Topic: What Tx do you have & why?

Hi all,

I am having a shop around at the moment for a new Tx, which has a few more functions than my Futaba 6EX, so that if needed, I can add crow braking for example, but at the same time, I don`t want to go too crazy on extras, as I will only be using it on gliders/powered gliders only.

I am interested to know what Tx you have & why?

Hi all,

I am having a shop around at the moment for a new Tx, which has a few more functions than my Futaba 6EX, so that if needed, I can add crow braking for example, but at the same time, I don`t want to go too crazy on extras, as I will only be using it on gliders/powered gliders only.

I am interested to know what Tx you have & why?

I use a Cockpit SX (35MHz+FRSky) for my gliders - it's a cracking radio but apparently has Marmite looks. I love it - it's easy to hold it with one hand while launching with the other. Handles crow, spoilers, camber/reflex, flight phases, all sorts. The M-Link 2.4 version does the same but receivers are £££s.

I also have an FRSky'ed Turnigy 9x, which is more flexible than almost anything I've come across or heard of - but there is some (relatively simple) assembly required to get it to a good state.

I've heard good things about the Futaba 8FG and the HiTec Aurora 9 for gliders - both have rabid supporters. FRSky do a perfectly good Futaba compatible rx which brings the cost down a whole lot.

On a tight budget I'd look for a 35MHz SX and FRSky it, failing that get a 9x and do it up.

If you can afford it and want something 'big brand' I'd go for the Futaba based on the cost of the receivers.

I have a Multiplex Evo9 which I got after 30ish years as a futaba fan. I got it when a colleague got one to use in DLG flying and when I saw what the software could do it blew my mind. I would like to have got the Profi4000 (whose software is even MORE powerful) but I borrowed one and just couldn't get on with the Euro-style "pizza box" transmitter layout.

The EVo suits me because I like to mess about with control system configurations - if it weren't for that I'd probably be looking at the Cockpit Sx which is (IMHO) the best bang-for-buck transmitter on the market at the moment.

PDR

MPX Evo 9.....I was going to get the SX but I was advised the Evo was a better TX (pretty sure PDR was advising at the time  ), and fortunately 1 came up 2nd hand just about the time I was about to invest my £££. I think the SX is slightly more restricted, and the Evo allows you use a 6 ch RX on full house gliders due to being able to assign the outputs to your chosen channel, i.e. I can change channel 4 which default is for the motor, to anything I want, ailerons, flap, rudder etc.

If I was buying new I'd look at the Hitec, it's getting good reviews and a bit cheaper than an Evo. I'm not too bothered about RX cost, as I'm not trying to convert my whole fleet, mine was bought only for gliders, so when a new glider is bought an extra £10 or £20 for the RX is neither here or there in my opinion. A 6 channel MPX RX is @£50, not a lot dearer than the Spectrum 6 channel RX's I started out with.

Got to say that I've never had an issue with the signal on the MPX, it always feels locked in. Can't say the same about Spektrum tho, and although I've only ever had problems with 1 Spektrum RX 'browning out', Spektrum does feel a bit 'washy/vague' at times in comparison.

I only fly gliders and went for the Evo9 for the same reasons as PDR, it's programming flexibility is really useful and I am pretty sure I wont out grow it. The cockpit looks good and is about £200 cheaper. The receivers are a bit more expensive than futaba but not a huge amount.
Mark.

Cockpit SX and so does my t'other half, as she learn't via buddy lead..

Pluses: Everything  that Yoyo said. If you don't mind shelling out for 7 ch rx's when a 6 would do, it's fine. Nice to hold, battery lasts a while on one charge. Once you've sat down and read the manual, programming is second nature.

