Posted by Jordi Muñoz on January 3, 2010 at 10:00am
If you want the most reliable technology with the possibility to add a 2.4Ghz signal booster for long distance missions well... That will cost you around $600 dlls plus shipping and tax!! (without the booster). But.. You can get the same by buying this Turnigy 2.4Ghz that is COMPATIBLE WITH JR MODULES for $69.99. Yes that right! You can just buy the Spektrum module for JR and you are done! You will have 9CH plus the possibility to mod it for long distance range and the best 2.4Ghz technology on the market .If you only need 7CH just buy the Spektrum version that includes the 7CH receiver (cheaper), all for just $179 dlls.Also exist many other super cheap options for the 2.4Ghz (you only care about the wireless technology no the radio itself, the transmitter box is just a bunch of potentiometers and switches converted to PPM, except in helis) just to mention some other cheap options like the Corona 2.4Ghz with 8Ch's or the X8. In both scenarios you can still plug the booster.Important Note: Spektrum and JR are the same company, you can use Spektrum receivers with the JR 2.4Ghz transmitters and vise versa. I heard that Spektrum is just the test bed for new technology's (like 2.4Ghz they were the firsts), when the product or technology become really mature they switch it to JR brand.
One last thing, you might be able to find a JR X9303 used in the $250-350 price range (probably nearer the $350 price range). The X9303 is the bottom line high end radio, meaning you get 98% of the programming of the uber high end radios (JR 12X, Futaba 12Z, 14MZ etc.), with only 9ch's vs. 12 or 14. I doubt you'll outgrow the X9303. In reality, I doubt you'd outgrow a DX7 unless you start flying scale helicopters with autopilots.
I would also take a good long look at the Futaba 7C and the Airtronics RDS8000. The Airtronics is a cheaper radio set that works just as well as Futaba and Spektrum and costs ~$100 less. Their receiver costs are also in line with Spektrum. I love my DX7, but if on a tight budget, you can get the RDS8000 transmitter and one receiver for $160:http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/751700.asp, which is by far the cheapest solution for a reliable, 8ch, on-screen programmable radio.
It's cheap, programmable (albeit via PC), works fairly well, and it comes with the cables to connect it to your PC so you can learn to fly using FMS or other simulators.
At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter how the technology works. I have tested a Spektrum system with the receiver right on top of a high powered (400 mW) 2.4ghz wireless system and gotten ~2 paces less range than a high end JR pcm system. In addition, this test was inside next to roughly 5 normal 2.4ghz wireless systems in addition to the high powered link.
Now, I don't recommend flying 2.4ghz r/c equipment of any kind next to high powered wireless links operating on 2.4ghz. I have spoken with people who have Futaba FASST as a backup system on a UAV with a 2.4ghz wireless video link. They can barely fly the plane on FASST it's so glitchy-they have a 900mhz r/c link that is the primary backup for the autopilot.
Just for reference, we fly an AR9000 in close proximity to a 5.2ghz, 1 W 802.11a wireless link and a 1 watt 900 mhz link and get ~120 feet (55 paces) of range on the Spektrum link with the bind bottom depressed.
As Sam says:
If you are new on this well i suggest DX7, i know where you can get it $300 (online) new, i hope still the same price. But if you don't have so much money try rcgroups or ebay. You can find them used for a lot less (but sometimes they don't include the AR7000).
Turginy has some software glitches (that can be bypassed), but besides that you should not have any problems. But i don't recommended if you really want to get deep involved.
I personally recommend the Spektrum DX7, hands down the best radio I have used (ok, the X9303 and JR 12X are better). If you search deep enough, a DX7+AR7000 should set you back $250 at the most. I picked mine up brand new for less than $200. The for sale section on rcgroups is your friend.
You are taking a big risk with the Turnigy 9ch radio. There are software issues, and the overall quality is not going to match a JR/Spektrum or Futaba setup. This is the reason it is recommended to switch out the module and receiver to Spektrum.
