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OK, let's not get into the old Futaba Vs JR. If you like Futaba and want a 9C, here is my take.
First, how to get one. Sure, you can get one almost anywhere. But I don't need more standard servos, big reciever, etc. So I wanted TX only. There are several places, but Servo City (www.servocity.com) had the best price combined with a good reputation. TX and module, $289. BUT.......then I noticed that they had a customizeable package for a little more. And you can go in and change all the components to what you want.
Like I said, I didn't need standards anything, but I wanted some micro stuff for the foamie I'm doing. When all was done, I got a Electron 6 RX and xtal, 3 HS555's, plus a 4.8v NICAD and a switch, extension, etc that are just part of the package. All for $40 more that the TX alone. Hell of a deal if you ask me. Add in free shipping, and the fact that I ordered it Sun night and got it Wed morn, Servo city is tops in my book!!!
OK, fine. Now I've got it, what does it do. This is not tech stuff, nor is it complete, this is just what I've learned so far. I didn't find it "Easy" to start the programing without the manual, but once I read for a bit it got pretty clear. The main thing that my 6Ax didn't do was run 8 servos for this one big plane I have. But soon I learned that there was much more to the 9C than the # of channels. It also is PCM and FM both.
The case looks cool, but will show dirt and prints. It feels real good, as a matter of fact, it feels like all my other Futabas have. All the switches and dials are easy to get to, but some are not where I would use them while in the air. There are 8 switchs and 3 dials and 2 sliders. That's a lot! And they can do ANYTHING! You chose what is the DR switchs, what are for mixing, whatever, And you can combine them. All DR on one, no Prob!!! How about TRIPLE rates? Cool!!! The only bad part to that is that they are not labeled by name, but by letter. So you must remember or label them to know what they are. Throttle up and down, engine shutoff, etc are set up very easily. Even the "trainer" switch can be used for something else if you want. The 2 sliders are right at your fingertips, BEHIND the transmitter.
I really like that I don't have to "Store" anything manually. Whatever you do (trime, sub trim, etc) stays forever! Mixing is easy, the basics are all done for you, flaps, flaperons, ele to flap, etc. Plus you have 7 open mixes for whatever you might want (No, I haven't got a clue what for, but it's gonna be clear someday!) All the DR and Expo features are graphed as well, so you can see how much it will reall be. And DR and EXPO are set for each direction of travel, and for high, low, and triple separately.
Now that I know how, programing takes just a second or 2 to make an adjustment.
It has 3 timers. Again, don't know why yet. And the screen is big and very clear, and adjustable for the brightness of the day. There are 8 models built in and they all come with a campac to up that to 14. All models are labeled by name NOT NUMBER! COOL!!!!! I hated that number crap on the 6Xa.
Annother cool thing it does is give you a warning tone if the TX is turned on with any mixing switch turned on! That's cool too, you won't have the flaperons on and not know it. Audible warning for low bat as well.
OK, last thing. This radio allows all of the channels to be proportional. Channel 5 is NOT a dedicated gear switch, and on my Taco I have a 5CH rx and Channels 1 and 5 are the ailerons. cannels 7-9 can be whatever you want. But, 9 is only available if you use PCM mode. So for me, it's only a 8 Channel.
I'm actually happier with it now that I have it than I expected. I have found all kinds of cool stuff I didn't know about. I'm setting 2 and 3 expo settings per surface using the DR setup (But I'm keeping all the rates high) so I can decide what I really like. Today I flew my Sledge with all zero expo except the rudder was 15%. But if I got wild, I could have just flipped the switch and been at 35%. I really like it, and wish I had started with it!
First, how to get one. Sure, you can get one almost anywhere. But I don't need more standard servos, big reciever, etc. So I wanted TX only. There are several places, but Servo City (www.servocity.com) had the best price combined with a good reputation. TX and module, $289. BUT.......then I noticed that they had a customizeable package for a little more. And you can go in and change all the components to what you want.
Like I said, I didn't need standards anything, but I wanted some micro stuff for the foamie I'm doing. When all was done, I got a Electron 6 RX and xtal, 3 HS555's, plus a 4.8v NICAD and a switch, extension, etc that are just part of the package. All for $40 more that the TX alone. Hell of a deal if you ask me. Add in free shipping, and the fact that I ordered it Sun night and got it Wed morn, Servo city is tops in my book!!!
OK, fine. Now I've got it, what does it do. This is not tech stuff, nor is it complete, this is just what I've learned so far. I didn't find it "Easy" to start the programing without the manual, but once I read for a bit it got pretty clear. The main thing that my 6Ax didn't do was run 8 servos for this one big plane I have. But soon I learned that there was much more to the 9C than the # of channels. It also is PCM and FM both.
The case looks cool, but will show dirt and prints. It feels real good, as a matter of fact, it feels like all my other Futabas have. All the switches and dials are easy to get to, but some are not where I would use them while in the air. There are 8 switchs and 3 dials and 2 sliders. That's a lot! And they can do ANYTHING! You chose what is the DR switchs, what are for mixing, whatever, And you can combine them. All DR on one, no Prob!!! How about TRIPLE rates? Cool!!! The only bad part to that is that they are not labeled by name, but by letter. So you must remember or label them to know what they are. Throttle up and down, engine shutoff, etc are set up very easily. Even the "trainer" switch can be used for something else if you want. The 2 sliders are right at your fingertips, BEHIND the transmitter.
I really like that I don't have to "Store" anything manually. Whatever you do (trime, sub trim, etc) stays forever! Mixing is easy, the basics are all done for you, flaps, flaperons, ele to flap, etc. Plus you have 7 open mixes for whatever you might want (No, I haven't got a clue what for, but it's gonna be clear someday!) All the DR and Expo features are graphed as well, so you can see how much it will reall be. And DR and EXPO are set for each direction of travel, and for high, low, and triple separately.
Now that I know how, programing takes just a second or 2 to make an adjustment.
It has 3 timers. Again, don't know why yet. And the screen is big and very clear, and adjustable for the brightness of the day. There are 8 models built in and they all come with a campac to up that to 14. All models are labeled by name NOT NUMBER! COOL!!!!! I hated that number crap on the 6Xa.
Annother cool thing it does is give you a warning tone if the TX is turned on with any mixing switch turned on! That's cool too, you won't have the flaperons on and not know it. Audible warning for low bat as well.
OK, last thing. This radio allows all of the channels to be proportional. Channel 5 is NOT a dedicated gear switch, and on my Taco I have a 5CH rx and Channels 1 and 5 are the ailerons. cannels 7-9 can be whatever you want. But, 9 is only available if you use PCM mode. So for me, it's only a 8 Channel.
I'm actually happier with it now that I have it than I expected. I have found all kinds of cool stuff I didn't know about. I'm setting 2 and 3 expo settings per surface using the DR setup (But I'm keeping all the rates high) so I can decide what I really like. Today I flew my Sledge with all zero expo except the rudder was 15%. But if I got wild, I could have just flipped the switch and been at 35%. I really like it, and wish I had started with it!
