need some advise on new radio...please

[flowerpower]

i'm looking to purchase a new radio for the Dynaflight Daydream. Something on the cheap! However some good range would be nice though.
A single stick would be even good.
Any idea's?
Thx

[Liberator]

Something to keep in mind. Try not to buy for the plane you are getting ready to fly, try and buy for the next 5 planes in line.

My brother is a classic example. We started out and I urged him to pick up at least a 6 chanell radio just so he would have some growing room. He ended up purchasing a single stick and although it worked well for what he was flying at the time, it was not the best fit for even his next project.

He just purchased the Polk 8 channel and so far it's been a great radio. The scanner function is pretty sensitive, but for $200 he can change to any frequency and has 99 model memory as well as a bunch of mixing options. I also like that it has manual trims rather than digital. I fly Futaba and have never had a problem, they are also pretty affordable.

Just make sure to spend enough that you don't have to spend more to cover up a buying mistake. Good luck! :)

[mwhitman]

My first radio was a Hitec Optic 6 with a synthesizer module. Hobby People regularly puts them on sale for about $150 around holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July etc).

[Solarsail]

I started out with a single stick Futaba 3FR, and I liked it a lot. However, only two planes later, I needed more. That's when I got a JR6102 for $199 and have been happy ever since. A 6-channel I think is minimum for any sailplane pilot. You can find various examples for around $150 (Futaba, Airtronics, JR, Hitec). It's been said many times before, but get the best radio you can afford. Generally, the more you spend, the longer you'll be able to use it. In fact, as much as I love my 6102, I can see that I would have been slightly better off with an 8103...
With all that said, maybe a computer radio is a luxury. You don't need one to have fun, it just makes some things easier and is generally a better value in the long run.

[webguyjv]

...With all that said, maybe a computer radio is a luxury. You don't need one to have fun, it just makes some things easier and is generally a better value in the long run...

This is true.

However, my experience is that as soon as you get that second airplane, you find yourself reconfiguring the setup on the TX (for example, if your first plane is an R/E floater, and your second plane is an elevon Zagi). Then, when you want to fly that R/E floater again, you need to go and reconfigure the TX again. This gets old pretty quickly.

Most computer radios not only provide most of the cool computer mixes you'll eventually want, but they also provide multiple model memories so you can click a button once, and jump to one of your other planes.

Once again, this is all IMO.

My first TX was a Hitec Focus III. I quickly purchased a Hitec Flash 5x and used it for the next four years, controlling up to 5 planes. Now I have a third TX - the Hitec Eclipse 7. I'm sure you can get entry-level computer TXs (in all of the major brands) for much less than $200. I would bet that you could find something like the Flash 5 for around $130 if you look around.

If you find the cheapest deal on a computer TX is too expensive, look in RCGroups FS forums or on Ebay. It's not unusual to find used computer TXs for around $50.

Happy Flying ;-)

John

[flowerpower]

Well I have to say that I do have a Hitec Laser 4 tx. Some how though I lost the rx, and servo's.
Looking at Hitec's stuff, I like the Suprem 8 chann. rx, but I'm not sure if my tx is a dual conversion. If so that that would be a plus! I could order that from tower.
But that still leaves me with what type of servo's to get for the Daydream, and to go along with the rx.
I'm still new to alot of this sailplane. I've been in it for a while but never really had the time to do it like i do now.
Any other help would be great.
Thx guys/gals