Minuses: Some of the switches are in the wrong places, channels aren't assignable*,

*..with the SX (unlike the Evo's) all the seven channels are assigned to function. 1 is port aileron, 2- elevator, 3- rudder, 4-throttle (or airbrakes/tow release/whatever for gliders) 5-sbd aileron, 6-port flap 7-stbd flap. (This is glider mode)..And this is the undoing, to separate 6 and 7 as functions in their own right, I had to use 'ACRO' mode to separate them on a glider (if has no flaps, but it does have retract/brakes/tow release)

The Aurora 9 is raved about however, and we have a died in the wool MPX owner/user in our club (SX, EVO 12, p4000 owner) who can't praise the Aurora enough!

I've got a dx6i mainly because I'm a beginner who wanted a programmable tx but also because I fly small helis and Parkzone planes that are compatible with it. I'm definitely considering Futaba 8fg next as the need arises but shall keep my dx6i for my current models and Phoenix. I don't know enough about the alternatives as yet so am in no rush. I must admit the Turnigy looks very attractive but I don't think I know enough to get the best out of it.

Hi all,

........ as I will only be using it on gliders/powered gliders only.

Gliders can be very demanding Tx programme wise!

My Evo has a switchable specky module scabbed onto it so that I can fly EFlite/Parkzone BNF toys with it, and fly indoor/micro stuff using Dave Theunissen's micro receivers. This is an easy mod to do...

PDR

I upgraded to 8fg from 6ex.

Will do everything I need. Just set up my 5m vortex with 6 flaps wing, elev, rud, airbrakes.. Took me minutes all mixes already there.

Great box. Also has 14ch with suitable rx.

You can also get 2.4 rx for 27.99 from t9 and use all your old fast rxes.

Would recommend.

Never issue with signal/range/loss.

I have an old FC28 V2.3.
Converted to 2.4GHz with a TM-8.
For full house F3B type gliders all the mixes are there and so very easy to use.
A very powerful set that is getting on a wee bit, but still rock solid.

Will upgrade to a FX-30 when its time for it to hang up its antenna.
J

Hi all,

Many thanks for ALL of your replies!

It is good to read the pro`s & cons, & how easy the Tx`s are to set up & use. I have seen 1 or 2 flyers with really expensive looking Tx`s with all the bells & whistles, & only to turn up on the slope & unable to fly a model because they have mistakenly touched some setting, & the model is not doing as told, & they are unable to figure out what.

Did you mean to miss out the fact you would like to stay on futaba as all your RXs wont need changing ?
If you were to change brand I would say Mpx Royal Pro but I know Nothing about Futaba and full house gliders

Did you mean to miss out the fact you would like to stay on futaba as all your RXs wont need changing ?
If you were to change brand I would say Mpx Royal Pro but I know Nothing about Futaba and full house gliders

I have a futaba 10c 2.4 does everything you want for gliders

MPX was a world away from the Spektrum programming, maybe cos Spek can't actually do much in the 1st place. Took a little while getting used to how MPX works, if it wasn't expensive I could have chucked out the window those 1st couple of nights when I tried to program it, but then I 'got it'. Common problem apparently, I blame the Germans......

MPX was a world away from the Spektrum programming, maybe cos Spek can't actually do much in the 1st place. Took a little while getting used to how MPX works, if it wasn't expensive I could have chucked out the window those 1st couple of nights when I tried to program it, but then I 'got it'. Common problem apparently, I blame the Germans......

The secret is... RTFM!

Seriously, even if you know it all, the mpx manuals I've seen are actually very good. If you follow through them word for word at least once that should be enough to 'get it'.

I have a Cockpit SX...only because I neded a new Tx, and as I am 'into' gliders, the recived wisdom is that Mpx is what to go for...I'm so glad I did, it's the best Tx I've ever had and does all I want

The secret is... RTFM!

Seriously, even if you know it all, the mpx manuals I've seen are actually very good. If you follow through them word for word at least once that should be enough to 'get it'.

Yeah I've got the 'Tuturial'   

Ran out of paper printing it off tho 

Yeah I've got the 'Tuturial'   

Ran out of paper printing it off tho 

I'm talking about the one that comes with the tx.. and even then that covers the same stuff for all model types so you only really need about a third of it.

