Transmitter reccomendations

[pease1]

I'm going to upgrade my Hitec Focus III FM to a transmitter that can store several planes in memory. I'm considering the Flash 5sx from Hitec. Are there other transmitters I should consider that have the following features:

1) 5 or more model memory
2) V-tail, flapperon and elevon mixing
3) Dual Rates
4) Exponential on channel 1,2 & 3
5) All channels reverseable

I'm interested in 5 channel radios, but will go for more channels if the price is comperable (under $200)

I'm mostly into parkfliers and indoor, but also have some speed 400 stuff including a sailplane.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance,
Al

[nolasco]

$235 buys you the new Hitec Eclipse 7 TX with a Spectra module. I too originally planned on a $200 or less system but decided on spending the extra $35 for the extra features of the Eclipse and radio frequency flexibility offered by the Spectra.

Jun Nolasco


Originally posted by Allan Wright:
<STRONG>I'm going to upgrade my Hitec Focus III FM to a transmitter that can store several planes in memory. I'm considering the Flash 5sx from Hitec. Are there other transmitters I should consider that have the following features:

1) 5 or more model memory
2) V-tail, flapperon and elevon mixing
3) Dual Rates
4) Exponential on channel 1,2 & 3
5) All channels reverseable

I'm interested in 5 channel radios, but will go for more channels if the price is comperable (under $200)

I'm mostly into parkfliers and indoor, but also have some speed 400 stuff including a sailplane.

Thanks for your suggestions in advance,
Al</STRONG>

[Blackhawk]

Allan

I started off in eflight with a Focus and quickly got Flash 4 and liked it so much I got two Flash 5s... They do everything you want, store 5 planes in memory and all the trim etc. I ordered just the TX from Hobby Horse for about $109 each including charger. They have been super. The only problem I have, is occasionally I forgot to switch from one plane to another when the flying gets hot and heavy. That spells instant doom. The other error I made the other day was installing all the electronic gear in a plane and couldn't get the ESC to work, so I replaced the ESC (no small chore at the point I was at in construction) and the new one wouldn't work either. I was very frustrated until I looked carefully at the TX (my multifocals make it a bit difficult to see the liquid crytal display in my garage) and noted that it was in the glider mode (which won't operate an ESC). Switched to acro mode and everything worked. I felt stupid! But I do like the Hitech TX and it is very inexpensive. Don Srull is my flying buddy and must have 20 different TX and he also likes the Hitech best.

Pat Daily

[pease1]

Well I figured I deserved a treat and went right for the Eclipse 7 with spectra. What the hell you only live once. It was that or the Flash-5 and I figured might as well get the best!

Thanks for the tips folks.

Al

[Blackhawk]

Allan

As my fleet grows (11 flyable planes and several in need of repair) I find it easier to buy a new TX and store all 5 planes in it rather than retrim when I switch planes. At the cost of roughly $100, that comes to $20-25 per plane. So now I number each TX and each plane. Ie, channel 21, plane 1, etc. So my txs are numbered by channel and the planes by channel and no. Tx 21 for channel 21 or TX 28-2 for Channel 28, no. 2 TX. Then I number the plane such as 28-1-3 for channel 28, tx1, plane3. I like to keep two or three frequencies. I have, on a very calm night, trimmed a pico stick or my Pfalz to climb very slowly in a nice large circle. Then I launch another plane on another channel and fly formation. Takes a bit of concentration, but so far no crashes.

Pat Daily

[pease1]

Wow! I'm not sure I'll ever try that but I'd love to see you pull it off!

[Kevin Murray]

The Eclipes is a great radio, you won't be disapointed. I started with the Flash 5 SX - it's a nice radio. I upgraded to a Futaba Super 8 when I progressed to collective pitch helicopters.
A couple of good things about the Super * are:
8 model memory
Memory upgrade chips are only $17 on the net / Less than halr a buck a model
You can sell the flight pack on RCOnLine and bring your out of pocket costs way down
You will NEVER out grow it's capabilities - it's cheeper in the long run.

why buy 3 or 4 transmitters ?
IMHO