Can anyone in the hive suggest a middle of the road tx that is nice. I own a DX3-R for racing and wish i would've bought a M-11. I do like 2.4ghz tx's but for my first fliers i can't see buying the top of the line, then again i know better then to buy the bottom line gear as well. So what's the best middle of the line TX that has enough mixer functions and such to make it worth buying?
Thanks
mike

You'll probably have more success in gathering the info you want if you provide a price-range. I'd define the low-end of the mid-range as the seven channel setups, with the high-end of the mid-range to be the nine and ten channel setups. Everybody is going to define that range a bit differently.

You can't really go wrong with any of the Airtronics/Futaba/JR/Spektrum gear in that range. Consider the features of each, the available receivers, how the unit feels in your hand, and whether or not you "get" the programming for any particular type. Do those things, and you'll figure out what is right for you.

Pick your price range, evaluate the systems available within it, and pick the one you like best.

Of these Airtronics/Futaba/JR/Spektrum one is about as reliable as the other

Compare the programing features and the price and figure which one is for you

I like my futaba 6EXP with plenty of functions and I don't have to buy those expensive receivers for all my planes like you have to when you go to 2.4 ghz

The standard 3004 servos it comes with will work with more planes than you think. I use them on .90 size planes and they work just fine.

I've always been a futaba guy by the way.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXRXF5**&P=0

As previously noted, you can't go wrong with the Airtronics, Spektrum, JR, Futaba radios. They all have some pretty good deals right now. I have two Airtronics 72 MHz radios one RD6000 and one RD8000, one Futaba entry level four channel, and a Spektrum DX7 and a DX6i and I use them all. My favorites are the Spektrums, but have a soft spot for the Airtronics. The RDS-8000 2.4 GHz unit is a good deal. I believe they are on sale with two receivers. You might check with Tower Hobbies on that.

CGr.

I have the Airtronics RDS8000. If you don't need servos, it might be the least expensive option of 'better' radios. You can get one with one receiver for $180 from Hobbypeople.net. 8 channels, tons of mixes, easy to use, comfortable to hold. etc.

As far as quality, all of the above brands are good. When I think of 'middle of the road' I think of the amount of features and channels, so I would imagine 6-8 channels.

Really depends on specifically what you need the radio to do.

Thanks guys. The price of the airtronics is nice. it seems to be a very good radio for the money. The spektrum look to be about $100 more for an equal radio. i know Futaba is good, but, haven't had much luck with the longevity of them in the past. My old futabas just stopped working after long term storage. Of course that was 20 years ago.
I have another question. Right now I'm stepping upto a 4 channel fixed pitch heli. I honestly don't know as of yet if I'll ever make it into cp heli's. I'll get back to you after flying the honey bee FP I ordred. But, I am intrested in flying airplanes. I have my eye on the Radian Sailplane http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=PKZ4775 as my first fixed wing flier. My asperations as a pilot aren't too high. I can't, at this point, see myself flying anything that is fast enough to need flaps or scale enough to have retractable landing gear. I can also tell everyone I will be sticking to electric fliers. So, with this in mind, how many channels might I need? I really don't know what channels do what in aircraft so I can't answer this question on my own.
thanks agian,
mike

I like the computer radios for the exponential capability where you can make the controls real smooth at the center and yet have a pretty good total deflection

I also like separate aileron channels for each servo

I like the ability to feed a little rudder in with the ailerons and a little elevator in with the flaps

I like the ability to slave a second servo in with the elevator servo so I can run two servos on the elevator and program the slave servo's direction and total travel

The guys in the know just gave you the big three hot deal radios. Out of the three I like the Futaba because of not just the programs but how it programs. You can't beat the price of the AT radios. It's up to you to look at them and decide what one has the features you like best. No mater what you pick, keep it out of the closet. They don't like the dark!!!

I'd recomend a Spektrum DX6i. You can get them for about $169-$179 (including an AR6200 full range receiver) with free shipping ([link=http://www.donalds-hobby.com]Donalds Hobby[/link] or [link=http://www.ultimatehobbies.com]Ultimate Hobbies[/link]). Then you can have a choice of 8+ different receivers to choose from for future models, including micro parkflyer receivers.

I do fly real airplanes and understand exactly what you are saying here Whisky Eight Yankee Echo. Sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. Like I said i don't expect to be flying any flap or flaperion planes. The mixing of the rudder and ailerons sounds like something I am intrested in. That will keep the plane turning instead of slipping making my r/c experience all the more better. Does this mixing require more channels?

If you ever get into advanced sailplanes you will likely run into having four wing servos. A 7 or 8 channel transmitter, with the right mixing capabilities, should handle most sailplanes and powered planes since you mentioned that you do not want retracts or a lot of scale model functions.

Here are typical aircraft functions and the number of channels that I think are ideal to get maximum flexibility from the functions
2 ailerons
2 flaps (or spoilers)
1 rudder
1 or 2 elevator
1 throttle (if motorized)

Ailerons, flaps, and dual elevators can operate on one channel each (with the correct Y harnesses or other accessories) but you have more flexibility if your transmitter and receiver support having them on multiple channels.

First
Determine what kind of models you want to fly, what functions they need, and which transmitters support those functions.