I have a multiplex p4000.

If I was in your position I would probably get a Hitec Aurora 9.  8 flight phases, cheaper RXs, telemetry etc. 
Seems good value for the features.

I'm not a lover for the multiplex evo (pro). It is quite flexible in terms of servo assignments, and switch assignment, and the software is logical, but ultimately not particularly powerful for glider flying IMHO. Expensive RXs as well.

There is also the graupner mx-16 mx20 and futaba 8fg.  Don't get me wrong a multiplex evo is still a good TX.

I have a futaba 10c 2.4 does everything you want for gliders

I've got a 10CG, and I'm struggling to get Camber and Reflex onto anything other than the side sliders, I really want them in a flight modes.

Also, Elevator differential doesn't seem to exist.

What solutions do you use for those ?

what's elevator differential?

more up than down?

Yes

Yes

I think my casio calculator from sixth form could do that.....!

I had a reconsider about my kit and a look around at what would do the most, for reasonable dosh but with the least reference to a manual.  My Speccy DX7 continues to function really well, but programming for gliderly stuff with the purchase of a mouldie became a real pain - perfectly possible for core requirements, but a real pain.

The Hitec Aurora 9 is now replacing it on a model by model basis, with the outgoing Spekky RX's still selling for good money.  The touch-screen A9 is iPod easy to use and my Luna only needed the built in programmes with no need of the P.Mix's.   Set-up and tweaking still takes time, but the programming is now an hour's job instead of a day.  The manual has been referred to - but not much at all.

A fine bell (or whistle) that comes as standard with the matching Optima RX's, is monitoring telemetry for the RX battery pack.

Ro.

 

I think my casio calculator from sixth form could do that.....!

Not on a V tail it couldn't :-)

Sorry about hijacking the thread, I'll desist now 

True - that was only on the later versions of digital watch that started appearing in the mid 80s.

PDR

I'm talking about the one that comes with the tx.. and even then that covers the same stuff for all model types so you only really need about a third of it.

Didn't even look at that, just downloaded the tuturial....

I have both a Futaba 8fg and a 12fg.8fg is for foamies/general hack /beach flying on hols/smelly power models and i keep the 12fg for my mouldies and non moulded gliders.

Both superb radios with good 2.4ghz link...and now cheap rx from frsky compatible with FASST.

Don't underestimate the 8fg though,for £240 its a very powerfull radio and would do everything you need for 6servo gliders and more......Chris.T

I have both a Futaba 8fg and a 12fg.8fg is for foamies/general hack /beach flying on hols/smelly power models and i keep the 12fg for my mouldies and non moulded gliders.

Both superb radios with good 2.4ghz link...and now cheap rx from frsky compatible with FASST.

Don't underestimate the 8fg though,for £240 its a very powerfull radio and would do everything you need for 6servo gliders and more......Chris.T

Hi Chris,

I think I shall opt for an Futaba 8FG Super, but going to give it a while, as I am under the impression there may actually be 2 types!

1 being the 8FG, but with the latest "super" software, & 2 a newer version with small tweaks to the transmitter itself.

Hopefully the prices on the latest version will also start to drop, as more options become available, such as battery & charger included.

For me it would be the 8fg, but the telemetry of the hightec is very attractive. So its a hard decision.

8fg is promised to be telemetry upgradable, but still nothing. (Come futaba what's taking so long, why do I have to buy a 18 channel to have telemetry!)

1 good point for mpx, is that the telly is at the top. So if you ever have to look down at something, you don't have to try see behind your hands. But frsky have that solved with a telly + module in 1 that attaches to the top. (But you need a new tranny so this is just noise)

I've got a 10CG, and I'm struggling to get Camber and Reflex onto anything other than the side sliders, I really want them in a flight modes.

Also, Elevator differential doesn't seem to exist.

What solutions do you use for those ?

