Leo transmiter question
 

I just ordered a Tamiya 1/16 Leopard 2A6 from my local hobby shop and the guy was not sure what transmiter would work with the tank.

He ordered me a Futaba 4GWD 4-channel AM/2 S3004 Servos. All I have run to date is Heng Long stuff so this is all new to me.

The question is... Did I order the correct transmiter to go with my soon to arrive Leo?

Thanks for any help you all can offer.<br type="_moz" />

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

According to the manual, it is like any other Tamiya tank and requires only a 4 channel controller. You should be fine with what you ordered.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Cool.  This is a new journey into RC tanks for me.  I have a lot to learn.  Thanks, I may lean on you for more info later too.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

You should have could have ordered a Futaba 2.4 SkySport. That radio he sold you is about as obsolete as it gets. AM radios are about the lowest quality you can buy.
With the price of new 2.4 systems there is no reason to use anything else unless of course you only paid 20.00 dollars for it and i dont think that is the case.
I would cancel the radio order and go to TowerHobbies or Servo City and get a Futaba 2.4 Skysport. They are 99.00$ with the receiver. you dont need the servos that are coming with the other radio. Those are for flight packs and you dont need to buy parts you wont use.
Sorry but that is the cold hard truth of the matter.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Very good info. <div>
</div><div> He has not placed my order yet, I told him I would ask my friends what they think, so I can change it.  The price diff. should save me $40.<div>
</div><div>THANKS</div></div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

I did not get the Battle system, I live FAR from clubs, so I don't think I will use it much.  Can it be added later?

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

You can always add a Battle unit later, but ti would probably be easier during the initial build. That Leo is the most intricate of the Tamiya tanks to build. Ask anyone who has built one. they are tight and have a lot of lighting to install and many small parts...not counting the gearboxes that have to be built. It should keep you very busy for quite some time.
BTW, Congrats on the purchase. I am looking forward to a build thread. I misread your initial post and didn't realize the radio wasn't yet ordered. I agree with Panther G. Go with a 2.4 radio setup. Hell, you could get the Aerosprot 5 radio with reciever for 50 bucks from hobby people. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions you have.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Just talked to my hobby guy, the order is changed to a Futaba 4YF 2.4 g skysport!  I saved over $30!!!<div>
</div><div>Thanks guys for your learned wisdom.</div><div>
</div><div>I expect to be building this one for months...   First I have to finish the HL Panther G modifications. </div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

The 27 AM Futaba is a fine, although older, system. I'm still runing two of them and they are great. I know Marty & Randy at Danville also run them. I just sold two AM 27 radios to a diehard RC tanker in the DAK club. It is all a matter of personal choice. I run mostly Futaba T4YF on 75 mhz but have two 2.4 GHz Futaba 4YFs too. I have one radio dedicated to each tank. I also add self-centering joysticks and custom fire buttons for the main gun. I know Joe, Gregg and few other guys run the super cheap (Price wise) 2.4 radios and have had good luck with them, but I like Futaba Skysports and their 2.4 runs about $100. The TBS can be added on at anytime. It is just easier to install during the first build. It is a fun build but follow the instructions to a T.

Good luck, Bob

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

In reading other posts about transmitters I saw where Panther G had said that the 2.4 skysport did not need an outside antenna.  Is this true? <div>
</div><div> I hated the HL whip antennas, they made the tanks look like they had the old CB radio antennas. I have redone all mine to internal coil antennas.</div><div>
</div><div>It would be nice to skip that step for the Leo.</div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Any 2.4 does not require an exterior antenna. It makes it alot easier to make things look correct.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

