EASY STAR BUYER'S GUIDE

By Jerry Houser

EZ STAR “SET-UPS”

EZ Star “RTF” (Ready to fly) set up:

This package comes complete – servos are already mounted and the radio is already installed. A “basic” peak detection charger which operates from your auto battery or an optional power supply is also included. After just an hour or two of final assembly, it is ready to fly.

Advantages:

-Simple, complete package, most economical way to get into the air.

Disadvantages:

-The version from Maxx Products comes with a Focus AM radio. While it works fine, one would never be able to use the receiver with an FM transmitter. It is not usable with a “trainer box” and the transmitter requires 8 “AA” alkaline batteries which are not rechargeable. Other sales outlets have a version with an FM Neon transmitter but it still does not have a rechargeable battery included; however, a “trainer box” connector can be added for under $15. A new student would still need a cable and a “trainer/buddy box” if he/she wishes to use that training method.

-The RTF comes with a 6 cell, 600mahr battery pack. This battery will power the airplane but only marginally and for a rather short flight. A 7 cell battery pack powers it fairly well, with an 8 cell battery pack giving it very good performance.

-The RTF comes with an 8 amp speed controller. This is fine for a 6 cell battery pack and has regularly been used with a 7 cell battery pack, but it won’t work with an 8 cell battery pack (an 8 cell pack would likely damage the speed controller).

-The included peak detection battery charger must be powered from either a car battery or an optional AC to DC power supply. It also has a fixed charge rate of 2 amps which may not be optimal for the desired battery pack. It will only charge battery packs up to and including 7 cells – it won’t charge 8 cell packs.

It is strongly recommended that one purchase additional 7 cell battery packs if he/she is going to go with this RTF option. Most flyers like to have at least 2 battery packs so that one can be recharging while the other one is powering the airplane. It is also recommended that the “stock” battery connectors be replaced with “Dean’s Ultra Plug” type connectors.

Recommended set-up for the RTF option:

1 ea ASM105 Easy Star RTF kit
2 ea H-1200A, 7 cell NiMh battery packs (3-4 hump style)
2 ea 2817 Deans Ultra plug set
Glue & Accelerator (local hobby shop purchase)

EZ Star Custom set-up

There is also a relatively new option of the Easy Star RR (receiver ready) kit. It includes the 2 servos and an 8 amp ESC (limited to 7 cells maximum).

This option allows one to “customize” the EZ Star set up which, while a little more expensive initially, will allow one to use many of the items when “moving up” to another electric powered airplane.

Recommended “custom” set-up option:

1 ea ASM108 EZ Star kit
2 ea H1200A 8 cell NiMh battery packs (2x4 block)
2 ea 2817 Deans Ultra plug set
2 ea HS-81 Hitec HS-81 or HS-81MG metal gear servo
1 ea MX9120 20 amp brushed Motor Speed Control (ESC)
1 ea 156721 Hitec Laser 4 channel FM radio system (with rechargeable transmitter battery and 4 standard size servos – hold for later use)

-OR-

1 ea 156725 Hitec Laser, 4 channel FM radio system (rechargeable battery & 3 HS-81 servos; however the receiver is a single-conversion receiver)
Glue and accelerator (local hobby shop purchase)

Other less expensive radio systems are available (such as the Neon), but it is probably a better investment to get the Laser radio system so that a trainer/buddy box may be used as well as having a more capable radio for the future move up to larger aircraft. Currently, Hitec does not have a radio system “package” which includes the required HS-81 servos.

Chargers:

There are many battery chargers on the market today. Some require DC input power (car battery or an optional AC to DC power supply) while others will operate off of either AC (house power) or DC. The charger listed below is a DC only input charger.

M92531 Multiplex LN-5014 multicharger (Charges and discharges NiMh or Nicad battery packs as well as charging lithium and lead acid batteries) Has a digital LCD screen.

Future upgrades might include a brushless motor and brushless speed controller.

HB2815-2000 brushless motor.
Thunderbird 18 brushless speed controller.
A06040E 6x4 APC electric prop.