Discussion Radio suggestions??

[skyboyken]

Not to turn this into an SX-lovers' thread (pun intended ) but I have the Knuckle which allows me to tilt the antenna up. This balances the Tx nicely and solves the length/balance problem.

Also, for lefties you could simply open the case and swap the 2 switches to have your DLG launch preset under the correct finger.

[arno888]

The only thing that's really 'daft' about it is the i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-y long aerial that Mpx have used... surely not necessary (much longer than an EVO one!), and i feel most will soon be looking to fit a smaller alternative.

Hi,

Also for the cockpit a short antenna is available from MPX (75126); check this site: http://www.rc-soar.com/multiplex/cockpitsx/index.htm
Personally I use a short antenna (rubber ducky type from Mpx) on my EVO for flying DLG models. The range they offer is less compared to the standard telescopic antenna but very much sufficient for flying DLG's. (flying a DLG at >500 meters distance will make it a very tiny plane )
No experience with the Cockpit, for range, but it won't be that much different.........

Arno

[Bretty]

Originally Posted by skyboyken

Not to turn this into an SX-lovers' thread (pun intended ) but I have the Knuckle which allows me to tilt the antenna up. This balances the Tx nicely and solves the length/balance problem.

Also, for lefties you could simply open the case and swap the 2 switches to have your DLG launch preset under the correct finger.

If any 'Lefties' and potential Cockpit SX users are interested, i thought of a conceptual software 'work around' for this problem. Mike Shellim has now practically tested this and it seems to work ok (Mike did for me it as i haven't got an SX of my own)

See here: http://www.flyquiet.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=425.0

My mate has a new Cockpit, and i can say that we're both definate 'SX-lovers' For dlg it just has to be the perfect trannie!.

Regards, Andy

[satinet]

re the cockpit SX.

i currently have a hitec tx.

i want to get the multiplex, but i am wondering about charging. Do i have to buy a multiplex charger (no is included in the uk version), or can i use a charge lead to connect to any old battery charger?

[Bretty]

Originally Posted by satinet

re the cockpit SX.

i currently have a hitec tx.

i want to get the multiplex, but i am wondering about charging. Do i have to buy a multiplex charger (no is included in the uk version), or can i use a charge lead to connect to any old battery charger?

Hi there - the answer to your question is 'Yes'... or 'No'

The SX comes with the same/similar battery as they fit in the Evo - this is a 6 cell NiMh AA size pack, it's capacty is 1500mAhr and (they say) it is capable of being fast charged at 1C (1A) - though they seem to 'recommed' that it is trickle charged at the lower rate of 1/10C (150mA).

Your old Hitec trickle charger will be designed for an 8 cell pack and, depending on its age, will be nominally for lower capacity cells (say) 600 mAhr - therefore its charge rate will be around 60mA.

If you buy a Mpx trickle charger it will be designed for the 150mA charge rate. If you're not that electrically minded, then that might be your best/simplest option (they don't cost much). However, if you've got a fancy programmable charger then you can buy from Mpx a connector and lead to fit it - in this case you'd then have the option to fast or trickle charge.

If you 'are' electrically competent/minded then you could modify the Hitec charger lead to take the Mpx connector (perhaps via an adaptor lead -provided you know the wiring details) - using this to trickle the SX would not be a great solution as it would take around (130% x 1500mAhr/~80mA) = around 24 hrs to fully charge it. Note that i'm 'guestimating' the charge rate here, as the lower number of cells will result in a slight inc. in charge rate.

Hope that helps. Good luck with the SX - i guarantee you'll not be disappointed

Regards, Andy

*** Note: If mucking about with Hitec trannie chargers pay particular attention to the polarity of the wires. They may be opposite to what you may think! My JR charger has exactly the same connector to the trannie but the polarity is reversed (i fitted diodes in both trannies to overcome possible confused connection! )

[satinet]

Do you think the SX is better than my Hitec Eclipse 7? seems that way!

Well, i put a 2200mah battery in the eclipse 7 - actually i did a bit of soldering to create a female futaba plug inside the TX.

anyway, I have seen multiplex trickle chargers for not much. However, i have a charger that can do from 2 to 10 cells at 300 to 600 mah (and discharge cells etc). I was hoping to get a multiplex charge lead and connect it to that via banana leads.

Would that be okay??

[Bretty]

Originally Posted by satinet

1. Do you think the SX is better than my Hitec Eclipse 7? seems that way!

Well, i put a 2200mah battery in the eclipse 7 - actually i did a bit of soldering to create a female futaba plug inside the TX.

anyway, I have seen multiplex trickle chargers for not much. However, i have a charger that can do from 2 to 10 cells at 300 to 600 mah (and discharge cells etc). I was hoping to get a multiplex charge lead and connect it to that via banana leads.

2. Would that be okay??

1. Don't know what the Eclipse 7 is (but we have an old Prism 7 which was v. good in it's day, and would be 'just about' ok for dlg with a few mods) The SX is in 'another stratosphere'... absolutely magnificent, and unbelievable value for money. I can't recommend it enough. (But if you get one - consider a smaller aerial, the one supplied is ridiculously long; 2 shortie alternatives are available )

2. That should be absolutely fine.

Regards, Andy

[satinet]

The eclipse 7 is pretty good i think. bit out of date now, but hitec don't seem to develop TX's anymore - probably because they own multiplex (or vice versa).

