Phoenix - recommended transmitter for a beginner? [Archive]

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Rogles

Jan 22, 2007, 08:54 PM

Ade

Jan 23, 2007, 02:37 AM

buy the transmitter you plan you use on your own helicopter later on.

4 channel helis are actually harder to fly than a 6 channel 30 or 50 size glow powered heli.

take a look at;

DX7
JR 7202
Futaba FF7 (7c)

Ade

Malc C

Jan 23, 2007, 03:20 AM

Buying a cheap TX will simply be a waste of money. Look at getting a decent transmitter that will suit your needs for the years to come. If you later find that you can't get to grips with model flying then you'll have more chance of selling a decent transmitter than a cheaper basic model.

Five years ago I purchased a JR 3810 - it has served me well and is likely to cover all my needs for the future... it was the best £250 I spent in this hobby. If your budget is tighter then the transmitters Ade listed are equally good

CanCanCase

Jan 23, 2007, 07:19 PM

How much can actually be saved by going cheap anyway? A Futaba 7C can be had on eBay for around $100... doesn't seem too pricey to begin with.

-Case

LouieB

Jan 23, 2007, 07:26 PM

I've been wanting to get started with RC helis for some time now. I have no experience with hobby-level helis, and I think I'll need to get a simulator first before I should even attempt to fly one. I leaning towards getting Phoenix, the only thing is, I don't have a transmitter to use for it. Can anyone give any recommendations? Since I'm new to this, I'm wondering if I should just get a cheap one for now. Maybe just a 4 channel since I doubt I'd be able to handle a six channel anytime soon (does Phoenix have 4 channel helis?). Suggestions?

Well, my opinion, buy CHEAP. You are just starting out, you don't quite know if you are going to stay in the hobby, you have not yet discovered how very difficult it can be to fly a heli. Investing too much money on an TX may not be wise.

Take a look at this link, I believe this Esky TX will work with Phoenix, you can ask ADE or another if indeed it does. This TX also comes with FMS, a cheap but workable SIM, it will get you started and hopefully wet you appetite. This path is $30 dollars plus shipping whereas Phoenix plus a used TX will likely go over $200 dollars.

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=A2366225

I would suggest that you get a Esky Lama or Horizon Hobbies BCX2 as a starter heli. These are contra-rotating helis and will help you to learn orientation and RC in general. Here is a link for the Multi-rotor forum at RCGroups ...

http://www.rcgroups.com/multi-rotor-helis-200/

By the way, I am a happy user of PhoenixRC, when you are certain you want to stay in this hobby, I can say without reserve that you will be quite happy with PhoenixRC.

Redherring

Jan 23, 2007, 09:41 PM

How about a DX6...will it work with Phoenix?

Cheers, RH../

Ade

Jan 24, 2007, 02:44 AM

yes a DX6 will work with phoenix. but it wasnt a full range tx last time i looked.

Ade

Malc C

Jan 24, 2007, 03:55 AM

I disagree with buying cheap.. well really cheap.. When I started with a Piccolo a few years back I purchaed a basic 4 ch TX -- then soon replaced that with a 6ch heli set (non computer - all pitch / throttle setting set via trim pots) - then when I got my second heli I purchased the JR3810... the other two transmitters are still sitting on the shelf gathering dust as nobody wants them.... - so they were in effect a waste of money

LouieB

Jan 24, 2007, 07:00 PM

Well, if one does not know that they want to stay in the hobby, $30 dollars U.S. is a good way to find out.

The alternative is ... $159 for Phoenix plus a used TX at $100 dollars average for a used TX, but we also know that he could pay a lot more for a used TX. Total cost is now $259 dollars. Of course Reflex XTR and RealFlight G3.5 are even more expensive than Phoenix. I know, I have all 3 sims.

He is a beginner, does not have any aircraft yet, apparently. Laying out big bucks may not be wise.

As far as TX, how is he to know what TX to buy if he is new to heli's, could make a poor TX purchase.

