Good Radio

[TADitto]

I am new to helis and looking at getting a good all around controller. What would everyone recommend? I am currently using a DX7, but its a friend of mines, I want to get my own.

[istandalone]

well, if your using a dx7 and like it, get one. if you think you'll never fly nitro or scale, get the dx6i as you'll not need the 7th channel for a gov or retracts. i got my futaba 7c fasst a couple weeks ago, $280 with no servos from tower. it's a pretty sweet tx too.

[kgfly]

On a very tight budget then the DX6i is a good option but otherwise IMO the DX7 feels better in the hands so if you can afford it, certainly it is an excellent choice. If you like having fancy gear for its own sake then a X9303 is the way to go. W*A*Y more radio than 90% of folk will ever use, but certainly a lovely piece of kit.

[mcnabbwr]

The DX7 is the way to go, I use it with 4 different heli's with plans to add to the fleet. Having one radio capable of 20 models at a very resonable price how can you beat it.

[Fermented-one]

I just bought a Futaba 6EXP (Programmable for both aircraft and helicopters) Basic transmitter, battery and charger. This is good for beginners as well as intermediate fliers.
Any Futaba compatable receiver will work. 199.00 or so retail but off of Ebay it cost me
76.00 + 12.00 shipping, Not bad, and brand new.

[kgfly]

Fermented, I hope you are happy with your 6EX and certainly $88 is very cheap, but in reality the 6EX is a poor heli radio and for a budget buyer the DX6i would be a far better choice. The DX6i has digital sub-trim (missing from the 6EX which makes getting servo arms at 90deg difficult and sometimes impossible), far superior CCPM mixing performance and a far better UI. Also in the 2.4GHz models, Spektrum Rx are about half the price of Futaba and there is a much wider range to choose from, almost all being smaller and lighter than the Futaba equivalents (where they exist).

You might find this comparison interesting:

Comparison of the new Futaba 6EX 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio to the Spektrum DX6 and DX7

Feature 6EX DX6 DX6i DX7
==================== ============== ============== ============== ====================
Radio usage Full range Park Flyer Full range Full range
Channels 6 6 6 7
Model memories 6 10 10 20
Model types plane/heli plane/heli plane/heli plane/heli
ModelMatch No No Yes Yes
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Digital sub-trim No Yes Yes Yes
Expo Ail/Ele/Rud Ail/Ele Ail/Ele/Rud Ail/Ele/Rud/Swash
Heli p/t curves 2 x 5pt 3 x 3pt 3 x 5pt 4 x 5pt
P-mixes 2 3 3 6 (2 with linked trim)
Heli flight modes 2 + Hold 2 + Hold 2 + Hold 3 + Hold
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Aileron->Rudder mix No Yes Yes Yes
Aileron differential No Yes Yes Yes
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Timers
- Runtime per model No No No Yes
- prgrmbl up/down No No 1 1
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
US Price $219 $199 $180 $349 $269
- Rx 6ch 6ch 6ch 7ch 6ch
- Range Full ParkFlyer Either Full Either
- servos 0 4 micro 0 4 digital 0
- Tx batt 700mAh NiCd 600mAh NiCd 4 x AA NiXx 1500mAh NiMH 1500mAh NiMH
- Rx batt no no no 1100mAh NiCd no
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------

The Futaba 6EX and Spektrum DX6 are entry level sport systems.
The DX6i is a mid-range 6ch system significantly ahead of the 6EX and DX6
The DX7 is mid-range not really the same ballpark.


If you want to go high-end you can get the exquisite new JR DSX9/X9303 2.4G with 9ch Rx for ~$629. This is the well known JR9303 with Spektrum technology integrated (just like the DX7 was based on a JR7202).

[Leaf Blower]

I would say that for starting out or midway- the DX7 is hard to beat for price/performance/features. DX7 setup is similar but provides more adjustments than what a DX6i allows (close, but endpoints at both ends! ), 20 or 30 models, more rates, etc.

I hear the x9303 is a nice radio- but it is nearly twice the price. Most will never use all 9 channels- especially with heli's. Don't like the roller anyways.