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[peter61_uk]

First I have to apologise for all the questions I post on here ........... This is a big learning curve for me...... As I gain a bit more experience I hope I'll be able to contribute a bit more..........

I'm looking at radio gear for my build.........and what I know about them you "could write on the back of a stamp in big letters"  I figure 2 or 3 channel will be all I'll need ........... and have looked at maybe a used set (evilbay has loads) ......and I thought maybe buying a transmitter and receiver separately might be a more cost efficient way to do it..... So, what do I need to be looking for with regard to being able to pair two different tx /rx ???? ............ Or is that a total no no ???

Cheers
Peter

[Steven.T]

How much are you looking at spending?
I'd reccomend the Planet T5, used it for a while now, no problems and its only around £45 last time I looked!
Some places do sell very cheap sets, not sure how good quality wise they are though!


Steven

[barriew]

Assuming this build will not be your last    you will probably need extra receivers in future. Therefore the very cheap sets are probably not a good idea as they often come from  RTR models and so additional Rxs are unlikely to be available. Something like the Planet 5 or Radiolink are your best bet for an economical set with easily available spare Rxs.


Barrie

[essex2visuvesi]

If you can live with the colour, then this is a good buy
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__28494__OrangeRx_T_SIX_2_4GHz_DSM2_6CH_Programmable_Transmitter_w_10_Model_Memory_Mode_2_.html


receivers start at about a fiver
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__28554__OrangeRx_R615_Spektrum_JR_DSM2_Compatible_6Ch_2_4Ghz_Receiver.html


Based on and compatible with the Spektrum DSM2 system its a very good choice, with a good range of receivers of all sizes

[peter61_uk]

Thanks all ......... I can get the T5 for under £50 from "Always Hobbies" ......... and the Orange 6ch is even cheaper......... So I'll go with one of those.

[Rottweiler]

maybe someone with more knowledge than me could explain in simple terms the difference between "Mode 1" and "Mode 2" radios please?
this may help with the purchase?
Thanks,
Mick F

[peter61_uk]

maybe someone with more knowledge than me could explain in simple terms the difference between "Mode 1" and "Mode 2" radios please?
this may help with the purchase?
Thanks,
Mick F

I googled that the other day Mick........Mode I has the throttle function to the right stick. Mode II has it on the left.

[Rottweiler]

I use a T5 on most of my Lifeboats,using the same radio,and separate receivers.However,I will not use it on my  very expensive Tamar
or my giant Battleship,or two Cunard Liners.I will be using 40Mhz  F14 for these,as I really wouldnt want to risk them.
The T5 is fine,and never had any problems with it,or interference.
Mick F

[essex2visuvesi]

Thanks all ......... I can get the T5 for under £50 from "Always Hobbies" ......... and the Orange 6ch is even cheaper......... So I'll go with one of those.

You won't be able to use the orange RX with the Planet T5 as they are different types you will need to use same with same

[peter61_uk]

You won't be able to use the orange RX with the Planet T5 as they are different types you will need to use same with same

I guess I wasn't quite clear on my post ........... I'll either buy the orange tx with a orange rx as a set.....or the T5 tx with a spectrum rx as a set.

[Steven.T]

Are the spectrum Rx and Planet Tx compatible? I'd just go for the full planet set and get their reciever aswell, works well enough!

[peter61_uk]

Are the spectrum Rx and Planet Tx compatible? I'd just go for the full planet set and get their reciever aswell, works well enough!

My mistake ...... I meant planet not spectrum 

[triumphjon]

i would stick with a spektrum dx6i tx and use an orange rx , the spektrum tx has far greater range than any of the planet sets , has the ability to mix channels internally should you require it on future models , dual rates , adjustable servo travel , and model match memory capable of upto ten models ! the orange rx can be bought for just under a tenner each

[Steven.T]

The Spectrum Tx is not cheap though 

[essex2visuvesi]

i would stick with a spektrum dx6i tx and use an orange rx , the spektrum tx has far greater range than any of the planet sets , has the ability to mix channels internally should you require it on future models , dual rates , adjustable servo travel , and model match memory capable of upto ten models ! the orange rx can be bought for just under a tenner each

Agreed but it is somewhat more expensive than the others.  The orange TX is only slightly more expensive than the planet and offers a larger range of Receivers.  Also it has all the features of the DX6i (what it is based on) plus a few others.

[triumphjon]

who said we needed to think cheap ? i too returned to model making about 4 years ago , and bought a planet t5 then a twister , after several cases of loss of signal and rx arials falling off the board i upgraded to a spektrum dx6i , wish id bought one from the start as not only is the quality far better but the spares / upgrading backup is much better too .

[pete-c]

Hi


I have recently become interested in model boats. Have been using a Spektrum Dx6i with orange rx for several years on rc aircraft and multirotors and have been very satisfied with the prformance.