Not trying to be argumentative with you Malc_C, but I just can't recommend a new person to heli's spend that kind of money right off. :)

Ade

Jan 25, 2007, 02:50 AM

the thing is. that the second hand value of phoenix is excellent. if you buy a used tx then you should get what you paid for it if you sell it too.

so really, if you buy a reasonable tx and phoenix its only gonna cost you around 20ukp if you decide to give up and sell up.

Ade

cozzykim

Jan 25, 2007, 05:05 AM

the thing is. that the second hand value of phoenix is excellent
So, what is the policy on supplying dongles/cables for S/H (genuine) copies of Phoenix which was originally bought for a different Tx
(i.e. does the user license follow the original registration and is it transferable)?

Kim

Malc C

Jan 25, 2007, 07:12 AM

I'll think you'll find that Phoenix probably follows the same practice of other simulators in that its the lead between the dongle and transmitter that you replace, not the dongle itself. Thus if you change from JR to Futaba you simply buy a Futaba lead.

cozzykim

Jan 25, 2007, 07:31 AM

Malc C

Jan 25, 2007, 07:50 AM

Don't know what the lead formats are as I don't yet have Phoenix.. their website http://www.phoenix-sim.com states that all Sanwa radios are supported (adaptor required) - however its not clear on the Phoenix site how much these adaptor leads cost as it links to their distributors page... and Skyline (UK) don't list all the leads

Maybe Ade can sort this out and advise you as to the cost

slipstick

Jan 25, 2007, 09:03 AM

So, what is the policy on supplying dongles/cables for S/H (genuine) copies of Phoenix which was originally bought for a different Tx
(i.e. does the user license follow the original registration and is it transferable)?
Essentially the user license follows the dongle. Provided you have the original dongle (basically the computer end of the cable) you can buy a Tx adaptor (the transmitter end of the cable) for a different transmitter.

Steve

Rogles

Jan 28, 2007, 04:51 PM

Thanks for the input everyone. Just to help clarify, the only helis have now are toy-level ones - some Picco Zs and one of those cheap Syma 3channel 2 rotor Mini Dragonflys. As for now, I've decide to hold off a little while as I've got some surprise dental expenses I'm going to have to take care of first.

Rickenbacker

Feb 02, 2007, 05:56 AM

If you really have to get a cheap transmitter, the Optic 6 isn't too bad, has all the heli functions (but only 6 channels) and works with most simulators. Personally I'd try to save up for something like the Spektrum DX-7, though, or a Futaba 9C if you want to stick with traditional frequency bands.

Grubs

Feb 02, 2007, 08:56 PM

A heads up - the $30 Esky USB simulator radio usually found on ebay does NOT work with phoenix.

Esky radios from models that have a DIN trainer plug in the back DO work with phoenix.

Also - radios with fixed ccpm mixing in the radio (such as the Esky radio that comes with the CPv2) also work as phoenix has the ability to de-mix the channels but in the email I got from them they suggested the results are better from radios that can turn off the ccpm mixing.

I just confirmed all this in a email from the Phoenix crew.

Pinecone

Feb 03, 2007, 05:40 AM

FOr just flying Phoenix, a cheap Tx or even a buddy box will work.

If you are looking at getting a real Tx to fly with, but just using it to get started, I would say get a good one. It doesn't have to be super expensive.

The Hitec Optic 6 is one of the best 6 channle Txs out there by way of features. JR 6102 is a nice Tx available used for about $100. Futaba is missing lots of features at this level.

Hitec Eclipse 7 only has one fault, only 7 model memories, but a very nicely featured Tx.

In 7 channel the JR 7202 is awesome. Futaba is missing some features in this level.

When you get to 9 channel both Futaba nad JR are very nice. It comes down to which one you like best.

In 2.4GHz get the DX7 over the DX6, much better feature set (basically the DX7 is a JR 7202). The DX9 will be coming, but XPS is also working on 2.4GHz moduels for module based Txs (JR 9303, Futaba 9C Super, etc.)