changing radio systems

[sleep4]

I give up! I am ready to change from my Futaba 9C to a more sailplane oriented radio. I'd like some input about the Airtronics Stylus with sailplane card vs. the JR 9303 sailplane. Ease of programming, appropriate mixes for full house sailplanes etc. These are the two radios I hear the most about. I have read the previous posts in this forum, but would like to hear more from advocates from both camps.

All comments appreciated.

Thanks

[mlachow]

How easy the radios are to program is a religious war. The 9303 screen certainly is a lot nicer to look at. It also has a different approach to setting presets with the flight modes. Both have everything you need for full house sailplanes. The Airtronics is more flexible on how you set up switches if you want to program in all kinds of complex mixes or conditions. But I prefer to have a minimum number of switches in use. You only need to use two switches on the JR radio and that covers all the flight modes. Things like dual rate switches and the like are just things that are still around for those who still think that way. But I prefer to keep the number of things to fiddle with to a minimum. Both have sliders if you like to play with camber manually instead of using the mixers or flight modes. "Cricket" on the JR makes changing value by large amounts really easy and fast. Airtronics still has a pushbutton interface that's a little dated compared to what you're used to seeing.

You might want to pick up the radios and see how each feels. The Airtronics TX is a lot heavier than the JR. Something to consider if doing DLG's.

I'm not sure if Airtronics has released a synth TX module yet. You can get one for the JR. And the R790 RX synth PCM RX should be out real soon. Nice small package like the R770.

The JR sailplane package with the DS368 servos and R770 RX is a real bargain.

Both JR/Horizon and Airtronics do a good job supporting soaring.

You can probably use some of your old Futaba RX with the Airtronics, but not with the JR. But then you wouldn't have the quality of a JR system.

JR has the Datasafe if you want to back up your programs on your PC.

[Wildewinds]

I was helping with the radio impounds at a local event yesterday. We had over 50 radios there. The JR 9303 was the most popular by far.

Mlachow is right, the Airtronics Stylus is way heavier than the other radios.

Another radio you may want to consider is the Multiplex Evo 9. Can't say that it's easy to program at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's very flexible. More so than the other options. It works with Futaba or JR receivers (non-pcm).

[aeajr]

The Stylus has been around for years. The 9303 is pretty new.

Both will do an excellent job.

I also have a 9C. If I was moving up I would proably look closely at the 9303, $500 or the Evo 9, $400

[ToniGe23]

Hi,

My penny`s worth go for the 9303 (in the UK it`s a PCM2X) by far the best tranmitter for programming and ease of use. :cool:

Steer clear of Multiplex and Hitec (all same company) :(

Futaba a nightmare to programme. :censored:

Airtronics well we don`t have them in europe so can`t be any good :rolleyes:

[Aio_1]

I've recently started using Multiplex and I have to say I like their whole approach to transmitters. Have a look at the Multiplex clinic (http://www.rc-soar.com/multiplex/index.htm)for reviews by Mike Shellim. The EVO 9 would probably be of most interest to you. A second hand Profi mc3010 or 3030 would also be a good investment (the EVO range replaces these so they're no longer available new but they are still very good transmitters and parts are still available to upgrade them with a synthesiser and scanner if you wish - I have a 3010). If you want to spend a bit more the Profi mc4000 is widely regarded as the most powerful transmitter you can buy and is very popular among glider pilots and scale pilots. However it may be overkill for most of us. The EVO has a nice light and ergonomic feel. The Profi transmitters on the other hand are "pizza box" style transmitters. I've actually found the big Profi's wider stick spacing more comfortable to use than the smaller transmitters I'd been used to like my old JR set. However this is a matter of personal taste and if you like the smaller transmitters like those by JR and Futaba you'll like the EVO.

I think the main attraction of Multiplex for those who like them is their flexibility. They allow you great freedom and a logical programming approach. You can put any control on any stick or switch you like. Once you understand the approach you no longer need the manual (I used mine for about 2hrs and haven't looked at the manual since!). There's also lots of support available from various sources such as the Multiplex clinic, the massive EVO threads (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356549)here at RC Groups or Joedy Drulia's EVO FAQ (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300553) should you have any queries or problems.

Just to be clear: I have no vested interest in Multiplex - I just like their transmitters.

....Steer clear of Multiplex.....Why?

Hope this was helpful,

Aidan

P.S.
Some people do seem to have a problem switching from the JR/Futaba style programming to the Multiplex approach. I'm not sure exactly why. It seems much simpler and more capable to me. However the result is that there are occasionally nearly new EVOs available second hand.

[aeajr]

Hi,

Airtronics well we don`t have them in europe so can`t be any good :rolleyes:

I beleve the are under the Sanwa label in Europe.

[sleep4]

Thanks for all the help, guys. All the mentioned systems seem to be excellent for sailplanes and as expected each have their followings. I have settled on the JR 9303-sailplane because there are a bunch of guys here who use it, and help will be more available. I ordered the entire system consisting of TX, R770 PCM receiver, 6 digital 368 servos from Chief Aircraft for $779.05 shipped. This was the best price I found. They are having a special on the servos.

[xtc]

royal evo is without question a very nice tx for sailplanes BUT if you fly mode one in a mode two world ,,its a must have

after understanding the evo and how it works i have come to realize that the asain tx`s have just kept making there programing more idiot proof but the basic format sucks

the evo is told what to do with very little decided for you! all the bells and whistles are deap with-in the programmers mind not locked buy pretetermined programs

to fully understand what i mean you need to be reborn lol evo all the way ,xtc