If you are planning on staying in the hobby, its recommended to buy a proper radio stack. Loosing a plane due to junk radio equipment is not worth the risk imo. Also, a native Spektrum solution is much nicer than the module, as the modules antenna's and connector system are marginal at best. The only real reason to have a modularized system is if you currently own 72 mhz gear and need to switch between spektrum and 72.
Just an fyi, the cheaper airmod (the $110 one) has the same tx module, so it will work with the turnigy 9X radio. The only difference is in the receiver, the $110 kit has an AR7000 ($100 by itself, so the air module is in essence $10), the $180 kit has an AR9000. 7 channels vs. 9 channels, both receivers have the same failsafe abilities (important-the AR6110 series and below ONLY HAVE THROTTLE FAILSAFE!), the only real advantage the AR9000 holds over the AR7000 is 2 extra channels and one more remote receiver, which is important if you are flying a larger plane.
Hooks, developers of those gadgets they only need change a BIT so make compatible with JR/Spektrum, the PPM frame is just inverted. The only bad point is that you need external battery. =/ But with ArduPilot mega the only purpose of the radio will be redundancy. ;-)
But anyway i would like not to discuss about Spektrum vs Futaba (is like religions and politics) i have to say that many people had issues with Spektrum as usual and others with Futaba. This post is just about a cheap solution for 9Ch (very important in the UAV world) and the possibility to adapt the boost for very long distance missions (also very important). A key point here is the diversity receiver that Spektrum offer, this feature is the only one that guarantee you reliable reception when you are far away. One of the receiver have 4 built in receivers!! In that way you can place it all over the airplane in different orientations, if the weak signal is not able to reach any of the receivers for any reason is likely that other will do it. Do you remember when you had to move your bunny antennas from your old TV to get good image every time to change the channel? Well imagine that you can put 4 antennas in different positions, so the one with best reception is the one that will be used.
Comments
For a cheaper solution that works fine, you might want to look at this: http://www.xheli.com/exceed-rc-6-ch-2-4ghz-transmitter-receiver.html
It's cheap, programmable (albeit via PC), works fairly well, and it comes with the cables to connect it to your PC so you can learn to fly using FMS or other simulators.
Now, I don't recommend flying 2.4ghz r/c equipment of any kind next to high powered wireless links operating on 2.4ghz. I have spoken with people who have Futaba FASST as a backup system on a UAV with a 2.4ghz wireless video link. They can barely fly the plane on FASST it's so glitchy-they have a 900mhz r/c link that is the primary backup for the autopilot.
Just for reference, we fly an AR9000 in close proximity to a 5.2ghz, 1 W 802.11a wireless link and a 1 watt 900 mhz link and get ~120 feet (55 paces) of range on the Spektrum link with the bind bottom depressed.
If you are new on this well i suggest DX7, i know where you can get it $300 (online) new, i hope still the same price. But if you don't have so much money try rcgroups or ebay. You can find them used for a lot less (but sometimes they don't include the AR7000).
Turginy has some software glitches (that can be bypassed), but besides that you should not have any problems. But i don't recommended if you really want to get deep involved.
What i also love of Sprektrum is that you can bind and fly all the aircrafts from Hobby Horizon, my favorite that i really recommend is this one:
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFLH3000
Regards.
You are taking a big risk with the Turnigy 9ch radio. There are software issues, and the overall quality is not going to match a JR/Spektrum or Futaba setup. This is the reason it is recommended to switch out the module and receiver to Spektrum.
If you are planning on staying in the hobby, its recommended to buy a proper radio stack. Loosing a plane due to junk radio equipment is not worth the risk imo. Also, a native Spektrum solution is much nicer than the module, as the modules antenna's and connector system are marginal at best. The only real reason to have a modularized system is if you currently own 72 mhz gear and need to switch between spektrum and 72.
How much you are willing to spent?
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next