RCU Forums - Complete Beginner with questions.

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dr1Driver

piper_chuck,

I do understand that $60 may be a BIG difference to a beginner in the hobby. However, it may also be money well invested. If he had asked about buying an OS LA vs an FXC, my advice would be to buy the FX. More money, sure, but a good investment for the years of flying to come.

Buying cheap is sometimes called "cutting your nose off to spite your face."

Dr.1

I understand that completely. I also understand that it's very common for people to make recommendations that go beyond a person's budget.

I've recommended 6 channel radios to beginners many times. I've also recommended 4 channel radios when budget appeared to be limited, or if a person wasn't sure whether they would like flying or not. Thousands of people have learned with no more than a basic 4 channel radio. They have worked well for years, and they will continue to work well for years to come. Many of the features on a computer radio fit into the "nice to have" rather than the "must have" category. And quite a few of the features, mixes for example, fit into the category of things that most people may never need.

I didn't post to try to convince Vhayne to follow my recommendations, I just wanted him, and the many others who read the beginner's forum, to understand the choices so they did not feel that buying a basic radio was a bad idea. There's absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a 4 channel radio. It's not "buying cheap", it's buying what one needs and can afford.

Another $ factor to consider is the typical 4 channel setup costs about the same as a flight pack. So, when someone who buys a 4 channel setup decides to upgrade by buying a more expensive system, perhaps for their third or fourth plane, they've lost no money. They've also got a spare transmitter that can be used on their simulator, so they don't wear out the gimbals on their better system, or that can be used if their better transmitter needs to go in for service.

And even if he did say he was going to follow my recommendation, I certainly wouldn't feel the need to start patting myself on the back about it. We're here to provide information so beginners can make informed choices, not to score debate points or prove that one person's position is superior to another's. ;)