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Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/13/2013 12:16 AM   
rcfanatics


 

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From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Hi everyone, I have already started this discussion on another blog from another site but only one person answered so I was hoping to get a better shot here. So I just copy paste what I wrote.


"I keep hearing things about transmitters and the one that keeps coming out are the Spektrum series and the Futaba series.

The people that I've contacted about those 2 brand shows quite loyalty to them and would try to make me hate the other by telling that the other transmitter sucks or is crap, ect. Though they don't give any strong argument to show that one is better then the other.

So after some research I find both of them quite nice but Spektrum gets a small edge in the compatibility section. But those were my search's result. Now I want to hear those that actually uses those transmitters and hear what they have to say. I want to hear strong argument to make me a believer in which one I should go for. Just telling me that the transmitter sucks isn't an argument, I heard that plenty of time from both parties.

So please no bashing other people, I just want to choose a good transmitter.

Thanks.

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/13/2013 11:57 AM   
Foxy



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Status: offline 		EDITED: There are only a few top brands, these include Futaba, KO Propo, Sanwa (aka Airtronics), Futaba being the leader of the bunch in my own opinion, having owned radios by a lot of manufacturers. Spektrum stuff is decent, but not on the same level as these brands.

Futaba's disadvantage is that they are quite expensive and so are receivers, but then you can say that about spektrum too.

I have Futaba radios, Spektrum radios, Noname radios, Traxxas TQi, and I'll be looking to replace them all with a Flysky IT4 soon.

If you really a want a radio with EVERYTHING for an unbelievable price, you should look at hobbypartz.com for the flysky it4. It won't be quite up there in quality with the spektrum and futaba units, but on features and price (receivers with telemetry are only 26 bucks), its unbeatable.

< Message edited by Foxy -- 2/13/2013 4:49 PM >

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/13/2013 1:26 PM   
HerrSavage


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Foxy

Futaba is the superior of all other radio brands by a fair margin, always have been. Anyone saying otherwise either lacks experience or is a fanboy of whatever they run.



Have you ever heard of Airtronics?

Seriously though, Airtronics is very much up there with Futaba, if not higher in some cases.

Spektrum is junky in comparison - at least the DX3S and co.


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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/13/2013 1:38 PM   
Foxy



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From: Kingston UK, but living in Athens, GREECE
Status: offline 		Airtronics? You mean Sanwa? Airtronics is to Sanwa what OFNA is to Hong Nor. Sanwa=OEM.

Yes, good radios, I did forget about them (edited my post now), and they are almost as good as Futaba (not much to choose between them to be honest). I haven't seen a Sanwa radio in so many years.

I also omitted to mention KO Propo, which are also great radios, but their stuff is heavily overpriced and still not as good as Futaba. KO Propo make killer servos though.

< Message edited by Foxy -- 2/13/2013 5:12 PM >

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/13/2013 1:46 PM   
HerrSavage


 

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From: Irgendwo, GERMANY
Status: offline 		My Kopropo servos have been awesome.. Their radios are funky looking though.

I said Airtronics because that's what they're called in the States, but yes, I have the cheapo Sanwa MX-V. If I had the dough the MT-4 would be my radio of choice - and it's mid-tier, not top-tier/$500 like the 4pk or MX12 or whatever the top Futabas and Sanwas are called(bunch of unnecessary gadgetry for me...)

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/14/2013 1:51 AM   
rcfanatics


 

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From: Ottawa, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Thank you everyone for all your good suggestions, opinions and experience.

It has given me more info then anything I've found so far and far more options to look into.

I appreciate you for taking the time to answer my post.


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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/14/2013 1:26 PM   
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Status: offline 		I've only owned the Traxxas TQi and the Spektrum: DX2, DX3S and now the DX3C. The only thing I don't like is the Scroll button. TO ME: the Spektrum is easy to use. I don't have to refer to the manual every time I want to make an adjustment. For me the Spektrum has always been easy to use. Where I race the radios are either Spektrum or Futaba. Why I chose Spektrum over Futaba is that it came with the Losi XXL. And I bought one when they first came out. It was a great idea at the time and I just got used to it. But if I were ever to change brands, Futaba would be my next radio. Both are great radios. It's a matter of how much you wanna spend. You can't go wrong with either one. Let us know what you decide on.

