CRX Problems???
08-05-2005 | 10:37 AM
#16
Tech Addict
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
I used to run a CRX for a year when they first came out. They are excellent radios. I will agree that they are by far and away the lightest radio out there and are also quite comfortable. For long mains, they really can't be beat. My only gripe was the not-so-long list of features. They have the main ones covered, but there were more than a few extras that I wanted that Hitec didn't offer with the CRX. Of course, I think Hitec knows this and is probably working on a newer version of the CRX (same small/lightweight case design) with more features.
08-05-2005 | 01:59 PM
#18
Tech Addict
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 500
Mike, good question.
Like I mentioned before, the CRX has the main racer features covered. Most of the bells and whistles that appear on the other manufacturer's high-end racing radios are usually worthless with the exception of a few. Of course, if you keep packing in more and more features, you are bound to make a few here and there that some racers will like to use or it is simply something of convienence. I have since moved onto a KOPROPO Helios. I don't consider it an 'upgrade' from the CRX since I believe the CRX to be on the same high-end level as the Helios, it just didn't have all the features that I wanted.
In my particular situation with racing r/c cars, here are the things that I can currently do with the radio I'm using that I would have liked on the CRX:
A back-lit display. 3 indoor tracks I race at in the wintertime do not have enough lighting on the driver's stand to see a non-backlit display. I like to change settings on the driver's stand. It is inconvienent to walk back to the pits to make adjustments.
Radio adjustability. I really like the drop down wheel/angle wheel extension. It feels much more ergonomically correct. Although the CRX is lighter, over a long main I prefer my hands in a more natural position over the weight savings. Either way, the CRX is still a very comfortable radio. The drop down wheel is just an extra preference of mine. Many people don't like it and like the feel of the more traditional style pistol grip radios like the CRX.
More Timer functions! I'm a big user of timer functions on my radio. BIG TIME. Up/down timer is great, but there are many other uses that could have been added to the CRX. I like the ability to set audible alarms on my timers. This is a huge help with timing my fuel tank, breaking in an engine, set interval alarms (i.e. every 7 minutes) so that I know when to pit over a long gas main. Also, I would have liked a lap timer function. Sure, they aren't super accuracte like a transponder, but when I'm practicing by myself on a non-race day, they come in handy for a general ball park figure of what my laptimes are.
Greater servo adjustability. Dual-rate, expo, and endpoints are great features... but they are just the standard necessary racer features. I like the added adjustability of throttle punch, adjusting expo for only the forward or brake motions, and I like trim rate precision adjustments. If I don't want to mess with the subtrim, it is nice to set how short or how far each click of the trim will move the servo. My current radio has more frills that I don't ever see myself using, but maybe others do. These are just the ones that I have definitely used and find them to be useful and helpful with racing.
Other misc. useful items:
jog wheel concept for easy menu navigation.
Ability to customize what menus are seen so that I don't have to cycle through a bunch of menus I'll never use.
Direct servo control (on the lynx 3D, why didn't it make it to the CRX?)
Programable buttons (really useful and convienent)
Anyways, those are the features that I would have liked to have on the CRX, but that is just my opinion. I don't know what market Hitec was after when making the CRX. I am a hardcore gas and electric racer and I like a whole list of options on my radios at my disposal. The CRX is more than a capable racing radio, but maybe it came with less features to keep it more simple and also appeal the bashers? I know for every 10 cars that are purchased, only 1 makes it to the track.... I also know it will appeal to boat modelers with the brake mixing feature.
I'm a big Hitec fan and have been for years. The digital servos and small FM receivers are as good as anyone elses and are much cheaper. I was really looking forward to the CRX as well when it was realeased and I enjoyed it for a full year of racing. I was just hoping for a few more features.
Like I mentioned before, the CRX has the main racer features covered. Most of the bells and whistles that appear on the other manufacturer's high-end racing radios are usually worthless with the exception of a few. Of course, if you keep packing in more and more features, you are bound to make a few here and there that some racers will like to use or it is simply something of convienence. I have since moved onto a KOPROPO Helios. I don't consider it an 'upgrade' from the CRX since I believe the CRX to be on the same high-end level as the Helios, it just didn't have all the features that I wanted.
In my particular situation with racing r/c cars, here are the things that I can currently do with the radio I'm using that I would have liked on the CRX:
A back-lit display. 3 indoor tracks I race at in the wintertime do not have enough lighting on the driver's stand to see a non-backlit display. I like to change settings on the driver's stand. It is inconvienent to walk back to the pits to make adjustments.
Radio adjustability. I really like the drop down wheel/angle wheel extension. It feels much more ergonomically correct. Although the CRX is lighter, over a long main I prefer my hands in a more natural position over the weight savings. Either way, the CRX is still a very comfortable radio. The drop down wheel is just an extra preference of mine. Many people don't like it and like the feel of the more traditional style pistol grip radios like the CRX.
More Timer functions! I'm a big user of timer functions on my radio. BIG TIME. Up/down timer is great, but there are many other uses that could have been added to the CRX. I like the ability to set audible alarms on my timers. This is a huge help with timing my fuel tank, breaking in an engine, set interval alarms (i.e. every 7 minutes) so that I know when to pit over a long gas main. Also, I would have liked a lap timer function. Sure, they aren't super accuracte like a transponder, but when I'm practicing by myself on a non-race day, they come in handy for a general ball park figure of what my laptimes are.
Greater servo adjustability. Dual-rate, expo, and endpoints are great features... but they are just the standard necessary racer features. I like the added adjustability of throttle punch, adjusting expo for only the forward or brake motions, and I like trim rate precision adjustments. If I don't want to mess with the subtrim, it is nice to set how short or how far each click of the trim will move the servo. My current radio has more frills that I don't ever see myself using, but maybe others do. These are just the ones that I have definitely used and find them to be useful and helpful with racing.
Other misc. useful items:
jog wheel concept for easy menu navigation.
Ability to customize what menus are seen so that I don't have to cycle through a bunch of menus I'll never use.
Direct servo control (on the lynx 3D, why didn't it make it to the CRX?)
Programable buttons (really useful and convienent)
Anyways, those are the features that I would have liked to have on the CRX, but that is just my opinion. I don't know what market Hitec was after when making the CRX. I am a hardcore gas and electric racer and I like a whole list of options on my radios at my disposal. The CRX is more than a capable racing radio, but maybe it came with less features to keep it more simple and also appeal the bashers? I know for every 10 cars that are purchased, only 1 makes it to the track.... I also know it will appeal to boat modelers with the brake mixing feature.
I'm a big Hitec fan and have been for years. The digital servos and small FM receivers are as good as anyone elses and are much cheaper. I was really looking forward to the CRX as well when it was realeased and I enjoyed it for a full year of racing. I was just hoping for a few more features.
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