Topic: What RC equipment should I buy? (Read 9361 times)

Netleyned · « **on:** October 12, 2009, 01:22:34 pm »

I hope someone amongst all
you knowledgeable guys can give me some idea on what RC gear to buy.
I am currently on my first build (Caldercraft Amaranth) which will only need the basic
RC gear but my next model will probably need at least four channels or more.
Can anyone recommend a 2.4gHz set up which would work on both with separate receivers

Bradley · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:30:38 pm »

Hi Ned,
You will see that I have had a recent listing entitled 'Problems with a Spektrum DX5e 2.4' but, with help from the Mayhemmers, I solved the problem and could now recommend these sets. Another one to take a look at is www.giantcod.co.uk who do some ridiculously cheap 2.4 sets and seem to be a very helpful company.
Hope this helps.
Derek.

Netleyned · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:27:30 pm »

Hi Derek
Thanks for the reply.
Looked at the web site, very cheap and very out of stock.
Spektrum seem to only do pistol grip sets which I dont really fancy.
I will have to look at a six channel Futaba or similar fo my next
model as i will probably have twin screws and a bow thruster

Yours aye
Ned

wideawake · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:56:51 pm »

Quote from: netleyned on October 12, 2009, 04:27:30 pm

Hi Derek
Thanks for the reply.
Looked at the web site, very cheap and very out of stock.
Spektrum seem to only do pistol grip sets which I dont really fancy.

Yours aye
Ned

Not sure where the idea that Spektrum only do pistol grip sets came from. They certainly do make a pistol grip unit dfor cars but do at least 3 conventional sets. DX5e, DX6i and DX7. The DX5e is more expensive than the less-well-known brands but is a basic 4+2 (2 twin axis joysticks and 2 on/off switches) channel set with no complex menu driven programming. As Derek says, beware of the lack of clarity in the binding instructions but otherwise they're pretty well bomb-proof (except in submarines!!)

HTH

Guy

Bradley · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:58:54 pm »

Hi Ned,
You will find that the Spektrum DX5e tx and AR500 rx (5 channel) would probably suit your purposes and it is the normal r/c set-up (not pistol grip). Horizon Hobby are the UK distributors so, if you have a look at their website they may show the full range. I have a Futaba 6EX 2.4Ghz set but I was considering selling it because additional receivers are so expensive and I would then stick with the Spektrum. Spektrum receivers are about 1/3rd the price of Futaba.
Another suggestion would be to Google Spektrum DX5e and see what comes up.
I believe that the giantcod site says that they are expecting stock shortly.
Derek.

ixion · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2009, 05:36:25 pm »

I buy all my Spektrum gear off ebay, look for Spektrum DX5e and AR500 are about £74.00 or for just a DX5e £39.99

FullLeatherJacket · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2009, 05:37:32 pm »

Ned

Folk will say that if you buy the Futaba 6EX then you will get what you pay for.
Yep - what you'll get is a lot of computerised aeroplane/helicopter functions which you don't really want for a scale boat; four servos when you only need one; redundant-stock 700maH NiCads in the Tx instead of decent-capacity NiMH cells; two non-proportional auxiliary functions (they're only ON/OFF channels), and a bill for £60 if you want a second receiver. A small bird tells me that it is also no longer manufactured.
You'll actually have paid for two complete Spektrum DX5e's.........................or five of the fishy things!
Suit yourself, but you don't need any more than two channels for full control of a twin-engined boat (plus one for a bow-thruster). Check this link:
http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Twins%20Ver2.pdf

FLJ

ZZ56 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:27:20 pm »

http://r2hobbies.com/proddetail.php?prod=rcps61206_61411

This website also advertises a nine-channel unit but i think that's a bit much for a boat. Extra receivers are 9.83 for the Turborix, 13.10 for the nine-channel monster.

Bradley · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2009, 08:58:55 pm »

I've just had a look at the r2hobbies website. Don't know what shipping would cost from Hong Kong but these radios have got to be a bargain

.
Derek.

pdryden · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:04:10 pm »

Quote from: ZZ56 on October 12, 2009, 06:27:20 pm

http://r2hobbies.com/proddetail.php?prod=rcps61206_61411

This website also advertises a nine-channel unit but i think that's a bit much for a boat. Extra receivers are 9.83 for the Turborix, 13.10 for the nine-channel monster.

I am also in the market for RC gear, but like netleyned am a bit naive, I am looking for a set up that will run my Ironsider and Bugsier 3 and any future models I add to my collection.

What governs, if anything, the number of models you can attach to Tx unit?

What I am looking for is a set up that is reasonably priced, fairley future proofed and easy to set up.

Looking at the RC site and reading FLJ's post are Tx units specific for Boats, as the 6 channel set the link takes you to is advertised for planes, heli's and gliders.

Peter

ixion · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:07:42 pm »

Quote from: pdryden on October 12, 2009, 09:04:10 pm

What governs, if anything, the number of models you can attach to Tx unit?

What I am looking for is a set up that is reasonably priced, fairley future proofed and easy to set up

You can save the settings for 10 models on a Spektrum DX6i

craftysod · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:14:14 pm »

There is no tx specific for boats,most are for the fly boys who require more channels or adjustments.
If you buy a giantcod tx and rx for example for £26,you can bind as many rx as you want to the tx.
The same goes for spektrum dx6i,but holds 10 rx settings in the computerised memory,so if you need cranes or other things to move
this is in the memory.
I have both,but the giantcod rx is a fifth of the price of the spektrum,both work well though
Mark

rob · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:15:23 pm »

you could do worse than wait for me to take a photo and advertise my Futaba ( read reliable) 2.4 gear.

wideawake · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:17:09 pm »

Quote from: ixion on October 12, 2009, 09:07:42 pm

You can save the settings for 10 models on a Spektrum DX6i

That is extremely useful if you need different settings for different models and the DX6i is a good menu-programmed TX. However it's not the same thing as the number of models that you can attach to a TX. Even leaving aside the fact that you can bind more than one RX to a TX, you can attach as many different receivers to the TX as you want. In effect it's just the same as having several 40 MHz RXs with the same crystal matching that in the TX. The worst you MAY need to do is to bind the TX and RX when you change model. That's a 30 second job.

