HELP, I am getting my first radio what to chose?

[Timberwolf]

I am looking for getting a new radio system since at the moment all I have is some crappy ones from an Esky RTF helicopter. At the moment I have a dx6i on order but with the release date changing many many times (stared end of nov now it is end of Jan if that):mad:. I am considering changing my focus on what to get. Looking for a decent radio going to be flying mostly nitro (.61 and smaller) and park flyers maybe a little in helicopters but that would be a few years from now. the two big decisions are 1) to go with the 2.4 ghz systems that are now out or stick with a 72. 2) which one to get. All opinions and help will be very much appreciated. Budget ($400 and less with taxes) isn't huge kinda why I started looking at the dx6i in the first place since I still have to get a MAAC membership.
thanks

[Striker]

I would seriously consider this http://2.4gigahertz.com/systems/futk7000.html

[Timberwolf]

Looks nice, how easy are the futaba transmitters to program, and how expensive is the radio, and extra receivers though.

[hscot1]

That would be a great radio. Futaba are not tough to program. The other option, look for a cheap used radio. With your budget, I think you'd find a used Futaba 9C - you could get a FAST module for it down the road.

[Tom Hastie]

Check out the local Hobby shops... I know Fred has 'em...

But to give you a rough idea:
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=FUT7CA2444

And the extra receiver:
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=FUTR607FS

Still pretty expensive for the extra receiver, I gotta say, but that should come down in the future (I hope) as more and more of these get sold.

I find Futabas very easy to program... especially the ones with the silver thumbwheel on the lower right corner. It's just a matter of learning how to navigate the menus.

Tom

[Striker]

Looking at Great Hobbies, the price is $320.00 plus taxes, so under $400
Most LHS will match their prices, I heard that Fred from Dynamic will do for sure and he is a great guy to deal with.

It's tough to say if it's difficult or not to program, what might be a challenge for me might be easy for you. You sound like a youngster, so this should be easy for you since you guys are given computers to play with from the time you were born :)

It's all procedural and in my books, not a big deal at all. What would be easy for you to do is to download the manual here http://2.4gigahertz.com/downloads/downloads.html read it and then judge for yourself, it might seem overwhelming but once you get into the routine you will love it.

As for price for 2.4 GHz receivers, looks like $ 99.00 not to bad compared to a slim line 72 MHz receiver 4 years ago, technology is soaring high and prices have dropped significantly.

Just to make your life a bit more simple, use great Hobbies for price references in Canadian dollars, they carry almost 90% of RC related products.
When someone posts a product and name, just do a search under the manufacturer and you will get all the info on that product.

Hope this helps.

[Tom Hastie]

Now to muddy the waters a bit more.

If extra receivers are a priority for you, Scot's suggestion of a used FUT9C might be a wise choice. Most guys who have this radio treat them well, and they're usually in pretty good shape when they sell them to make the jump to 2.4GHz.

There are some really good, and relatively cheap 72MHz receivers out there now, especially if you like parkflyers and medium sized glow.

Berg 7's can be had for about $50.
Sombra Labs stuff are $30-50 depending on the model.
Hitec Electron 6 is $40.

All of these are excellent receivers. And I've flown models as far as I can see 'em with these. Stay away from the single conversions GWS receivers.

2.4GHz really shines if you do alot of flying at crowded fields... Fun-flies, Competitions, Shows... And I suspect it will only become more popular.

However, if you're on a budget, 72MHz receivers are half the price of 2.4GHz and work just as well.

Just something to think about.

Tom

[Striker]

Completely agree about getting a used 9C and an option in the 72Mhz range. The 9C is also quite a big step up from the 7C.

[Timberwolf]

Thanks for the all the info it is great, I will be looking at the futaba systems both the 7c 2.4Ghz and the 9c (used). as for flying when it is crowed I don't think I will be doing alot of that anytime soon, at the moment it will be strictly flying at the school near my apartment with my little park flyers till I can get some more funds and hopefully join the ORCC to get some better training on larger models (got a nice Eagle 2 waiting to get back in the air at my parents house).

PS. Does anyone know if you have to be a member of the ORCC to participate in the auction that is in febuary? I an guess yes, but just want to find out for sure I be thinking it might be a nice place to look get a decent radio for a good price.

[Tom Hastie]

The answer is no... no need for membership... just show up, and no one asks or confirms that you're a member.

It's definitely a good buyers market... things get extremely undervalued, but the downside is things are sold "as is".

My suggestion is:
Arrive early, and try to have a close look at any thing you're interested in.
If it looks like it's beat up/scratched, or is covered in dust like it hasn't seen daylight in years, stay away.

I saw a Futaba T6XAS (predecessor to the 6EX/7CAP) go for $100 there a couple years ago... Generally there are 72MHz receivers there that tend to go for $20... but you have to make sure you get the correct one for your Brand (JR vs. Futaba). There will probably be more TXes and RXes there this year than in past as people migrate to 2.4Ghz and try to unload their stuff.

Tom

[Timberwolf]

Thanks for the info Tom, I will probably be going then just got to mark it on the calender. and if I don't have a radio by then I might just have a radio after that :D.

[Timberwolf]

Well I am going to go and cancel the dx6i, it will come down to either the DX7 or the futaba 7c for the 2.4 ghz, or if I can find a 9C that I can afford used. Thanks for everyones input

pat