keep using my Turnigy 9x w/Frsky module or get an Aurora 9...I can pick them up with the Optima 7 RX for $285.

Is it even worth it or am I fine. I guess it's just that I'm catching a bunch of flak from the guys at my club (who are only JR/Futaba guys) for having a "cheap" radio.

Its your hide....

I would suggest you get the Futaba 18MZ - stop messing around, that will really show them.

A 9x/FrSky user

Seriously, what are you flying and do you have issues with your radio or do you just feel "outclassed"?

Scott

I have had no problems with it. I've used it only for electric planes until now. I have it bound to my first glo (4 stroke) plane that I will maiden soon. I have the ER9x firmware on it and it takes longer to program a model than with my DX6i, that's my only complaint so far.

Most of the members at my club think the more expensive, the better the quality. I would hate for them to be proved right.

Originally Posted by bicyclemonkey

I have had no problems with it. I've used it only for electric planes until now. I have it bound to my first glo (4 stroke) plane that I will maiden soon. I have the ER9x firmware on it and it takes longer to program a model than with my DX6i, that's my only complaint so far.

Most of the members at my club think the more expensive, the better the quality. I would hate for them to be proved right.

Those guys at your club are idiots. If they only knew what er9x is capable of they would switch in a heart beat. I have the same setup but I use the open9x fw instead and where I fly everyone flies Spektrum. From Dx6i to the DX8. They are amazed when I show them what my "cheap" radio is capable of. One Dx6i user asked me how I get my flaps to slow down. I show him the setting. Another ask me how I do my landing gear and door sequencing, and I show him how simple it is.

I showed them my 3 flight phases that I use when I'm flying and they want to run out and buy the damn thing so fast its not even funny. I think only the DX18 and up does flight phases. I have expo and D/R setup on my landing phase. Switch back to normal flying and everything is the way it was before. This is one of the best feature of the FW, not to mention the instatrim feature, plus cross trimming and a whole bunch of other features.

I dont know how long you;ve been using er9x but its very easy and fast to program my models. Once you create a model, the first 4 chs are setup. Take some time to learn the software and you'll be programming your models in very little time. It takes me 5 seconds to program a 3 stage flap with open9x. I use the 3pos switch as source, then use a 3 point curve for the amount I want in each stage. Super simple. My elevator flap mix is in my landing flight phase and is so simple and effective. This one feature has really enhanced my flying 10 folds.

I've never programmed flight phases. I don't see them in the ER9x manual. Are they only supported with the Open9x firmware?

Originally Posted by bicyclemonkey

I've never programmed flight phases. I don't see them in the ER9x manual. Are they only supported with the Open9x firmware?

yes flight phases are only in open9x. They will be ported to er9x but I dont know when. Open9x is way ahead of er9x. I think it is more polished

How do you get custom firmware on the 9x?

New Futaba 8J - $239 with two rx's

Originally Posted by bicyclemonkey

I have had no problems with it. I've used it only for electric planes until now. I have it bound to my first glo (4 stroke) plane that I will maiden soon. I have the ER9x firmware on it and it takes longer to program a model than with my DX6i, that's my only complaint so far.

Most of the members at my club think the more expensive, the better the quality. I would hate for them to be proved right.

I agree it may take longer for you to program than your DX6i. I attribute that to either not starting with a template or not being greatly familiar with the software (not a slam). I programmed a 6 servo wing plane on the flying field and it took me less than 20 minutes - but I did start with a plane that had 3 servos in the wing (1 for flaps vs 2). I much prefer to use EEPE which is a model editor/configurator/simulator (control not flight) to both setup/simulate/test and copy/save my models prior to actually testing in the plane.

From a quality perspective, my only concern is the wiring to the gimbals (please check - easy fix) and the actual quality of the gimbals from a feel perspective. This is overshadowed by the fact that I have real time telemetry showing plane height, Lipo voltage in plane, RSSI ON MY SCREEN...

Originally Posted by helikido

How do you get custom firmware on the 9x?

You have to open the Tx and solder some wire or you can get the smartiepartz board which is a solderless drop in board with a usb connector. Super easy and cheap for what you get with the er9x or open9x fw

Originally Posted by MrMention

You have to open the Tx and solder some wire or you can get the smartiepartz board which is a solderless drop in board with a usb connector. Super easy and cheap for what you get with the er9x or open9x fw

what advantages would I get over the stock firmware?

Originally Posted by helikido

what advantages would I get over the stock firmware?

The largest advantage for me is you can store 16 models with the ER9x firmware. I think the stock Turnigy firmware has only 7 model memory. There are programming and mixing advantages also. If you ditch the AA batteries and upgrade to a LiFe battery, the stock firmware won't show the correct voltage.

I just upgraded my new Turnigy 9x with the smartieparts board, blue backlight and er9x in one evening in my easy chair watching tv with my wife.(oh I did solder the backlight lead to the suplied smartieparts connector ahead of time, two wires and heat shrink). I believe in paying for qualtiy but I just couldn't justify paying hundreds more for a radio that had less capability.
I upgraded the firmware beacuse there seemed to be much more documentation on the new firmwares that the stock. Now It might be time to do a speaker and vibrate mod. This radio could be a hobby all by itself.

Originally Posted by helikido

what advantages would I get over the stock firmware?

16 model memory. Easy programming once you have the basics down and a very powerful mixing system.
You can program a mix to have an led flash like a strobe. You can slow down servos for flaps (before I had to buy a slow servo or a module to do it. You can delay servos for things like gears and door sequencing. Plus a lot more

Like I said its very powerful once you learn the programming

Originally Posted by MrMention

16 model memory. Easy programming once you have the basics down and a very powerful mixing system.
You can program a mix to have an led flash like a strobe. You can slow down servos for flaps (before I had to buy a slow servo or a module to do it. You can delay servos for things like gears and door sequencing. Plus a lot more

Like I said its very powerful once you learn the programming

Well I got an exi 450 pro and don't even know were to start

But I think I'm going to need me a backlight for this, and I have no soldering tools