JCINTEXAS

I see several ads for the Airtronics RDS8000 2.4 GHz with two receivers for $229.
Holy cow....how can they do it?
Seems too good to be true.
Is this a "quality" radio?
I hope to hear from RC fliers who have bought this radio.
How do you like it?
Would you buy it again?
Any problems?
Regards
JC

BuschBarber

My Feedback: (2)

I do not own one but I have heard from others who say it is a good value. Perhaps not as many varieties of Rx's, yet, but there is talk of more to come. There are several other threads where this subject has come up.

JCINTEXAS

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.
Long long ago.....used to livein Henrietta and then Irondequoit.
Regards
JC

DougV

Hi JC:

How are you man? how you doing with that 12FG?

Hey man... plenty info on that system here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6259443/tm.htm

Happy new year!!
Doug.

BuschBarber

My Feedback: (2)

I grew up in Penfield. I graduated from Penfield HS. After 2 years in the Army, I came back to Rochester and worked 34 years for Kodak. I retired in 2003 and I still live in the city.

crazy8s

My Feedback: (21)

JC,
I own this radio and have used it since last spring and it is rock solid. It may seem to be too good to be true but that may be because this radio just flat out works and except for 1 or 2 reported isolated situations has been virtually bug free unlike all of the drama experienced by the Futaba and JR/Spektrum 2.4 systems. The quality is excellent and the intuitive nature of its programming is incredible. Once you program in your first plane you'll never have to reference the manual again because it is so easy. That fact that they have been selling it with an extra FREE receiver for the last 4 or 5 months makes it hands down the BEST value in the market for a 2.4 Ghz 8 channel radio. 8 channel 2.4 Airtronics receiver = $80............... 8 channel 2.4 Futaba receiver = $140. Nuff said.

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

Count me among the many, many happy RDS8000 owners. I bought one last April and then bought a second one to use as a backup/buddybox and to get two additional receivers. It's a great radio system and a great value.

blvdbuzzard

Bought mine on sale for $230.00. That was before the (2) Rx deal. I have since bought a second set with the (2) Rx deal. Brother in law has one too. They are supper easy to program, feel good in your hands, lite weight, rock solid.

My brother in law set up the antenna pointing out the back of his Ventura powered glider. He did not point the antennas in a 90 degree angle. Still had no issues.

If you do get a RDS8000, you will not regret it in any way.


Dru.

cap10b

All,
I agree with C-8 that Airtronics avoided all the drama and the oopsy of "Not watching" what they were doing. I bought my radio because a fellow club member was complaining that he and I were on the same frequency and I said Why dont you update to 2.4 Mr Jet Jockey and he said Why dont you !! and I said I will.
Went down to the local hobby shop not knowing a thing about 2.4. Listened to the readers digest version of how to work the bind button on the way out the door.
Installed the radio in a new gas plane. Did the bind, range check and flew just that simple.

Now I cant wait till ATX delivers the Stylus 2.4 module and the new SD-10G radio.
I will be in ATX heaven

Hey Mr JR/Spectrum/Futaba 2.4 user you lost some frame rates you better run after them before they get away.

JDS

(Don't tell them their lost frame rates floated back up into the sky they will have neck strain trying to see them.)

Zippi

My Feedback: (10)

JCINTEXAS,

I've been running Airtronics gear since the 80's. I tried switching to JR but had some problems so I went back to Airtronics when they came out with the RDS8000 2.4. Very nice and I'm looking forward to their new 10 CH coming out in 2009.

wheelieboy

Just switched from Futaba 72 mhz to the Airtronics RDS8000. All I have to say is... what an awesome radio. I'm using it in a 1/4 scale gas Yak and a Showtime 90. The programming is so easy and the radio has a very high quality feel to it. I did not purchase this radio based on price alone. I compared the features with the Futaba 7 channel FAAST and the DX7 SE and this radio is definitely the biggest bang for the buck. For about $200 from Tower hobbies, you get a TX and 2 receivers. This would run about $300 from the other 2.4 manufacturers. Again... this radio is so easy to use. I highly recommend it to anyone searching for a first of second radio. I think that this radio is the "sleeper" of the 2.4 bunch. I think the free second receiver is in effect until Feb so ya better snatch one up before they end this great deal!

flyinbr

Yes I think it’s a very good deal for the money. I started using mine last season, put it in a four star 120 with a gas engine. No problems at all. I like it very much.