Regards
Pete

[cabman]

Two guys at our club both had Planet T5's and both suffered from signal loss at our and other ponds at a range of no more than 75yards. They have both sold them and bought Radiolink sets for £55 from Howes and have no more problems. The Radiolink TX also has end adjustment which the Speckrum DX5e doesn't have. I have up rated from a DX5e to a DX6i for this reason. A few sailors at our club use the Radiolink sets and are very satisfied with them.

[inertia]

Planet T5 is a "park flyer" set and doesn't pretend to be anything else. There isn't a full-range receiver available for it, which means that the ground-to-air range is between 100 and 150 metres. You can halve that for ground-ground range. If, as I do, you sail on a small pond where the model can't sail more than about 50 metres away the T5 is fine on range. It's also the best built of the budget 4+ channel radios by far - I've seen inside others and was hardly surprised by the quality but shocked anyway. Cheap is only cheap because corners have been cut to make it so.
If you want a full-range 2.4GHz radio then buy a "name" brand like Futaba, Hitec or Spektrum. As has been said, spares and servicing are much less of a problem and quality control means more than just sticking a little round label with QC printed on it. BTW there is a totally new Spektrum 6-channel set due out this year, along with Hitec Flash 7 and 8, which have built-in telemetry functions.
Personally I wouldn't pay anything less than about £80 for a new transmitter/receiver combo. As I've written somewhere else, if you buy the most expensive then you might not always get everything you expected, but if you buy the cheapest then you will get everything you deserve.
Addendum:
Notwithstanding what I've just said about paying less than £80, this just has to be a steal for a "name" full-range non-computer radio http://hurricanemodels.co.uk/engine/shop/product/2210105/Hitec+Optic+5+2.4ghz+AFHSS+combo+%28160240%29
The Optic 6 which is one step up is my personal choice of everyday set (it is computerised)
DM

[Circlip]

But in these recessionary times, £80 smacks the h**l out of the pension.    Never had this problem with 3D6's on 120V. 
 
  2Ft (600mm or 60Cms if yer make dresses) @ 75ft is quite small.
 
 
  Regards   Ian.

[inertia]

But in these recessionary times, £80 smacks the h**l out of the pension.    Never had this problem with 3D6's on 120V. 
 
2Ft (600mm or 60Cms if yer make dresses) @ 75ft is quite small.
Regards   Ian.

You've never had it so good, Ian. My first 4-channel proportional set was bought in 1967 for £125, when a pint was 1s 10d (9p) in the best room and fags were 3s 2d (16p) for 20 Embassy. By contrast I saw 20 JPS Superkings for sale this week - at £8.85!!!! At today's equivalent rates that radio would be £1923 (and the fags just £2.44) - Source: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-1633409/Historic-inflation-calculator-value-money-changed-1900.html
Now that would smack the h**l out of a week's pension money if you were daft enough to try to buy one on a pension.
As for the rest of your post I don't have the vaguest idea what you're on about........................

[malcolmfrary]

3D6 - valve (glass tube thing with metal stick thingys poking out of one end.  When powered up, useful for keeping your hands warm as long as you kept away from the metal bits (see below).
120V - probably the 120 volts that the valve wanted to work on
At a guess, a 2ft boat at 75ft away covers a small angle of vision.  And a lot less if its pointing due away.

[craig dickson]

Hi Folks

I use the Planet T5 set for my RC Yacht and for its cheap price tag its limited range and limited functionality is no issue.

For my nitro and petrol powered IC boats, I would not dream of using such a cheap set. I did initially use the SpeKtrum DX6i which gave me all of the functionality needed. I love the feel and quality of the transmitter. However issues with the Spektrum dual receiver proving flakey in terms of the connecting wires failing after some use made me move away from Spektrum for my power boats.

Inertia (DM) mentioned that he uses the Hitec Optic 6 as his personal choice.
That is the set that has now become my personal choice also.

For me the Hitec Optic 6 offers amazing value for money. It is easy to set up despite being a computerised set. It has basic telemetry functionality which warns you at your transmitter should the receiver battery pack run low on power (a very important aspect if running power boats- Perhaps also if running a prized model scale boat). It has upto 10 model memories so I have the one transmitter and 4 receivers each programmed separately for each of my 4 boats.

The process of binding this transmitter to each receiver is a simple process that does not require a separate "bind plug" as did my Spektrum set.

And because having tried many different makes of servo, I always end up preferring the reliability and performance  of the Hitec servos, all of my boats are now fitted with Hitec kit. That gives me comfort of mind knowing that there are no compatibility issues in terms of connections etc.

I accept that if on a strictly limited budget, sets such as Hitec might be out of range (pardon the pun!).

However I strongly recommend having a look at their range. The features and quality available in my opinion offer a package that if sought from alternative "premium brands" would cost a whole lot more money.

Craig

[black magic racing]

turnigy 9x 2.4ghz maybe the best thing out there for the money

[craig dickson]

turnigy 9x 2.4ghz maybe the best thing out there for the money

Hi Kurt

As much as I promoted above what I am currently using, having had a look at the set you mentioned on line, it seems to have amazing features for an incredibly low price tag

Craig