would only program three planes and the one my nephew bought you could program seven. {I think} His came out right after I got mine. I used the Spectra and liked it a lot, I still have it and use it in my Futaba 9-C for setting up the controls on planes I build for other people. The system can be used with both Hitech and Futaba RXs. We did call them dial a crash because a lot of us were flying a number of planes with different channels and sometimes you forget to change the radio before you take off. I gave my radio to one of my students over a year ago and he is using the Spectra too. For him it has come in very handy, he has three planes and all are on a different channel. As long as you don't forget to change it they work just fine.

You will love this transmitter. I have used it with Futaba and Hitec receivers. The model memoryfor airplanes holds seven planes. I don't have the Spectra module. But I do have a spare module and receiver chip just in case the field is over run with guys using the same freq that I use. My club is small and usually not a problem.

Good luck
Frank

I have the spectra set-up. I always do a control check before flying the plane for the first time each day, you don't make mistakes that way. I use both Futaba and Hitec RX's. This radio has a pos. or neg shift option so I think about any RX will work if you do the shift procedure.
I hear the 2.4 module will work in it also......maybe someone can shed some light on the subject?

Richardci,
You can’t go wrong with the Eclipse 7 & Spectra Module. I have owned mine for a few years and couldn’t be happier. Being as I am the sort of a guy that can’t resist a bargain, I have accumulated receivers from every major manufacturer as well as some of the lesser known brands. They are all on 72 Mhz FM and I have never had any problem flying any of them with the Eclipse 7.

That being said, I would like to see Hitec (as well as some other manufacturers), offer a larger model memory. I currently have 12 models geared up and ready to fly but only have a 7 model memory. That is reduced to six because I always reserve #7 for setting up as a buddy box when needed. I have pattern planes, pylon planes, fun fly planes, sport planes and 3D planes each with it’s own unique setups in memory. If I want to fly something different then I have to copy down the memory settings before I can use the space to program another model. It would also be great if Hitec would offer a USB port on the TX so as to allow the memory to be downloaded to a PC and later restored.

I recently had to send my TX back to Hitec for repair after I pulled a bone headed stunt and screwed it up. It took 5 days to get it to Poway CA, 2 day turnaround and 5 days to get it back. You can’t get any better service than that. That is typical service for Hitec not the exception.

While it was gone for repair I decided to look around and see if I could find another (used) one for sale. There were none to be had. It appears that the people who own them want to keep them.