Morgs Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Hi all what do others use, for retracts and flaps I use sliders I find it more comfortable just to lift my fingers up and slide them up or down. I tried a couple of switches on a new model and couldn't get on with them, is there any specific use for sliders anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 For me ALWAYS, flaps on a slider for proportional deployment. Retracts on a switch as its either Up or Down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 What's a slider ?🤣, two on my radio and have never been used, retracts, 0n/ 0ff 2 position switch, flaps ( that I hardly ever use ) on a 3 way switch with servo delay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I am with Paul on this and use switches. The sliders on my radio have a lack of feel / ratchet which make the positioning indistinct therefore uneasy to replicate routinely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Wills 2 Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Same for me switches, like to know I get repeatable flap deflections without messing with a pot or slider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Switches for me, with slow deployment....... never used side sliders.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgs Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 Sounds like I'm going to try and get used to switches, seems like most of you prefer them, so what would you use sliders for then?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickw Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Variable flaps and/or variable camber on a glider to suit the weather conditions, crow braking on some gliders, volume control for voice output of timers/telemetry, fine adjustment of some mixes. I have all of those options in use on different models. Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 4 hours ago, Morgs said: Hi all what do others use, for retracts and flaps I use sliders I find it more comfortable just to lift my fingers up and slide them up or down. I tried a couple of switches on a new model and couldn't get on with them, is there any specific use for sliders anyway. Just use what works for you, there is no right and wrong really, at least for flaps… Gear I would personally always put on a switch though, it’s not like you need proportional control! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I had sliders for the pitch and throttle on my first Futaba Heli radio, the trouble was that you never knew where they should be ( Futaba 8 sghp ) and when flying you don't really know how much throw you have put in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 55 minutes ago, Morgs said: Sounds like I'm going to try and get used to switches, seems like most of you prefer them, so what would you use sliders for then?. For first flights only the gain control on a gyro, but I remove that once set. Otherwise the volume control for announcements/vario and that's it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 2 hours ago, Andy Gates said: I am with Paul on this and use switches. The sliders on my radio have a lack of feel / ratchet which make the positioning indistinct therefore uneasy to replicate routinely. The sliders on my JR txs are excellent, and easy to find. The big plus is I can operate flaps with my finger whilst keeping both thumbs on the sticks. So, no momentary loss of control while I reach for flap switch. But of course, its whatever works best for each individual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Somerville Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Switches for me with assigned voice acknowledgment. Three way for flaps (up, half and fully down with servo slow. I tried flaps on a slider but didn’t get on as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Williams Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Yes, flaps on 3-way switch for me also. Servo slow on down only, normal speed on up as you might need to get rid of the flap in a hurry. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Collinson Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Put the retracts on mine on a toggle locking switch, to prevent accidental retraction. I have throttle cut likewise. Prevents accidental knocking off. BTC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgs Posted December 7, 2022 Author Share Posted December 7, 2022 Thanks everyone, like Paul said it's so easy because your fingers are there and it seems second nature. And the other day I was coming round for a landing flicked switch for under carriage to come down and on final approach noticed it wasn't down, so had to go round again which is not good when flying a fast EDF. I think that was on a three way switch so should change that to a two way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 1 hour ago, Morgs said: and on final approach noticed it wasn't down Maybe lower the gear earlier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy48 Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I tend to use a slider for flaps when setting up a new plane. A few trial landings soon provide the best position and then I look at the telemetry and change the slider to a switch using the weight I had set for the slider, plus a compensating elevator as a mix. The joy of telemetry. 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 I prefer sliders, which on my transmitter are located within an index finger reach (I fly thumbs) for flaps particularly for ease of use without having to fish for a switch somewhere but sometimes programme them for 3 position working rather than infinitely variable. My pet hate is when someone programmes flaps on a rotary control and I have to come off the left stick to use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 How does gear work with a slider when its a mech retract driven by a std servo? Half down and not locked is very possible, recipe for the repair shop. I have the servos set for scale speed deployment and depending on model mix elevator to compensate of deploy flaps to counter the pitch change. All other comments above fully valid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted December 7, 2022 Share Posted December 7, 2022 Apart from the OP, I’m not sure that many would advocate u/c on a slider but it would be possible on many transmitters to set an output curve to mimic the action of a 2 position switch. Personally, I find that u/c operation is normally done at a non-critical flight phase so the switch can be located further from reach whereas the flaps may need adjustment closer to touchdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrumpyGnome Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 Some interesting uses of sliders...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad_flyer Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 I have a vintage model with a very speed dependent elevator trim requirement. I have it trimmed out at a 'normal' speed, and then I use a slider for something like 3% elevator mix to allow an easy and temporary trim change if I feel like going faster or slower on any particular flight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 For flaps I use both sliders and switches depending on which transmitter I'm using 🙂 functions like retracts, aerotow release etc are always on a switch. Sliders I use for throttle on electric gliders (throttle stick for spoilers/crow), camera rotation, choke and on a friends model canopy operation. I'm not a fan of rear rollers, but can operate the flaps on a friends model with his Tx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted December 8, 2022 Share Posted December 8, 2022 I prefer to use a twist knob for flaps but in one case they are big and with serious travel, like 0 to 90! I turn the knob using the side of my little figure. Yes it is hard to tell how much flap has been set but that is only an issue if you cant tell visually or by how the plane behaves. 😉 ! As has been said it all comes down to a personal preference, what flaps are on the plane and what is available on your Tx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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