FM vs. 2.4ghz
 

Hey all, first post here for me, just a quick question. I'm looking at 2 radios, both futaba 3pm, but which is better for a hard basher?? also, is 2.4ghz rly worth the extra $100?? thnx!! o, btw ill be using the radio for brushless e-revo, stampede, rc18t, and vintage kyosho optima

They way you drive (bashing, racing, etc.) doesn't really dictate what radio you should use. The 2.4 has a few advantages over FM, though. It rejects most electronic interference (ESC, motor, BEC), and typically has a longer range. If you do ever race, the 2.4 will be worth it because you don't have to wait for your "channel" to open up. I have the Futaba 3PM FM and it's a great radio. I have noticed that it will glitch a bit when it's farther away due to the signal/noise ratio being lower. I also have the Spektrum DX3.0, which is a 2.4 radio. I don't ever see interference when I use it. No matter what range I'm at.

Yes 2.4 is worth the extra - You can get a used DX3/3.0 for $120ish

...holy muffins that was fast...looks like its the 3pm 2.4ghz (im ordering from tower) unless theres a dx3.0 fs on this forum... thnx all

Holy muffins....hmmm. I've never tried those, are they any good?

PM sent ;)

I've never had a problem with fm. To me it's like buying a neu over a medusa. You can spend more, but both will do the same job. I can see the simplicity of not changing crystals, but for the extra $100 for 2.4, I could change a lot of crystals. A synthesized fm like my good 'ol trusty jr xr3s is crystal less anyway. Definately go fm over am, but, IMO, it is not worth the money to switch. At the same time, if I won the lotto I'd go 2.4

They are a bit better then fluffy muffins.

Hey, welcome to the forum. This place will cause you to bleed your wallet dry in no time flat....

I sent you a pm on a Futuba 2.4 I have that I was going to put up for sale.

Hmm, all of the muffins I have "sampled" have holes. Sometimes the holes are a bit too big for my liking....

Nothing better than a puffy muffin, I am always excited to see that!

Linc, there are extra letters there. You do realize that, right? :lol:

I like to frost muffins.

You guys are killing me.....

naw, you're safe, we're muffin killers

then it becomes a cupcake...:no:

But then it doesn't make any sense! :rofl:

yeah, he took the muff right out of muffin. Cupcakes? Seriously.:lol:

Lmao, you guys are downright hilarious!!! I know my favorite forum spot now :) I've replied to all PMs, thanks for the ninja-like responses guys. THat post about FM and 2.4 not being all that different has me going now. If i can snag a 2.4 from one of you guys that PMed me for less than $130 I'd be satisfied enough to buy it. Something coming up for me soon, I'm going down to Rhode Island with my uncle to view the shop they have there, and do a bit of track bashing/racing. 2.4 I'll get now complaints, but how many people could be on an FM channel (out of the 30 or 40 that there are). Are there any synthisised recievers for FM? But would that bring my cost to about the price of a used 2.4ghz? Sry for the long post, but i know there's a lot of good info around here :) thanks in advance.

im also noticing all of the features in some of these radios. The only things i absolutely need is 5+ model memory and servo trims. So, are there any bare-bones 2.4ghz radios out there?? thnx, and for those of you who will tell me to search around a bit on my own, im doing just that right now. if i find something i like, ill post here for your opinions.

I was just looking at the new Venom motorcycle when I scrolled down the page and found a very nice looking FM 3ch radio, 15 model memory and servo trims. Please tell me that this is one thing that Venom does right LOL. Also, I'm inclined to look at the CEN Skyion series of radios as well. IMHO FM is all i need, and cheap (to buy) is my top concern. Sry for posting some many times in a day.

If cheap is your main decision maker, then yes, FM is the best you can do. However, if at some point you run brushless, you will likely have issues. Everyone has to go through this decision making process through life - you can only buy what you can afford - overextending yourself often leads to bigger issues. Unfortunatley, that often leads to spending more on things since one will tend up keep upgrading as they can afford to.

