when buying a first radio TX

[Rick]

should I go all out and buy something "future-proof" with tons of features, that I can use for a long time and get familiar with, or should radios be thought of like the aircraft, starting simpler and learning then replacing with bigger and better as I learn?

This super-radio was recommended to me, comes with everything, more channels than my cable company offers, computer-everything and doesn't require crystals anymore. Its a radio I would be "growing" with and it looks like it'd stay current for a very long time. And fortunately it'll even work with my Realflight G2. The radio's a bit expensive though:

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?Q=1&I=LW5673&P=3

The downside is, will all those extra features provide a distraction and actually make my flying learning curve even steeper?

The guy who recommended this radio is the same guy who says I shouldn't even work on my fixed-wing skills and should go from simulator straight into helicopters (like a T-Rex with a gyro) so I wonder if I should take this recommendation with a grain of salt.

I appeal to the collective wisdom of this Forum for advice:)

[swatson144]

If you stick with RC air you'll never regret that radio. I have one and love it Eddie M acuses me of talking him into one (but I think he just has good taste). www.servocity.com has them for 330$ with synth but no RX I'll take most any rx over a futaba. So for 100$ less you could be running it and a Berg 6 8).

The additional features won't get in your way as there is nothing connected to the extra chans. All the scary stuff, mixes etc are turned off by default <INH>. The removable campac (model storage) is great. No worries about damage resulting in it coming back from repairs with 0 models and you having the pleasure of redoing all of them.

Great bargain in tx. I also have an optic 6 which I need to get listed for sale. It seems I don't hablo hitec.

A TX is probably a 5 yr investment so twice as much is probably not a major point, compared to spending 1/2 as much and buying again.


Steve

[Sleepstalker]

Rick there is a guy selling a 9chp on RC Canada for $199 no servos or reciever but the tx is supposed to be mint..good luck...Sleepster

http://www.rccanada.ca/bb/viewforum.php?f=6

[clai]

Rick, take it from me. I bought one of those cheapo Futaba T6EXH as my first radio. Learnt that this radio has many limitations, eg. no timer, no sub-trims. Save yourself heartaches later on, go for the 9C Super. It'll probably last u a hobby lifetime..

[Rick]

thanks for the input. Now to save my pennies, eh?

[Sleepstalker]

Well Rick it's kinda hard to prognosticate the requirements of people new to the hobby. Some folks start with nitro planes and then suddenly they are totally into electric heli's and so forth. Only you know how your budget is and how bad you need to satisfy that "gotta fly something jones" . For a midrange price you can get a fairly good nitro bird that requires only a TX that can setup a 120 degree swashplate and minor mixing ect . For example a Futaba T6XH TX might only cost you $50.00 and you can decide if you are gonna stay in aircraft RC based on your interest , not your investment of cash. I say that because an investment of time and patience is mandatory...especially in heli's... :wink:
Yes you can usually sell your gear for a decent price if it is in good condition it all depends on your expectations of the time frame involved for this evaluation of your new hobby....Good Luck...Sleepster... 8)

[G-MRM]

In the Uk I think the standard for Futaba is the 9CAP very nice..... I bought the 7CAP a year ago, thats the next one down, however I wish I had bought the 9 ! I have more than 10 helis so the memory is full, with a CAMpak on the 9 this would not be a problem. Other than that the 7 is very good and again in the UK £100 cheaper than the 9CAP.

Resale value of both is very good on eBay and other model sites.

Martin