I want both a good sim and a good radio for $200!

[fuxxy]

Hello again, it's everyones favorite imbecile!

At $50 a crash, it's getting relatively expensive trying to learn to fly helis without a sim.

I've read through the threads about "what's the best sim", and I think I like Reflex XTR.

okay - long story short.

I've got about $200 to spend.
I need a radio upgrade - that's what the $200 was initally set aside for.
I also need a sim kit for helicopters.

Realflight G3.5 includes one of "their" controllers, and from what I understand, I can't use my aftermarket radio with it. Can I use "their" controller with other sims if I hack on it a little?

Reflex XTR doesn't come with a controller - they want me to use my own (I like this!) My Walkera 7 channel transmitter doesnt have an interface cable yet (that I know of)

If I buy a decent radio, Can I get a decent sim to use it without needing some sort of additional hardware - including any hardware that comes with the sim?

or, more clearly, What sims can be made to use a new radio if they don't require licensed hardware, or at least be able to use the sim's radio with other programs?

[matthew954]

I am the same way with trying to fly scale warbirds. Blasted P-51's are so cool in the air yet so hard to land, or keep in the air. For the most part, the realflight controller I think can be used with the other sims. They would really just recognize it as a game controller. I use my Parkzone 5-AP tx on Clearview using a JR serial cable I had gotten from BP Hobbies. Clearview recognizes my tx as a gamepad. I had to use ppjoy to set it up, and it works perfectly. BP Hobbies has a number of adapters for the cable I use. I believe there is for Futaba/Hitec, and a tx cable for GWS tx's. the cables themselves are $8.75 a piece and the adapters are 5 bucks as well. If your looking for a decent cheap tx for use in sims, get the tx for the Typhoon 3D or F-27C Stryker. Its the same I use (the green one) and a JR cable (the one with the headphone plug). The tx sells for just under $30 at Horizon Hobby. Although if you are looking for more complex features such as retracts or flaps the 5-AP won't be for you. It's only a 4-channel tx. Hope this helps a little.

[Ade]

why xtr? lots of people selling their xtr's for phoenix.

i refer you to this poll..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=649680

now that doesnt make a massive amount of sense. everybody knows xtr leaves FSone and G3.5 standing for helis. However i think a lot of people have sold their xtr and got phoenix. where as the g3.5 boys are taking a bit more convincing.

phoenix comes with a USB cable that the tx plugs into this is also the copyrite protection. there is no other way to control the sim. you HAVE to use their cable.

phoenix is 160usd you arent going to get a decent transmitter for 40usd tho.

your looking at the

Futaba 7c
Spectrum DX7
Futaba 9c
JR 9303

if you can spend the money i would go for a 9c or 9303 spektrum are releasing modules for these over the next couple of months. my 9x2 (uk version of the 9303) is about 3 years old and had a lot of use. still going strong. My friend has a 9c that is 5 years old and apart from some wear on the case its still smooth and accurate.

Ade

[fuxxy]

hmm, I didn't realize that they were *selling* XTR for phoenix..

I was initally looking for Realflight G3.5, but I heard that XTR's heli physics are better.. Now that you mention it, I see what you mean about phoenix.

If I buy phoenix for $160 USD, obviously it will work with an upgraded radio (thanks for the radio suggestions, btw)
but until I have another $250 to blow on an upgraded radio, will it work on my Walkera WK-0701 transmitter, or at least the esky usb 'dummy' transmitter?

[Ade]

some do, and in the UK they are actually selling xtr for more than they are buying phoenix... talk about a cheap upgrade.

phoenix will definitly not work with the esky usb tx. the walkera tx im not sure. if its one of their new PCM transmitters then no.

Ade

[LouieB]

phoenix will definitly not work with the esky usb tx.

Ade


I have heard this before and am a bit confused about the Esky TX. Are you talking about the Esky USB Flight Simulator TX?

If an Phoenix user has a Lama V3, with the Esky 0404, 4 channel TX that came with the latest V3 version of the Esky Lama, they can use that with Phoenix. I use the Phoenix USB dongel and the Phoenix Esky adapter, the small DIN connector.

This combination will work on the 4 channel planes and the Swiss Lama in PhoenixRC.

[Ade]

yes im talking the esky USB flight sim tx.

as you say the proper esky transmitters for their models do work with phoenix using the esky adapter.

you can use the 4 channel ones helis too, you just need to untick the governor throttle cut off in the profile. and assign pitch and throttle to the throttle channel.

Ade

[fuxxy]

some do, and in the UK they are actually selling xtr for more than they are buying phoenix... talk about a cheap upgrade.

phoenix will definitly not work with the esky usb tx. the walkera tx im not sure. if its one of their new PCM transmitters then no.

Ade

Hmm. that sucks..

Yes, I'm talking about the USB 'dummy' controller that is packaged with FMS.
Also, I belive my walkera transmitter is a PCM.. Does this mean I'm completely screwed? I really don't want to spend $500 for a decent sim, by the time I find a compatible radio..

[fuxxy]

It looks like PREflight has a sim cable for the Walkera PCM as well as Non-PCM..
I also found a site saying they've got a cable compatable as well
http://www.mftech.de/usb-interface_en.htm

The cable from mftech claims that it will work on all sims that accept input with a "normal joystick"

Should phoenix be compatible? I can offer development help if needed.

[Ade]

your gonna need a proper tx at some point down the line.....

fuxxy, for copy protection reasons the only input device you can use with phoenix (xtr is the same) is the phoenix dongle.

Ade

[fuxxy]

While I understand that the copy protection device is necessary, don't you feel that as long as the copy-protection dongle is plugged in, I should be able to use my own cable, especially since the developer has not found it 'cost effective' to include support for my radio?

