[NiagaraAV8R]

: Guys i'm looking at buying a high end radio. My problem is I have used FUT. problem free for years but JR's 8103 is ideally featured. Many problems with radios in the club have been of JR's . Granted prbably only 60% of issues were the radio. Over 3 years 6 guys have sent radios back for service. All JR. Am I missing something or do they have troubles. I am totally non bias. Im just looking for a heads up. What really worries me is that one fella sent in his JR for warranty only to loose another airframe on reciept. He sent it back and they sent him a brand new radio that would not even turn on. Consequently he went to FUTABA and never had an issue since. Any feedback on the 8103 or the 9C or WC9 is much appreciated.

[AJCoholic]

I know guys with the 8103 (have a 10X myself) and the 9C, they are all happy. I havent heard of excessive problems with any modern radio, JR, Futaba or Hitec or Airtronics.... maybe just bad luck with your buddies? Thats very odd...

[KevinPerry]

I don't think it really matters what you decide to use .They are all great till they break .And most anything that we use that has a mechanical/electronic interface to us will fail at some time .Hate to hear stories like this .Tough luck for the guys with the 8103's .I remember a few years back when futaba had a bit of trouble with 8uap's with poor solder joints .Sooo .... They all have trouble , buy what you like and feel comfortable with it because the other 99.9999% of the time of our equipment works flawless.

KP

[Marc Sharpe]

My 8103 and all previous JR's have been flawless.

Regardless, my opinion is...........Coke, Pepsi.......what's the difference. Go with what you like and more importantly, ........need.

.....and keep your batteries charged. Too many guys blaming radios for dumb thumbs or maintainance problems. It's impossible for some to simple admit a crash was their fault................not saying that was the case with your buddies, but nothing bores me quicker than a Ford/Chevy conversation.

[Randy Brown]

Diet Coke Rules


Randy

[AJCoholic]

If you want to get technical about it, there was a published (in rcm a number of years back) figure that stated Airtronics gets 10% the returns (relative to the number of radios sold) that futaba and JR do. But even I have had an airtronics component fail on me before (a high end coreless heli servo).

To be 100% honest, I just sent my 1 year old 10X radio back for a checkout, as I think one of the three position switches is not making good contact on the middle position. So, a $2000 radio still isnt 100% perfect.

I also had a wire come off the rudder pot on a very low use Airtronics Quasar transmitter. Also an easy repair but things happen...

[Frank Klenk]

You mentioned you currently use a Futaba, and trouble free for years at that. When a product serves you well you should stick with it in my opinion. Personally I use the 8103, JR receivers and Hitec servos throughout, never had a lick of trouble. Most important thing is to keep everything spotless clean, batteries in top condition and have the radio serviced regularly. Just my 2 cents.

Franko

[JimMcIntyre]

Frank's got the right idea. My original PCM10 (no S or X or roman numerals etc.) is still running flawlessly after all these years. She goes in for an annual checkup, tuning and cleaning and that's probably the reason....

[craigk]

Where do you send your JR's for tune-ups - anyone "local"

[JimMcIntyre]

Nope, Horizon.

I have a deal with the LHS, they send it along with other stuff (saves on shipping).