Im looking at some nice transmitters and I am curious about what ones may be good. Now I dont mind spending $200-$300 for a solid transmitter that will support multiple planes, be pretty universal/flexable, and last a long time not to mention have support for 6-7 channels. Ihave been realy looking at Futaba and Spektrum. Ihave heard great things about Futaba but Ilike the look of the Spektrums. Are Spektrums pretty good (the appear to be). Are there any other afordable/robust transmitters available that I may not be aware of other then the two I have mentioned?

Thanks for the help.

you may want to check out the airtronics rds 8000.
paul

I have used both Futaba and Spektrum. I like my Futaba 2.4 GHz FASST the best- mine is a 7C. In my opinion it is much easier to set up and use than the other brands. Just my opinion though. The 7C retails for arouns $350.00.

If you don't mind going to $399 take a look at the new Airtronics SD-10G here . It's on sale now for $399 with one 10 channel receiver. IMHO this is one of the best radios on hte market right now. It'll store 20 models which can be expanded with memory cards to hold as many planes as you want by simply swapping cards. All switches are triple throws and there is triple rates on everything. Also, I think that Airtronics currently has the best prices on their line of receivers for 2.4. 5 channel - $49, 6 channel full range - $59, 6 channel park flyer - $49, 7 Channel - $76, 8 - channel $99, 10- channel $129.

While I have both JR and Futaba 2.4 radios the Airtronics is my radio of choice and the radio I have all of my planes on.

Ken

It is a tough decision, a little like Ford vs Chevy vs the other cars . I think Futaba's are probably the best, but I think they are too expensive for the recievers and the transmitters for that matter. You should look at how many planes you may have and what type of planes you may want to have.

Spectrum/JR (both use the same type of RX) great selection of bind and fly planes, the radios are afforadable, and you can use the rx from spextrum if you get a bigger jr TX, a 7 channel rx is $99, a 5 channel is $59

Futaba, great lines of product but their 7 channel rx are $99, 6 are $69 and I don't know if hte 4 channel will work with the higher radios, but they are $54.

Airtronics, I think there 8 channel radio is the best deal, and you can get a 10 channel with RX for $400 or so, their 10 channel RX is $149, their 6 is $59.

Hitec has a new Aurora with telemetry (that can tell you real time information about your plane) a 9 channel for $440 with 3 recievers (until end of March) there recievers are $69 for a 7 channel, and $49 for a 6 channel.


It is a hard choice, but for me, I look at the number of RX that I want or would want, and the other features. I currently have about 12 planes in various states and the number of RX price adds up. BUT..... there are a lot of people that get into the hobby and don't last long.

Just my 2 cents

Jon

WOW thank you all for the input I greatly appreciate it. $399 just MIGHT be out of my price range but it is a nice radio so we will see what happens when the time comes. I dont even see myself having 10 planes so maybe ill start off with something a little "smaller". Who knows maybe some day ill have 20 planes...lol. Thank you all again for the suggestions. I now have other brands/models to consider now.

I understand, I am on a 7 channel radio that I got from the auction 3 or 4 years ago, but it is showing its age. I think that the airtronics 8 channel is aobut hte best buy out there. [link=http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/751700.asp]airtronics rds8000[/link] and I would highly recommend it (I have not used one, but I know a lot of people that used them and enjoyed them)

Jon

I agree that the RDS 8000 is a great radio if your on a budget. I had one that I used for a long time until I got the SD-10G. I highly recommend it as well. You'll be able to use all of the Airtronics receivers I listed above with the exception of the 10 channel receiver. The Airtronics 2.4 receivers are just about the lowest priced receivers right now, so they are very easy on the pocket book.

Ken

I'm happy with my Futaba 6 ch. 2.4 it's
$219.00

Bob

If you decide on Futaba....They are running a promo....you get a second 7channel receiever for $10 bucks. Not sure if its only at tower or all retailers.

I went to Spektrum when 2.4GHz came along but I recently switched back to a Futaba 8FG. The Spektrum is a good radio but I personally think the Futaba is simpler to bind/link and easier to program. It just somehow "feels" better to me as well if that makes any sense. With Futaba offering the $10 receiver with a radio purchase it is a good time to buy one.

I have never personally used the Airtronics radios but I see a lot of good feedback about them as well.

Chuck,
 I've been using Airtronics since I started flying, so I'm a bit partial. But, the Airtronics 2.4 technology is the same as Futaba in that it's FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum), and binding receivers done in the same way as Futaba's are. It's very simple and easy to use.

