I've been out of racing for about six or seven years now and am about to get back in now that some dirt oval and road courses have opened up near me. Radio choices have seemingly exploded since my hiatus. I think I have it narrowed down to three or four choices:

• Futaba 3PV
• Spektrum DX5C
• Sanwa MX-6
• Sanwa MT-S (reach radio)

The first three are about $110 to $130, but the MT-S is $200 or so. Also, as folks have noted, Futabas seem to be out of stock all over the place and are getting tough to get. So, are there any to avoid on this list, or any that are must-haves?

Thank you,
Shawn

I am not a fan of Spektrum. Futaba was distributed by Hobbico, which are no longer around. Hopefully Futaba stuff will start to be easier to find soon.

Of those listed, I would go with the MT-S.

If there are any I've missed in the sub-$200 category I'm all ears. Thanks!

• Futaba 3PV Possibly
• Spektrum DX5C NO
• Sanwa MX-6 Yes
• Sanwa MT-S (reach radio) Yes

I used to run Spektrum back in the day. I switched to Futaba and eventually Sanwa and have never looked back. Maybe things have changed but I am really happy with my Sanwa.

I agree with Dave here. Granted the Futaba is a great system, they are currently trying to find a new US distribution channel so finding receivers and parts could be a hassle for a while. Sanwa at the moment is definitely the way to go.

Why no Ko propo on here? Price point? So all of these are sub $200 us??

James

Supposedly Futaba USA is going to start shipping product out as early as this coming week, more info here:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-USA-Interview

This would probably be the brand that I would personally go with given the budget constraint, however I don't currently run Futaba, I have been racing with Graupner for the past 2.5 years, it's a solid system too with Rx's as low at $25 after discount though initial cost for the system was $250.

I currently own all 4 of these radios (yes, really) and the MT-S kills the other 3, it's not even close.

Heh, after your MX-6 review I figured that'd be my best bet!