FlySky 2.4Ghz 9CH FD-TH9X-B/TH9B TX

[HowDoIfly]

Although my DX6i is adequate, I think I';ll be needing more channels if/when I upgrade to a gimbal and camera. I have to confess, I don';t fully understand my Spekkie';s features so need to ask, is the FlySky a good choice (it';s certainly a good price) or am I likely to run into problems?

[teslahed]

The ';flysky'; is resold under different names.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FlySky-2-4Ghz-9CH-FS-TH9X-B-TH9B-TX-Transmitter-R8-B-RX-Receiver-same-TURNIGY-9X-/110919526329

You can buy it from hobbyking;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8992__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Transmitter_w_Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html

with turnigy branding rather than flysky branding. It';s the same transmitter.

I bought mine from giantshark;

http://www.giantshark.co.uk/product/170570/flysky-fsth9x-b-24g-9-channel-transmitter-module-receiver

because i needed next day delivery (my spektrum died unexpectedly) but i would buy the cheap one from hobbyking and wait if i was buying again.

You can flash this radio with open source firmware to make it much more powerful in terms of computer controlled mixing and stuff. It';s a bit of a fiddle to do but does give you a lot more functionality for more sophisticated multirotor stuff;

http://code.google.com/p/opentx/

Alternatively you could look at getting one of these;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__31544__Turnigy_9XR_Transmitter_Mode_2_No_Module_.html

and a separate radio module;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__39621__OrangeRX_DSMX_DSM2_2_4Ghz_Transmitter_Module_JR_Turnigy_compatible_EU_Warehouse_.html

It';s the same radio as you were looking at above only with the improved firmware installed as default and no default radio module.

[HowDoIfly]

The one I was looking at doesn';t state it';s flashed with opensource but guess I can do that at no extra cost?

It comes as a TX/RX(R8B) set. Is there a difference between the "no module" version and one prefitted or are they all interchangeable?

[teslahed]

If you provide the link to the one you are looking at i will give my opinion.

But yes, you can flash them yourself. It';s pretty similar to flashing a speed controller but involves some soldering to smallish solder points;

http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php?topic=1462.0

If you are handy at programming VCRs etc then the open source firmware is great. You can do almost anything with it. If you shudder at the sight of a remote controller with more than a dozen buttons then i would suggest sticking with the stock firmware as it';s MUCH easier to setup and use - if only because there';s less you can do with it.

There';s no real difference between the module and no module versions except that if you get one that comes with modules you';ll get the cheapest technology going. It works fine (i use the stock modules and receivers on my smaller quads that don';t fly far). If you get one that comes without you';ll have to buy your own and you';ll end up with FRsky or orange dsm2 based modules. The orange dsm2 based module i linked to is one of the common standards that would let you fly a lot of the ';bind and fly'; aircraft. Frysky has a very good reputation as well.

This radio;
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__31544__Turnigy_9XR_Transmitter_Mode_2_No_Module_.html

comes with the open source firmware and without a module. It looks totally different to the one you originally posted but it';s the same radio with a different face.

http://youtu.be/SWYW2QYKrL4

[HowDoIfly]

This is what I';m looking at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180878339162?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D180878339162%26_rdc%3D1

I have no intention of buying any bind n fly craft at this point, I just want to use it on my self-build multi';s.

[teslahed]

If you get one with a module included you';ll be fine. If you get one without a module i think the Frysky modules are technically slightly better than the orange DSM2 modules.

The one you';ve found on ebay is basically the same as the hobbyking one;

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__8992__Turnigy_9X_9Ch_Transmitter_w_Module_8ch_Receiver_Mode_2_v2_Firmware_.html
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180878339162?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D180878339162%26_rdc%3D1

The difference is the way the aerial is routed internally. You wont find it causes you any problems. If you decide to fit a different module in the future you may need to use a screw driver to do that (no soldering). The other difference is that it';s almost half the price. I';d get the one from hobbyking if it was me.

[HowDoIfly]

The one you';ve found on ebay is basically the same as the hobbyking one;

.....

The other difference is that it';s almost half the price. I';d get the one from hobbyking if it was me.

If it';s basically the same AND half the price, I';m confused why you recommend HK? Where';s the value you see? Sorry if I';m being dim. 

[teslahed]

That';s bad wording on my part - sorry.

The hobbyking one is almost the same as the ebay one and almost half the price.

The only difference is that the aerial is routed internally on the hobbyking transmitter and externally on the ebay one. If you are handy with a screw driver the internal aerial will only slow you down for 5 mins the first time you try upgrading your radio modules to something better (which you may never do) as you have to open up the case and hook out the aerial cable from inside the transmitter casing. If you are not interested in upgrading your radio modules then the internally routed cable is a slightly neater arrangement.

The only advantage the ebay transmitter has over the hobbyking one is that you can swap the modules out the back quicker without fiddling around with the internal aerial arrangement. 

[HowDoIfly]

Ah, I was being dim, I hadn';t priced up the HK (plus postage).

Thank you very much for your responses. 

[HowDoIfly]

Ordered the HK version just over £50 posted. Anyone know how long it';ll take to get here?

[QuadBod]

Which warehouse and shipping method?

[HowDoIfly]

Erm, just saw two options from China, picked the cheaper one lol

EDIT: International Warehouse. ChinaPost Air Parcel No Lipo US$26.18

[HowDoIfly]

Answering my own post here but might be useful for others. I sent HK a request at the weekend asking the expecting delivery times, got a reply last night stating 6-21 days (22Oct - 6Nov), and it actually arrived today.