Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Hey, i've been looking for a new radio for my slash, Mini E-Revo, and B4.1 buggy that has model memory. Spektrums are overpriced, but is the extra 100$ worth it? Or should i get the futaba 4PL? Thankks.

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

I recently got a Futaba 3PL 2.4 and love it, 10 model memory, only uses 4 AA instead of 8 yet somehow still lasts forever before needing a charge and was only $114. A couple reviews i have read had also said it had double the range as a spektrum equivelant, but I have not teted the range myself.

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

I have to assume that these reviews were referring to a ground level range check when the model is not more than a few feet off the ground (or on the ground).

Arange check in flligt is not practical LOL
Cannot judge the distance and where can the plane come back to earth is unknown till it is found.

If I had batteries that last forever I would not bother charging them LOL

Now do not get mad at me. I am joking just like you were.

Zor

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Actually, Zor, it is possible.

Fly upwind in large circles. When you reach the limit and the model goes into failsafe, it will eventually come back (throttle off) in a descending circle toward you, bringing it back into range.

Determining distance is relatively easy as well using simple triangulation.

Andy

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Hi Andy,

I am trying to make a mental picture of your described situation.
I imagine a modelquite large like a 96" wingspan or even a 120" wingspan.

I am asking myself how far cana fellowsee its attitude and control it.
Thinking of a fellow with normal average vision.

Now the model is upwind and at a faily high altitute. Perhaps something like 500 to 1,000 feet.
Now it looses signal and go into fail safe. The engine goes to idle.

What I see (mentally) that happens next depends on its stability characteristic.

With positive stability it may just keep flying in the geneal direction it was at the moment of signal range failure. I do not know what that direction is but the chances of coming back into range is not assured.

It would be flying faster than the wind I would think. (airspeed)

With neutral stability like many aerobatic models are I would figure a 95% change of a resulting spiral dive withing 10 seconds and regaining control only possible if its attitude is well visible at whatever distance it is.

With negative stability I would forget the model and try to find where it crashed.

Concerning triangulation the distance of the model would be the hypotenuse of the triangle.
To know that distance we would need the base and the heigth (altitude) of the model.
I do not think it is a handy (esily available figures) solution.

End of my figuration http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...wink_smile.gif__http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...ngue_smile.gif__http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif__

Zor

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Even with a 120" wingspan will be very difficult to test a radio .

I have been flying a 118" sailplane for some time and I believe that you will become disorientated long before you loose the airplane.It happened many times to me already.
Maybe , I just need glasses.....;)

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Yup, so use a large trainer and use your controls so it's always turning.

Andy

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Since these are car radios, flight testing probably wouldn't add a lot of value.

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

I also wondered if anyone actually read the original post -
My own car radios are the DX3 types -and range is as far as I can see - -for what it's worth here is a picture of where we can run our cars- dead flat for as far as one can see.

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

lol Yes the reviews were at ground level, as they are a pistol grip surface radio. No the batteries dont last forever, but it would be nice! I was just surprised at the run time I get with half the batteries. It's been a good radio for me so far and think its a very good bang for buck. collector1231 Im interested in what you ended up deciding to get and how it working out for you and good luck with your new purchase.

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Nice car in that picture___http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/js/f...sn/biggrin.gif___

Zor

RE: Question- Spektrum vs. Futaba?
 

Thanks for the help, i'll go for the Futaba 3PL.