Very few TXs are designed especially for boats even at 40MHz. The vast majority are built and labelled for the aircraft/heli market (which is much bigger than the boat market) but they work perfectly well in boats.

HTH

Guy

dodgy geezer · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2009, 09:28:06 pm »

The only issue which might be pointed out is that 2.4gz does not go through water very well. So if you fancy a submarine, the lower the frequency the better.

wideawake · « **Reply #15 on:** October 12, 2009, 11:07:59 pm »

Quote from: dodgy geezer on October 12, 2009, 09:28:06 pm

The only issue which might be pointed out is that 2.4gz does not go through water very well. So if you fancy a submarine, the lower the frequency the better.

Indeed - not even a foot! I ususally try to remember to append "except for submarines" to every post

Guy

Netleyned · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:18:03 am »

Thankyou gentlemen for all the info that has been posted
You have certainly pointed me in the right direction
especially FLJ
Just two last querys
Do they all need mods to the sticks for ahead and astern
and what are modes 1 &2?
Thanks in advance for any info

FullLeatherJacket · « **Reply #17 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:45:54 am »

999 out of 1000 4- and 6-channel transmitters are set up with a spring-centred up/down movement on one of the two sticks, and a ratchet action on the other. Both sticks are spring-centred in their side-to-side movement. The ratchet stick is usually assigned to the throttle of an aircraft, helicopter or I/C boat, where neither reverse nor a quick return to neutral (or "stop engine") is required. Many modellers obtain and fit the few parts to give a spring-centring action also to the ratchet stick, so that they can set up the throttle as centre = stop, up= ahead and down = astern. If you get into a panic then you just let go of the stick and the motor(s) stop.
Where the standard Tx is supplied with the ratchet on the LH stick, it is referred to as Mode 1, while Mode 2 has the ratchet on the RH stick. I haven't seen a set yet which can't be changed simply from one to the other by swapping over the spring and ratchet parts.
Hope this makes things clearer for you.
FLJ

Bradley · « **Reply #18 on:** October 13, 2009, 08:27:30 am »

Hate to contradict you FLJ but Mode 2 has the ratchet/throttle on the left hand stick.
Derek.

wideawake · « **Reply #19 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:06:56 am »

Quote from: Derek Bradley on October 13, 2009, 08:27:30 am

Hate to contradict you FLJ but Mode 2 has the ratchet/throttle on the left hand stick.
Derek.

I can never remember which is which either

The thing is you can normally, as FLJ says, swap the spring-centring components onto the other stick anyway and if you buy a DX5e, do the mod to access the mode switch under the front panel.

HTH

Guy

FullLeatherJacket · « **Reply #20 on:** October 13, 2009, 11:51:46 am »

Quote from: Derek Bradley on October 13, 2009, 08:27:30 am

Hate to contradict you FLJ

No you didn't!

Shame you're right.................

FLJ

kiwimodeller · « **Reply #21 on:** October 14, 2009, 10:57:28 am »

Hi, hopefully one of the experts can also clarify for me the matter of the relationship between the binding plug and the receiver. I have purchased a Spektrum Dx5e and two AR500 receivers but have not used them yet. Each receiver came with its own bind plug. My question is whether each plug is specific to its own receiver and do I have to be careful not to mix them up or can I use one plug and bind each receiver with the same plug ? Also if I take two boats to the lake with the two receivers in them do I have to bind each receiver to the transmitter each time I want to change from one boat to the other. I have friends with Spektrum radios who are very happy with them but none have tried to set up a second receiver yet and the instructions are not their strongest point. Thanks, Ian.

Bradley · « **Reply #22 on:** October 14, 2009, 11:11:11 am »

Hi Kiwimodeller,
The bind plugs are interchangeable - all they do is to short the connection between two of the contacts on the receiver. You can bind as many receivers as you wish to one transmitter but bear in mind what has been said previously about releasing the trainer switch as soon as you switch the t/x on - DO NOT hold the trainer switch on for any longer period of time.
Derek.

andygh · « **Reply #23 on:** October 14, 2009, 03:00:33 pm »

Just as a matter of interest, the 6 channel Turborix Rx is compatible with the Eurgle 9 channel Tx. I'm waiting on delivery of one of their 3 channel Rx to see if it's also compatible. The cost of postage is very reasonable from R2 Hobbies, my last 6 channel Rx cost just over £9 delivered.

I'm filling my boots before the price of electronics in HK/China shoots up

barriew · « **Reply #24 on:** October 14, 2009, 03:11:26 pm »

Quote from: Derek Bradley on October 14, 2009, 11:11:11 am

You can bind as many receivers as you wish to one transmitter but bear in mind what has been said previously about releasing the trainer switch as soon as you switch the t/x on

Provided they are the same model. If you have a DX6i, you can have a different model receiver on each memory.

Barrie

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Author Topic: What RC equipment should I buy? (Read 9361 times)

Bradley

wideawake

Bradley

ixion

FullLeatherJacket

ZZ56

Bradley

ixion

craftysod

wideawake

wideawake

FullLeatherJacket

Bradley

wideawake

FullLeatherJacket

Bradley

andygh