RE: 9C for beginner
 

The 9C is a wonderful transmitter, but if you start with it you'll never appreciate that. :D


I see two "pitfalls" of that being your first (I own one, by the way).

Any digital radio kind of bypasses the importance of setting up the plane properly to begin with. This may never be a problem if you always use a computer radio, but you can "hyper-trim" a servo with computer radios to the extreme that the mid-point is so far out of kilter that the travel is uneven. Digital trims are so relatively easy and convenient that they must be in some way evil.

The other problem is that if you "bail out" of the hobby you've got a much larger investment to swallow. I'm not sure of the attrition rate, but I figure at least 15% of beginners walk away within the first year. Of course, you won't.

Having a six channel radio as a back-up is not a bad thing. You may want a glider or Zagi on a different radio/channel to use on a different channel (pin conflicts, perhaps) or on vacation as a "beater" set-up.

I have a 6DA (now extinct) that has manual mixes (pot adjustments instead of digital). It takes the same battery pack as the 9C, so I have a choice of a second radio/plane, or I can swap out batteries for more flying time on the 9C.

Always good to have a back-up.

RE: 9C for beginner
 

Charlie, thats only true if you use all of the setup features. As an instructor I personally encourage them to get the 9C and HELP them setup their 1st plane so that the mixing functions that are something the trainee will only need later down the road on more advanced planes. But at least he doesnt spend $200 on something he is very likely not going to want to use once he sees all of the nice computer radios out there once he starts to get educated on the RC world. Just work with the student to teach him how to use the radio as part of his training so he doesnt try to OVER use the tool.

I can sortof see the older guys not wanting to mess with programming something since many struggle with computers,, but for the younger computer saavy generation its a must have for the few extra $$ it cost. There are so many handy functions other than mixing that I use...

1. I use the slider to have finger touch control of ground idle speed, flight idle speed and then landing idle speed. At the bottom of the slider the engine dies. 1 click of the slider above the bottom its turning minimum rpms,,,,

2. I use the timers setup on countdown and sometimes in response to the position of the throttle stick... Its super easy to use and it will save you from forgetting and running out of gas.. On a big gas plane you can only get 10 minutes of so out of a tank so you try to squeeze every second out of practice flights so you dont have to add weight with a bigger tank.

3. Multiple Model Memory.... Enough said!

4. I can see what model program I am flying at all times when the Tx is on.

5. Digital onboard transmitter voltage meter.

6. If I want to program a mix, I can put any mix I want on any switch OR I can program it to stay on all of the time!

I could go on and on with the long term advantages gained by starting with a comp radio..

Its not my job to protect an adult pilot from himself.. Computer radios are a flat out better buy especially the 9C. If the student want to move on and overcomplicate things thats their own dumb fault for not listening. ;)

RE: 9C for beginner
 

Ken, I'm kinda surprised your guys don't understand why they need to re-trim every flight. Personally I can't seem to pick the thing up or set it down without accidently sliding at least one trim tab. I'm still quite the rookie in training, but I know I knock it a least a half a bubble outta plumb every time I touch it! I like your comments BigNed. I have a few 3Ch. the 4Ch. that came with my Trainer, & the Futaba 6DA that I mentioned above, all of these were given to me. When I spend my own money to buy the radio I want, I will be buying one that I will grow into as a pilot, not one that I will grow out of. And as you said if I screw up because I did not read the manual that came with it, or listen to good instruction, that's my own fault. If I had never bothered to actually read the manual that came with the 6DA, I wouldn't have known how to adjust the aileron differential, set-up flaperons, or the aileron to rudder mix on it. I have all that set up on the mini edge 540 with the 6DA. I'm just not ready to fly that plane yet, or try to use those features. The good thing is I know I'm not ready yet, but when I am at least I'll know how to drive the radio:D


Mark


Mark

RE: 9C for beginner
 

Trim tabs on the Comp Radios are as easy to knock out of trim, as thier Analog brothers, but they only move one or two clicks and the display shows how much they have moved..so its pretty easy to correct.

I learned on buddy box with my 9C as the slave. It worked out fine. Oklahoma winds tried to down me a few times, but like Ken said, you learn to fly in the wind, if your in OK. I actually have started refining my mixes for normal(10-20MPH winds) or adverse(21+MPH winds). I call it my "Calm/Windy" switch. I have used it one time, and actually realized I didnt really need it, because I was already subconsiously compensating for it,,,,,,So there ya have it, Bells, whistles, switches,, but just learn those two tall sticks and the rest is there when you move upward in the hobby/addiction:D