Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

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09-23-2009, 01:26 AM

Dirty_Vinylpusher

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Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

So, I've almost finished with my weedwacker RC car and now I'm chasing a radio for it.
I'm not going to race this at a track or anything - probably mainly around the backyard and the park/beach.

As some of you know I'm still a n00b when it comes to RC, but I've gatherd that 2.4 GHZ is the way to go.

I found [link=http://www.r2hobbies.com/proddetail.php?prod=rcps61208]this[/link] just earlier but surely it's not as good as they make it out to be at that price?!?!?!

I've found a couple of decent deals on some websites but almost all of them are out of stock.[:@]
Preferably I don't want to pay more than about AU$200 ish for a radio/reciever package.
Any ideas?

Will I have trouble with interference using a non-2.4 GHZ with a petrol motor?
My local hobbyshop has an Aggressor radio/reciever pack for AU$150.

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09-23-2009, 01:52 AM

Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Found a couple more.....

[link=http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.6277/.f]FUTABA[/link]

[link=http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.2544/.f]HITEC[/link]

[link=http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.6176/.f]AIRTONICS[/link]

[link=http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.6348/.f]....um...something something[/link]

Anyone?

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09-23-2009, 03:09 AM

pythonfan

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

The last on is very good, and for its price its great. If you got the money go with futaba or spectrum.

Sites you might be interested in are...

http://*********.com.au/store/

And a google search for au hobbie stores online...

Quote:

R/C Australian Online Stores

Stanbridges
www.stanbridges.com.au

Ace RC Models
www.acercmodels.com

North Queensland R/C
http://nqrc.com

Fast Rc Hobbies
www.fast*********.com.au

Roj Hobbies
www.rojshobbies.com/Home.html

Hobbymuna
www.hobbymuna.com.au

Falcon Gliders
www.falcongliders.com.au

Col Taylor Models
www.coltaylormodels.com.au

Model Flight
www.modelflight.com.au

NitroDude
www.nitrodude.com.au

Euromodels
www.euromodels.com.au/shop/index.php

Mas Hobbies
www.mashobbies.com.au/mashobbies/index.aspx

EDF Model
www.edfmodel.com/content.asp?PageID=7366

Frontline Hobbies
http://www.frontlinehobbies.com.au/S...oductList.aspx

Hobby Model Warehouse
www.hobbymodelwarehouse.com.au

Perth RC
www.perthrc.com.au

Kontrol Freak
www.kontrolfreak.com.au

Lake Munmorah Hobbies
www.lakemunmorahhobbies.com.au/cart/index.php

Model Sports
www.modelsports.com.au

Perth Hobby Centre
www.perthhobbycentre.com.au

Vaggs Hobbies
www.vaggshobbies.com.au

rcHobbyBoy
rchobbyboy.com/store/comersus_index.asp

Electric Flight
www.flyelectric.com

Whats up RC
www.wattsuprc.com.au

R/C Warehouse
www.rcwarehouse.com.au

AirStrike
www.airstrike.com.au/index.htm

Aussie Jet
www.aussiejet.com

Composite Scale Models
www.compositescalemodels.com

AIRSPORTS R.C
www.airsportsrc.com.au

Radio Control Sailplane Australia
www.rc-sailplane.com.au

RC Hobbies
www.*********.com.au/store

Extreme Radio Control
www.extremerc.com.au

Plane Crazy Hobbies
www.planecrazyhobbies.com.au

RC Hobby
www.rchobby.com.au

RC Oz Style
www.rcozstyle.com

RC Best Buys Site which contains products from aussie retailers
www.rcbestbuys.com

Radical Hobbies
www.radicalhobbies.com.au

Wired R/C
www.wiredrc.com.au/shop

Aussie Flight
www.aussieflight.com.au

GR PRO Australia
www.grpro.com.au

TMPRO Australia
www.tmproaustralia.com

Off the Edge Sailplanes
Australian home of the 'Zipper' & other slopers
www.offtheedge.com.au

