(Click any picture to enlarge it)
The radio in all its glory.
A better view of the LCD screen (backlight is off).
A better view of the "front" of the radio. Note the digital (incremental) trim controls above the wheel.
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Airtronics/Sanwa M8 Limited Edition (reviewed by futureal)
Introduction
When I got my first competition-class nitro R/C truck back in 1995, I took the plunge
and bought the hottest radio on the market at the time, the Airtronics 3PS. I still
remember getting that thing and thinking to myself, "this radio has more features
than anybody will ever need." Well, surprise of surprises, no less than 3 years
later, Airtronics one-upped themselves with the M8. With its 10-model memory,
ergonomic design, oversized LCD screen and a plethora of other features, the M8
quickly became the transmitter of choice for tons of people.
Now, in 2001, Airtronics has released an updated version of the M8, with some new
features that are unique to this "Limited Edition" radio.
Features
In addition to the features of the Standard M8 (which can be found here
on the Airtronics website) the Limited Edition M8 boasts:
- A backlit LCD display (Can toggle on/off)
- Black buttons (instead of silver)
- Black antenna (instead of silver)
- Nifty blue LED
- ALB feature is "less hidden"
- Minor cosmetic changes to radio & LCD
As you can tell, the extra "features" of the Limited Edition are mainly cosmetic
in nature. That means that for a lot of people, spending the extra money on the
LE will already seem ludicrous, since the basic features and operation of the
transmitter are unchanged. Still, for a lot of other people, things like
a transmitter with a blue LED are just too cool to pass up.
It should also be noted that the M8 LE is only available for sale as a radio and module
combination, with no extras. If you need servos and a receiver with your radio, you
may want to go for the standard M8 (which is available in a variety of packages).
Performance
There isn't much to be said about the M8 that hasn't already been said many times
over in the past. It has a solid feel, an easy-to-read display and a very smooth
steering response. I could immediately notice a difference in going from my 3PS
to the M8 LE. Some have complained that the radio is a little top-heavy, but I
didn't have a problem with it at all, and after just a few heats I felt like I had
been using it for years.
Making quick adjustments is very easy with the display facing upwards, and the backlight
definitely becomes useful in lower-light (indoor) racing situations. I have not had
a chance to use it outdoors, but I imagine that in evening parking lot races, the
backlight could be a great upgrade. Another feature I really like is the ability to
adjust the tension of the wheel, using a small set screw on the underside of the
radio. If you're feeling a little twitchy, this setting might be just for you.
All of those lights require extra power, and you might be surprised at how fast
your rechargable batteries wear out in a radio like this. Many racers have modified
the M8's battery tray to accommodate a ninth cell to get as much voltage as possible.
I took a different route though, and invested in some Energizer 1600mAH NiMH cells
that I found at my local Target. After charging them, I was able to use the radio
for more than 10 full race days without needing to re-charge. Well worth the investment.
The Verdict
It has already been proven time and again that the Airtronics M8 can hold its own
against any other high-end radio on the market. The Limited Edition version is no
different, and to any fan of the "old" M8 this new version looks, feels and performs
identically.
So if you already have an M8, chances are you don't really need to "upgrade" unless
you are either a BIG fan of funky lights or extraordinarily wealthy. But, if you
don't have a high-end radio and are looking to get the best, look no further than
this radio. It is the best version of the most popular radio in America, and it's
hard to go wrong there.
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Likes
- Proven Radio
- Great Design
- Backlight and LEDs make it that much better
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Dislikes
- More expensive than standard M8
- New features are mainly cosmetic
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Tech Rating
Quality:
Performance:
Manual:
Value:
Overall:
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10
10
9
8
9
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