Radio for brushless vehicles

[jnev]

Oh, I see. Because I remember last year there was the MX-3s for $50 each!! My brother ended up selling some on ebay for mroe and made a nice profit. I bought one, and then stupidly thought I didn't need it, so I sold it. Now I ma in search of a nice radio system again.

[ssspconcepts]

Originally Posted by elegal

I am about to buy a radio, and I can get a futaba 3pk system for the same price as a spektrum dx3. THe futaba comes with a rechargeable battery, but the spektrum comes with an extra receiver. The futaba is also a discontinued model since the 3pks came out. Which would be a better choice for brushless? Does brushless behave better with 2.4 ghz or fm?

3pk pros: rechargeable battery, more adjustability, upgradeable
3pk cons: discontinued model, not 2.4ghz

DX3 pros: 2.4 ghz, extra receiver, cool antenna
DX3 cons: uses alkaline batteries, not as adjustable or upgradeable

Anyone have any suggestions, since my current futaba magnum junior is over 12 years old and has seen better days.:007:

A lot of folks will have different opinions...but I like the Spektrum DX 3.0 so far. It performs well and offers quite a bit of flexibility in terms of adjusting exp/epa. I also really like the fact that you can add telemetry and get real time data from your car (e.g., motor temp, voltage, speed and RPM). By the way...you can purchase rechargeable batteries for the Spek and recharge them using your RC charger (all you need is a 9V battery adapter and an extra Deans (or Tamiya) plug. You can see my telemetry mounting scheme at

http://picasaweb.google.com/ssspconcepts


I have heard a lot of good things about Nomadio...but the React is significantly more expensive...especially if you are installing telemetry on several cars.

[squeeforever]

Personally, I would go with the React. It's just a better radio...

[ssspconcepts]

Originally Posted by squeeforever

Personally, I would go with the React. It's just a better radio...

That's what I hear...but I don't like the way Nomadio's telemetry operates. The sensors are not as easy as the Spek to install and they are more prone to being knocked out of alignment in a crash (mainly the rpm sensor because it uses a heavy magnet instead of a reflective decal like the spek). The react does have an integrated telemetry screen (big plus), but it is small and difficult to read.

There are plenty of upsides...faster signal communication and a lot more adjustability. It also has the ability to store like 40 models where the Spek can only store 4.

[squeeforever]

Thats one thing I love about my M8. Its very precise, throttle and steering.

The only thing I don't like about buying the 3pk is that it is a discontinued model (which is why I can get it kinda cheap), but the new model(3PKS) does not have any upgrades that I find worth the extra cost to me. I have come to realize that the way a transmitter feels in your hand and being comfortable with it is more important than smaller functions, since it is your hands that are doing the driving, not the controller.

[jollyjumper]

so far i love my sanwa exzes plus ( stick based on the m11).
it feels great. but i hear an m11 is top heavy.

Originally Posted by elegal

The only thing I don't like about buying the 3pk is that it is a discontinued model (which is why I can get it kinda cheap), but the new model(3PKS) does not have any upgrades that I find worth the extra cost to me. I have come to realize that the way a transmitter feels in your hand and being comfortable with it is more important than smaller functions, since it is your hands that are doing the driving, not the controller.

I wouldn't worry about the fact that the 3PK is discontinued. I assume that the warranty is still the same. There's one very very important thing you have to remember if you buy the 3PK/3PKS - don't buy the first version of the Spektrum system for it. Get the Spektrum Pro version or Futabas Fasst system. They had a lot of problems with the first generation of Spektrum modules for the 3PK/3PKS.

The "old" 3PK is still an excellent radio. The top drivers where I live use it, and they could easily afford to buy the 3PKS if they wanted to.

Squee still uses his M8, also an excellent but discontinued radio. Don't worry - the 3PK is an excellent choice.

I ended up buying the 3PK, and I am way more impressed with the throttle and steering "feel" than that of the DX3. The Futaba FASST system is just their version of 2.4ghz, correct?

Fasst and Spektrum are basically the same thing. 2.4ghz but there might be differences in latency. Check out www.spektrumrc.com and www.futaba-rc.com.

Enjoy your new radio :)

[squeeforever]

Originally Posted by furu

Squee still uses his M8, also an excellent but discontinued radio. Don't worry - the 3PK is an excellent choice.

Thats cause I can't afford a new React or Sensor right now. :p

[squeeforever]

My M8 is top heavy, so I would imagine that the M11 is aswell. Especially if you add a LiPo battery to them.

[tallyram]

i just bought a 3pks and put a fasst module in it. gigantic upgrade from a dx3! the throttle and steering are so precise. way more features than i could ever expect to use, but it feels good in my hands. so far i'm impressed. highly recommend it!

[BrianG]

I still love my Spektrum. Although the only comparison I have is against the stock Traxxas TQ3 radio. Anything is an improvement over that (except it did fell nice in my hand) :)

[zeropointbug]

BrianG, i want to get a DX2.0 for my truck. I can get it for $189 CAD, so it's alot less expensive than other good radios.

How DOES it compare to stock radio? :032: