What Radio Brand do you fly
01-16-2003, 10:01 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
So what do you guys fly on? I'm very interested to see, myself I'm a futaba guy, not really by choice, I've got a very good deal on old futaba 4ch radio when I was starting out, then it was more convenient to stick with the compatible stuff.. 
01-17-2003, 01:10 AM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
Why is only Futaba separated into FM and PCM ? A realistic comparison of the numbers requires combining the 2 VS any other name brand, Or is Futaba the only PCM mfg? >;-)
BTW I've been using a Futaba PCM 8 chan since 1986 !
BTW I've been using a Futaba PCM 8 chan since 1986 !
01-17-2003, 02:11 AM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I clicked "Other."
I am using JR on one, Futaba on my other two. What is worse, one of the Futaba sets is an AM rig.
I have enough helicopters.
. It's time for ornithopters.
Bill.
>>EDIT>> Sorry, folks, I misread this, somehow I thought it was all helicopters. In toto I have one JR FM, two Pro-Line AM (one is single stick) and a pot full of Futaba transmitters. AM, FM, and PCM. For receivers I have, again, one JR, two Proline, and a pot full of Futaba. And Hitec. And Cirrus. wr
I am using JR on one, Futaba on my other two. What is worse, one of the Futaba sets is an AM rig.
I have enough helicopters.
. It's time for ornithopters.
Bill.
>>EDIT>> Sorry, folks, I misread this, somehow I thought it was all helicopters. In toto I have one JR FM, two Pro-Line AM (one is single stick) and a pot full of Futaba transmitters. AM, FM, and PCM. For receivers I have, again, one JR, two Proline, and a pot full of Futaba. And Hitec. And Cirrus. wr
01-17-2003, 02:37 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
Why is only Futaba separated into FM and PCM ? A realistic comparison of the numbers requires combining the 2 VS any other name brand, Or is Futaba the only PCM mfg? >;-)
I thought it would be nice to see how popular the pcm modulation is among futaba users 
I'm also a big fan of Hitec equipment, I've never had a problem with them. If I get a chance I would like to try some JR stuff, maybe I'll get one for my next heli project 
(winning lotto would help 
)
01-17-2003, 09:52 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I like JR transmitters, recievers. I have had the best results over the years with their modulation. They are WAY more comfortable and easier to setup with. Futaba is what drove me to JR.
I like Futaba servos & gyros, and if I used governors I would give them the nod there too! The ability to buy overseas servos and gyros is a nice feature.
Also, I think Horizon does a fantastic job servicing the JR transmitters and recievers. Sorry, but I am going to get a local warranty when it comes to my transmitters & receivers!!!!
So, I guess I am between camps. If I were to buy a top line radio it would probably kill me deciding. I'm staying with my 8103 or maybe a JR 9X if it comes over!
I like Futaba servos & gyros, and if I used governors I would give them the nod there too!
The ability to buy overseas servos and gyros is a nice feature. Also, I think Horizon does a fantastic job servicing the JR transmitters and recievers. Sorry, but I am going to get a local warranty when it comes to my transmitters & receivers!!!!
So, I guess I am between camps. If I were to buy a top line radio it would probably kill me deciding. I'm staying with my 8103 or maybe a JR 9X if it comes over!
01-18-2003, 03:42 AM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I have a Hitec Eclipse w/Spectra module-Airtronics Stylus-Infinity-Airtronics RD 6000 Super-Futaba 9zWC2...I could not vote multiple I still have the NIB Infinity when I built a jet long ago..
01-21-2003, 02:08 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I started with a Hitec Focus 4. Then, I went to a Futaba 6 channel non computer heli radio. Now I have a FP-T7UHFS, an FP-T7UAFS, and a 9ZHP.
01-21-2003, 04:48 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
The Futaba 9CHP BLOWS the JR 8103 out of the water. The JR is a rip off, it's expensive and it can't do as much as the Futaba 9C. I mean, I don't see the point of getting a JR 8103 now, it's more expensive and it can't do as much, also not as easy to use. Beside, it'll be dead soon once the JR 9Channel come out to replace it. JR is coming out with the 9 Channel to compete with the Futaba 9C because they KNOW the Futaba 9C simply blows the 8103 out of the water. But I doubt it can compete with the Futaba when it comes to price...
