Futaba Radios, Spektrum Radios, JR Radios... Is one brand better than the other?There are several popular RC radio manufacturers you can choose from. Futaba Radios, Spektrum Radios, JR Radios, Hitec Radios, and Airtronics are the major five. There are dozens of other low cost, almost toy grade RC radios on the market as well; but I am focusing on quality computerized radios that will give you years of versatility and trouble free flying - not junk. So which is best? Ask 5 different people and you will likely come up with 5 different opinions. You see, most RC pilots are very passionate about the radio brand they use, more so than any other RC component. To be honest, all of these manufactures build good radios and brand loyalty plays more of a roll these days than function and performance. FUTABA RADIOS I have and will always trust Futaba. I still have every Futaba radio I ever purchased and they are all still working like champs. I have never been let down with any Futaba product. I know when I first started out in this hobby – Futaba radios really were better than most other RC radio manufactures; but now a days – they are all pretty much on a level playing field. 
Futaba's really hits the mark on their intermediate to higher end products. Their entry level 6EX 6 channel radio is (at least for RC helicopters) inadequate compared to what the competition offers.However, their new 2.4 GHz FG and CG series (8FG, 10CG, 12FG) are among the best intermediate/advanced radios on the market right now. HITEC RADIOS 
Hitec was left behind for a couple years when 2.4GHz
Spread Spectrum Modulation
was introduced; but Hitec has caught up to this new technology and has two very good 2.4 GHz radios on the market right now.Their Optic 6 Sport 2.4GHz is a nice entry level 6 channel computerized radio and their Aurora 9 2.4GHz 9 channel radio is absolutely amazing. It is getting so many good reviews for the advanced features it offers at a very affordable price. JR & SPEKTRUM RADIOS Like Futaba, JR has been in the RC game for as long as I can remember and has a loyal following. JR has traditionally built very high end products that have been used by many professional RC pilots world wide and in the RC heli world is probably still the number one choice. JR has teamed up with Spektrum to take advantage of Spektrum's patented DSM2 2.4 GHz spread spectrum technology. 
I have now become a "JR/Spektrum" guy when I made the switch from PCM to 2.4 GHz spread spectrum modulation because I personally feel that Spektrum/JR offers the most solid RF link and best path diversity available. I was blown away with all the features Spektrum's entry level DX6i radio offers for such a low price. I then acquired a Spectrum DX7 which is probably the most popular sport/intermediate radio out there right now. Other than a somewhat complicated programming menu layout/access, the DX7 offers wonderful value and is a proven performer.
JR has just released the new
X9503 9 channel radio
and this is the radio I have been waiting for. I pre-ordered one from my Friend Matt at Red Rocket Hobbies as soon as I found out he was bring them in. It is the replacement for the JR X9303 but has more useful features such as a backlit display and throttle activated timer (both long overdue features) and comes in at a better price to compete more favorably with the new Hitec Aurora 9 or Futaba 8FG. The 3 year warranty on the new X9503 is the best going. I personally feel JR/Spektrum offer the best overall value due to features like Model Match, Bind & Fly, best receiver options, overall quality, customer support, and of course as I already mentioned, their proven DSM2 spread spectrum modulation system. So what brand RC radio should you get for your RC helicopter? Here are my recommendations based on flying a single rotor collective pitch RC Helicopters from beginner to pro. As you already know from my best RC helicopter section , I am a strong believer in getting good quality and value products that you won’t out grow in a few months. This of course will save you time and money. If you follow my advice given on the RC Radios page and stick to getting a 6 channel (or more) computerized radio with 2.4GHz spread spectrum technology, the three clear leaders at the time of this writing (winter 2010) are Futaba, Hitec, and Spektrum/JR. ENTRY LEVEL/BEGINNER RADIOS Spektrum's DX6i is considered by most to be the best entry level computerized radio out there right now and uses Spektrum's proven 2.4HGz DSM2 modulation. If you want to learn about the Spektrum DX6i,
here is my review on it. INTERMEDIATE RADIOS The Futaba 7C 2.4GHz or Spektrum DX7 radios are the next step up with one more channel and some nice additional features. For average fliers, these two radios have all the important features most people will ever need or want. Again, the Spektrum DX7 has more features and is a much better overall choice for the RC heli pilot. The Futaba 7C is pretty old and antiquated but it still works. ADVANCED RADIOS If your hobby becomes a true passion, there are several exciting options to look at and the prices in this "advanced or enthusiasts" segment of radios have plummeted in recent years. Most are under $600 USD now. Once up to this level of radio, the quality and features take a noticeable jump. 8 channels or more, 30 plus model memory, ball bearing supported gimbals, back-lit LCD displays, multiple swashplate types supported, and 7 point throttle/pitch curves are all pretty much standard features plus many more. As I mentioned the new JR X9503 is my personal radio of choice right now obviously since I have so many DSM2 equipped aircraft and I want to stick with one radio to fly all of them. I also mentioned Hitec's Aurora 9 as the least expensive radio in this segment with some neat features. EXPERT/HI-END RADIOS Lastly we have the elite high end of RC radios with more bells and whistles then even the advanced flier would ever need or use. 
These radios are near or well over $1K USD, but exemplify the best of the best. The Futaba 12FG & 12Z along with JR's 12X are all high end products that the professional enthusiast will be happy with for a long time.
If you are looking for the very best RC radio out there, most will agree nothing comes close to the Futaba 14MZ or the 14MZ 2.4GHz version. These flag ships of the Futaba line up are so advanced; you really have to see them to believe it.
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