Radio Question

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Kent - 01 Jul 2004 04:12 GMT

Hi All,
Thank you in advance. Hopefully this is an easy question. I am looking at
getting a Hitec Laser 4 4-Channel FM Micro/2 HS-55 Servos Is this a decent
radio? My friend gave me a Soarstar that he no longer wanted. Would this be
a good plane to learn on? After I learn to fly could I use the radio
mentioned above for other planes (glow powered)? If so what would I need to
buy for this to work?

Thanks again for you help,
Kent

Reply to this Message

C G - 01 Jul 2004 11:44 GMT

> Hi All,
> Thank you in advance. Hopefully this is an easy question. I am looking at
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> mentioned above for other planes (glow powered)? If so what would I need to
> buy for this to work?

Around here Futaba and JR are considered the best for quality. Hitec is
supposed to be ok, but just not quite as reliable.

The radio you are looking at would be ok for use in glow powered planes.
If you stuck with the smaller ones you would just need to add a couple
more servos and rechargable battery pack for the receiver. If you went
with a larger glow plane you would need to get larger servos, although
you could use a micro servo for the throttle. Many people end up buying
extra flight packs or entire systems so they can keep multiple planes
flying.

If you think you might go the multiple flight pack route, you should
consider starting with a package which includes a computer transmitter.
One of the advantages these offer is the ability to store the trim
values for multiple planes. If funds are limimted and you are unsure
whether you will like this hobby, it's also ok to go with a basic 4
channel for the first system and then upgrade to a better transmitter later.

Reply to this Message

Doug McLaren - 01 Jul 2004 16:15 GMT

| > Thank you in advance. Hopefully this is an easy question. I am
| > looking at getting a Hitec Laser 4 4-Channel FM Micro/2 HS-55
| > Servos Is this a decent radio?

Yes. What receiver does it come with? The Feather is crap, through
it'll probably be adequate for the Soarstar as long as you don't fly
with other people. If you have problems with glitching when flying
with other people, the Feather is probably to blame.

| My friend gave me a Soarstar that he no longer wanted. Would this be
| > a good plane to learn on?

Yes, that would be a excellent plane -- slow, light, self-correcting,
resistant to damage, easy to repair. Just make sure the wind is less
than 10 mph when you fly it (and even 10 mph may be pushing it.)

| > After I learn to fly could I use the radio mentioned above for
| > other planes (glow powered)? If so what would I need to buy for
| > this to work?

New receiver probably. Standard servos (unless it's a tiny glow
plane, like an .049), new receiver battery pack.

| Around here Futaba and JR are considered the best for quality. Hitec is
| supposed to be ok, but just not quite as reliable.

Around here, we know that Futaba, JR, Airtonics and Hitec all
generally put out very good quality equipment. The Hitec Feather is
an exception, but it's meant to be cheap and even it's ok as long as
you don't fly with any interference (read: other fliers) and don't
need more than 500 ft of range.

Signature

Doug McLaren, dougmc@frenzy.com
They're only trying to make me LOOK paranoid!

Reply to this Message

Dr1Driver - 01 Jul 2004 12:06 GMT

> I am looking at
>getting a Hitec Laser 4 4-Channel FM Micro/2 HS-55 Servos

I don't know about the plane, but Hitec makes a very good radio. The
transmitter and receiver can be used in virtually any plane. The mirco servos
are good for gliders, park flyers, and electrics. For larger, faster
glow-engined planes, you should probbaly buy "standard" servos.
Dr.1 Driver
"There's a Hun in the sun!"

Reply to this Message

Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / July 2004

Radio Question