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Optic vs. Eclipse
Hi, I've been planning to get an Eclipse soon, but now I see the Optic announcement and wonder if I should wait. I'm a sport flier and not particularly into advanced mixing and no interest in 3-D--I just want a good computer radio with 6 channel capability. I have an early model Flash 5 and it does what I need except for flaps and being limited to two memory channels. Whatever I get will be my main radio for many years.
1) Will the Optic cost more or less than the Eclipse? 2) How might a sport flier use the assignable switches? 3) What else can it do that the Eclipse cannot, or v.v. (besides the number of channels and memory, and assignable switches)? 4) Any difference in ease of programming? 5) Will retailers have it soon? Thanks for anything that can help me decide. Jim |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
ORIGINAL: buzzard bait 1) Will the Optic cost more or less than the Eclipse? 2) How might a sport flier use the assignable switches? 3) What else can it do that the Eclipse cannot, or v.v. (besides the number of channels and memory, and assignable switches)? 4) Any difference in ease of programming? 5) Will retailers have it soon? Thanks for anything that can help me decide. Jim The Optic will be about $50 -$60 less than the standard Eclipse. The assignable switches are just more verasitile. Optic: Dual elevator, Crow for powered planes/gliders, Full trailing edge Camber and Reflex. Eclipse: Flight modes, 7th channel. Some additional Heli programming. The programming is very similar. We hope to have them sometime mid-late June. I hope this helps. Mike. |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
Extremely helpful, Mike, thanks.
A couple more questions--these are probably considered pretty standard features, but just to make sure: 1. the Optic feature list doesn't mention a buddy box switch--does it have one? 2. aileron-rudder coupling? Could I put that on an assignable switch? Last question--I'm thinking about the Spectra module. What do you do on the Tx to change the frequency? I would only need it if someone who flies a lot joined the club on my frequency. That happened to me right after buying my Flash 5 and it would have been great to just buy a couple rx crystals and switch. But does it really make sense just for that? I could buy a different frequency module for the tx, right? But it would give me some peace of mind to know that I would have the flexibility to switch easily. Just wondering how much people actually use them. Thanks again, Mike. Jim |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
ORIGINAL: buzzard bait Extremely helpful, Mike, thanks. A couple more questions--these are probably considered pretty standard features, but just to make sure: 1. the Optic feature list doesn't mention a buddy box switch--does it have one? 2. aileron-rudder coupling? Could I put that on an assignable switch? Last question--I'm thinking about the Spectra module. What do you do on the Tx to change the frequency? I would only need it if someone who flies a lot joined the club on my frequency. That happened to me right after buying my Flash 5 and it would have been great to just buy a couple rx crystals and switch. But does it really make sense just for that? I could buy a different frequency module for the tx, right? But it would give me some peace of mind to know that I would have the flexibility to switch easily. Just wondering how much people actually use them. Thanks again, Mike. Jim Aileron-Rudder mix: Yes. Assignable: Yes. The Spectra module has two dials on the side to select the channel. Mike. |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
Mike,
I have a Futaba 9C and want to teach my buddy to fly. He is very interested in the Eclipse 7 and is now interested in the optic. Really likes the Spectra option and frankly I think it is a great option too. Can these work with a buddy cord with my 9C? I also have a Prism 7X that I could buddy to the 9C to get him started. Will that work till the Optic hits the stores? Based on what I am seeing I think he will go with the Optic and the Spectra. |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
The problem is that the 9C uses a new trainer port which means you would need to use a Futaba cord with the new connector on one side and the old connector on the other. In the past Hitec radios were not 100% compatible with Futaba if using their cord, only ours. Since we do not have a cord to use with the new Futaba port we are not recommending that the new trainer port radios be used with ours. However, we will do some testing to see if it is possible.
Mike. |
RE: Optic vs. Eclipse
Thanks Mike. Futaba has released a new square port to the round port cable. FYI. I will look forward to your results from the testing. My buddy is going to buy is radio at the end of June. Hopefully you will have given it a try by then. If not he will probably get the 7C so I can teach him to fly.
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