Bryan

Rodney

I just bought the combo (1 Xmtr, 2Rcvr's) to try out. I've been a happy Futaba user up til now but the price of Futaba's receivers led me to try out the Airtronics. I believe that Airtronics uses the same frequency hopping system that Futaba uses (much better technically than Spectrum/Jr uses). I have not had the Airtronics long enough to really give it a good evaluation but so far it look great with more versatility than Futaba insofar as programming. My main concern is how much servo current you can pass through the receiver, on large models it may be necessary to use a power distribution box, especially if you have a number of digital servos.

Rcpilot

My Feedback: (78)

Does the RDS8000 offer dual rates and expo on Rudder?

I read somewhere that it doesn't.

Can someone summarize the basic capabilities of the radio?

I typically use dual elevator servos and occasionally dual rudder servos. I use switches for choke and ignition kill.

Will this radio do that?

Planeclothes

My Feedback: (1)

No, it does not. But I set an aux mix which allows me to use it as high/low rates for rudder. This radio has most of the features found in more expensive radios, including dual elevator servos capability. I bought one (2 rx combo) about 3 months ago and it is really awesome. Plus it is so easy to program even a caveman can do it (sorry GEICO guy).

flyathome

My Feedback: (7)

OK! You talked me into it. I have been a Futaba user for a lot of years. After looking at
all of the options I purchased the Airtronics RDS 8000 today from Hobby People. There were two main factors influencing my decision. First, was the discussion here on RCU. The user reports here were encouraging. The other was the price. My first thought was to convert my 9c, but Futaba's prices are ridiculous. Not to mention the problems they have had. When I saw the price of the RDS 8000 with two receivers yet, I decided to take a chance. I am certainly looking forward to installing the radio in my 50cc Edge!!! I really hope I made the right choice. Hobby dollars are very scarce these days. I will let you know how it goes.

Steve

JCINTEXAS

Steve,
Yes, please do keep us informed on how this radio performs for you and your level of satisfaction
with radio performance. Also I'd like to know how Airtronicsa rates in Customer Service if anyone
has experience with this.
Regards
JC

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Customer service has been one of Airtronics strongest points ever. I switched to Airtronics about 10 years ago and have never had anything, but great service. Quick turn around and extremely low pricing when they tuned up my Stylus. And Jack Albrecht has to be the most knowlagable customer service rep in the world.

Clay Walters

Yep. When you call the 1-800 help line Jack's who you get. Very helpful gent and knows the programming of the radios as if he designed them himself.

I believe you'll like the radio a lot,

Clay

flyathome

My Feedback: (7)

I started programming my new radio today. I have to say that it is very simple and easy to understand. After a little familiarization I was able to do most of what I wanted to do without looking at the manual. The truth is that it is much easier to program than any of the Futaba radios I have owned. I will be putting the radio in my Edge tomorrow. I am really looking forward to flying it. I will let you know how it goes.

Steve

flyathome

My Feedback: (7)

I am putting my RDS 8000 in my Edge. I am using 5 cell receiver packs. My question is, will the receiver work OK with the 5 cell batteries?

Thanks,

Steve

JCINTEXAS

Please let us know how youlike this new radio.
Regards
JC

blvdbuzzard

Been running 6v for the past 5 plus years with my RD6000. I have my RDS8000 setup with 6v packs. Both are in sport planes. One is a Giles 202 50 sized and another is a low wing trainer, Goldberg tiger clone. No problems at all.



Dru.

Tony Gag Jr.

My Feedback: (124)

This is nice price and a pretty good sale but it only comes with 1 receiver.

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/751700.asp

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

Ironically, Hobby People is showing that they're backordered on RDS8000s with 2 receivers but they have the single receiver packages available. Tower Hobbies shows both in stock, but they're both at $229.99.