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All Forums >> RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks, Tanks and more >> RC Car Radio Equipment >> Justifying a higher end transmitter?
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Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 5:54:14 AM   
cnbsdad


 

Posts: 97
Joined: 4/28/2007
From: Woodland, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I'm just getting into the hobby of R/C nitro. Just picked up a Traxxas Jato 3.3. I know, it's very, very fast for a beginner.. but oh well, what can I say. I guess the looks and advertised speed is what attracted me. I live out in the county, so light poles and curves are limited.

Now that I have the itch, I’m sure I’ll be purchasing one to two more cars. As I’ve been doing my research, I see that most cars (RTR) come with a transmitter. I was thinking of jumping up a notch to the Futaba 2.4. I don’t want to be making Energizer rich with the disposables. I won’t be participating in any races, just recreational. So am I better off just sticking with the included transmitters?

I own a Futaba 2.4 for my planes and simply love it. Most planes don’t come with a transmitter so it was justified. And it’s nice to get to the field and just fly, rather than ask around to see who’s using the same frequency.

Your advice and/or suggestions would definitely be appreciated.
Thanks.

< Message edited by cnbsdad -- 1/6/2008 7:37:18 PM >
       Post #: 1

RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 3:04:28 PM   
tashspop


 

Posts: 1198
Joined: 8/5/2005
From: , TX, USA
Status: offline 		i think its worth the upgrade if you can spend the money on it. to me its more important to start with your servo's though. the jato's stock may be ok though since the front end is light.

(in reply to cnbsdad)
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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 3:36:43 PM   
XJRichB



Posts: 150
Joined: 12/12/2007
From: Sparta, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		How I justified switching to a higher radio from the ones that came with the R2R models was the model memory. Its great having 1 controller to use for all my vehicles. And if you run with other people, your never going to have to worry about being on the same frequency with them if you go 2.4. 3 years ago I switched to a JR XS3 pro. Not 2.4 but it's synthesized. It has 10 model memory, and I use all 10..it's an addicting hobby

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 5:02:54 PM   
Paradoxmaker



Posts: 267
Joined: 1/15/2007
From: Keller, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Anything that gets you away from the cheap, crappy RTR Am radios is worth it IMO. Upgrading to even a low end spektrum is a wonderful thing if nothing else because of never having to worry about turning on the TX and seeing someone else's RC go tearing off out of control because you didn't check the freq board.

I don't think you need a bells and whistles $300+ one, unless you love playing with tons or controls that probably 75% of the people don't ever use anyway...

< Message edited by Paradoxmaker -- 1/5/2008 5:04:15 PM >


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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 8:36:00 PM   
Nick2618



Posts: 3611
Joined: 3/15/2007
From: Sarasota, FL, USA
Status: offline 		well what ever you do make sure you run a fail safe in your jato. I have a jato and i know sometime u can get a little carried away in some speed runs. YOu dont want to lose signal and then it just haul ass 3 miles down the road. LOL. I just bought a spektrum dx 3.0 becuase it was cheapest 2.4ghz model and now i dont have to worry about any interferance from anyhting. YOu can get the dx3.0 in the low 200's on ebay shipped with 2 recivers and 2 servos.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/5/2008 8:53:19 PM   
Paradoxmaker



Posts: 267
Joined: 1/15/2007
From: Keller, TX, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: nick2618

well what ever you do make sure you run a fail safe in your jato. I have a jato and i know sometime u can get a little carried away in some speed runs. YOu dont want to lose signal and then it just haul ass 3 miles down the road. LOL. I just bought a spektrum dx 3.0 becuase it was cheapest 2.4ghz model and now i dont have to worry about any interferance from anyhting. YOu can get the dx3.0 in the low 200's on ebay shipped with 2 recivers and 2 servos.


Well with a Spektrum you don't need an extra failsafe since it's got one built in. Adding an external one can casue problems...



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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/6/2008 2:06:01 AM   
chrobar


 

Posts: 787
Joined: 8/5/2006
From: Darien, IL, USA
Status: offline 		The futaba 3PM also has a built in failsafe. I would go for the futaba 2.4ghz. If you ever want to upgrade to digital servos, you can use the HRS mode, and have even faster response time....

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 1/6/2008 10:42:03 AM   
bug850-4300


 

Posts: 14
Joined: 12/30/2007
From: OxfordOxford, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: nick2618
YOu dont want to lose signal and then it just haul ass 3 miles down the road.


Or worse, have it crash into something thats not gonna break.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 5/7/2008 1:51:38 AM   
NitroVette



Posts: 122
Joined: 8/6/2006
From: S.E., MA, USA
Status: offline 		The features and adjustments of a nice radio alone will elevate your car's performance. Things like EPA, EXP,dual rate, steering speed, digital trim, and ABS really allow you to extract the most performance out of a vehicle.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 5/7/2008 2:56:02 AM   
mx757


 

Posts: 137
Joined: 8/24/2007
From: , CO, USA
Status: offline 		cnbs, If you are looking for a well priced 2.4 radio check out the Airtronics MX-3 FHSS system. I picked one up new in box for $150 plus $10 for shipping on ebay.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 5/18/2008 8:29:41 AM   
dacaur



Posts: 645
Joined: 4/18/2005
From: midvale, UT, USA
Status: offline 		Yep a nice computer radio can make you a better, smoother driver... modle memory is nice... plus a high end radio just feels so much nicer in your hand.... I love me fuaba 3PM 2.4 radio...

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 5/18/2008 3:44:34 PM   
SAVAGEJIM



Posts: 4230
Joined: 7/6/2005
From: behind my 'puter, USA
Status: offline 		Since you already have experience with Futabas, you know the quality of these radios and the great customer support of the distributor of these radios. So, of course, going Futaba, also for your Jato, will not be a disappointing move at all.

Now, there is nothing wrong with the TRX radio, it's just that it is of way poorer quality than the Futabas (or other quality radios). These Traxxas radios are hit or miss; they can outlast your Jato or they can be lemons (this is true for ALL other RTR radios, not just the Traxxas ones). So, to save yourself alot of potential heartaches, going with a better radio is a good move. Additionally, you will get all the higher end features of Futaba that the TRX radio simply does not have (exponential curves, dual rate steeing, and other race grade features that can mean precious fractions of seconds from lap times).

< Message edited by SAVAGEJIM -- 5/18/2008 3:45:59 PM >

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 5/19/2008 4:46:27 AM   
systemlord


 

Posts: 467
Joined: 2/24/2006
From: Orange County, CA, USA
Status: offline 		What everyone else said, I like the price to performance ratio the Futaba 3PM 2.4GHz offers. I went a step further and got the 3PKS 2.4 GHz system and I love it, just like my 9CHP helicoptor radio.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 6/2/2008 9:09:43 PM   
4-Tec™Impreza



Posts: 8
Joined: 6/2/2008
From: Lethbridge, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I just picked up a Futaba 3PKS Super Synth 75mhz Tx/Rx... I thought you could only run non-digital servos with am/fm tx's, but from what I'm reading here I could have bought the 3PKS 2.4GHz FASST instead. Doh. Stupid Tower hobbies descriptions.

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RE: Justifying a higher end transmitter? - 6/3/2008 7:22:39 AM    <