ozjimthree3 Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I started with thumbs only, then I found I was more at ease using forefingers and thumbs. Finally ended up using a transmitter tray as well. I guess that whatever you are comfortable with is the right thing for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 All fungers and thims for me. Both hands. No neckstrap. No tray. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I started off trying to use fingers and thumbs as advised by my instructor but as I have small hands with short fingers I found this to be very uncomfortable. I agree with those who say that using more than just thumbs gives more precise control and to be honest when I am checking things out on the ground say before a flight, I do notice the little unintentional elevator and rudder deflections when I move my mode two sticks up and down. I guess that's why I will never enter the Nats! Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I should also say that I purchased special fancy adaptors for thumbs flying from Madison components in the USA; these are machined alloy cups anodized in blingy colours that fit straight onto my Futaba Txs. These are very comfortable and easy to use and I would recommend them... Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barry arthur Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Couldn't say so on the voting form, but I use thumbs for FW. As a novice heli flyer I think I prefer finger plus thumb, but not sure yet! So I'll sit on the fence for now. Barry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs only and a neck strap.Never tried using fingers.. ' pointless' Each to their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reno Racer Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs only, no neck strap, no tray. I've tried to use fingers and thumbs, but i end up thinking too much about using them and so my flying is not as smooth or natural. I'll keep trying, but suspect i need a low speed sport plane to practice on rathen than warbirds, which is all all have in the Hangar at the minute. Chris......unemployed fingers Dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs, with a neckstrap. I didn't use a neckstrap until I went solo, and found it dificult to hold a hand launch glider and the tx, therefore I tried my neckstrap, and it was much easier. Tried with fingers, couldnt get a feel for it.... Olly Edited By Olly P on 09/04/2012 19:44:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Cope Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs man. Tried fingers and thumbs - great on flight sim where the TX can be held horizontal, but useless for vertical transmitter on site (35MHz) so thumbs it must be unless I want carpel tunnel syndrome, spondilitis, RSI, etc... P.S. Mode 2; no tray; no beckstrap; Futaba/JR Edited By Rob Cope on 09/04/2012 20:42:10 Edited By Rob Cope on 09/04/2012 20:46:23 Edited By Rob Cope on 09/04/2012 20:46:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weasel Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs only, Have tried with the full claw but no good... Weaz..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlyingCrust Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 Thumbs only for me. I get cramp in my thumb if I try to 'pinch' the stick (I'm getting old). And if we weren't meant to use just thumbs why do radios (Hitec fo me) have fancy knerling on the stick tops if its not to stop your thumb from slipping? Ah. Makes 'em look pretty! Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Mc Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm from deepest darkest Suffolk, so I have no fingers, just 10 thumbs! Seriously... thumbs only for me. I tried using my fingers as well but it didn't feel natural. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I've voted "thumbs" but on my occasional excursions into the wacky world of whirling wings, like Barry a few posts back, I use fingers as well - seems to help alter my mindset from FW to rotary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Laughton Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Oily - check out http://www.qualityrcproducts.com/prod_transmitterknobs.html Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Richardson Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Like B. E. B. I voted finger and thumb but I also fly with my thumb on top and forefinger curled around the stick, it felt natural when I started so have stuck with it, not tried a neck strap or a tray "yet". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Dolinski Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I learnt on thumbs, fly on thumbs and have no other fingers left Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob T Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Finger and thumbs for me. I suppose it came from switch flicking before this fancy proportional stuff came along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Bott - Moderator Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Thumbs here, I use my fingers to hold the transmitter. I've not been keen on a neckstrap since I saw a couple of incidents with electric models when pilots let the Tx hang against their body, with the result being a pushed up throttle stick... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I've witnessed quite a lot of blood loss and several near misses due to neckstraps. Nasty idea and a menace if a pupil is off the buddy lead and needs some rapid assistance... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Davies Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm disabled - right arm - so it is difficult to hold the Tx and use thumbs. I use a tray and finger and thumb. Throttle left - Mode Two. Learnt to fly with Fleet 27meg - so much lighter and smaller than todays feature packed computer radios - so okay without tray. Still used finger and thumb...................... The main fact, reading the responses is that we use whatever suites us best. Regards to All. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Adams Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 Finger and thumbs, I was told it was the best way tio learn inverted flying as you can just lift your finger away from the elevator stick and apply a bit of down elevator with the thumb. Then if the ground came up to meet the model, it prevented you from pulling back on the stick and planting the model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vecchio Austriaco Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I am one of these continental neck -strap fliers - so I can use my fingers for other things than holding the transmitter So finger and thumbs it is. Cheers VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I'm a bit surprised at the results so far (69% thumbers, 29% tweakers) as I'd have thought it would be the other way round going by observations at our club. Perhaps those who use the minority method have difficulty with a PC keyboard - being all fingers and thumbs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyclicscooby Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I was told FnT was the 'proper' way when I started Heli's, but i've been a Thumbs only user since my first RC Car, and don't feel comfortable the other way.. I've tried it on the Sim, but how do you hold the Tx properly.. Or flick switches..??? 'Thumbs only' means 2 spare fingers and a better grip.. ! I do move the rudder, inadvertantly, sometimes with a plane, but when flying the Heli, it's more obvious and critical, so I tend not to do it..!! Lazy plane flyer I guess.. I do use a neck strap, but only for carrying the model and Tx, to and from the field.. I unclip it before I even turn the Tx on.. Luv Chrisie.. xx Edited By Cyclicscooby on 10/04/2012 14:09:38 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted April 10, 2012 Share Posted April 10, 2012 I am a recent convert to Mode 2. I hold the right stick between thumb and forefinger and use my left thumb as a prod for rudder and throttle - much to the amusement of Ian, our club instructor... I didn't even know I was doing it until it was pointed out to me last week. No neckstrap or tray though - I find them too restrictive, Martyn Edited By Martyn K on 10/04/2012 16:49:48 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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