aeajr
04-14-2006, 05:28 AM
New or Used? What should you buy if you are on a tight budget?
To put a plane in the air you will need servos, a receiver, some misc stuff
and of course, the radio. Let's see how the new packages shape up as
compared to buying a used radio and getting the servos and receiver/crystal
separately.
Just a few years ago, all radios were sold with standard servos and big
heavy receivers. One exception was the Hitec Flash 5SX which came with the
HS-81s and the Micro 555 receiver in what they called the glider package.
As a result this radio became very popular with electric flyers. But the
radio makers finally caught on and have started packaging more radios with
micro servos and micro receivers. I am only looking at packages with micro
servos and receivers that can be used in parkflyers or park gliders.
================
First, if you are planning to stay with small electrics/parkflyers, then go
for a Spektrum DX6. No channels pins to worry about, no channel conflict.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Product...?ProdID=SPM2460
$199 or less - Let's see how much the radio costs if you were to buy the
parts separately.
4 micro servos - perfect for small electrics -- $15 each - $60
1 micro receiver, no crystal required ------------------- $55
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
These are all things you will want for you small electrics $135
So the radio, rechargeable batteries, and charger = $64 - That's all!
=============================
Now if you don't want the DX 6 because it won't fly glow or gliders, or
because you can't buy cheap FM receivers, then look at one of these. They
will all work with a short range 4 channel $29 GWS& crystal or a long range
5 channel $40 Hitec receiver & crystal for the next plane.
Futaba 6EXAS - $160
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...I=LXJUV7**&P=ML
3 micro servos--------------------------------$15 each $45
1 micro receiver + crystal for small electrics ------------ $70
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
Total for components $135
Cost for radio, charger, battery = $25 for an 6 channel entry level computer
radio - WOW!
====================================
Maybe you like Airtronics better
Airtronics VG 6000 $170
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...&I=LXEUY5**&P=7
2 micro servos ------------------------------- $15 each $30
1 Micro receiver + crystal ------------------------------ $65
1 Electronic Speed Control ----------------------------- $25
Misc stuff --------------------------------------------- $20
$140 for the above - you are going to need them anyway!
Radio, charger, battery = $30 for an entry level 6 channel computer radio.
REALLY!
===========================
Maybe you want a little more feature rich radio
Hitec Optic 6 - $220
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hitec.htm
2 micro servos ----------------------------$15 each $30
Electron 6 micro receiver + crystal ( my favorite)----- $60
Misc other stuff in the package --------------------- $20
Total for components $110
Cost for radio, charger Battery = $110 Not bad for a midrange 6 channel
computer radio!
===================
Or maybe you are trying to get started for the absolutely lowest price and
have very little to spend. You want to fly a 3 channel parkflyer or a 2-3
channel glider. You will definitely have to go used, right? Let's see.
Hitec Neon 3 channel FM radio, servos and receiver $59.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLGF4**&P=7
The package includes 2 HS-55 servos ---------------$15 each = $30
Micro 05 receiver with crystal ------------------------------- = $40
Misc stuff in the package ----------------------------------- = $10
Contents of the package, if purchased separately - $80
Neon 3 ( uses regular batteries ) = FREE, and you saved $20 on the rest of
the stuff! You can buy the contents and throw the radio away!!!! :D I
have two computer radios and I just purchased this package for a "keep in th
e car", or "take it on trips in my luggage", radio. If it gets damaged or
broken, I just throw it away and buy another package. I will definately
have use for the rest of the stuff in the package!
=================================================
Now, you can argue $5 or $10 either way with my analsyis, but it won't
change much. If you are looking for an entry level 6 channel computer
radio, these packages are a great value, and perhaps even better than used
prices. Each of these packages includes at least 1 year warranty and you
don't have to worry what someone else did to it. Now try to buy a
comparable radio, used, for less than this.
Any questions?
To put a plane in the air you will need servos, a receiver, some misc stuff
and of course, the radio. Let's see how the new packages shape up as
compared to buying a used radio and getting the servos and receiver/crystal
separately.
Just a few years ago, all radios were sold with standard servos and big
heavy receivers. One exception was the Hitec Flash 5SX which came with the
HS-81s and the Micro 555 receiver in what they called the glider package.
As a result this radio became very popular with electric flyers. But the
radio makers finally caught on and have started packaging more radios with
micro servos and micro receivers. I am only looking at packages with micro
servos and receivers that can be used in parkflyers or park gliders.
================
First, if you are planning to stay with small electrics/parkflyers, then go
for a Spektrum DX6. No channels pins to worry about, no channel conflict.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Product...?ProdID=SPM2460
$199 or less - Let's see how much the radio costs if you were to buy the
parts separately.
4 micro servos - perfect for small electrics -- $15 each - $60
1 micro receiver, no crystal required ------------------- $55
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
These are all things you will want for you small electrics $135
So the radio, rechargeable batteries, and charger = $64 - That's all!
=============================
Now if you don't want the DX 6 because it won't fly glow or gliders, or
because you can't buy cheap FM receivers, then look at one of these. They
will all work with a short range 4 channel $29 GWS& crystal or a long range
5 channel $40 Hitec receiver & crystal for the next plane.
Futaba 6EXAS - $160
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...I=LXJUV7**&P=ML
3 micro servos--------------------------------$15 each $45
1 micro receiver + crystal for small electrics ------------ $70
Misc other stuff in the package ------------------------ $20
Total for components $135
Cost for radio, charger, battery = $25 for an 6 channel entry level computer
radio - WOW!
====================================
Maybe you like Airtronics better
Airtronics VG 6000 $170
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bi...&I=LXEUY5**&P=7
2 micro servos ------------------------------- $15 each $30
1 Micro receiver + crystal ------------------------------ $65
1 Electronic Speed Control ----------------------------- $25
Misc stuff --------------------------------------------- $20
$140 for the above - you are going to need them anyway!
Radio, charger, battery = $30 for an entry level 6 channel computer radio.
REALLY!
===========================
Maybe you want a little more feature rich radio
Hitec Optic 6 - $220
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hitec.htm
2 micro servos ----------------------------$15 each $30
Electron 6 micro receiver + crystal ( my favorite)----- $60
Misc other stuff in the package --------------------- $20
Total for components $110
Cost for radio, charger Battery = $110 Not bad for a midrange 6 channel
computer radio!
===================
Or maybe you are trying to get started for the absolutely lowest price and
have very little to spend. You want to fly a 3 channel parkflyer or a 2-3
channel glider. You will definitely have to go used, right? Let's see.
Hitec Neon 3 channel FM radio, servos and receiver $59.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLGF4**&P=7
The package includes 2 HS-55 servos ---------------$15 each = $30
Micro 05 receiver with crystal ------------------------------- = $40
Misc stuff in the package ----------------------------------- = $10
Contents of the package, if purchased separately - $80
Neon 3 ( uses regular batteries ) = FREE, and you saved $20 on the rest of
the stuff! You can buy the contents and throw the radio away!!!! :D I
have two computer radios and I just purchased this package for a "keep in th
e car", or "take it on trips in my luggage", radio. If it gets damaged or
broken, I just throw it away and buy another package. I will definately
have use for the rest of the stuff in the package!
=================================================
Now, you can argue $5 or $10 either way with my analsyis, but it won't
change much. If you are looking for an entry level 6 channel computer
radio, these packages are a great value, and perhaps even better than used
prices. Each of these packages includes at least 1 year warranty and you
don't have to worry what someone else did to it. Now try to buy a
comparable radio, used, for less than this.
Any questions?