Electronics choices, radio, servos, etc.

[kenvs]

I received a T-rex 600 CF electric for Christmas and I'm searching for the right gear to load it up with. I want a 2.4GHz radio, but whether to choose a Futaba, Spectrum, JR or Airtronics is the question. There is no one place that I have uncovered that affords me the convenience of comparing all of them side-by-side, so I come to you for advice and suggestions. I want an 8 or 9 channel unit that constantly scans frequencies and chooses whatever happens to be clear at that moment. Somewhere in the $400 - $800 range is great. If I can get a $400 radio that does what an $800 radio will do and as well as an $800 radio will do it, without the name or the bling I'll buy it.

The Rex has a 600XL BL motor, a BL-75G ESC and an REC-B3A external BEC, I need to supply the other quality bits. I'm leaning toward the JR 700 series heading Gyro / tail servo combo pack. As for the other servos and electrical bits I'm open to suggestion. Quality and performance trumps price. Any suggestions or comments are appreciated. Thanks.

Ken

[johndoe25]

So I don't have to retype everything, :YeaBaby: Check out my comments in this post: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=54581

[Pinecone]

If you want a setup that actually changes frequenceis in flight, but only to clear ones, only the XPS does that.

Futaba hops frequenceis, but if it lands on a bad one (noisy) no big deal as it hops off in a short time.

Spektrum/JR scans the channels it uses and selects two low noise ones to sue.

XPS actually check the link quality during flight and if the link is degraded, they Rx and Tx talk and switch to a new clearer cahnnel, but it does this only if needed.

Not sure how Airtronic works, since it was just announced.

But who cares? They all work. :)

Futaba hasn't released their 9 ch 2.4 yet, AFAIK. Futaba 6 channel receivers are about $100 each.

Spektrum/JR has the very nice X9303 (street price as low as $529 with the Tx and 9 channel Rx). 6 channel Rx go as low as $40, and 7 channel for about $75.

XPS doesn't make radios, just plug in modules, so you could buy a Futaba 9CHS or a JR XP9303 and get the XPS setup. 6 channel Rx is about $70, 8 channel for $100, but the 6 channels are hard to get.

[kenvs]

Thanks J.D.25 and Pinecone. The search didn't bring up what I was looking for initially, I'm glad that you two were there to point me in the right direction.:noteworthy

Ken

[Pinecone]

Oh, BTW my choice is the JR X9303 2.4, which is on the way to me. :)

[Skiddz]

I was a long time Futaba guy but got tired of waiting on their FASST stuff so I went Spektrum last June. I got my X9303 2.4 a couple weeks ago. NICE radio and I'm still getting all my helis set up on it...

[kenvs]

Went to the LHS today and browsed through their stock of radios. They have a combo pack containing the X9303 w/4 821 servos for $699.00. He says that he will match any internet price. I also looked at the JR G770 combo w/servo. The owner's son says that he has only sold one of the gyro sets but he has not heard of any issues with it. The X9303 will stay on my short list. The Airtronics RD S has been order yet have not arrived.