Hi All,
I get a pretty good chuckle at some of the arguments regarding "the best
radio". Often the foundation for an argument regarding "the best radio" is
based on the respondent's reasoning used when he/she bought or acquired the
radio.
Common "proof" that a particular radio is the "best" often takes one or
more of the following forms: "it is the lightest", "it is the cheapest",
"it is the most powerful", "it runs the longest", "it feels the best", "it
looks the coolest", "it does everything", "it is easy to program" or the
best I've heard, "I found it in the trash".
A radio is a tool. Before your purchase, decide what you would like to do
with the radio (i.e. full house unlimited TD, full house scale, HLG, EPP
combat, electrics, etc.), then consider your budget. You don't buy a hammer
to fix a fine watch, nor do you buy a jeweler's delicate screwdriver to
drill holes.
I field a lot of questions regarding the Airtronics Stylus, Airtronics
Vision and the JR series (347, 388, 783, 8103) and consequently hear the
likes and dislikes of the particular radio. By the way, I have all of the
radios listed above as well as the Multiplex Cockpit. I fly with all of
them, know how to program them intimately, and understand their strengths
and weaknesses. None of the radios will do everything nor meet every need.
Some will do many things well, others will do a few things well.
For example, the Stylus is perceived as difficult to program. I contend
that it is very simple, but the fact that there are often several different
paths to the programming solution can be confusing to some. Conversely, the
Vision's interface required the user to respond "Yes" or "No" and/or
provide a value and thus is perceived as easy to program.
While it is generally true that JR has maintained a similar programming
strategy, there is no question that JR dramatically enhanced the 8103 from
the early 347. Again, the JR family is generally perceived at simpler to
program than the Airtronics Stylus, but I would argue that's due to fewer
options/features requiring less thinking during the programming phase.
Here a few things:
Airtronics strengths:
1. You can select the positive or negative side of the signal to encode
the servo position. This simply means you can use Futaba, Airtronics,
JR and Hitec receivers with the Stylus.
2. Nearly every conceivable type of mix is supported and easily implemented
with the Stylus. Three custom mixers still exist beyond the pre-done
mixers.
3. The Stylus has side sliders which are trim potentiometers located on the
left and right side of the transmitter for such things as camber control,
reflex elevator trim, electric's throttle.
4. Any function may be easily assigned to any switch. The switches support
boolean operators (i.e. switch #14 AND #19 will enable reflex or #14 OR
#19, etc.).
5. With the glider card, multiple sophisticated timers and rhythm timers
exist.
6. The nicad battery can easily be swapped, much like a modern laptop
computer.
7. Implementation of a 6 servo 2A2FER (2 Aileron servos, 2 Flap servos,
Elevator servo, Rudder servo) is easily and painlessly implemented with
the existing template(s).
8. In most cases surface configurations can be assigned to each flight
mode. For example in reflex mode, a different aileron differential value
may be specified as well as aileron to rudder mix. This may then be
specified differently for normal flight mode, launch mode and landing
mode, without the need for custom mixers.
9. Trim Authority allows you to custom tailor the amount of throw that the
trim levers are capable of controlling.
10.V-tail function is "idiot proof"
11.Full surface camber is simple to achieve and setup without any
"squirrely" interactions or centering required.
11.The glider card AND 50 model memory card can be added "down the road"
when the need or money is available. Memory card allows for easy transfer
of program to another Stylus
12.Very few software bugs.
Airtronics weaknesses:
1. Inability to physically re-assign a function to a particular receiver
channel (no one else offers this that I am aware of, perhaps MPX?).
2. Heavy
3. Silly ball swivel antenna
4. Does not warn of failure of internal lithium battery
5. Awkward treatment of loss of software pointers
6. Internal, immediate storage of 4 models
7. Standard defaults (i.e. 2A2FER, 2A1FER-F5B, etc.) leave too many obscure
or seldom used features enabled.
8. More expensive
JR (8103) strengths:
1. Fabulous receivers!!! (my enthusiasm)
2. Light weight, nice feel
3. Good battery life
4. Easy to setup for any 4-5 servo setup (2 aileron, elevator, rudder,
motor/spoiler)
5. High quality
6. More capable than Stylus WITHOUT THE GLIDER CARD
7. Display warning of pending failure of internal lithium battery
8. Bug free, or at least I haven't found any
9. Supports all of JR's PCM modes
10.Lower cost
JR (8103) weakness:
1. Require a cable to transfer program to other 8103
2. Limited choice of switch re-assignment within mixers
3. Limited, difficult and/or impossible to add more advanced features (i.e.
differential, surface trims, throws, etc.) to each of the different
flight modes.
4. No "stick switches". The Stylus allows the user to setup up a stick or VR
(slider, knob) to act like a switch to enable a function when it crosses
a set point.
If you've read this far, you have obviously noticed the lack of Hitec,
Futaba, and Multiplex features. I believe that Hitec has some low-cost,
capable radios that work well for 2-4 servos demands. I don't own a Hitec
radio and thus have refrained from speculation. I do own and use a "gob" of
their receivers and HS-50 servos for HLG and HS-85 servos for slope trash.
I once owned a Futaba 7UAF radio. Prior to it I had purchased a few Futaba
non-computer radios, two of which I still own. They were workhorses and
never let me down. On the other hand, the 7UAF was horrible. It had to be
sent into the shop 8+ times, the switches broke easily, it had severe
software glitches, my patience wore thin and I gave the radio away. I have
not purchased a Futaba radio since.
Regarding Multiplex, I currently have and fly with a Cockpit radio. It is
very easy to program, runs for 4 hours on a charge, is light weight, and
fairly capable. Like the Hitec radios, the gimbals are not of a
JR/Airtronics level of quality or feel but adequate. Further, if Multiplex
would add at least one programmable mixer or preferably two, I feel that
the radio could meet many more needs (i.e. launch preset for HLG, tow hook
release, reflex, etc.)
I have been waiting patiently for Karlton to wade through the quagmire of
receiving FCC certification for the Profi 4000, but have yet to put one
through its paces. I do believe the 4000 is more than capable, but I
suppose that the marketplace will ultimately decide if the price tag is
worth it.
The most expensive radio is not necessarily the best, nor is the cheapest.
Neither is the most programmable the best, nor is the least programmable.
The "best" remains with the user's perception and the way in which the
radio feels and works for them.
Stylus Boy and connoiseur of good radios,
Tom Hoopes - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
CD - Soar Utah 2000
http://www.silentflyer.com
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