Getting back into RC planes...2.4g question
Discussion
I was lucky enough to be given a couple of RC planes by a friend.
The last time I flew a model plane it was in the 35Mhz days. I'm going to buy a 2.5g transmitter/receiver package (Flysky FS-i6 ...any good?) but I was wondering - are receivers locked to the manufacturer ecosystem, or can my new 2.4g transmitter control any 2.4g receiver brand a bit like in the old days. i.e you just had to have a 35Mhz crystal for the TX and RX.
Also - can a 6ch TX control a 3ch receiver? I may get my old model cars out of the loft and upgrade them from 27Mhz
The last time I flew a model plane it was in the 35Mhz days. I'm going to buy a 2.5g transmitter/receiver package (Flysky FS-i6 ...any good?) but I was wondering - are receivers locked to the manufacturer ecosystem, or can my new 2.4g transmitter control any 2.4g receiver brand a bit like in the old days. i.e you just had to have a 35Mhz crystal for the TX and RX.
Also - can a 6ch TX control a 3ch receiver? I may get my old model cars out of the loft and upgrade them from 27Mhz
Receivers need to match the Tx in regards to protocol. But this can still leave a lot of choice.
Personally I use Spektrum for flight. But some don’t like it as it is part of the Horizon Hobby ecosystem. Although 3rd parties make compatible receivers.
I do have an FS-i6. But I used it for RC cars. Nothing wrong with it. Bit cheaper feeling and the menus are a bit odd, such as holding the Cancel button to confirm some actions.
If you want to get into flight again. Check out some of the foamy electric models. Very capable these days. There are also some great technologies like Horizon’s AS3X and SAFE Select.
Personally I use Spektrum for flight. But some don’t like it as it is part of the Horizon Hobby ecosystem. Although 3rd parties make compatible receivers.
I do have an FS-i6. But I used it for RC cars. Nothing wrong with it. Bit cheaper feeling and the menus are a bit odd, such as holding the Cancel button to confirm some actions.
If you want to get into flight again. Check out some of the foamy electric models. Very capable these days. There are also some great technologies like Horizon’s AS3X and SAFE Select.
second on spectrum - used to be futaba ffy7 and 8 - bought spectrum as most of my flying now is by box open it charge battery and go
Horizon do some spectacular planes - especially the small UMx planes
Just got a UMx timber - tiny place, big wheels and flaps - awesome thing to fly - fast, slow, hovers - got a3x stabilisation in the wind and safe if you get a switch pigs on
Horizon do some spectacular planes - especially the small UMx planes
Just got a UMx timber - tiny place, big wheels and flaps - awesome thing to fly - fast, slow, hovers - got a3x stabilisation in the wind and safe if you get a switch pigs on
There are some "aftermarket" receivers that work with Futaba and (I think) Spektrum 2.4GHz transmitters. These are a fair bit cheaper than the original ones.
I still use a Spektrum setup for my crawler - DX6i electronics grafted into an old 40MHz KOPropo pistolgrip transmitter. At the time, it was the only way that I could get a pistolgrip transmitter with more than 3 channels.
I have a couple of Futaba transmitters that I used to use for planes, now used for boats. One has been converted to a centre-sprung throttle stick (like you would use for cars) for electric boats, the other has a ratchet throttle (like you would use for planes) for a yacht.
It's a shame that nobody seems to make a transmitter that's easy to switch between sprung and ratchet throttles, without opening up the case.
I mostly use genuine Futaba FASST receivers, but I do have a couple of Chinese ones that work fine.
Edit to add: I've used a Spektrum 3ch Rx with a 6ch Tx, and a 6ch Futaba Rx with a 7ch Tx (and vice-versa) with no problems.
If you want one Tx to use for both cars and planes, the different throttle requirements will be an issue - unless you can retrain your brain to fly on a centre-sprung throttle.
I still use a Spektrum setup for my crawler - DX6i electronics grafted into an old 40MHz KOPropo pistolgrip transmitter. At the time, it was the only way that I could get a pistolgrip transmitter with more than 3 channels.
I have a couple of Futaba transmitters that I used to use for planes, now used for boats. One has been converted to a centre-sprung throttle stick (like you would use for cars) for electric boats, the other has a ratchet throttle (like you would use for planes) for a yacht.
It's a shame that nobody seems to make a transmitter that's easy to switch between sprung and ratchet throttles, without opening up the case.
I mostly use genuine Futaba FASST receivers, but I do have a couple of Chinese ones that work fine.
Edit to add: I've used a Spektrum 3ch Rx with a 6ch Tx, and a 6ch Futaba Rx with a 7ch Tx (and vice-versa) with no problems.
If you want one Tx to use for both cars and planes, the different throttle requirements will be an issue - unless you can retrain your brain to fly on a centre-sprung throttle.
Edited by clockworks on Friday 1st May 16:38
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