Radio upgrade

[karlwatt]

OK, looking to upgrade radio from the Hitec Optic 6. This radio has worked great for me so far but as you know has some limitations. I am not looking to sink a boatload of cash into a new system. Does one really need a 9 or more channel system? Do you really use all of them? Give me the straight poop. For flying the 28% - 35% gas planes that are 3D capable what number of channels do you really need? Is eight sufficient? Is there really a GOOD reason to go to nine or more channels others than showing off the system to the guys at the field (lol, don't mean to get people fired up with this statement, just my lack of knowledge)?

[adrian]

9c!!!!great value

[Kiwi]

Karl,

Any seven channel or better radio will do the trick for RC Aerobatics and pattern. The reason being there is normally very little need for more than six channels, seven if you use a choke servo or if you want in flight mixture control as an example. Sure maybe eight if you run dual elevator channels etc.

The 14MZ for example allows you to run all 14 servos on a 40% plane so no need for matchboxes etc. There are tons of reasons why more channels is also better.

However often its not the channel count that is the main reason to have one of these new super beaut 9 to 14 channel sets. Its the mixing and functions that are available.

Conditions are a great example. A radio with conditions allows you to do a thousand things more with mixes and setups than a simple set with just dual rates. I could easily write a book on conditions alone.

So its really up to you and what you want. If you want to fly IMAC or Pattern then a good radio is an absolute must. Often the difference between a top of the line gun pilot and a good pilot is radio setup and plane setup.

So it comes down to what you really want and what you aspire too.

There is no one golden rule what ever way you look at it.

Kiwi

[karlwatt]

Kiwi, thanks for the reply. That is some of the information I am looking for. I doubt if I ever fly competition, but I do strive to set-up my planes as well as I can and dabble with flying patterns well. Conditions? Maybe you can briefly explain some for me.

[GremlinX]

Karl, if you se yourself in this hobby in 2-3 more years, I loved my 9C that got stolen this year. I really loved how easy it was to use,yet was not very limited in function. Its a great TX for the dollar!!!!!! You can also just buy it and not have to buy the whole TX kit... Good luck

[karlwatt]

OK, most of my stuff is Airtronics and Hitec. Is it going to be a pain switching over to Futaba?

[Kevin Y]

actually it should not be to much work at all to switch. all your servos use a hitec/jr/airtronics connector right now so they will plug right into a futaba reciever, they just don't have the tab on the connector like a futaba does which is perfectly fine. I believe even your hitec recievers are on the same shift as futaba so you will be able to use those.

As like everyone else I would recommend the Futaba 9c, it is a very easy to use radio with all the features and is quite affordable.

[Ion01]

I use jr in all my planes and I am going to be buying a gasser soon and will buy everything brand new for it. So if I got a futaba tx what would I have to do to use it with my other planes that all have jr equipment?

[GremlinX]

Indeed....the hitec rx's will work just fine with futaba TX. As for futaba and an all jr plane... Just need a new RX, all servos will work. As Kevin stated, they just don't have the alignment tab on the plug, so it is possible to plug a JR servo into a Futaba RX backwards.

[why_fly_high]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Ion01
	I use jr in all my planes and I am going to be buying a gasser soon and will buy everything brand new for it. So if I got a futaba tx what would I have to do to use it with my other planes that all have jr equipment?

You would have to sell your receveivers and buy futaba compatible. Only the 14MZ would work with your JR FM receivers. Or you could continue to fly you other planes with your JR transmitter until you could afford to make the switch.

Dan

[robsotelo]

hey karl, i have a question about your optic 6. did u ever try to use a gws micro reciever with it? cuz with my optic 6 whenever i try to use the gws RX it just glitches. and yes i have it on the right shift and right channel.

thanks,
Robbbyyyyy

[kamikaze89]

I have an Optic 6 on a GWS micro Rx in my foamy. I have no problems at all.

[wizard]

As for what radio. I would go with at least the 9 channel. I am currently using a Futaba 7C. It is a nice radio but it has it's limitations. The 7c if used to mix dual elevator servos it will only trim one side. It only has 3 user programmable mixes. For basic flying it is great. If you are wanting to be able to have flight mixes for different types of flying you will need more than what a 7 channel has. I am actually planning on moving up to at least a 9C this year.

[karlwatt]

	Quote: Originally Posted by robsotelo
	hey karl, i have a question about your optic 6. did u ever try to use a gws micro reciever with it? cuz with my optic 6 whenever i try to use the gws RX it just glitches. and yes i have it on the right shift and right channel. thanks, Robbbyyyyy

Robby, I do not have any of the gws receivers but I do use one of the small Hitec Electron 6 without any problems. I take it the servos glitch? Hmmm, maybe a servo problem, or maybe check the crystal in your receiver.

[Vic3D]

I highly recommend an 8-9 Ch. radio. Like Kiwi said, it's not about the the number of channels. It's more because of the functions available.

I think the Futaba 9C and JR 9303 are the best bang for the buck right now. They are both great and you can do pretty much the same things with them. It's more a matter of your preference. Good Luck!

Vic