None of my Tamiya tanks have external antennas. They just get in the way and obstruct the guns traverse. All lf my H L tanks on the other hand need antennas since the radio system is of much lower quality. My Panther G used the Futaba Skysport 2.4 now and the T4YF 75 MHx before that. The new Skysport 2.4 has no ant. at all. The black stub ant. atop the TX is just for show, a dummy antenna. The RX unit has a small wire ant. and needs no metal mast antenna at all. Range is ove 300 feet. We are not flying planes far away so we do not need the ultra long ranges that the ant would allow in our RC tanks.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Wow Yellowshaker, your'e like an Apache Ghost, never around, never online, but always aware of whats going on.<div>
</div><div>Your Leo inspired me to do this.  It's Bubba Delux Cool.</div><div>
</div><div>Bet I finish mine before Biggtony.</div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

LOL, Big brother is always watching my friend. I am happy to have inspired you to build a Leopard. Are you going with a Digital camo?Winter camo? Come on...tell me!!!
I am taking the Leoipard 1 to Danville for sale. I needs some cash to fund another tnak build.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

He's a former member of the SS "Ghost Division".....[:-]

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

This new radio system is going to stretch my learning curve for sure.  <div>
</div><div>I'm hoping the new Tamiya tank will upgrade the whole tank experience, function, performance, durability and my brain.   </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Digital, winter perhaps.  Green with brown, black, lt. grey<div>
</div><div>Not NATO</div><div>
</div><div>Not UN</div><div>
</div><div>Currently has 380 Leo's</div>

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Dude, you didn't just buy a Tamiya kit, you bought the ferrari of Tamiya tanks! But, if you have nay trouble and feel that you don't really want the kit, I will gladly PM an addy that you can ship it to. :D

PS...Bob, that Ghost division thing was supposed to be a secret!!!

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

HEY... Yellow...

You ~know~ I have dibs on any Leo 2A6's until I get my armored kitty, eh? Or you gonna challenge me to paper/scissors/rock best 9 outa 17? And I'll even cover the shipping, Pah!

Pah co chu puk:

Its the computer radios that are a pain to learn... a Skysport 4YF on 2.4GHz. should be easy-peasy. Simple enough to be walked thru in text or MSN chat.

And there are a few threads here for what mods ya can install. Most pick a full bearing set as #1, then go from there.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

When your's went up for sale I thought about making a deal, but I like putting them together too much to cut out that part of the fun.

Ferrari of Tamiya tanks? That would explain why the guy asked if I wanted the sunroof option.<br type="_moz" />

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Everything I read implied that setup and running was easy.

My hobby guy is an airplane dude and knows nothing about tanks. All this was news to him. You guys have been a big help so far.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Pah:

Just be sure its a legit one, and not the kit-car version, eh? Finding out you have a 985cc VW under a Ferrarri body can ~really~ ruin your day...

And make sure ya get all the bells and whistles - like the leather seats w/ racing belts, A/C (necessity for the Sandbox!) and a kick-*ss sound system.
Remember, you can NEVER have too much subwoofer.. sonic warfare, man!

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

FYI, Good radio choice, but you want to make the left stick self centering, the Futaba SkySport 4YF 2.4GHz FHSS uses a ratcheting left stick:

&bull; Order a Left Stick Self Centering Swing Arm and Spring Set for the 4YF 2.4GHz FHSS Transmitter.

These are part numbers you want and they are easy to install:
a. HSP78901 SWING ARM
b. HSP67450 SPRING

email here to request the free parts to make the left stick self centering:

[email protected]

Service Futaba
Attn:
John G.- PS9004
Futaba Programming Technician

And you do not need an external antenna with the 2.4 receiver.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Deja Vue!

I just read that stuff in some other post. Thanks, it will be easier to find again here.

RE: Leo transmiter question
 

Wolf, rock paper scissors will work for me. I'll try anything to win a Leopard 2!!!
 Pa, I would opt for no sunroof. Troops may not enjoy that in a battle scenario...:D
I only meant that the Leopard 2 is Tamiya's advanced kit. Drive setup and steering is different than any other tank. It must be a lot of fun to put together. Someday, I will build one....just not now...