Buying a DX6i: Need help with the freebies!!

[oetboy]

Ok, I'm a new to this hobby. I think I got down much of the lingo and tech stuff... forgive me in advance if I make a mistake in my questions!

I want to build a SC from scratch. I had a stock SC RTF... plane was lost in the wind (bad decision to fly that day). I want ailerons/flaperons and a brushless motor/ESC. Therefore, my current 4 channel Spektrum will not suffice.

I am looking at 2 "specials" on Hobbyzone website. Please help me decide between the 2 offerings:

1) DX6i with 3 receivers AR6115e (each receiver purchased separately is $49.99) for total price of $209.99

2) DX6i with 1 receiver AR6115e plus 4 Spekrum DSP75 servos (each valued separately at $15.99 a piece) for total price of $219.99

I really need package number "2" as I only need 1 receiver and 4 servos... BUT package 1 is a better "value". Is there a market for selling the AR6115e out there? Should I spring for package 1 and sell the 2 extra receivers separately? Or better to pay extra for "what I need" in package 2 and lose the headache of reselling receivers from package 1?!!

Advice? I know I'll kick myself if I enjoy building this plane and decide to build more... but what if I hate the process of building and just buy BNF models??!!

Help!

[flydiver]

Get #1.
The servos are digital and may be problematic, though I have no personal experience. You also need an extra programmer to access the extra features.

www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932445
www.servodatabase.com/servo/spektrum/dsp75

Believe me, extra RX can be useful for new planes and servos are easy to come by. plus there are better deals.

Note- you will need a separate UBEC or an ESC with a 3A SWITCHED BEC for that project --too many servos. A simple linear BEC in a regular ESC will NOT do. Search on [Spektrum + brown out]

[oetboy]

FlyDiver:

Thanks for the advice... will get the extra receivers...

Do you mind enlightening me on which servo's would work well in this plane? How do you chose servo's? Hobbyzone recommends the DSV130 on the SC upgrade page. But it is not "Programmable" like the DSP75. Granted I don't know what programmability would help me with. I googled DSP75 and you are right, a lot of people had problems with them. But some guy posted that all the experienced problems could be solved by actually utilizing the programming feature (which requires buying a special cable/cord). I need it to be more simple than that!! I just want a servo that works! is the DSV130 a good choice?

Also, regarding the brown outs in the Spektrum receivers, one forum entry showed Spektrum had what amounted to a "Recall" for firmware updates for certain receivers to work with older transmitters... not sure if that is the only problem with brownouts or if it truly is a voltage issue?

[oetboy]

The EFLA1030 is the ESC they recommend on website. it had a 5 volt switch mode with 700 mAh continuous... but I don't understand what that means... you said I need a 3 A (amp)? Does that mean I need a 3000 mAh ESC?

[flydiver]

Those few questions are a 5 day seminar. Time to do some reading:

sites.google.com/site/tjinguytech/charging-how-tos/

www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/index.shtml

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC POWERED FLIGHT
www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31368/

Spectrum brown out-servos and mods
supercubclub.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=rg&action=display&thread=1858

Flying is easy, the electrics are hard.

[toff]

Flying is easy, the rest is witchcraft! And fly is the grand warlock of the holy amp!

[ginginho]

I wouldn't take too much notice of Hobbyzone's advice, they will be pushing to sell their stock so will list things that are profitable to them.
As for the ESC, try to find a local source for a HobbyWing 40A Pentium ESC. This has a 3A switched BEC and gives sufficient headroom should you put a hefty (power-wise) motor in, more so that the E-Flite suggested. the 40A HobbyWing is what's fitted in my SC and very reliable (I've another in another aircraft plus 4 other HobbyWing ESC's that have not given any problems), and its a darn sight cheaper (in the UK at least) than the E-Flite.
As for servos, you pay yer money and take yer choice! You can spend big bucks on these that some have found questionable, or find some reliable cheap options.
The latest that I've found to be pretty darn good (certainly good enough for the SC) are E-Power 8.5 gram micro servos (maybe AKA EMax), less than a 1/4 of the price of the Spekky ones that are offered with package #2.