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/15/2013 3:06 PM   
Johnnysplits


 

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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/16/2013 6:58 PM   
BKoz559



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Status: offline 		I've used Futaba equipment since the mid 90s.  They have been producing industrial controls way before they started making RC products.  Foxy is right that their stuff commands a premium price, especially the FASST equipment.  The FHSS radios are more moderately priced, however, I have no experience with those.  I will say that the sport and pro grade products are solid products.  I've never seen my 3PKS glitch; ever.

My brother uses an Airtronics MT-4.  I am very impressed with it's features and performance.  At $300 it's considered to be top sport / entry pro level equipment.  The receivers are cheaper than Futaba FASST units and from what I tell they are equally reliable.

I've had 2 different Spektrum based radios.  They seemed to work fine and like you said; there's the convenient compatability factor.  However, I witnessed a plane loose signal within about 100ft line of site and get destroyed from the resulting crash.  I had to trouble shoot a friend's buggy that was experiencing ESC glitching while being run by a Spektrum system.  I temporarily swapped in my Futaba R603FS receiver and used my radio.  The car drove just fine with that.  In the end, we installed a "glitch-buster capacitor" to fix his buggy.

Since these two events, I realized that no radio system is fool proof.  But it also conviced me that Spektrum wasn't for me and I should stick with what has been working for all these years.


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RE: Spektrum VS Futaba - 2/17/2013 2:31 AM   
JoeMaxx


 

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From: Castle Rock, CO, USA
Status: offline 		I am in favor of the Spektrum radio system because I ran with JR radios for years and Specktrum is just a JR Radio with a new name produced for Horizan Hobbies.   I have not experienced a glitch in the Spekturm radios yet even running 200 Feet away from me. 

I do like Futaba Radio systems at the high end but do not like the sport radio line like the PL series.  I have looked Airtronics/Sanwa in the past and other radio systems.    I like the way the Spektrum DX3C fits in my hand and it also comes with larger grips for people with huge hands.

I have a Traxxas TQi that came with my Slash VXL 4x4 and this thing was a pain in the butt to program because it does not have a LCD Screen.  Counting the number of blinking lights is not for me.   Unless you upgrade the radio so you can use your IPhone to program it seems kind of expensive to me to purchase this feature.  I never liked the radios that came with my RTRs and always upgrade them when my budget allows.

Foxy did introduce me to the Flysky line of radios and while I like the price of them.  It does not have the settings I like but the price is great for others who are looking for a LCD Screen and easy to program radio system. So I respect his advice and would have no problem also suggesting them. 

My LHS supports the Spektrum Radio systems than I can walk in and purchase a new receiver for my R/Cs.  Wish they carried the Servos but only really carry HiTec which makes little sense to me because HiTec has a standard of their own in the splines where as other factory servos have a crossover to another manufacture.  Traxxas can be upgraded to Futaba, HPI can be upgraded to Futaba also.    I am slowly moving everything from my JR XS3 series FM recievers to the Spektrum radios.   So far I love the way I can program them with the dial.   I enjoy the features of this radio system.

Little more information on stuff so if you looking at upgrades this is a good thing  25T Splines are the most popular for Servos in many manufactures.  Not a complete list since many newer R/Cs on the market these days.  

23T
* Airtronics: 23T
* JR: 23T
* KO: 23T
* MRC: 23T
* Multiplex: 23T
* Sanwa: 23T
* Spektrum: 23T

24T
* Hitec: 24T

25T
* Ace/Thunder: 25T
* Blue Bird: 25T
* Cirrus: 25T
* Duratrax: 25T
* Futaba: 25T
* Hobbico: 25T (Some servos like the CS-170 uses 24 splines)
* HPI: 25T
* Kyosho: 25T
* Power HD: 25T
* Savox: 25T
* Tamiya: 25T
* Team Associated: 25T
* Tower: 25T
* Traxxas: 25T


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