Hi everyone,
It's great to be back again. I am getting back into RC after 5 years of being away. A question or two:

What has changed in the past 5 years? I know that like everyone uses 2.4 gHz transmitters. Are there any cheaper ones than Spektrum?

I want to get a slowstick again....I loved that thing. What is the 'classic' go-to power system for the slowstick now that's uber, uber cheap?

Charger wise - is the triton still big, or what?

I'd love a short rundown to get back! Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by freedomflyer

Hi everyone,
It's great to be back again. I am getting back into RC after 5 years of being away. A question or two:

What has changed in the past 5 years? I know that like everyone uses 2.4 gHz transmitters. Are there any cheaper ones than Spektrum?

I want to get a slowstick again....I loved that thing. What is the 'classic' go-to power system for the slowstick now that's uber, uber cheap?

Charger wise - is the triton still big, or what?

I'd love a short rundown to get back! Thanks guys.

You can get a cheap very basic 2.4 gHz transmitter from HobbyKing USA http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dproduct=15142 .
They also have motors , ESC's , batteries etc.

Hobbypartz has combos that include motor , matched ESC and servos . Here is a combo that would work well for just cruising around on a SlowStick http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dy-1006.html , or if you want some more power try this one http://www.hobbypartz.com/60p-dy-1028.html

Wow. Great! What about popular (and actually functional, not replace in a week) chargers...any good ones out there that are less than the triton that would serve my needs?

i thought thunder power was the big name in chargers - could be wrong - lets see what others say.

It's still a "you get what you pay for" game.
Help us out a little bit, and we will be more than happy to help you a lot. If you could be a little more specific about the type of flying that you are planning on doing, and the size of models, how many models, how many flights per session with each, etc. There are too many options for the forums to give, just hoping that something sticks.

Like I mentioned, I have actually flown a good deal before, so I know my way around. There are just so many websites now that it's overwhelming to know where to start again.

And also, like I mentioned, I am wanting to get back with just a simple slowstick setup - althogh I'll be looking to upgrade after that - read: I don't want a one-and-done battery or charger, for example, but I'm in no way getting very seriously back into the hobby money wise.

Huh... I kinda quit about five years ago, had a slow stick running on a brushless motor and nimh batteries. charged with a Triton. Just getting back into it and like you said its changed a bunch. I bought a small cheap charger from Hobby King (HK) that will do 3s and its way easier to set up than that Triton. Brushless motor and 2 lipo batteries cost what the brsuhless did 5 years ago. Bought a 9x radio from HK and a backlight along with a board from smartie parts to flash er9x firmware and now have a radio that will do things I never dreamed of 5 years ago.
It been a hobby just getting caught back up.

Originally Posted by freedomflyer

Wow. Great! What about popular (and actually functional, not replace in a week) chargers...any good ones out there that are less than the triton that would serve my needs?

I use very simple , inexpensive chargers like this one http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dproduct=24289 - I've never ( in 3 years of flying ) had a fancy one so I guess I don't know what I'm missing . But whenever I mention the cheap chargers here on RCG I usually get a lot of $#!^&*% !

What kind of Tx. do you have? Some let you convert to 2.4 simple by swapping out a module. My HiTec Flash five has that option. You'll not only $ave but you'll have the added bonus of not having to get used to a new box.

get a gws slowstick fuselodge version
and the newest thing in LI-PO batterys

I remember the Tritron used to be the bees knees in chargers back in the day. I just got into electrics after 5 years away too, and ended up getting one of these for 60 bucks from the LHS:
http://www.hitecrcd.com/products/cha...y-charger.html

After a while though I realized that the other knock-off "4 button" chargers are pretty much the same, if not actually the same thing, for considerably less. I'd by happy picking up a Turnigy from HK.

9x radio with FrSky Tx Module and Rx

Imax B6 charger or the Turnigy Accucel 6

If 9gr servos are ok - then Tg9e servos at $2 a piece or less ...

All available at your Hobby King online !!

Plus the set-up for your slow stick and away you go ...

Cheap and cheerful.

Also be advised HobbyKing has a US warehouse. Limited stock but helpful at times.
1 week delivery vs. 3 from their Hong Kong warehouse.

And sign up as a HobbyKing member. You'll see lower prices when logged in.

All great information. Maybe a more formal thread should be started about the massive changes in the hobby lately. Lipos...servos...chargers....tx's....cheap. I'm sure the "you get way you pay for's" are a bit shy right now

Freedom... You don't really think you're going to stop off at just two models do you ?? I would say that's near impossible ! My single plane is now 12 with scratch-build's in progress too
Here's your shopping list:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...cessories.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Lipo_Pack.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...cro_Servo.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...2_Mode_2_.html
Really cheap TX, I would look for the Turnigy 9x, or if budget allows maybe Spektrum DX6i, both computer radio giving more control options.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...5_30A_ESC.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...s-Parkfly.html
Motors, impossible to suggest as this is very much depending on the moel size and type you plan to fly, but this is a good place to browse
If you went scratch-building, look out the 'Funbat' as it has good flight envelope, everyone should have one