Best Value 2.4ghz RC sets

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Ashley

Its just arrived and it is the dogs dodahs……I have never seen so many buttons and switches in such a small space…..and the manual is thicker than the transmitter.

All I've got to do now is figure out how it works you will be pleased to know that its got a hover switch, a hover throttle setting and an inbuilt 4 person lift (the sign says elevator but I haven't found it yet)

I don't think these flashy multi channel things were built with model boats in mind.

Paul

Confused

Edited By Paul T on 01/07/2014 15:14:55

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I don't think these flashy multi channel things were built with model boats in mind.

Too darned right, mate. Like just about every 5+ channel radio with computerised functions, you'll find that all of the special functions are for aeroplanes and/or helicopters. All your extra channels will do in a boat is switch on a lighting circuit or run a servo from one end of its travel to the other (all in one go). On that set I think you actually do have a proportional channel in among the switches (a rotary knob on the top RHS), in which case you can stop a servo somewhere along its travel or switch on two lighting circuits with it. I hope she got it cheap!
If you ever do find out what a five-point throttle curve is then please don't hesitate to tell me; I can't wait.

Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave

Money didn't come into it, Jane knew I wanted one so she just bought it in fact she was so worried about buying the wrong thing that she actually bought two.

The Spektrum came from Amazon (so it could go back if she got it wrong) and the 11 channel JR Propo is on its way from Hobby Plastic.

You are right about the proportional control and the computer thingy can apply the proportional control across all of the channels and can be pre-programmed for 20 models.

Paul (one happy bunny)

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I have been asked what am I intending to do with these new transmitters.

The answer is I want to build a model of the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carrier and include as many working elements as possible.

Paul

[Bob Abell 2Participant @bobabell2]

Hello Paul

There was a large carrier at Elesmere Port show, a few years ago…..With a real Captain inside

Viz……

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

That's it Bob

I expect it to be about 16ft long and built in sections for ease of transport.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Difficult to include working features Paul, as there wont be any aircraft or helicopters on deck due to budget cuts!! you will have to make some up.

Ashley

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Ashley

Re the budget cuts: isn't it silly to proceed with the build of an aircraft carrier without having any aircraft to put in it…..the old adage of putting the cart before horse springs to mind.

Perhaps the government is expecting a multi national company to sponsor the aircraft, there would be special logos on the aircraft ……Strike Force sponsored by ENRON….and the on-board weapons could have small signs explaining that if the customer is unhappy with the attack service offered by RN / ENRON they could appeal to the onbudsman at the MOD.

Just imagine the fun that the 'Where there's a blame' legal firms would have with TV ads saying ' have you been attacked by warplanes and it wasn't your fault '

Better still if the planes were sponsored by Ann Summers….. there would be no end to the double entendre's

Paul

yes the meds have been changed again

[Mark Jarvis 2Participant @markjarvis2]

More thoughts

I have been using two Radio link sets the 4 channel and the six channel, they are mounted in my Amsterdam and my Huntsman, the range is to the far side of out lake, 200+ meters, with no worries, tried the 6 channel with my Amsterdam at the Weymouth club water, almost out of site range!!!

The 4 channel is basic but for £30 who cares, servo reversing is all.

The 6 channel is semi computerized with a screen and sequence to follow, not hard but allow for the Chineese version of English, sometimes needs interpretation!!!!

Receivers are from £6 don't pay more than £10, look on ebay. All one type but lot of different prices.

Howes are selling in the UK but i got mine direct from the manufactures in china. 1 year warranty but for the price , who cares.

Reliability, not had a problem with the Transmitter, the receivers are in small hard case boxes, but not water tight, mine lives in a ballon with a smear of grease to seal it.

Budget or Flash name, take your choice

Mark

[Geoff SleathParticipant @geoffsleath41411]

All my RC activities for many years has been aircraft related where a reliable RF link is probably far more important than for model boats – a bin bag isn't a standard piece of kit at the pond, I expect. The big advantage of frequency hopping 2.4ghz systems is the extremely unlikely chance of being 'shot down' by someone switching on their transmitter on your channel. We often fly up to a dozen (or even more) small models in a tiny village hall often using the very cheap systems that come with ARTF helicopters without any radio problems.

Probably the best value system is that manufactured and designed in China by FrSky. The receivers are incredibly cheap and can include such exotica as telemetry system that can give the use information on current draw for electrically powered models or speed for example. Their Taranis transmitter is very flexible and can take JR style plug-in modules for (say) Spektrum or FlySky encoding so you can use your existing receivers. The cost? £140 which includes an aluminium carrying case. They can be a 'challenge' to program but there's lots of advice available at the RCME forum. There is almost infinite mixing and total channel flexibility so adaptation for marine use will be easy.

Range isn't a problem for aircraft at 1.5km minimum. However range over water for any system may be less than in the air, but how far away do you sail?

I write only as a satisfied owner. As soon as the Taranis became available I sold my Spektrum DX6i I only used indoor. I haven't regretted it.

A cheaper option might be the Turnigy transmitters which use the same OpenRC programming. Flying friends have been very satisfied with them, too.

Geoff

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Very impressive stuff, Geoff. My cynical soul, however, is left to wonder just how many folk will be able to grasp the programming of such an exotic beast for models which essentially just need forwards, backwards, left and right. I've had many customers who either can't or won't even read a single sheet of instructions which was included with the thing they bought. The concept of using a PC on-line to programme a radio set is alien to them and I suspect forever will be – especially to those who tremble at the sound of the word "computer". Where I sail, a 2G4 radio is regarded as the ultimate in cutting-edge technology! These guys still use microswitches on top of servos to turn on lights. 16 channels? 1.5Km range? Telemetry? Free allocation of sticks and switches? For a 1/32 scale puffer??? (Not that any of this would stop me from buying one out of curiosity – just to play with…if I could justify yet another radio!)

I also have reservations about the scope of telemetry when applied to electrically-powered model boats. Apart from the battery voltage(s) and maybe the maximum (or average) current what else would you need to know on a real-time basis, unless you race fast electrics and want to know the speed?

This is turning into quite an interesting debate, especially as I have a foot in both camps (alleged 'radio guru' /technocrat and also tight-fisted old git). The 'best value' in my book doesn't necessarily equate to the most bangs for your buck.

BTW Absolutely no offence intended to anyone, as Ashley would say. These are just my opinions.

Dave M

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