RCU Forums - JR 8103 or 10X

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- RC Pattern Flying (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-pattern-flying-101/)

- - JR 8103 or 10X (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-pattern-flying-101/806592-jr-8103-10x.html)

I fly Intermediate pattern and would like to upgrade my TX (I currently use a JR652).
What's the difference between the two?
Thanks
Harry

Well, apart from a great deal of money, very little! If you're going to be switchin' between powered aeroplanes, gliders and helicopters go with the cheaper all rounder...8103. The 10x is more of a specialized kit.. you must specify in advance if yo want the fixed wing or heli version...you must decided mode 1 or 2 as they are not interchangeable. The 10x chassis is made of magnesium (terrible spelling going on here sorry) compared to plastic, something you'll feel as soon as you hold it... it's heavier than what you're used to. Also the components are of a higher spec'.
It's a great transmiter...I've had mind for 3 years and I'm real happy... much easier to program the the comp' Futaba.
Downs side is the LCD screen! It's very sensitive to water and a few well place rain drops or a fuel splash will BLACK it out perminatly in seconds!
I'm on my 2nd screen and carry a 3rd with me always. By the way... they're not cheap!

Just how serious do you want' to get?

I get asked this question a lot and my standard answer is 'get as much radio as you can realistically afford'. There are advantages in the 10X over the 8103. Mostly in ease of setup, but with a normal pattern airplane the needs of the radio are not that great.

10X advantages for pattern are:
Throttle curve
7 point curved mixes vs 5 point in the 8103
Triple rates
Flight modes

The other advantages of the 10X show up as airplanes become more complex. Plan on flying any giant scale aerobatics? The 10X offers up more ease of setup options and channels there. Maybe going to fly Jets down the road? Again.. more channels, which are used up very quickly in jet aircraft.

If you think you might need the extra capability of the 10X in the NEAR future, that's the direction you should go. If the 8103 will do everything you need, go that route. Both will certainly do the job.

Doug Cronkhite
Team JR

Like Doug says...

But lets add another case for the 10X.....

It makes the setup of the model easier....Yes the 8103 can functionally most if not all of the things needed. Yes you can get a throttle curve by setting up a Thro-thro multi-point mix and get a throttle curve out of it....You can also do the mixing for the rudder coupling by using a mix circuit....

In the 10X these setup options come already pre-programmed for you...all you have to do is turn them on and start using them!

Another plus.....

The 10X comes with a TX case ($100), it comes with (4) High precision digital servos 8231's $100 each so the difference is about $200 total, and the Data Safe comes with the 10X so you can transfer to a PC and have unlimited model memory ($100 option).

So when it comes down to it the 10X comes with about $400 worth of extra stuff regardless of just the extra capability of the radio.

If you are on a budget the 8103 is a great radio.....and it will get the job done. You don't need the high end radio to fly pattern. The reason many of us fly the high end radio is the ease in setup provided by the top end radio....The 8103 is the top of the line sport radio....it can do so many things its ridiculous.....But the 10X makes many of these thing just easier and less hassle to setup and complete.

Troy Newman
Team JR