Love2FlyMN

If I'm going to buy a 2.4 radio 6-8ch is there one brand that sticks out way more than the rest nowadays?? pricewise too, what's going to be best for the buck?? Trying to keep it under $400

Troy Newman

DX7 hands down. Drop a couple hundred more and the X9303 will be the only radio you'll ever need.

Either of these are superb choices. I have run both.

Troy Newman

XJet

They're all pretty good and deciding what's best for *you* depends on a lot of factors...

Performance?
Futaba's FASST is (at least in theory) the best piece of technology but Spektrum/JR is still perfectly adequate.

Reliability?
They're all pretty reliable although they've all had their problems too. Futaba had a design/manufacturing problem with their 6/7 channel systems and JR/Spektrum has had a few receiver problems and now a switch issue with the AR9100. All of these teething problems are being addressed by the manufaturers.

Price?
Well the big-name brands do cost more than some of the other options - but you get the safety of knowing that they'll still be in business a year or two from now when you want to buy another couple of receivers.

Budget alternatives?
There are a growing number of systems coming out of China that offer some measure of price-savings over the name-brands. To date, most of these have been module-based systems but the people at iMax have come up with a module/transmitter/receiver combo that they're selling pretty cheap and which seems to work well at the bottom end of the market.

[link=http://www.rcmodelreviews.com/spreadspectrum01.shtml]Here[/link] is some info that might help too.

PJ_TankPilot

If it means anything, I own three 2.4 systems. Futaba 6EX, Spektrum DX7 and JR X9303. (I am skeptical of marketing hype and need to experience things first hand). I previously used a Futaba 9C for years that I really liked.

When asked by fellow flyers what 2.4 system I recommend, my answer is:

If they do not need more than seven channels (most who ask are using 4 or 5 max), the Spektrum DX7 is by far the best price performer on the market today. And the current ‘Giveaway’ program cuts the cost of buying extra receivers to convert a fleet.

rmh

Bang for the buck-- The DX7
Probably the easiest "choice" in this market
Why?
price is VERY competitive
Lots of users with very high acceptance level-
features none of the others have -notably Model Match.

My own experience is that after having most of the top end radios from JR/Futaba over the years --this one has the most usable features for the price .

Love2FlyMN

sweet thanks guys

ekfinch

My Feedback: (1)

I have a new DX7. Do I have to change the futaba servos in my current aircraft. I would like to keep them in my current planes. Do I need conversion plugs or ??

Thanks

Keith

Ken6PPC

You can just cut the little tabs off the side of the servo plugs. Then you can plug your Futaba servos directly into your Jr/Spektrum receivers.

Here are a couple pictures of the only difference between Futaba servo plugs (on the left) and JR servo plugs (on the right):

ekfinch

My Feedback: (1)

Great. I thought that might be the case, but I wanted someone elses opinion since I am fairly new to the hobby.

Thanks

Keith

BarracudaHockey

My Feedback: (11)

With very rare exceptions, servos are wired the same and most work with any reciever. There's a few old ones around rarely that don't conform to the standard wiring scheme, and there's a few special use servos for gyros and such that run at a different pulse width but 99.9 percent of the time you can pick the servo you want and plug it into the reciever of your choice and they work just fine. As stated though, to get the futaba connectors in a spectrum or jr reciever you need to trim the index tabs off.

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

Dollar for dollar, the Airtronics RDS8000 stands alone as the best value in 2.4Ghz sport radios:

A) Frequency Hopping
B) Additional 8-channel receivers for $79.99
C) $229.99 for an 8-channel radio system without servos
D) A throttle kill button (yeah, it is a big deal)
E) Advanced mixing and programming for fixed wing, helicopters, and sailplanes

XJet

I don't think the Airtronics has expo for the rudder channel though does it?

If you fly 3D that might be an issue.

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

You are correct. No dual rates or expo on rudder and 3 character model naming are two of the the RDS8000's shortfalls.

astroboycp

There are just too many choices. I think I might just get the DX7 since I already have a JR9X.

foots1

I hane a new 2.4 Spectrum DX7. It is my first computerized radio. I was taught how to read, but the lingo is Greek to me. Anyone got referrences to some easier way to wade thru all the lingo!

jaka

Hi!
What is it you want to know??

d_wheel

Here's a page that might help:

[link=http://www.rcaerobats.net/Spektrum/dx_7_main_page.htm]DX7[/link]

Later;

D.W.

airbusdrvr

As one of the earlier responders stated, you can't go wrong with the DX7 and if you want to have a really fine system, the JR X9303 is a great choice.