mentat

My Feedback: (1)

I am looking for a new radio for my Truggy, I am over whelmed by my choices, Its been a while since i thought about buying one. I currently have an Futaba T3PDF FM radio. I have no clue what this newer tech is. i have seen terms like. 3pk, 3pm, DSM, 2.4GHz DSM, DSM2. Etc...

I have no clue what im looking at. I just want a nice 3 channel radio. HELP!!!

madmaxx1

can't go wrong with the 3pm it's 2.4 plus has pretty much all the option's of the 3pks and is under $200

mentat

My Feedback: (1)

so 2.4ghz is 2.4ghz? what is the diff between all this stuff? I know 2.4ghz is what you would want. but lost beyond that

madmaxx1

no crystals, none if any interference, better servo response....

K_B

Every manufacturer has their own "flavor" of 2.4Ghz technology. Airtronics DSSS/FHSS and Futaba FASST and Spektrum DSM are not interchangeable.

The only exception to this is if you have a transmitter with a module. Spektrum makes a DSM module for just about any high-end radio. That's the only way you can use an Airtronics M11, for example, with Spektrum receivers. But Spektrum is the only company that makes modules for other brand radios...

devilchrist

I'm really happy with my Futaba 3PM 2.4. amazing distance and twitch free.

I've seen bunch of people run the spektrum ds3s too.

only grief about futaba is that their receivers are stuipd expensive compared to airtronics or spektrum.


this is what you want 3PM 2.4, unless you're crazy then go with the 3PK 2.4

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPZT7&P=0

INTEGRA

I beg to differ....the 3pm is FAR from having all the option's of the 3pk.....never the less it is the WICKED Entry level 2.4 radio....if i wasn't as serious as i am i would have 1 in a heartbeat.

madmaxx1

i have a 3pks, i don't really now how to use it yet but that's a different story lol from what i was told they are essentially the same feature wise minus a few bell's & whistle's.

i would own a 3pm if i didn't find a deal on my 3pks

INTEGRA

yes bell's and whistle's to some......but when you a racer....you want those feature's at your fingertips if need be.

mentat

My Feedback: (1)

bit the bullet bought the 3pk with the battery and charger

devilchrist

think you get a free receiver with 3pk.

mentat

My Feedback: (1)

I paid $320 with everything. Included the 3PK Radio, R603FS 3 chan receiver, 700mAh Battery and charger for the radio, and of course the 2.4ghz FASST Module. I think thats a pretty good deal. 369.99 on Tower.

INTEGRA

X2 Till April 30th.......Tower screwed you as they are an Authorized dealer and should Honor Futaba's deal.

i would Email them Promptly.


OR did you buy everything seperate ? or a Combo kit like radio and mod together ?>

INTEGRA

here's a link if you dont believe.

http://www.futaba-rc.com/promos/fut-free-rx-0209.html

Oasis TR

I dont know about you guys but I race, so when I look at a Radio It's all about how it feels..I dont know how long your mains are but where I race at their 30 minutes to 45 minutes long..that's a long time to be holding a heavy radio..I would go for a 2.4 system from any of the top companies..I had a 3PK and found for me it was uncomfortable..I have a DX3R, its light, has a lot of features and battery life is good..but I dont like the feel of the throttle, the steering feels good..I also have a KO Helios..this is the most comfortable I have used (I need to buy a Spektrum system for it) I also had a 3PM but I sold it with a Revo I had..Never really cared much for it..seemed to have a binding problem when i first had it..sent it back to Futaba and they sent me a new radio and I had no more problems. So I would check out the different radios see which one feels best to you and get that one..

devilchrist

OMG.. KO helios is overpriced..

K_B

No more overpriced than a Futaba 4PK

madmaxx1

but 4pk is at least worth the price.

i think the spektrum radios feel cheap, they are too toy like IMO

the helios is ugly IMO and the m8/m11 or whatever they are just look odd and not balanced.

the 3pk is a lil' heavier but it's quality and with a neck strap it's like it's not even there

mgtwpicco27

I just got the Spektrum dx3s and found it to be a pretty good radio. I had the futaba 3pm and it was good too, but I really like the lightweight feel of the spektrum.

Oasis TR

The Helios is no more "ugly" than a 4PK..just different..and it's balanced very well also..

mentat

My Feedback: (1)

Its like a chevy versus ford. nobody is right. lets not turn this in to a bashing of others radio choices.

madmaxx1

i happen to like the look of the 4pk, just not the price! lol

devilchrist

i think it's all over priced.. give the chinese manufacturers a few more years.. they'll make it cheaper. I ordered Assan txRx v2 modules from hobbyking for the 3pk.. we'll see how it works/compairs to the futaba FASST.

as long as all other functions work.. i can do without freq hopping.

I like the fact that spektrum Rx can take up to 9v. and Tx only takes 4 AA's making it lighter.

mentat

My Feedback: (1)

yeah the 4 batteries makes it nice, but makes it feel a bit cheap and flimsy. that why i went with the 3pk it feels more sturdy

bhcvc

I don't know how true this is, but I've read that Spektrum's frequency hopping algorithm only changes frequency when it encounters noise and thus some people have said they get some glitching. Contrast to Futaba and Airtronics algorithms that constantly hop frequencies. Is this true? If so, wouldn't the Futaba and Airtronics algorithms be better?

At the local track, Spektrums are most popular, about 90% of all radios there. I saw 1 guy with a KO.

I'm looking at the Tactic 2.4GHz radios too. I have no idea what frequency hopping scheme it uses, but I've read good reviews. No digital tuning features what-so-ever though.