RC Model Reviews

Hi:
I am going to guy a turnigy 9x radio from Hobbyking. I was wondering if I could get some input from those of you that have already purchased one of them. I have an Airtronics radio but the receivers are too expensive for the park flyers and foamies I am building.
1. Would you buy one of these radios again if you needed a radio?
2. What ad ons or changes that are out there would you purchase or change on the radio?
3. Are there changes out there for this radio that would allow you to tell the models speed and altitude,and if there are, would you make the changes and what would be the cost?
4. What are the benefits to the FRSKY add on and is it or would it be worth it to you to make the change?
5. Would you buy something else?

Thanks to all for your reply's in advance .
Have a nice week ahead.
Don

Hi,Don.Welcome to the forum.To answer by the numbers:
1.Most certainly.
2.Change the firmware to ER9X.Change module to Frsky.Most people seem to prefer a "smartieparts"board,but I've simply used a connector plus a dongle.
3.Yes,there are such telemetry devices.You would need the telemetry version of the Frsky module,and a telemetry receiver.Also the relevant sensors to be fitted in your plane.
4.Excellent stability,and small and cheap receivers.A 4ch rx is around $18 from HK,a bit more from other suppliers.7 and 8 channel also available at not much more cost,just a slight increase in size.
5.If money were no object,I would probably look at a Futaba 12 channel something or other,but what I don't like about Futaba,is how they lock you into their particular (read expensive) receivers.Having said that,I see Frsky now also have a couple of FAAST compatible receivers.
But since I'm just a poor downtrodden peasant,the 9X gear has saved me from having to sell the house,in order to buy another tx.Even with all the changes(ER9X,Frsky,Li-ion 2 cell battery pack) it owes me less than $100US.
In fact,even the standard 9X radio gear is nothing to be ashamed of.The rx is a bit on the large side though,hence the Frsky conversion.But it's a perfectly good set in it's own right.
Btw.,if your airtronics tx is in good shape,it is possible to convert that to Frsky too.That would give you the chance to use the little 4ch Frsky rx's in foamies etc.
I have all my tx's converted to Frsky now,so in theory any tx could fly any plane.
Sorry this got a bit long.all the best with your choice.Hans.

[quote="quarry44"]
Most people seem to prefer a "smartieparts"board,but I've simply used a connector plus a dongle.
quote]

Great answer Hans, you have me intrigued with the "connector/dongle" for upgrading to er9X , was going the smartieparts way but they are out of stock and I will be away for too long to order at the present . I have a Li-ion battery pack I want to install but do not feel confident to apply Bruces' resistor fix, if I nuke my FlySky I will be devastated . The er9X allows change to the low batt warning.
Appreciate if you can point me in the right direction to find out more, Is there a forum topic on this method
Thanks
Dennis

If you are not in too much of a hurry there is a 9xR being released in a few months.. Maybe worth while taking a look at that... Although you cannot go wrong with the 9x if you get one now...

Yes, the 9xR will be interesting -- I sure hope they've added sliders to the case -- that's my only real gripe about the 9X and the only reason I still use my JR9303 and Optic 6 for some models.

Hi Dennis,
Look at these postings and the links in them for information you requested, buried in the noise of this forum I'm afraid!

viewtopic.php?f=47&t=1307&start=0

Rgds,
Bill

And I'm one of the biggest noise makers

Thanks Bill appreciate the links, had a quick look will go back soon for a more indepth study. Looks like a big learning curve for me.

Thanks
Dennis

RCModelReviews wrote:Yes, the 9xR will be interesting -- I sure hope they've added sliders to the case -- that's my only real gripe about the 9X and the only reason I still use my JR9303 and Optic 6 for some models.

Sorry Bruce not in V1... Maybe V2...

"do not feel confident to apply Bruces' resistor fix"
Den,if you convert to Frsky ,you won't need to solder any resistor.

RCModelReviews wrote:Yes, the 9xR will be interesting -- I sure hope they've added sliders to the case -- that's my only real gripe about the 9X and the only reason I still use my JR9303 and Optic 6 for some models.

Re 9XR and sliders - out of luck apparently. Anthony has apparently confirmed on the HK forum (hearsay - didnt see it myself) that the 9XR will NOT have sliders.

Boooo.