SC Models
www.scmodels.com.au

AusJets
www.ausjets.com

Desert Aircraft Australia
www.desertaircraft.com.au

DL Engines Australia
www.dlenginesaustralia.com/dlshop

Hallam Hobbies
www.hallamhobbies.com.au

Super and Cheaper
www.superandcheaper.com.au

East Coast Hobbies
www.eastcoasthobbies.com.au

R/C Headquarters
www.rcheadquarters.com.au

Mongrel Gear
www.mongrelgear.com.au/

Simitar Aircraft
www.simitaraircraft.com.au/

Austars Model
www.austars-model.com/index.php

DuanesPlanes
www.duanesplanes.com.au/home.php

Pete - N - Planes
www.petenplanes.com.au

Fast R/C Hobbies
www.fast*********.com.au

Mega Hobbies
www.megahobbies.com.au

Castle Hill Hobbies
www.castlehillhobbies.com.au

Hobby Hereos
Http://Hobbyheroes.com.au/

Hobby Scene
www.hobbyscene.com.au

Wowings
www.wowings.com

Peninsula Hobbies
www.peninsulahobbies.com.au

Craig's Hanger
www.craigshanger.com.au

International Stores that ship to Australia

Hobby Lobby
www.hobby-lobby.com/index.htm

EFly Power
http://shop.eflypower.com

Rc Warbirds
www.rc-warbirds.com/index.php

Aero-Nuts
http://aero-nuts.com

Aircraft-World
www.aircraft-world.com

All E RC
www.allerc.com

Stevens aeromodel
www.stevensaero.com

Soaring USA
www.soaringusa.com

Warbirds-RC
www.warbirds-rc.com

Bishop Power Products
www.b-p-p.com

X-Flight
www.x-flight.hk

Philip Workshop R/C (Hong Kong)
www.pw-rc.com

United Hobbies
www.hobbycity.com

Tower Hobbies
www.towerhobbies.com

HobbyNet F3A
www.hobbynet-jp.com/overseas/index.shtml

Rcdhamaka
www.rcdhamaka.com

Misc Store

Balsa Central (Local online balsa retailer)
www.balsacentral.com

TIGER ELITE
www.tigerelite.com

Hobbyco
www.hobbyco.com.au

Ebay R/C stores of Australia or ship to

Planet Roger
http://stores.ebay.com.au/Planet-Roger

R/C Classifieds and the like

www.rctrader.com.au

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09-23-2009, 05:43 AM

Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: pythonfan

The last on is very good, and for its price its great. If you got the money go with futaba or spectrum.

You've tried that one have ya?
I'm leaning towards the Futaba though, as I can afford it at the moment.

And thanks for the links - I've been to most of those sites already.

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09-23-2009, 05:47 AM

Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

How does the Futaba 3 PM FASST compare to the SPEKTRUM DX2.0 DSM ?

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09-23-2009, 09:16 AM

DarkFire989

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

The Futaba 3PM from what I have heard is a fantastic Radio. I have a Spektrum DX3.0 and I paid 150$ US for it on ebay new.

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09-23-2009, 04:44 PM

Chris_RC

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirty_Vinylpusher

How does the Futaba 3 PM FASST compare to the SPEKTRUM DX2.0 DSM ?

You are comparing a 2ch radio without expo to a 3 channel radio with exponential. The DX3.0 and the 3PM is a better comparison. For the price of a 3PM, you can get a Spektrum DX3S for $180 at the RCU classifieds and it comes with receiver, telemetry, and 3 hand grips. Awesome deal for the radio you are getting and much better and much more user friendly than the 3PM.

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09-23-2009, 04:54 PM

Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Chris_RC
You are comparing a 2ch radio without expo to a 3 channel radio with exponential. The DX3.0 and the 3PM is a better comparison. For the price of a 3PM, you can get a Spektrum DX3S for $180 at the RCU classifieds and it comes with receiver, telemetry, and 3 hand grips. Awesome deal for the radio you are getting and much better and much more user friendly than the 3PM.

Expowhatnow?

I really just want something that will do throttle and steering.
Nothing too fancy.

Seems that people are very divided when it comes to Futaba and Spektrum.
Interesting.

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09-23-2009, 05:16 PM

Mr. Mugen

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

You get what you pay for. Since I got intot his hobby when spektrum was not even thought of I am a futaba guy. That said I like the feel of a good quality radio. I don't get that feel when I hold a spektrum. I have had a DX2 and DX3 a few years back and didn't like them. I may be a picky bugger but I get what I like. That being said I use a namadio for cars/trucks....lol. I do have a few aggressors (which I would recommend to anyone) for my indoor cars. They are rock solid as well.

