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[Lt. Raen]

I've been looking at 2.4ghz Tx/Rx combos for my petrol powered boat and am struggling to understand the pricing.
Due to suggestions from other people on this forum i have predominately been looking at 2.4ghz futaba fasst radios.
I have noticed that the 6Ex radio is generally available cheaper than its 3ch alternatives. (both pistol and stick
Due to this i think i am going to pick up a 6ex despite the fact that i will only be using 2 maybe 3 of the 6 possible channels.

The pricing seems very strange to me and i was just hoping someone could clarify the reasons for this

Also would the 6ch Rx be fine having only 2 channels loaded (i will be using 2 futaba servos that i have already purchased, the s3003's)

Thanks for any help on this matter
Tim (please forgive my ignorance  )

[HS93 (RIP)]

Having recently been in Aus and seen the prices have a look on ebay there are a few model shops who sell on there who are offering 6ex new at a good price far far cheaper than in Perth anyway





Peter

[Lt. Raen]

Yeah i can get the 6ex from the US for approx $250 aus i was just struggling to understand why the 3channel dfasst radios are more expensive then this 6 channel one

Cheers, Tim

[Robert Davies]

Also would the 6ch Rx be fine having only 2 channels loaded (i will be using 2 futaba servos that i have already purchased, the s3003's)

I tend to use my 6EX FASST gear in yachts where using two channels is pretty much the norm - no probs whatsoever in doing so.

I'm guessing that Futaba sell far more into the aircraft market where price sensitivity is more prevalent perhaps? When I checked out 3ch TXs eighteen months back, Spektrum's offering was also significantly more than their 6ch aircraft TX.

UK pricing in these cases - different markets, different prices.

-Rob

[dodgy geezer]

I suspect that the difference in raw materials cost between a 3 and 6 channel radio is a few pence, if that.

So now you look at the design, manufacturing and shipping/warehousing costs. The 4-6 channel radios are being built in vast numbers to service the boom in RTF model helicopters and the like. They are a component in a finished article, so their costing on the wholesale market will be cut to the bone. They will have guaranteed volume sales, meaning that cheap production lines can be set up.

In contrast, small 2 and 3 channel sets are selling to a niche market, and probably ship so few units that R&D cost recovery is a large part of the total price..... 

[Lt. Raen]

Ahhh i see i guess those are sensible reasons
Will definitely be getting the 6EX by the looks of it even though 6 channels is overkill at the moment (future proofing i guess i could look at it as)

Thanks for clarifying this guys

Cheers, Tim

[Circlip]

One or two manufacturers did/do make "Upscalable" units Tim. Giant Cod do two units that are basically the same but the more expensive version has a LCD on its front with extra switches/functions. If you fancy a bit of "Home Cooking", you can take an "Old" unit with a digital pulse train on the controls and graft a 2.4Giggly onto the front end. You still have to have the 200 channel replacement receiver though. 

  Regards  Ian