It has 4 flight modes, loads of mixing etc. has it's limitations of course.

So i think i'll get the Multiplex as well. I've already got about 11 gliders so i'll only end up needing another TX. 18 model memories should keep me going for a while!

[Bretty]

Good luck with the SX - let us know how you get on with it

[arno888]

Hi,

Though the EVO 9 is pretty much o.k., I swapped mine for a Graupner MX- 22.
The MX -22 is a completely different story; freedom in programming is a multitude bigger compared to the EVO.
Also from a ergonomic point of view the MX has some benefits. It's easier to handle, has better "grip", sticks feel much smoother and switches are less "wobley".
Biggest benefit however is that the MX allows you to make maximum use of servo throw (especcially on digital servo's) as it gives you plus and minus 150 % throw, compared to plus & minus 110% on most other brands.
I do feel that the extra 20% on cost, when comparing EVO and MX-22 is really worth the money.

Arno

[Bretty]

Originally Posted by arno888

Though the EVO 9 is pretty much o.k., I swapped mine for a Graupner MX- 22.
The MX -22 is a completely different story; freedom in programming is a multitude bigger compared to the EVO.
Also from a ergonomic point of view the MX has some benefits. It's easier to handle, has better "grip", sticks feel much smoother and switches are less "wobley".
Biggest benefit however is that the MX allows you to make maximum use of servo throw (especcially on digital servo's) as it gives you plus and minus 150 % throw, compared to plus & minus 110% on most other brands.
I do feel that the extra 20% on cost, when comparing EVO and MX-22 is really worth the money.

Hi Arno,

I'm not familiar with the new MX-22, but have now checked out it's specs. and i see what sort of trannie it is. It does look a very nice transmitter, but i don't really see how you can directly compare the two... they are, IMHO, just 'different'.

I've been using an elderly, but much loved, JR X347 for years, but i've just got hold of an EVO9 from a friend - and i'm already in love with it. The engineering and manuf. quality on my old JR is difficult to criticise, and in the 7 years i have owned it, it has never skipped a beat. The JR software is however, somewhat bizarre in some areas - this applies to my mate's X3810 also. Instructions are a little better than useless, but not much. You just 'get to know' eventually how to use it all. I feel sure that engineering stds will be fine for the MX-22 also, and it seems great efforts have been made on software and 'usability' too - it even sounds like they've taken the hint on instructions

In comparison, i must admit that Evo is not as well physically engineered. Some bits are undeniably 'poor'. A serious drop off, in my view, is the aerial physical, AND electrical connection... the latter relies on a single rubbing (point) contact on one side only (yes, it looks like both sides... but it isn't!) of the aerial sleeve - simply bonkers For dlgers, if you don't regularly check aerial fastenings... it's quite possible to centrifuge your aerial out from the tranny! ... my son has done this and nearly wrote off a model in the process. (I've physically modified the aerial set up on my Evo already, and it should now be 'safe as houses' )

On the 'up-side' the Evo physical ergonomics are excellent to my taste... and the software and user-interface are, in my view, nothing less than a 'masterpiece in design for usability'. For me (a complex systems specialist) the versatility of the Evo knows no bounds - it seems to me that 'most things will be possible' - normally limited by only your imagination

On the issue of servo throw... afraid i can't understand your point? The MX-22 system limits the servo throw to 1.5 +- 0.5 mS pulse length. The Evo is similar but gives some scope for increasing this a little. Reducing the servo throw significantly never makes sense... since you will loose power by doing so (and degrade resolution)... so afraid can't quite get your drift here

So i'd say - both likely good trannies, but likely neither is 'perfect' - take your choice based on what is important and feels right for you

Regards, Andy

[chainlink]

This thread is depressing. The SX sounded like just what I wanted (combines small size with good features), only to read the US rep say it will NOT be imported. Basically they figured out that it would have a price point too close to the Evo to have enough sales to make up for the costs of importing and marketing it.

Perhaps something like this is ultimately produced in 2.4 for $150 (Along with $20, 4 gram, glich free, full range receivers - might as well dream big...)

[kcaldwel]

I didn't see any reference to the Spektrum radios, which I have been considering. I would have thought they'd make pretty good hand launch radios - short Tx attenna, no frequency worries.

Is there something with the programming that makes them not as suitable for sailplanes? I know the flight pack they bundle with the DX7 isn't too useful for small sailplanes, but the 6100 receiver looks pretty small. The DX7 is now available with 3 JR digital S285 servos, which would be OK for 2M gliders I guess, although I think it still has the 2 part receiver.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=SPM2722

The DX6 package is pretty small - would it be usable, or is the programming too limited for advanced DLG's?

Comments?

[chainlink]

My humble understanding is the DX6 is pretty entry level as it comes to computer radios - that said, I currently have an 6xas, so have very little room to talk (can mange flapperons, but not much hope in full function 4 channel wings (which I think is the grail) or multiple flight mode presets.

[camperfan]

My question for all is...
What is the preferred Rx (synthesized) for dlg's and why? Size, weight, fitment, range?

For my birthday I received a EVO 9 and now need a new Rx

your input is appreciated. Ron