Just my .02
Kevin

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09-23-2009, 05:26 PM

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Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

So, personal preferences aside, would you (anyone) say that Futaba and Spektrum are equal for my needs when it comes to performance?
Ie, non-racing, backyard driving with a weedwacker powered car.

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09-23-2009, 07:57 PM

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pythonfan

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirty_Vinylpusher

[link=http://www.davesmotors.com/s.nl/c.885035/n.1/it.A/id.6348/.f]....um...something something[/link]

Anyone?

I have not used that one, but will be picking one up for my 5b, i have a spectrum and its a ok radio does what it needs but it falls short one what i need from a radio.

With gas rc's of any kind stick with fm, and 2.4ghz. never use am or toy like radios.

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09-23-2009, 08:52 PM

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Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: pythonfan

I have not used that one, but will be picking one up for my 5b, i have a spectrum and its a ok radio does what it needs but it falls short one what i need from a radio.

With gas rc's of any kind stick with fm, and 2.4ghz. never use am or toy like radios.

Let me know how it goes.
Seems a pretty good deal.

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09-23-2009, 09:08 PM

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Chris_RC

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Dirty_Vinylpusher

So, personal preferences aside, would you (anyone) say that Futaba and Spektrum are equal for my needs when it comes to performance?
Ie, non-racing, backyard driving with a weedwacker powered car.

One reason why alot of people have Spektrum radios is their customer service. They are owned by Horizon so they have get CS. Plus, they listen to the people who buy it. For example, Futaba came out with the 2PL 2.4 system. Say a newbie buys that and say they have 4 cars, they buy 4 rx's. Then when they notice they need to purchase a new radio they will have to buy all new receivers. With Spektrum, their oldest SR3000 will work with their race version DX3R to their sport version DX2.0 so you dont have to buy new rx's.

Mr. Mugen, the DX2 and DX3 grips arent very good. With the DX3S, there are 3 different grip sizes so you can try they all on and see what you lke best.

Exponential is a feature on most radios that makes the throttle or steering more or less sensetive. So if you wanted to do high speed runs, you would put alot of positive expo so the car doesnt flip over whenever you turn (more expo=less sensetive). You might say I dont need these features now, but in a couple months you will want another radio. I have never had a problem with Spektrum in about 7+ years, but if I were to have a problem with something breaking they will give you the item free of charge.

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09-23-2009, 09:18 PM

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Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Chris_RC

One reason why alot of people have Spektrum radios is their customer service. They are owned by Horizon so they have get CS. Plus, they listen to the people who buy it. For example, Futaba came out with the 2PL 2.4 system. Say a newbie buys that and say they have 4 cars, they buy 4 rx's. Then when they notice they need to purchase a new radio they will have to buy all new receivers. With Spektrum, their oldest SR3000 will work with their race version DX3R to their sport version DX2.0 so you dont have to buy new rx's.

This is the sort of info I'm after.[sm=wink_smile.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]
Thanks.

Keep it coming guys.

[link=http://www.*********.com.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=506_32&products_id=40081&os Csid=c9f7da249473a1925a95b8fb847ef093]THIS[/link] might be a pretty good deal for me then?

My next question:
Are most servos compatibe with major brand recievers?
Will it be plug and play or do I have to solder the connections on or something?
Not that it would be a problem, but just curious.

I asked this question on the radio message board but with very poor response.
I assume that the HiTech servos will work with major brands?

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09-25-2009, 06:57 AM

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Dirty_Vinylpusher

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RE: Help me pick a radio for my car (FINALLY DECIDED WHICH ONE)

Well after lots of umming and arring I've ordered

[link=http://www.*********.com.au/store/product_info.php?cPath=506_32&products_id=40081&os Csid=c9f7da249473a1925a95b8fb847ef093]THIS[/link]

[link=http://www.*********.com.au/store/product_info.php?products_id=4629&osCsid=c9f7da249 473a1925a95b8fb847ef093]AND THIS[/link]

[link=http://www.*********.com.au/store/product_info.php?products_id=4634&osCsid=c9f7da249 473a1925a95b8fb847ef093]AND ONE OF THESE[/link]