Stearman65 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I'm getting to the stage where I need to buy radio components for my Top Flite Stinson build & possible radio flight refresher with a warmliner. I need a minimum of 8 channels, mode 1, good range of servos, & UK based service agent. What do you suggest? My last set was in 2007, a JR 8 channel 35meg. I believe JR have gone to that lost manufacturer in the sky. I've had Futaba, Skyleader & Kraft & a few I can't remember in my past life. I think I need to concentrate on one manufacturer & not mix & match. I need a range of servos from micro to heavy duty. Suggestions please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Hitec Aurora would probably suit you. J Perkins are the service agents because they sell the make. You can buy Model 1 or Mode 2. Good range of servos and receivers Also a big range of telemetry if you want it. I have one of these. You will find the setting up a bit more compliacated than the old JR set but you can get help from the Hitec website. While I hate touch screens it is not a big problem and works. I particulalry love the flap control, a lever at the rear sides (Take your choice which side lever you use) which is fully proportional and can be operted with a forefinger while still contolling the throttle (Mine is on the left side.) You can allocate any switch to any function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Thanks Peter, I will investigate. I know they have a good range of servos & I seem to remember when they first appeared they were classed as a budget set. Regards Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 All change Eric The Hitec Aurora and servos are top spec now Totally a decent way to go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Cooper 3 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Hello Eric I'm in a similar position to you. If budget comes into it, then I think Taranis (FrSky) is worth a look. Good range of Tx and Rx and you could still go with Hitec servos, hence, a minimal mix. Not sure about service though - with 2.4 GHz gear most components are 'surface mount' ie non-serviceable (at least for me). So, it's straight-forward replacement if it goes wrong I suspect. Probably best to check on warranty for the Tx though. Most of the flyers at my club use Taranis and report no known problems....I guess time will tell ! You can use something called "OpenTx" (firmware) which is fairly easy to set-up on your PC with a little familiarity. Plenty of help available on-line also. Good luck Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Posted by Steve J on 01/11/2018 11:32:39: Posted by Eric Shepherd on 01/11/2018 10:31:44: good range of servos Why do you want to have your servos to have the same badge as your transmitter? Anyway, to answer your questions, any of the 8+ channel transmitters from the main players would do. I suggest that you get down to the club and/or model shop and find something that works for you ergonometrically. Steve Edited By Steve J on 01/11/2018 11:33:45 Hi Steve The nearest shop to me with a good advertised range, doesn't have them in stock. I haven't joined a club yet, so I'm floundering in the dark so to speak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Posted by Dave Cooper 3 on 01/11/2018 11:48:53: Hello Eric I'm in a similar position to you. If budget comes into it, then I think Taranis (FrSky) is worth a look. Good range of Tx and Rx and you could still go with Hitec servos, hence, a minimal mix. Not sure about service though - with 2.4 GHz gear most components are 'surface mount' ie non-serviceable (at least for me). So, it's straight-forward replacement if it goes wrong I suspect. Probably best to check on warranty for the Tx though. Most of the flyers at my club use Taranis and report no known problems....I guess time will tell ! You can use something called "OpenTx" (firmware) which is fairly easy to set-up on your PC with a little familiarity. Plenty of help available on-line also. Good luck Dave Thanks Dave, that's one I haven't heard of, led a sheltered life for the last 11 years. Regards Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stearman65 Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Posted by Denis Watkins on 01/11/2018 11:14:27: All change Eric The Hitec Aurora and servos are top spec now Totally a decent way to go Thanks Denis. Regards Eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Welford Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Multiplex Cockpit 9. Possibly more expensive, but often available second-hand - unused. UK service agent - Mike Ridley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Eric, I would seriously sound out a club. I don't believe there is much difference between makes. A good brand of servo is a good brand of servo. But some transmitters will not sit well in your hand. The sticks feel funny. Have a feel first. And more to the point, it can be difficult to get your head round the arrays of menus, or programming protocols. Having a hands on helper is worth 10 pontificators on a forum when you are tearing your hair out ( if you still have some) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Futaba or hitec would be my suggestion. I use futaba myself and have always found it totally reliable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Christy Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I'm with Dave on this one! The FrSky Taranis is well proven, and has amazing range. The OpenTx system is not the simplest to set up if you need anything special, but it is extraordinarily flexible! There's plenty of help and advice available on this forum, if you need it. The biggest plus for the FrSky gear is the cheapness of the receivers! They are a fraction of the cost of those of the major players, making it very economical if you have more than one model. Despite the price, they have excellent performance. I've had dozens now, and only had one DOA, which was changed promptly by the importer. Have a look here: **LINK** More expensive (and cheaper!) transmitters are also available in the range. Receivers typically cost in the £25 bracket from the same supplier. -- Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 My suggestion would be to find a club and join it before buying the radio. See what is in favour with the members, ask them about their choices and then buy whichever takes your fancy. This way you will have local assistance with anything you don't understand. With modern radio reliability this ready help probably counts for more than the brand name. Myself, I use and would recommend FrSky gear but it is probably less intuitive to set up than some, though I doubt any 8 channel set is completely without it's little idiosyncrasies. As for servos - as has been pointed out, there's little to choose between the big brands. Savox servos have served me well, are reasonably priced and cover every size you are likely to need for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 A question that is bound to generate lots of unbiased replies! BTW FUTABA!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hess Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 There's a nice writeup on the main contenders here: **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Wright 3 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Hello ever thought of making your own mind up? If you say you are building a model requiring 8 functions (which I find highly unlikely) can’t you work this out all by your self ? Or like the rest of the sad so-called experts do you need some else to tell you what to do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Anthony, is 3 your physical or mental age? If you wish to troll, please do so amongst your intellectual equals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Bye Anthony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I don't see anything wrong with doing a little research which also involves finding out what others experience is and then making up your own mind. After all, Eric had never come across FrSky radio gear before and it's now widely used (including by me). I'd recommend Frsky - either Taranis or Horus - bought from a UK supplier, but I would think any modern radio equipment works well and is reliable. There seems to ba a dearh of sad experts on this forum - so-called or otherwise (I probably score higher on the former) Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Apologies for my so-called lack of expertise, but is "frysky" a new brand??? Anyhow if it is "Exelent", it must be Wright... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Posted by Anthony Wright 3 on 01/11/2018 16:21:20: Hello I use frysky Exelent radio. It just annoys me that nobody can think for themselves anymore! Would make forums very boring though. As for the radio sets, they are all basically OK. My recent experience in programming other peoples radios with lower/mid end sets has been Spektrum Dx9, Futaba 6J (8 channels) and Multiplex Cockpit Sx9, the Sx9 is about the easiest to program, followed by the Spectrum and then Futaba, but all of them were quite straightforward. I've tried to help a couple of Open Tx users on the field but not being familiar with the system have not been able to help and the owners have had to go and resort to the internet for help.If you are in a club with an Open Tx expert then this wouldn't be an issue, but if you aren't then you'd need to invest some time on the internet looking at various tutorials etc. Edited By Frank Skilbeck on 01/11/2018 16:45:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Posted by McG 6969 on 01/11/2018 16:37:56: Apologies for my so-called lack of expertise, but is "frysky" a new brand??? Anyhow if it is "Exelent", it must be Wright... Cheers Chris There are times when I really wish we had 'like' tags on this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Wright 3 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Sorry about the spelling mistake ,Frsky . You’re all on the ball aren’t you? Must do better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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