I don't have one, but fly futaba so it cant be too different.
camber and reflex is called start and speed, that may help you find the program.
As an alternative I like to mix airbrake to flap with link, and again to aileron 1 and aileron 2, this makes it proportional ( the throttle controls it) but put it on a switch or when you turn on breaks they will not behave as planned.

As for elevator diff, You should be able to do that on your rates. don't set them as the same value!

I don't have one, but fly futaba so it cant be too different.
camber and reflex is called start and speed, that may help you find the program.
As an alternative I like to mix airbrake to flap with link, and again to aileron 1 and aileron 2, this makes it proportional ( the throttle controls it) but put it on a switch or when you turn on breaks they will not behave as planned.

As for elevator diff, You should be able to do that on your rates. don't set them as the same value!

sounds like highly logical and well thought out programming.................!

Hi Chris,

I think I shall opt for an Futaba 8FG Super, but going to give it a while, as I am under the impression there may actually be 2 types!

1 being the 8FG, but with the latest "super" software, & 2 a newer version with small tweaks to the transmitter itself.

Hopefully the prices on the latest version will also start to drop, as more options become available, such as battery & charger included.

As far as i know there are only 2 tweeks..one is the name "super" on the front and the other one is slightly longer left and right slider grips/knobs to help the fingers get a grip of them....which i don't use at all as with the 8fg you can get all the camber/crow you need  with conditions and the throttle stick...yes you can have the throttle stick operating different things in different conditions as you switch them in.On my hotliner, the throttle stick  is used in start condition to power the motor and for full  crow control  in landing condition...superb really..takes some thought while programming ...but well worth it....FG

PS....
       .sorry nimbus7g..Incase you have never heard of conditions...this is futabas name for switching in different model  setups whilst flying...it can be like having a different model memory available at the flick of a switch with different parameters like expo,rates,mixes etc.....hope this makes it a little clearer..FG

Im now using the 8fg after changing from Jr. Takes a little bit of time but slowly getting the hang of it. I really do like the 8fg and Im glad i changed over. Extra thanks to 9zapman and rimmer for their expert programming advice. 24 hr on hand service... :-) thanks guys

I fly with a JR9xII on 35MHz, i genrally used MPX IPD recievers in anything I care about.

The 9xII is really easy to program, it has most things pre templated (I like that, because it makes it easy) and I can set up a 6 servo glider in about 5 mins.

I also fly many different power models too.

I'm still on 35MHz because I am yet to be convinced by 2.4GHz radio systems.

CM

I used the JR 9XII with the Spektrum conversion, and had no complaints at all. Also think the programming is very good. Even better if you read the manual, unsurprisingly! Although some seem allergic to this. Highly recommend this radio to anyone.

Recently changed to the Aurora A9 as it has a certain telemetry feature that I want. VERY happy with this radio so far. Seems to be the only radio out there with a gimbal feel as good as the JR. The programming is easy, and very powerful, and the radio link seems very reliable.

Excellent value really.

Z

Hi all
Currently using Graupner/JR MC24 and MX22
MANY of these about " pre-owned" at very reasonable prices
VERY simple and logical programming on both, 6 servo wing? no probs, flight phases? easy peasy and, if you don't like the big, heavy 24 you'll love the light, easy to handle 22
Both accept 2.4 gHz modules but both also have SPCM which is the best interference-beating system available on the 35 mhz band
People going direct to 2.4 don't affect crowding on the 35 mhz band on the hills and people are now selling SPCM receivers cheaply as they change to 2.4
Simples
Pete

Pete,

I'd love to find a nice MC24 for the right price.  Not seen any for a while though.  Anyone bailing out and want to pass one on?

Personally I like the Graupner programming too (although having read the FX30 manual that is v.good and even more versatile too).

At the moment I am still using an MC20.  It does most stuff and with switching of memories in flight (yes it will do that) and some crafty mixing I can get ten different setups per plane.  Albeit a bit harder to set up than one of the newer radios.  The only thing I miss the idea of is curve mixing.......

Iain