Jason-I

Ditto.

I used to buy lots of eflite (Horizon Hobby) stuff, but stopped buying any of their products due to their truly awful customer service. Horizon are charging premium prices for their products but not providing the service to justify that price.

Lets not forget that we are talking about toy radios. There are probably (almost certainly) tens of thousands of non EU compliant radios & video transmitters currently in operation in the UK with no adverse effects. I even own and use some of these non-compliant devices (legacy devices purchased before the rules changed). This is hardly the crime of the century! I can guarantee many, many users of this forum have broken EU rules at some point. For example, people with diabetes are not supposed to drive. Children under 8 years old are not allowed to blow up balloons. How many of you have called a meat and potato pasty a 'Cornish' pasty even if it has not come from Cornwall? How many farm shops still sell a 'dozen' eggs. Not to mention breaking UK laws - how many of us have sounded our car horn in anger at another motorist? Now that is lawlessness.....

Hi Don, The range of an EU dx9 is poor. I'd gladly use an international version. After all, they work great in all non EU countries around the world. Level playing field argument is nonsense. Many open TX type radios coming from vendors which I shall not name have been unknowingly purchased and used in the UK with international power levels and the sky has not fallen down yet. It really is a non-issue. Harry should just use the radio as-is, instead of wasting money to get it downgraded.

When I got my first 6 channel spektrum radio, it was also good value for money. However, over time their prices have shot up exponentially - especially if you need more than the standard 6 channels. Likewise, I have never had a problem with spektrum receivers (but have had some duff Lemon receivers). Spektrum transmitter RF failures do seem to be all to common though amongst other issues.

Very unnecessary disparaging tone there Chris. All my current models are fitted with spektrum receivers. In my family we own 2x DX9, 1x DX6, 1x DX8 and several bundled dx(n)e radios. I also own a 1980's sanwa and futaba radio. The two 1980's radios have never failed and still function perfectly. Every one of the spektrum radios has had a failure at some point. Both the DX9's have suffered rf deck failures (which is a very serious failure when it occurs in flight). I am sort of trapped in the spektrum ecoshpere at the moment, but as current radios fail again, I will not be replacing them with spektrum. In hindsight, given my time over, I would not have gone with the overpriced and unreliable spektrum gear. Glad you have had a good experience. I have not been so fortunate.

My experience of Spektrum radios has not been good. Too many component failures (multiple rf deck failures, roller wheel failures, screen failure etc). Customer service is diabolical. Very expensive if you want a radio/receiver with lots of channels too.

BMFA membership

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 off the misses..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYqJALPVn0Y

Posted by leccyflyer on 18/12/2020 21:37:35: Posted by Jason-I on 18/12/2020 21:01:35: Posted by leccyflyer on 18/12/2020 08:44:38:   E-Flite are a reputable company, selling good quality products to a range of different modellers. They are not targeting beginners with their higher end models or putting them off the hobby.   I beg to differ. I still have a very bitter taste in my mouth after my dealings with Horizon Hobby. I will not buy any of their (overpriced ) products anymore, and would not recommend their products to anybody else either. Best avoided like the corona..... Whereas my experience with E-Flite models in particular and Horizon Hobbies in general has been exemplary - high quality products and top quality service. I have no hesitation at all in recommending their products to anyone, having owned at least 15 of their models, multiple transmitters and receivers. Glad you had a good experience, but in my 50 years on this planet, Horizon Hobby has been the single most worst company I have ever had the misfortune of dealing with. I have several outstanding issues that have never been resolved. In my experience they are a disgraceful company and I would not wish them on my worst enemy! Oh, and I used to spend thousands on their products. Wont put a single penny their way now..... Edited By Jason-I on 19/12/2020 09:27:13

Posted by leccyflyer on 18/12/2020 08:44:38: E-Flite are a reputable company, selling good quality products to a range of different modellers. They are not targeting beginners with their higher end models or putting them off the hobby. I beg to differ. I still have a very bitter taste in my mouth after my dealings with Horizon Hobby. I will not buy any of their (overpriced ) products anymore, and would not recommend their products to anybody else either. Best avoided like the corona.....

better than a poke in the eye with a wotsit....

Ohhh, yes please.......

That's got my name written all over it.....

Don't mind if I do......

Count me in!

Youtube videos where they proudly state "lets get on with the 'build" and the 'build' simply comprises of bolting the wings and tailplane onto a foamy. This barely constitutes an assembly never mind a 'build'.

HobbyKing customer service has been excellent in the last few years. Just as good as the first class service you get from MotionRC and all the brilliant UK suppliers (SMC, The Balsa Cabin, RCWorld, Wheelspin Models, SLEC etc, etc) Unfortunately the same can no longer be said about Horizon Hobby. Their service used to be great, but is now the worst I have ever had the displeasure of experiencing. Instead of trying to resolve an issue, I was shocked to receive a barrage of abuse and insults from Horizon employees over email and on social media! This is not an isolated issue either, as I have witnessed other Horizon customers being attacked and insulted on social media. I will never buy anything from Horizon ever again.

No need to renew here. I took the stupid test last year to 'prove' I am competent, but I have not and will not pay the unjust 'toy airplane tax'. Cancelled my BMFA membership last year too as I didnt feel I got any benefit from continued membership.....

Posted by Peter Miller on 25/09/2020 08:51:34: Never had a problem with my Spektrum and mine was one of the first in the country. None of the other later Spektrums in the club have ever given any trouble. Never had a problem with my Hitec Aurora 9. I know that the early Spektrum 8s has a lot of trouble there was one in the club. Total opposite to my experience. I have has 3 spektrum transmitter fail - all RF Board related & requiring manufacturer repair (DX9's & DX5). Reading online it seems I am not alone with this fault. The cost of 9 channel spektrum telemetry receivers is also an issue, especially when you factor in having to add extra remote 'satellite' rx's due to the lousty range they have. All in all, if I was starting out again, I would avoid Spektrum.

Posted by Keith Miles 2 on 10/08/2020 23:10:32: The biggest threat to the future of the hobby, in my view, is a lack of newcomers, particularly youngsters, rather than anything else. Agreed, however all these new draconian regulations and restriction do nothing to help newcomers into the hobby either.The lack of free flying sites is another issue.

Posted by kc on 10/08/2020 12:01:01: One thing that has changed is the requirement to register with CAA , take a test and pay your 9 pounds before you fly an over 250gram model that is not control line. But it's dead simple and everyone has done it even the least computer literate member of my club ( with a little computer help from a friend) has passed the simple questionaire test. Just do it and put your reg letters on or inside hatch of your model. Edited By kc on 10/08/2020 12:02:19 'Everyone' certainly has not done it. I for one will never be paying the unjust registration tax.

Finally arrived! All is well with the world now.....

Posted by Trevor on 03/08/2020 19:40:43: Still haven’t got mine yet either Jason - don’t panic just yet! OK, I'll take a few slow deep breaths and try to relax...... Thanks.

Posted by David Ashby - Moderator on 03/08/2020 22:05:35: Are you in the UK Jason? Yes. Merseyside.       Edited By Jason-I on 04/08/2020 07:33:02