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[Merseymart]

Hiya folks.
First post so please be gentle if I ask a daft and maybe, an old drawn out question
I've dabbled with all sorts of models over the years, dipping my toe in from time to time,
but it's always been with 27/40mhz kit for simple boats and cars, or 35mhz for flying.

The model bug has bitten me again after a few years and am looking into radio gear.
Anyway, cut to the chase. Regarding 2.4ghz stuff, it seems that there's a big price difference.
From £40+ for Planet 5 stuff, going to a hell of a lot more for the more established brands.

Reading around, I've found that the likes of the lets say, budget kit, has a limited range.
Is that the only real difference (obviously quality will be a bit down I should imagine)
or is there more to it than meets the eye? This would be my 1st dabble in 2.4 gear
and don't want to jump in feet first, only for it to come back and bite me a bit later!

Ideally, I'd like to get my old trainer aircraft back up and running, though it will need a
fair bit of fettling to say the least, so ideally, was looking at getting TX/RX
that would do me for the both boats and air, needing only to buy a 2nd receiver.

Though looking at the limited range of the lower end of the price scale,
I'm inclined to get separate kit for both; 35mhz stuff being pretty cheap now
and having the 2.4 only for marine stuff where the limited range wouldn't really be an issue.
After being away from modelling for a few years, its amazing how the price of stuff has come down!

Cheers.
Martin.

[MikeA]

this is the cheapest 2 channel rc you can buy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WiSJYhmNv0&feature=relmfu

ive got one of these for 25 punds including p+p and its flawless. you can get them cheaper too im just impatient and wanted it next day.

[unbuiltnautilus]

I have tested a Planet T5 on our local lake for a customer, who was only getting 60' before the model stopped. I tested the range on land out to 150 metres and then ran out of straight line of sight, then tested it in a boat with the Rx 1" above the waterline. I managed to walk it all around Canoe Lake in Southsea while I remained anchored to one spot, also no problem. In the end I could only assume a problem with speed control and battery, he was using brushless with NiMhs. The most likely problem was a voltage drop due to the high load on the pack, causing the low voltage failsafe to kick in. So T5 fine, I would probably plump for a Futaba or Spektrum full range set for a powered aircraft though.

[malcolmfrary]

My low cost Saturn outfit did 250-ish metres in my corvette, any further and I would have been unable to see which way it was pointing.  Its cheap and basic, but the RX has twinned aerials, which probably helps.

[colin-d]

i am sure you can pick up a very cheap transmitter (probably graupner or robbe) off of Ebay, and then convert it to 2,4ghz with a DIY set from Corona or  Frsky, available from www.giantcod.co.uk its just about as cheap as getting a planet 5 but you will have 8 channels available and not just the 5 channels from a planet 5..

these diy sets, mention somthing about 1.5 Km... as a range... at 1.5km im not to sure if i could still see my boat or plane..

[dodgy geezer]

...From £40+ for Planet 5 stuff, going to a hell of a lot more for the more established brands....

Radiolink T4U is sold in this country at £25 for a Tx/Rx combo.  And mine have never had a range problem...

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=27616.0  gives a review....

[Merseymart]

Thanks very much guys.
Exactly what I needed to know.
Taa

[HS93 (RIP)]

Where do you sail ?

Peter

[tr7v8]

I've just bought a set of Code 3 which is 3 channel very high spec kit from TJD models in Dartford for about £80. It is imported by Schumacher. They do a lower spec unit for about £36 still 2.4Ghz but no computer. I spoke to Schumacher tech support & they reckon that the range should be more than  adequate for a raggie.

[Merseymart]

Where do you sail ?

Peter

Hiya Peter.

Nowhere at the moment! I've popped my head into Taylor park a couple of times and had a natter,
but have not got a boat yet so I was just seeing how things went on and what the score was.
I'm looking at getting a club500 within the next week or so, then getting the other bits together gradually.
The stuff I had from years ago has long gone, so its starting from scratch again now. I want an easy build,
that's not going to break the bank and will be a bit of fun. Then maybe once I've got the taste for it again, get into it a little more 

[Nige52]

Club 500 plus a Planet T5, excellent choice! You won't go wrong, I use my Planet for all my yachts and a similar Esky 2.4 for all my other boats. I can go out of sight with both of them but still in range of the Tx.
Go for it!
Nige

[justboatonic]

Hiya folks.
First post so please be gentle if I ask a daft and maybe, an old drawn out question
I've dabbled with all sorts of models over the years, dipping my toe in from time to time,
but it's always been with 27/40mhz kit for simple boats and cars, or 35mhz for flying.

The model bug has bitten me again after a few years and am looking into radio gear.
Anyway, cut to the chase. Regarding 2.4ghz stuff, it seems that there's a big price difference.
From £40+ for Planet 5 stuff, going to a hell of a lot more for the more established brands.

Reading around, I've found that the likes of the lets say, budget kit, has a limited range.
Is that the only real difference (obviously quality will be a bit down I should imagine)
or is there more to it than meets the eye? This would be my 1st dabble in 2.4 gear
and don't want to jump in feet first, only for it to come back and bite me a bit later!

Ideally, I'd like to get my old trainer aircraft back up and running, though it will need a
fair bit of fettling to say the least, so ideally, was looking at getting TX/RX
that would do me for the both boats and air, needing only to buy a 2nd receiver.

Though looking at the limited range of the lower end of the price scale,
I'm inclined to get separate kit for both; 35mhz stuff being pretty cheap now
and having the 2.4 only for marine stuff where the limited range wouldn't really be an issue.
After being away from modelling for a few years, its amazing how the price of stuff has come down!

Cheers.
Martin.

I'd advise anyone getting into RC to go 2.4Ghz especially if they are using brushless leccie motors. It is a safer radio system although faults can occur just like in any system and the 2.4Ghz systems reject more interference from motors and esc's. 2.4Ghz radio is suitable for both aircraft and boats. It isnt very good for subs as the high frequency radio doesnt penetrate below the water very well.

The Planet radio started out as a budget surface only 2.4Ghz radio. IMHO it wasnt really suitable for aircraft due to range issues and being very, very basic. Im not sure if Planet have now brought out a set suitable for bothe surface and air models.

However, I'd recommend Futaba if you want a 'quality' radio. I'd even suggest Hi Tec as their 2.4Ghz radio is very competitively priced and knocks the spektrum and even futaba radio for 6 in this respect. I intend buying the Hi tec aurora 9 for my air fleet but wont use this in my boats. For boats, Im sticking to 40 Mhz.

[tony23]

just go buy a Spektrum DX6i it will do your boat and planes with no range problems what so ever plus they have a very good back up service next to none 

[fletch62]

i have a planet set and a spectrum the planets ok but if you want more than one reciver you have to buy the planet one it wont work with any other make

[Netleyned]

just go buy a Spektrum DX6i it will do your boat and planes with no range problems what so ever plus they have a very good back up service next to none 

I fully endorse SCM's utterings
The orange receivers at $6.99 from Hong Kong (4 plus postage less than £20) work to out of sight in my yachts just an inch above the waterline.
My DX6i was one of my better buys.

Ned

[Captain Flack]

There  is something to be said to asking your fellow hobbyists what they use, assuming you're sailing in company.   If it comes to set up and you're "electronically challenged you may be grateful for their help, especially if you buy something menu driven with lots of different programming options.

[Merseymart]

I'd forgotten about this thread! I ended up with a Spektrum DX4e and an Orange RX. Both posted came to a few pence over £40 and work brilliant 

[cuppa]

Hi Martin

That combination should serve you well.

Cheers
          Jon