Computer radio for beginer?
 

Is a computer radio o.k. for a beginer? If so what is a good one, I'm 13 so not too expensive.

Thanks
Ethan

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Good radios like you want start at about $250 and up , Most radio's are good and you want at least a 6 channel and up. Hitec Makes a good radio.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Snake Man,

If your folks will help you out, ask really nicely for a Hitec Flash 5 computer radio. :D Great radio, has tons of features and best of all, will make a really nice Christmas present. Good luck and welcome.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Flash 5s are nice. If you can afford a bit more, check into an Eclipse.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Futabu 6EXA 6-ch computer radio runs $180 at tower hobbies, 4 BB servers included. don't know anything about radios but its the cheapest 6-ch computer radio I've seen. the one I'm getting, unless I can find a deal on an Airtronics VG-6000.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Thanks for the help!

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I own the Futaba 6EXA radio. I am a beginner flying a trainer. I really like the trim butons instead of the normal slide trims. With this feature I don't accidentally move my trims.


Let me know if you want some more info :)

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Another vote for the 6EXA....that has got to be the biggest "bang for the buck" radio out there right now.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I am a beginner and have been flying my LT-40 with a futaba 6exa. $180 bucks. I am completely happy with it.



Wings,

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

If you can afford it, get better. It won't be long before you outgrow the EXA. For another $50 you can have an Eclipse.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I like my Eclipse 7 that I've had now for a couple of months. I got the "Spectra" transmitter module with it. It allows me to change to any transmit frequency without changing crystals. I bought the radio new for only $209 at Tower Hobbies.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

The futaba T6XAS is another that would keep you happy for a long time. About $220 on tower but worth every penny, I have two.

[link=http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/futaba/futk31m.html]FUTABA 6XAS[/link]

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

WOW, took a look at the Hitec Eclipse that WingDing mentioned and its quite impressive for only $209. Is it pretty reliable? I might have to get one to check it out. :D

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAHK8&P=0]HITEC ECLIPSE 7[/link]

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

noticed that $209 was just for the Tx. like $270 for everything. out of my price range[:o]
I think the 6exa will satisfy me for a coupe years at least.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

The Eclipse 7 has operated perfectly so far. Even though I am relatively new to RC airplanes, I really notice the benefits of a computer radio. I started out with the Tower Hobbies RTF 40 trainer which included a non-computer radio. I love the computer radio. I don't accidentally bump my trim settings with the Eclipse. I love the timer function and the engine cut features. You can program up to 7 different models. You can name each of them, too (kinda cool). Eventually, I'd like to get a synthesized receiver so I never have to ever mess with changing crystals.

Since my new Sig 4 * 60 ARF has separate aileron servos, I can command the servos independently. You can program in flaperons or set up some differential to get rid of some adverse yaw. I feel like this is a radio I can really grow into. For the money it seems like the best deal.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I flew 3D with my Eclipse until I got so absolutely fed up with its programability that I bought a 9C. Anyhow, I never had any problems with it.

Action, take into account total cost. If you but an EXA now and an Eclipse later, that's a total of at least $400.
Also, I noticed you're in Bellingham. I'm with the MRRCS down a little south of Tacoma. You should hit a couple of our events next summer! www.mrrcs.org

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Wing-Ding,

Since you have a spectra module WHY would you even need a synethesized rx or change crystals???;)
The whole point of the spectra module is to allow you to match the Tx to the rx channel

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

That way, you don't have to buy a receiver crystal for every frequency you might want to use. For example, if you went to a fun fly and you didn't have a receiver crystal for an un-occupied frequency. You could just select an un-occupied frequency with the turn of a screw without having to buy all of the receiver crystals (and of course a corresponding turn of the screw on the Spectra module).

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I'm in the exact same predicament as E-snake.

I am also looking at the 6exa. in my POV, i dont think i will need any of those fancy schmancy functions in the Eclipse 7. And there is a 50 price difference. my whole budget is 375 for plane and engine and radio!.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

just my 2 cents - my 1st computer radio was a Airtronics Radiant 6P
It was ( and still is - I still use it ) an absolute delight to program
very very easy to understand, loads of features and you can pick them
up on e-bay for about $100 - Without starting a flame war as Futaba
and JR make wonderful equipment i have always prefered Airtronics

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

The 6EXA looks like a very nice radio, too. If you're on a tight budget, it's good because it includes the receiver and servos. Another reason I chose the Eclipse was that I had had good results from an Eclipse two-channel pistol type radio for racing 1/8 scale buggies. It also had the Spectra module which worked fine and made it easy to change frequencies without having to buy any of the transmit crystals. So I guess you tend to stay with what you've had success with.

The Tower Hobbies radio that came with my RTF is still a very good radio (basic four channel, non-computer radio). At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like RC Airplanes, so I got the cheapest package I could (Tower RTF trainer for $269) which included the plane, radio, receiver, servos- everything. But now that I love it, I'm kinda sorry I didn't get a better radio to begin with. Just my opinion.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

Wow good point. that didn't occur to me since usually if I bring 3 planes to the field at least one of the channels is open.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

6exa gets my vote. I dont loose my trims. I do fly more than 1 plane with it, works great.

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

I am sure you have a very nice radio. I am sure it is capable of much more than you mentioned. At least I hope so because my 6exa can do absolutely everything you mentioned, except you can't name the models with names, only numbers. And you can't change the frequencies.


Won't that feature pose a problem at your club (if you're in one). I guess if you are careful it won't matter. But it is possible you switch frequencies and mess somebody else up. Sounds like a really cool feature though. I can see why you would want the synthesizer so you can fly with any frequency available at a club.


Good luck with that budget dude. I picked out everything I wanted from searching online then had the hobby story order it. I had that same budget in mind. The bill came to be quite a bit more than I expected after buying everything I needed. I bought the 6exa, evo .46 NT, LT-40, starter, fuel, glow ignitor and a few other odd and ends that I needed. Prop .etc.. and it came to $555. I had every intension of spending between $350 and $400. Once you have your mind made up that you want the plane and go to get it, you will pay just about anything to buy all the stuff you need to fly it. Just keep that in mind, may save you a heart attack at the hobby store when they ring up the bill, lol. I kindly asked my wife to step outside while they rang it up. I wanted to break it to her easy without making a scene, lol.

Good luck,




Wings,

RE: Computer radio for beginer?
 

It is capable of much more and it will take me quite a while to learn about all of its features. You can mix just about any two different control surfaces with one being the master while the other is the slave (e.g., flaps with elevator or Aileron with rudder). It has three main modes: Aerobatic (regular aircraft), Glider and Helicopter. Who knows, maybe I'll eventually try flying a helicopter.

Hitec made it so that you cannot change the transmitter frequency unless you remove the Spectra module. That way it's pretty hard to "sweep" across a bunch of frequencies while you're transmitting. Also, anytime a person changes frequency, you have follow established protocol and treat it like you've installed a crystal.