two important questions??? tool boxes and controller

[BRICKNICK]

I'm looking at a good deal on an airtronics rds8000 controlleris there a special or perticular model I should get? The one I keep reading the discriptionand it says they are for helicopters and airplanes. Unless this is a different model then I should be buying. Question number two.......where can I find the aluminum tool boxes to put between my tandeems on my spread axel flatbed? I've looked all over PMD and don't see it. I know the late great Freddy gear drive made them, but is there some where else I can acquire a set of tool boxes?

[Claus]

PMD sells the Airtronics RDS8000. I believe the crawler version has been discontinued but Ric installs a centering spring on the stick of the air versions.

[BRICKNICK]

I found them on eBay from s hobby shop for $129.99. It says it has self centering sticks. I'm just trying to make sure I'm not buying an air craft version instead of the grounded vehicle version. That's why I asked are there different versions of the rds8000?

[Claus]

I thought the centering springs was the difference in crawler and air.

[TRUCKMAKER]

Claus is right the centering spring on the left stick (throttle) is the difference. Word of caution, at that price make sure your getting a receiver with it (unless you don't need it, then your good). You can buy just the transmitter without receiver and charger. I found one thought I was getting a great deal until I read the fine print! HobbyPeople.com was selling them for 179.~ and the crawler version for 199.~ didn't notice if they had the crawler version in stock. I'll just convert mine, this was 2 weeks ago. This version comes with an 8 channel receiver and charger.

[Smokin Joe]

rc_farmer is the guru of the the RDS8000. PM him.

Joe

[BRICKNICK]

Thanks guys for the info, I know there are mainly two different radios everyone goes with. I know the one is the airtronics rds8000, what's the other one? I forget.

[bigford]

spectrum

[Lil Giants]

Originally Posted by bigford

spektrum

Yes indeed! double the price, but 10x the versatility & much easier programming.

[Espeefan]

There's safety in numbers, but do look around at other radios too. Just because everyone else is running this, or that radio, doesn't mean you have to. I'm more of a Futaba guy myself. After playing around with any radio, and getting familiar with it, you'll have no problem programming it to do what you want. Read the manual, and try different programs. It's kind of like playing with a computer. If you mess it up, you can reset the radio. Something you can't do with a computer.

[BRICKNICK]

Thanks guys for the info, now I'm just trying to figure out if my ancient receiver will work with a new controller or if I need to do a controller/receiver combo. I have an old futaba attack4 controller with futaba receiver and servos. Do you guys think that older equipment will work with a newer radio? Or do I have to do a transmitter/receiver combo and possibly new servos???

[Claus]

I'm sure Nathan is right, Futaba being a great radio. One thing I have been told about the Airtronics over the Futaba is if your using a 3 speed transmission the Airtronics has a 3 position switch on top of the radio instead of trying to find the gear with the stick on the other radios. Just what I have been told.

[Lil Giants]

If by saying older you mean FM radios? the frequency number of tx & rx has to be the same.

2.4gHz systems don't mix - won't work with FM.

[Espeefan]

You can run older servos with a newer radio, but you won't be able to mix and match receivers to new radios, unless they use the same frequency and channel. Like Joe already said, FM technology will work with other FM technology, but this newer 2.4 giga-hertz technology is only going to work with like equipment. Servos are usually pretty universal. Some servos have plugs that are more universal and will work with other brands of radio gear, and some companies prefer to use a unique plug that doesn't work with anyone else's receivers. You just have to double check before you buy.

On the subject of radios with three position toggle switches, many offer this. Usually if you buy a radio that features helicopter programming, they all have a 3 position toggle switch. With helicopter programming, the three position switch is normally assigned as your 'idle up' feature. You can use this to shift the servo on a 3 speed transmission. It's great, and a important feature to watch for, when you shop for a radio. Many airplane radios use the 3 position toggle switch too, but you have to be more careful. They don't always have it. A lot of times, the same radio will be sold for helicipters, or airplanes, and only the programming and throttle stick is different for each. So both versions will have a 3 position switch.

My Futaba radio has more then just one 3 position toggle switch. I forgot just how many it was in total, but I want to say 3 or 4 of them.

[wingnut163]

i like the robby F14 twin stick. it can get up to 86 items to use.

skip.