01-21-2003, 05:08 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
You boys care to enlighten us on what the 9C does that the 8103 doesn't?
Easier to use? Looks like you newbies need to spend some time on other systems before you make cavalier statements like this. Yeah, I'm calling you out on this. Show me some proof!
JR hasn't done much to their mid-market heli radio since they added a digital trims and couple of other features. It is time they release a new 8-9 channel system anyhow. They are not doing it because the 9C is sooooooo good. The main reason most beginners and upgrade candidates are buying the 9C is because of it's price. If you sit down with the two and try to compare ease of menu navigation and setup funtions the 8103 is STILL an easier radio to program rotory menu dial or not!
The case construction and feel of the 8103 is superior. I have a few flight buddies that jumped on the 9C bandwagon and wished they had purchased the 8103 now that they are flipping switches and really using the radio.
Both radios are nice and get the job done. But to say "The Futaba 9CHP BLOWS the JR 8103 out of the water" or "The JR is a rip off, it's expensive and it can't do as much as the Futaba 9C" is WAY off!
Easier to use? Looks like you newbies need to spend some time on other systems before you make cavalier statements like this. Yeah, I'm calling you out on this. Show me some proof!
JR hasn't done much to their mid-market heli radio since they added a digital trims and couple of other features. It is time they release a new 8-9 channel system anyhow. They are not doing it because the 9C is sooooooo good. The main reason most beginners and upgrade candidates are buying the 9C is because of it's price. If you sit down with the two and try to compare ease of menu navigation and setup funtions the 8103 is STILL an easier radio to program rotory menu dial or not!
The case construction and feel of the 8103 is superior. I have a few flight buddies that jumped on the 9C bandwagon and wished they had purchased the 8103 now that they are flipping switches and really using the radio.
Both radios are nice and get the job done. But to say "The Futaba 9CHP BLOWS the JR 8103 out of the water" or "The JR is a rip off, it's expensive and it can't do as much as the Futaba 9C" is WAY off!
01-22-2003, 01:17 AM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I like Airtronics. I've had Hitec, JR, Futaba, Airtronics, Aristocraft and Multiplex, and I've settled on Airtronics. As a bonus, I can use all of my other brand receivers with the rd6000 or stylus transmitters.
01-22-2003, 02:08 AM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I agree 100% with Lift....my last radio was a Futaba,my current radio is a 8103.....all in all the the 8103 has a better feel to it...it fits comfortably in my hands and doesnt have the generic look and feel that my Futaba had....could be me but i actually FEEL more connected with my heli's and planes using the 8103....also quality comes into play....two guys at my field have 9C's that are about 6 months newer than my 8103....both have had problems,one had the antenna come off in his hands while extending it and the other has had gimbal problems....so while they wait for their 9C's to be repaired, i keep flying....think i'll stick with my JR......lots of water surrounding my field,havnt been blown out yet 
01-23-2003, 09:56 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
We are all lucky to have several "great" brands to choose from.
How can anyone say that 8103's are too expensive? You can purchase one with five 811's for under $430.!! You won't even have to buy a book to learn how to use it!!! What an awesome transmitter, and easy to understand manual. (I don't like it when the screen gets dark,...oh well...)
Why would the 8103 be dead? It will still perform "awesome as usual". Just as awesome as my gy401's/9253's.
How can anyone say that 8103's are too expensive? You can purchase one with five 811's for under $430.!! You won't even have to buy a book to learn how to use it!!! What an awesome transmitter, and easy to understand manual. (I don't like it when the screen gets dark,...oh well...)
Why would the 8103 be dead? It will still perform "awesome as usual". Just as awesome as my gy401's/9253's.
01-24-2003, 01:27 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
I really want to try JR radios, I was planning on buying the 9C soon, maybe I should go with 8103? - Could I still use my hitec and futaba servos? (I think receiver is out of a question) 
01-24-2003, 03:50 PM
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What Radio Brand do you fly
Kevin Bourland, please tell me where I can get the 8103 with the servos for under $430!! I would love that. I was talking about the JR 8103 Heli PCM, but that's about $650 in my LHS. I don't want anything less than the JR 8103 Heli PCM because then it defeats the purpose of comparing it with the Futaba 9c. But if the deal you said actually exist, I would get a JR RIGHT NOW!