Ken</p>

I have the Spectrum DX7 transmitter, have owned it brand new from Horizon, for 1 year. It has performed flawless.
I recently switched to the JR 9503 Transmitter, that way I can still use the Spectrum RX's.
Remember, when buying a transmitter, you are more comitting to that brand of receiver, IE: Futaba, Airtronics, and others.
Receivers are not cheap especially in the 2.4 MGZ area. Look at the radio, hold it, use it's functions, then decide.
I am knocking any radio, but it's your decision. Personally I like the JR radios, many more features like model match, and model memory than Futaba.
I am going to list my Spectrum DX7 on RCU for a great price, because I bought the JR 9503. I also am listing some Spectrum RX's , AR7000's about 5.
Anyway good luck with you decision.

I have all three, Futaba, Airtronics and Spectrum. For my money, the Airtronics is the best all around choice if you consider both reliability and receiver costs. IMHO, the FASST system is much more reliable than Spectrum and many of the others when it comes to batteries, drop out limits etc. However, any one of the current brands perform very well and can make you a satisfied user.

Ken,

Does the Airtronics only use one receiver like Futaba? That's what I liked about the Futaba FAAST is that it only uses one receiver where Spectrum and Jr use two satelite receivers so with every installation you need two receivers. All the guys here in Bend, Oregon started out with Spectrum and when the time out thing happened and a couple of guys lost their planes, the local hobby shop took all receivers back and gave credit. I guess they worked out the kinks on that problem but still require two receivers. Now all in our club have switched to Futaba. I've never used Airtronics but have heard a lot of good things about them. The only reason I still stick to Futaba is that is what I started with in 1980 so I just stayed..........too much equipment to change now!!! Although I almost exclusively use Hitec servos.

Cheers,
Andy

Had to correct myself from my last post..........not all in our club have switched to Futaba but the lyin' share have including the owner of the hobby shop.

Oldtyme,
The Airtronics receivers are just like the Futaba receivers. They have the receivers with two short antenna leads coming out of them.

Here are 4 of the 6 current Airtronics receivers. From top to bottom are the 10 channel, 8 channel, 7 channel, and the 6 channel park flyer receiver. Not shown are the 6 channel full range and the 5 channel full range. The second picture shows you the size of the 10 channel receiver, you can judge the size of rest from that one.

Ken

Sure is good to read all the good stuff about Airtronics.  I have the RDS8000 in my new Tiger 60.  All I have been doing is playin around setting the throws and learning the radio.  The plane is a few (6-8) weeks from maiden.   Nice to see a company can make a quality product and not price it too high.

I have flown the DX7 now since it first came out. I fly anything from micro indoors to 46% with it, including heli's. Never had an issue. The best part is what some of these guys are talking about, the receivers. Spektrum and JR make a receiver for anything, and they are reasonable in price. I use to be a Futaba guy all the way but once I switched to Spektrum/JR there will be no going back. The 2 transmitters deffinately feel different, it doesn't take long to get use to the opposite one you have been flying though. Definately look at how many receivers you need and what type you are going to need (micro, giant, heli, etc.) There is alot of good stuff out there.

I've flown with Futaba, Airtronics, Spektrum, and Polk. The only one I've missed on is any of the JR's.

They all do the same basic thing... fly the plane remotely, and that's what it's all about.

The Futaba was a 72 MHz entry level radio (I had three of those that came with RTF's), the Airtronics are RD6000, RD8000, and RDS8000. The Spektrum is the DX7 and DX6i. And, the Polk, well, it was a 72 MHz with a synthesized frequency selector.. fondly known as "Dial-a-Crash" . As I said, I flew with them all and prefer the Airtronics and Spektrums for personal reasons. But, as I said, they all do the same basic thing... and equally as good. It just comes down to a personal preference.

CGr.

I have had BOTH, JR and FUTABA! The 2.4 spectrum is OLD Tecnology! I also don't know if you are going over seas anytime soon but, JR and Futaba are BOTH ILLEGAL in the Europe and UK. I have switched to the Hitec Aurora 9 Radio. I find that it is faster then the other two. It has a really good feel to it. It is a really a good radio and I have had ZERO problems with it. I fly electrics, Nitro's, Gas, and Jets and have had no problems. It is Very easy to program and has more than enough features than I need!! It is something to look at!

I have been leaning towards spektrum but haven't decided yet.....CGRetired, that avatar looks a lot like a 47 MLB....

Ithink with all this talk going on it looks like there are high marks for Airtronics but Im thinking at least for now Imay go for Futaba or Spektrum myself.

Maybe this will help you decide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnRefjqPuf8

As said, they all do what they are intended to do. It just comes down to the differences in each and how that fits into what you prefer.

Priceless


Way to go Chuck,

Bob