New to FT and foam board building

[JonesyB]

**edit - never mind, thanks for your time and responses. The reveal cured my newest addiction.**
Recently stumbled onto Flite Test and scratch building FB planes, and I think I’ve found my newest addiction.
That’s step 1, right? Sadly, I won’t make the Fest this year, so the meeting will have to wait, for now…

Started with the Mini Explorer bundle - great, protected prop, belly lander, but I realized before I began assembly that it will be a bit too large for every day backyard flying. So I’m starting with the Tiny Tutor - practicing on scratch builds before breaking into the speed build - posterboard templates already traced and used to start the first attempt at the Tutor. Tempted to try and make the Mini Explorer…..well….tiny(er).

I guess I did some research before jumping into the fire, but apparently I didn’t do enough. Many questions about transmitters - and I think diving through UTube vids and forum threads has only made it worse.
Long story short, in addition to the R88 that came with the bundle, I also have some planes/helicopters with DSMX receivers.
The Pocket CC2500, can be used with DSMX receivers with the RM 4IN1 module?
Or should I have the ELRS POCKET with the 4IN1?
Or should I resell/keep the POCKET for testing/other pilots and go all in for a TX16S since the pocket ELRS and RM 4IN1 module would cost almost as much?

Just trying to wrap my head around what would work with what I have now, and should also work with new stuff going forward (seems ELRS is getting popular).

Luckily I’m in no rush to make a decision and I’m not sold on staying with RM - although I like simple - but I’m not trying to reopen that can of worms - just trying to make sure I understand my Radiomaster transmitter combo options that would work with my DSMX stuff as well - eliminate some redundancy while not breaking the budget (leaving more $ for more electronics - the addiction is real!), and I could potentially offload some of the older transmitters.

Thanks!

 

[Foamforce]

ELRS + 4in1 is a great combo.

ELRS isn’t used much on planes yet, but it’s very common on drones and micro drones now, so you’ll likely use that eventually. You can get ELRS receivers for planes too. They’re very cheap and the range is beyond line of sight.

4in1 gets you compatibility with all the E-Flite planes, as well as almost every other receiver on the market. For example, the Radiomaster R88 that you have, Lemon receivers, FlySky (good budget option), etc.

My advice for newcomers, if you can afford it, is the Pocket ELRS with the 4in1 module. Alternatively, a TX16s 4in1, and you can get the ELRS module later. You can pick up a used TX16s 4in1 v1 for probably $100, so that’s an option too.

 

[SEEBO]

I'd throw my hat in for ELRS as the receivers are cheap and every year it gets better and better thanks to the open source community. The receivers are comparatively cheap and Radiomaster just dropped a lot of new telemetry backpacks as well. If you're essentially a blank slate in the hobby you cant go wrong that way.

 

[RickHunter]

There are many good ones out there. It depends on what your needs are. The pocket is great especially if your looking for something really compact and economical, and you can add nano modules to work for 4in1/elrs if you want. I personally use the TX16S mkII with an elrs module. Most my models are not elrs so I prefer that setup. I use the elrs module for my FPV glider and wireless training, but am now just starting to use elrs in new models as well. Reason being for what @SEEBO and @Foamforce said.
Which is the best transmitter debate has been around for years, and will be around for years to come. I think it comes down to what your preference is (and what your bank account can afford). I've used Flysky and Spektrum in the past, and still have those transmitter, and they both work great. I just personally prefer my TX16S. There is a small learning curve to EdgeTX systems, but the basics are not difficult and there are tons of resources to help you out. Open source systems (EdgeTX) are also constantly being improved with new options and gadgets to play with, so that's something to keep in mind as well.

 

[LitterBug]

I have one of the Pocket ELRS transmitters with the 4-in-1 module. It works great for almost everything I fly. Helis, quads, planes, etc... On some of my more complex builds, I need things like a 6 way switch for flight modes and I use my TX16s for those.

NOTE: The chips that are used in the 4-in-1 modules have been discontinued for several years. RadioMaster is no longer making 4-in-1 radios and are out of the 4-in-1 external modules. If you want a 4in1 setup, get it now before they are completely unavailable.

 

[bisco]

nothing is simple, unfortunately