Then
Try to go to a hobby shop that sells all of the ones that fit your criteria. Ask the salesperson to show you some of the progrmming. Then hold each of them. If you normally use a neck strap or transmitter tray, take it with you. See which one "feels" best. Choose based on feel and how the setup works. If you do the hobby shop visit, please buy from them. It would be pretty rude to use them for a demo and then order from an online vendor.

Aileron-Rudder mixing does not require extra channels. It just requires a transmitter capable of doing the mix. The Spektrum DX6i (mentioned by -pkh-) has the ability to do this mix. I think this mix is very common to computer transmitters. My 2001 model six channel Futaba has this capability.

Generally radios with more channels have more mixing capabilities. I had a 6 channel radio to start with, and while I technically I use 4 'channels' to fly my planes, having independent control of separate aileron servos and separate elevator servos required me to bump up to a 7 or 8 channel radio, even though I'm only using 6 of the slots in the receiver.

The 7 channel Futaba and Spektrum, and the 8 channel Airtronics, will have similar capabilities. Spektrum/JR has the most versatile selection of receivers for different applications, though the others are sure to expand at some point (hopefully sooner than later).

Again, I really like my Airtronics RDS8000. It's really easy to use, can do a lot, and is inexpensive. The one major feature it does not have is assignable switches.

So far we have not mentioned Hitec. They are another good brand but so far they have not brought out a spread spectrum radio.

They have recently announced that they will have one in July.

At the fields where I fly it used to be Futaba transmitter country. Most people would have one Futaba receiver but all their additional receivers and servos would be Hitec.

They are known to have a lot of value for the cost

http://www.hitecrcd.com/transmitters/show?name=Aurora+9

Hobby People have the Airtronics VG6000 for $130.00. It a basic computer radio with some mixing and 4 model memory. Comes with all batteries and (4) servos.

http://hobbypeople.net/prdcls/r448538.asp

It is a good in between radio. It does not do swash mixing for CP helicopters, but for planes it should do most of what you need. I have a couple Vanguard's still in the air. I am also flying my Radiant 6 channel, (2) RD6000 and (2) RDS8000 and soon a 10 channel from Airtronics. To me, Airtronics has the best BANG for my hard earned BUCK.


Dru.

P.S. I can not say enough about the RDS8000. It is a good deal. You can might not need them now, but you just might need all of its features in the future.

If you are serious about getting into the RC aircraft hobby, I'd highly recommend getting the best transmitter you can afford. A good computer transmitter will fly all the planes and helicopters you'll ever own. At this point, I'd also recommend getting a 2.4GHz system, as the 72MHz systems are on their way out.

ALL of the radios listed are good. One thing I would do first though is talk to other fliers in your area about what they use. I like my futaba, but run into problums setting it up. I have a friend that knows my radio inside and out and sets it up when I can't.

I'm another happy owner of two Airtronics RDS8000 radio systems. I bought a second system to keep as a buddy box/spare transmitter and to get a couple of additional receivers. The Airtronics 92824 8-channel 2.4Ghz receivers are only $79.99 before discounts; you can outfit your whole hangar with 2.4Ghz receivers without spending any more than you'd pay for a brand-name 72Mhz FM/PPM receiver.

The RDS8000 is a very full-featured radio system with advanced programming and mixing capabilities for airplanes, gliders, and helicopters. You can read RC Ken's full review for RC Universe right here:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=995

I think the Spektrum DX7 and the Futaba 7C FASST are both good, solid radio systems as well. Also, the Airtronics SD-10G and the Hitec Aurora will both be coming out within the next 60 to 120 days or so. The products are only going to get better and the pricing more competitive.

Expect the unexpected. You may feel you won't fly that type of plane now, but you most likely will in the future.

Get a radio that will support those requirements... Just my 2 cents.

Thanks for the help people. This has been educational. I will be sure to post all of my purchases and an explanation of why I picked said equipment. Don't expect this to be too soon. In the past it sometimes takes me a year or two before i finally break down and buy everything.
Sincerely,
Mike

Here is a case in point about selecting a GOOD radio. My brother was just getting back into R/C after a long pause. He was asking about a radio. I recommended the RD6000 super. This was a couple years ago so no RDS8000. He did not want to spend the one on one so he picked up a RD6000 sport. He could not see getting anything better. Well he has a Extra 230 now and he could really use a dual elevator and dual aileron servo setup. The sport does not do it but the super does. So you see things can change in a year or two.

My brother in law is just starting to get into R/C. We sat down and talked about radios. He knew right off that he was going to get a lot of planes. He ended up getting a RDS8000. It was a good choice. My brother, brother in law and I are getting a 2.6meter sail plane. Each will have their own. The plane comes with air brakes, retract wheel, dual ailerons, tow release, rudder and elevator. That is a total of 7 servos. Guess what, my brother with his RD6000 sport is short on channels. My brother in law and I will setup the plane so throttle is the air brake mixed with flaperons. Air brake goes up, flaps come down.

You may think I ONLY need this many channels. You may find that you want to do a little mixing and an extra channel or two is a wonderful thing. There are many good radios out there. I myself like the RDS8000 and my (2) RD6000. Never a second guess that they will work or they will have an issue.


Dru.