I agree that I will eventually need a "real" radio, however, it's not cost effective for me to spend an additional $250 on a radio simply because it's compatible with your product.

[cozzykim]

Hi,

I've got about $200 to spend.
I need a radio upgrade - that's what the $200 was initally set aside for.
I also need a sim kit for helicopters.
I have a S/H Airtronics RD6000 $80
Homemade cable $10
ClearView $30
SmartPropoPlus/PPJoy $0

Works perfectly and mone left over for spare parts :)

Kim

[LouieB]

While I understand that the copy protection device is necessary, don't you feel that as long as the copy-protection dongle is plugged in, I should be able to use my own cable, especially since the developer has not found it 'cost effective' to include support for my radio?

I agree that I will eventually need a "real" radio, however, it's not cost effective for me to spend an additional $250 on a radio simply because it's compatible with your product.


PhoenixRc works with all major radio brands as far as I know, and then some. An example being the low end Esky TX that comes with the Lama.

The dongle has an RCA plug on one end, you can make your own cable if you like, but you will need to build your own radio profile in TX ( not hard to do ).

While it is no secret that I have issues about some things in PhoenixRC, I have no issues at all about their radio support. If you are on a budget, then you can not fault PhoenixRC and you may possibly be in the wrong hobby as this is a VERY expensive hobby.

You can take a look in the For Sale section and see about picking up a used radio at a good price which is what many folks do when they get into this hobby.

Not ragging on you, I understand where you are coming from, but Phoenix has done an outstanding job with their radio support.

..

[Ade]

fuxxy, lets just get somethin straight. its not my product i merely helped get the physics right. I make nothing from the sales of phoenix.

if your budget doesnt stretch to a good transmitter something like this would do the job nicely

http://www.futabarc.com/radios/futk40.html

or you could pick up an old tx from ebay like this

http://cgi.ebay.com/FUTABA-6YG-SKYSPORT-6-CHANNEL-FM-RADIO-72MH-TRANSMITTER_W0QQitemZ130083485156QQihZ003QQcategor yZ34056QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

However its going to be cheaper in the long run to buy a decent tx now. Also you will use the programming in the tx when you set it up on the sim so you will get the basic idea of whats going on, how it works and where the switches are.

Ade

[fuxxy]

The dongle has an RCA plug on one end, you can make your own cable if you like, but you will need to build your own radio profile in TX ( not hard to do ).


Sorry for the attitude earlier, I've been fighting sim compatibility with my radio for a while, and I guess I'm just now coming to terms with it.

LouieB, you say the dongle has an RCA plug on one end, don't you mean 3.5mm headphone plug?

If that's the case, I've seen sites that advertise adapters for the PCM walkera radios to the 3.5mm headphone plug.. I should be able to configure it to work?

[fuxxy]

I've got the walkera 60, I think it's a collective pitch heli..

Will the Futaba 6XH run my heli?

[Ade]

unfortunately the data that comes out of the walkera PCM buddy port is also PCM. all sims when using your own tx require PPM input from the transmitter.

you will probably need to change the reciever in the model to one compatible with the futaba tx.

Ade

[LouieB]

Sorry for the attitude earlier, I've been fighting sim compatibility with my radio for a while, and I guess I'm just now coming to terms with it.

LouieB, you say the dongle has an RCA plug on one end, don't you mean 3.5mm headphone plug?

If that's the case, I've seen sites that advertise adapters for the PCM walkera radios to the 3.5mm headphone plug.. I should be able to configure it to work?

No sweat fuxxy, I know it can be aggrevating as ever to sort these things out. There is a ton of information to be absorbed and it always seems to be conflicting information.

I believe that it is 3.5mm, I don't have my mic with me at the moment, but the ruler says 3.5mm, Phoenix tech support could tell you for sure, they are really great about getting back to someone within 24 hours.

You question about the Futaba and Walkera heli. I don't believe that they are compatible as the Walkera is known to be propriatary with the heli receiver and TX. However, I don't know that for sure concerning your Walkera heli.

Most folks don't know about that until after they buy a Walkera but it is the very first things that I will talk with someone about when they tell me they are considering a Walkera.

[fuxxy]

No, no, I will be upgrading the reciever as well.

I was on Futaba's forums, and I saw somewhere that the type of TX I was reading about (not the 6XH, but I don't remember offhand what type it was) was only compatible with a fixed pitch heli..

I think my DF60 is collective pitch, and I wonder if anyone has the 6XH on a collective pitch heli..

[Ade]

a basic 4 channel was really just to get you going on the sim. if you want something for your walkera then i persionally wouldnt bother with the 6exh it really is worth spending a bit more on the 7c the software is MUCH nicer to use and you get a 7th channel for controlling a governor if you move onto glow.

Ade

[fuxxy]

I see some futaba 'buddy boxes' for sale, can I use one of those with the sim?

[Ade]

yup, you would probably be better finding an older radio on ebay tho. the buddy box is only 4 channels which will work just fine on phoenix but wont allow you to have idle up or throttle hold on the tx.

Ade

[fuxxy]

actually, at my skill level, I'm not using idle up mode at all..

and my current tx doesn't have a throttle hold function that I can tell, either.

[Ade]

remind me what tx it is your using?

Ade

[fuxxy]

Walkera WK-0701 7-channel PCM

I belive I'm giving up on that radio set though, I found a 6 channel JR TX that I can use that's in my price range.. It's been discontinued, but when I called the JR tech line, he knew exactly what model it was, and verified that it had both idle-up and throttle hold.

I do like the features of phoenix, and I think that will be my sim of choice after I get the TX.