I can't speak for the Venom line, never even knew they made one.

I'm interested in the Futaba. My hate my spektrum...

JThiessen, your inbox is full. PM me.

Ted

Well, i run BL in all my trucks (except for my nitro t-maxx that may be sold and i use the money to buy a BL motorcycle, lol), but my traxxas AM radio doesn't glitch very much/at all when im within a reasonable range. I don't think i've ever been driving a truck 1/4 mile away from me, 50 yards at best...

My fm works fine with brushless. I won't upgrade. You can get a 10 model memory jr xr3s synthesized for real cheap, no crystals, just dial a channel on rx/tx

guess im goin FM now lol. Phew, thats a good $100 i just saved lol. the only real reason i need a radio is for model memory and 3rd channel... thnx all

PS DSM costs only $15 for a Losi TX

http://www.rctech.net/forum/r-c-item...mrc-stuff.html

Why? I've had the DX3, DX3.0, and now the DX3r, and they are all great. I've sold the DX3 and am keeping the DX3.0 for when someone wants to bash with me and need an extra radio, but the DX3r has everything I need in a radio and then some! The 30 model memory is nice too. Just curious what issues you've had.

About having too many features in a radio: It's better to have more features you think you need in a radio and never use them than to have a feature and not have it built-in.

About the muffin/cupcake thing: You guys are too much (esp linc)! I just thought it was funny because "Cupcake" is the g-rated term my g/f uses for her, well, you know. :whistle:.

LOL!!! My friend and I got into a whole cupcakes vs. muffins thing with assorted toppings (whipcream, cherry, chocolate chips, etc.) and she was sitting there just look down, at me, at him, back down (you know where), back at me and says,"What kinda toppings are ur favorite??" I was LMAO and almost got sent to the Principal, but holy crap it was funny. Then she "got it" and stepped on my foot as hard as she could. I was wearing steel-toe Tims and she was wearing some kind of slipper thingies and we all know how that one turned out...best class ever!! I love band lol!!

P.S. How good are the Losi systems? I've heard about some bad servos in MLSTs but that probably isn't TX/RX related, right? Thanks!!

For $15 for a basic 2.4 TX - what do you expect - but it works fine

True, it's cheap and works well, but I'd need 5 of them to have all of my vehicles set up. The only things I'm going for are 5+ model memory and servo trims

thanks all, venom FM 3ch it is

ok the only thing i'm curious is, with 5 trucks how would they be setup diffrent? i bought a mx-3 fm radio w/model memory. i noticed quickley that i set my trucks up the exact same every time and it didn't matter what truck i ran. what options is everyone changing between cars. to me steering trim is pointless the middle is the middle
though i just got a nomadio with way more model memory
just curious why this is so important when does anyone have steering or throttle trim not setup towards the middle

Its not just the trim. Steering response rate, throttle response rate, etc. Yes, most of us will likely be rediculusly close between settings, but there are differences.
Like my on my Revo, I set the steering up with a really low initial response rate to help me keep from oversteering at 45-50 mph. Whereas if it were set up for the track, I'd be more aggressive with that and a little less so on the throttle (to keep traction).

hmm i flip my revo on pavement constantly, what are your settings?
though i have a nomadio soo just general if possible
thanks

You have a MMM also, right? You can change that setting also.

I use a Spektrum, and there is a cetain setting in the throttle area that when I run the numbers down, it reduces the punchiness of my trigger finger. When I get home I can look to see what that setting is....my brain is fried right now!

sorry i meant flip from steering at 35 -40 mph not throttle flip. sorry for the confusion.

On mine, its the exponention function (EXP) that adjusts the rates. Your manual should tell you if can do it, and how.

well, from my bl to brushed ESC and then to nitro engine, the 'idle' position is different. also, i have to reverse channels sometimes too.

...am i the only one that pulled out a gun??? LMAO, that was scarry...