HITEC OPTIC 6

AN AFFORDABLE, EASY-TO-USE, 6-CHANNEL COMPUTER RADIO SYSTEM by Gerry Yarrish

The new Optic 6 FM computer radio system from Hitec is a welcome addition to the 6-channel radio market. This radio offers powered-aircraft, glider and helicopter programming, eight-model memory and, best of all, it costs less than $210! Now that I have your attention, let's take an up-close and personal look at this impressive system.

The Optic 6 radio system in this review is the standard version that comes with 4 HS-325HB servos, an 8-channel HFD-08RD receiver, a 600mAh 4.8V airborne battery pack, a switch harness and an overnight battery charger. Also included are radio-frequency antenna numbers and flag, additional servo wheels and mounting hardware, a 12-inch aileron servo-extension lead and a square piece of Hitec flight-protector foam to wrap around the receiver.

This radio is also available with a PCM receiver, and it can be ordered with a Spectra frequency synthesized module (see "Spectra freedom!" sidebar).

TRANSMITTER

The Optic 6 transmitter has a nicely molded case, and the sealed stick gimbals have a smooth feel. The four main functions (rudder, throttle, aileron and elevator) have digital trims; when you activate them, the main display screen automatically switches to the trim display. There, you can see the control output number and adjust the trim percentage in the + or - direction.

At the case's top corners are two long toggle switches: the trainer switch is on the left, and the flight-mode switch is on the right. The engine-cut button is also on the right side. On the right upper front corner is the aileron dual-rate switch, and the elevator/rudder dual rate and the auxiliary channel/gear switches are on the left. On each side of the radio is an auxiliary-channel slider switch. The power on/off switch is centered just above the main display screen. Above the neck-strap's clip fitting is a blue power-on indicator light.

On the left side of the display screen are two edit buttons and two cursor buttons. At the right of the screen are two data input buttons and the lock and clear buttons. These eight buttons allow you to easily navigate the radio's programming and adjust the various functions. On my first try, I found the radio's layout very comfortable and the programming choices intuitively configured.

The channel outputs are aileron (1), elevator (2), throttle (3), rudder (4), landing gear/aux. 1 (5), flap/aux. 2 (6).

PROGRAMS AND MENUS

There are two "model-type" menus to choose from: aircraft/glider (ACGL) and helicopter (Heli). The ACGL program includes flaperon (dual-aileron servos), flap trim, camber control, landing mixing and settings, aileron differential, ailevator (dual-elevator servos), V-tail, elevon (flying-wing models), throttle cut, throttle-control select, aileron-to-rudder mixing, elevator- to-flap mixing and crow mixing.

The Heli features include five-point pitch and throttle curves, high and low revolution mixing, throttle cut and hold, gyro settings, rudder-to-throttle mixing and four flight modes. You can also select conventional swashplate or more complex mixing for 3-servo, 120-degree CCPM swashplate control.

TRANSMITTER DISPLAYS

When you first turn on the radio, the screen shows the model type (ACGL or Heli) and then switches to the start-up screen that shows the voltage/timer display. It also shows the current model number with a small arrow. The edit buttons allow you to scroll through the voltage/timer, model-name and trimposition screens. Pressing the right cursor button brings up the timer display that shows the stopwatch time on the left and radio-on time at the right. The cursor buttons are used to start and stop the stopwatch timer, and the clear button resets the radio-on time.

The lock switch is a safety feature that locks the throttle in the last position it was set in. This ensures that the throttle is not accidentally advanced while you are carrying your running model. There are three warning displays: one is for low-battery voltage, and the two heli-specific warnings are idle on and throttle hold on.

FLIGHT MODES AND MIXING

A valuable feature on any computer radio is a flight-mode switch that can be used to automatically configure your model for various conditions. The flight-mode switch (SW 4) on the Optic 6 has three positions, and by using the menus, you can turn the landing mode on by moving the flight-mode switch aft (toward you). Moving it fully forward (away from you) activates the elevator-to-flap mixing. The center position turns both functions off. The crow is actuated by the gear switch (SW2).

By using programmable mixing menus 1 and 2, you can adjust the programming for knife-edge flight (where roll and pitch coupling can be dialed out) and for any other combination of control functions. Coupled with the radio's switch-selection function, you can customize your radio to best fit your control needs.

With its many popular functions, an easy-to-understand menu of options and a big, easy-to-read display, the Optic 6 from Hitec is a good place to start exploring the realm of computer control and flexibility.