Preferred transmitter options to suit IOM sailing

[flytilidie]

New to IOM sailing but have many years flying behind me , my question is i have seen adverts for radio equipment tailored to suit competition sailing and i wondered what tailoring is being actually applied. I can understand applications for using exponential ,end point adjustment ,sub trim and possibly pitch curve to allow finer sail adjustment at end point but is there anything else. I already have high end Rc equipment with options for considerable flexibility in the set up and was expecting that to be more than adequate but perhaps i am wrong - any help appreciated to clarify what tailoring is preferred to suit competition IOM sailing - thanks

[John Ball]

My feeling is that any 2.4gig digital radio with mode 2 will work fine for RC sailing, and especially for IOM where only two functions are permitted.

I prefer a radio with a ratchet on Ch3 - Throttle (sail control) as it allows repeat ability from close hauled to just eased by a couple of clicks.

As we sail for many more hours per day than you would expect to fly, you may want to put a larger capacity battery in the Tx. I use a 2400ma and it lasts for a couple of days racing. Carry a spare battery and you can go a whole three day event without needing to recharge.

John

[Mike Ewart]

The generally preferred options are exactly as you said the availability of end point adjustment, dual rate, exponential and mix facilities is all very well but most people will only use the end point adjustment. As John says the use of larger batteries in the tranny is very useful but not essential many again on a Spektrum DX6i still use dry cells and get a few days racing out of them

[Guest]

However!!

Exponential applied to the rudder makes life so much easier. Set at about -50% Expo the stick is docile in the middle allowing you to be very gentle on the wind trimming the heading to get best speed but provides a positive control at the last quarter making tacking and mark rounding so much easier.

And given there are now a number of transmitters in the £50 to £80 price range with this feature it would be silly to NOT to select from them.

Independent End Point adjustment is very useful is setting a winch to get a smooth operation from sheeted fully in to 30mm out. Setting the Out EPA 100% and the IN EPA to 60% is for me an absolute necessity, it makes sail control on the wind so very easy.

As with ALL transmitters however the cost and on-going availability of spare receivers is a most important factor to consider since Receivers are NOT generally compatible from one Manufacturer to another. It is as well to buy a spare Receiver when ordering the Transmitter, particularly on E-Bay, as you are most likely to need a Receiver than a Transmitter later.

Battery life is really not of importance, most will give 6 hours of operation but do not try to convert a Dry Cell Transmitter to NiMH since the voltage is too low and the operation time is reduced considerably in MOST instances but generally more than adequate for a club event of 3 hours on Sunday.

Spectrum, Multiplex and Futaba have now become well over priced for what Radio Sailing needs, two maybe three channels, two model memories ( if you have two boats ).

Interestingly, you will not get more than 3-4 hours sailing time at a most National Events each day. Far less at IOM events, 2 hours if you are lucky.

I have only stuck with Multiplex CockpitX because it is light and very comfortable to hold, I have four receivers. I have dropped it in the water and it survived (after drying out) but the receiver are £50 plus each. But given the model has been discontinued and the replacement is £300 plus it is not likely I would get another. The same happened to Futaba 6 originally about £150 the replacement is £280 way more and the Futaba T6L it simply nasty in my option but cheap.

PRICES QUOPTED ARE INDICATIVE - ANY VIEWS EXPRESS ARE PERSONAL

The best way is to download the manuals and read them. In this way you find out the limitations and feature accurately.

Dave

Dave

[Darin Ballington]

Hi Tony,

What you are perhaps gathering is that just as in flying, the choices are many and the decision very personal.

If i was asked, I would suggest Futaba, but thats because its what i use, anything else feels odd and i have plenty of expensive receivers to use.

Range/Function etc are not really important for radio sailing as almost all will do what you want; I personally use end point adjustment, but dont use Exponential. Others will work their transmitters differently.

Depending on your boat design, perhaps the biggest danger is in fact the water itself.....

Dropping a transmitter in the water, dropping yourself in the water, sailing without a transmitter mitt and water in the pot or boat are probably the biggest reason for transmitter/receiver failure and if you can avoid these the chances are that any equipment will last years.

Worth giving Ken at Kbits a call if you have any doubts.

Darin

[flytilidie]

Many thanks to all for replys, and i concur with all the points raised. Good to know that standard software today is more that adequate to conform to sailing requirements. I do agree that fine tuning is important to ensure the transmitter feels right in the users hands, ensuring personal preferences can be applied ,makes a lot of difference. Again many thanks for all your advice -- appreciated ,,TB