Another noob trying to pick a radio

[burns718]

I've been flying my sim for more than a year & am looking to buy a Raptor .50 Titan as my first heli. I plan to pickup a radio system before the kit. I'm looking to stay in this hobby for the long run & would like to get the best my $600 can buy. I've read that the 9303 vs 9c has a lot to do w/preference & that the 9303 has more features, but I haven't had the opportunity to hold either one. The heli community is not as strong in my area (NYC) but I'm trying to find out which radios are more common here.

So far I'm considering the following:
1. JR9303 or x9303
2. Futaba 10c

I got the sense that many people are geared towards the JR's.

[jeffk]

I don't have anything against Futaba, but I like the JR / Spektrum radios because at the 7 channel level, the receivers are less expensive and tend to be smaller. The 2.4 GHz systems of JR and Futaba are very different too, but both seem to work very well. It's really a toss up. I'm looking at upgrading from a DX7 to an x9303 next year. If I win the lottery, maybe even a 12x. :)

I think you see a lot of JR / Spektrum love because the DX7 (and now the DX6i) radio is a great radio for the price, so a lot of guys have them.

[Speedbmp1]

I too was having the GREAT DEBAIT between the two brands. My last two radios were futaba (6EXHs which got me started for 3 years, and presently a 9C which I love). But I wanted to go the 2.4 way. So I decided to go with a 12X. Should last me the rest of my life. I want to "expeirence the difference" and see what all the hype is. Never had a high end radio in my lifetime but everyone that had or has one loves them. Now I have a radio to sell.

[burns718]

Thanks for the insight. After reading more about these two radios here & speaking to reps at 'helidirect' & 'helihobby,' I' have decided to go with the X9303. I am sure either one would serve me fine however, I do like the fact that the X9303 has labels identifying some of the controls. I plan to use the X9303 with 'Real Flight' until I can purchase the Raptor kit.

Has anyone tried the servos that come with the X9303? I'm now wondering if I should buy this radio alone & choose different servos.

[HydroJoe]

Has anyone tried the servos that come with the X9303? I'm now wondering if I should buy this radio alone & choose different servos.

What servos are they?

[HeliSmith]

I can tell you straight away that the DS821 servos are a no go for nitro so if that is the package your are looking at pass. Even Horizon support will tell you not to run them.

What package were you looking at?

[burns718]

I spoke to a rep from 'helidirect' who pointed me towards the Futaba S3151 servo, which sells for around $30 each. This rep also advised me to go with the Logitech 2100T gyro, which according to him, was better than the GY401 in weight etc. I really haven't considered any other servos yet, but I'm looking to spend in the range of $30 for each servo.

[Skiddz]

I ran a Futaba 9C for several years. Nice radio, but the CCPM latency is quite high. I received a DX7 for Father's Day and quickly made the switch. The feel of the Tx (IMO) is kind Fisher Price, but I felt better "locked in" to the heli..

For Christmas last year, I bought myself a JR X9303. LOVE this radio. It's got a couple small programming things I don't care for, but other that that, a fantastic rig and very low latency.

DSM2 receivers are CHEAP as well...

I will reiterate that the 821 servos that come with the Spektrum/JR radios should not be used in a Nitro heli. Buy the Tx without servos and go buy your own.

[burns718]

How does this sound for a Raptor .50 (Beginner Setup):

-Fut. 3010 (Throttle)
-Fut. 3050 (Cyclic) & of course
-Fut. 401 w/9254

Should cyclic servos necessarily be stronger than the throttle servo?

[sleddog7]

Typically you'd want the servos to operate at the same speed, keep 'em all the same (throt and cyclic).

Most people would chose the 9252 over the 3050. It has more speed and torque than the 3050.

At the VERY least, go digital on the tail (9254) for that gyro.

[burns718]

Thanks for that info, note taken.