2Likeschoosing a radio....
11-14-2018 | 07:59 AM
#1
choosing a radio....
So my son and I are gonna start racing. He's 15... i currently have a spektrum dx3r. We are going to need another radio so I'm trying to decide if I should give him the 3xdr and buy myself a dx5 pro, or sell the dx3r and get 2 of the futaba 4pls that are on sale. I do have a trx4 crawler, but the rest are short course truck, tamiya m05 &6, xray tc4, and xray xb2. So, 4 channels should be fine.
Thanks!
Thanks!
11-14-2018 | 08:08 AM
#2
I’m slowly moving some of my vehicles to Futaba. I’ve been mostly using Spektrum for years. And until recently it really didn’t matter much to me. Controller was comfortable to use, and seem to overall fine. Over the summer I started noticing some inconsistent behavior. Same car with different receivers would respond different. Then using a cheap controller to compare I noticed even more differences.
All the others a race with use Futaba, except one who prefers Sanawa
All the others a race with use Futaba, except one who prefers Sanawa
11-15-2018 | 06:18 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,410
From: Austin,TX
Can't go wrong with Futaba or Sanwa, those are by far the 2 most popular systems in my area. I currently run Graupner, but that system is not in the budget range unfortunately.
Whichever system you choose, I would highly recommend you select a system that offers "Servo Speed" adjustment. Many drivers tend to select a servo that is too fast for their skill level because they are told "get the fastest servo you can afford" but this is some of the worst advice you can get. While I agree that a fast servo is a good idea in general, there comes a point of diminishing return. Most pros in my area will recommend a servo in the .08 to .12 sec/60° range, every driver has a different preference, so instead of buying 10 different servos, it's a lot easier to simply reduce the servo speed through the radio.
I recently tried to help a driver at the club with a Spektrum radio and the servo speed adjustment on it was wonky, to the point where the feature was useless. I personally try to stay far away from Spektrum for many other reasons, but having the ability to tune servo speed is what I feel is the single most important setup adjustment above anything else. It's a fact that slower servos are less likely to strip gears too
If it were me, I'd limit the choices between the MT-S or the 4PLS, both of these systems offer servo speed adjustment for a low budget price.
Whichever system you choose, I would highly recommend you select a system that offers "Servo Speed" adjustment. Many drivers tend to select a servo that is too fast for their skill level because they are told "get the fastest servo you can afford" but this is some of the worst advice you can get. While I agree that a fast servo is a good idea in general, there comes a point of diminishing return. Most pros in my area will recommend a servo in the .08 to .12 sec/60° range, every driver has a different preference, so instead of buying 10 different servos, it's a lot easier to simply reduce the servo speed through the radio.
I recently tried to help a driver at the club with a Spektrum radio and the servo speed adjustment on it was wonky, to the point where the feature was useless. I personally try to stay far away from Spektrum for many other reasons, but having the ability to tune servo speed is what I feel is the single most important setup adjustment above anything else. It's a fact that slower servos are less likely to strip gears too
If it were me, I'd limit the choices between the MT-S or the 4PLS, both of these systems offer servo speed adjustment for a low budget price.
11-15-2018 | 12:37 PM
#4
Tech Adept
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 197
Can't go wrong with Futaba or Sanwa, those are by far the 2 most popular systems in my area. I currently run Graupner, but that system is not in the budget range unfortunately.
Whichever system you choose, I would highly recommend you select a system that offers "Servo Speed" adjustment. Many drivers tend to select a servo that is too fast for their skill level because they are told "get the fastest servo you can afford" but this is some of the worst advice you can get. While I agree that a fast servo is a good idea in general, there comes a point of diminishing return. Most pros in my area will recommend a servo in the .08 to .12 sec/60° range, every driver has a different preference, so instead of buying 10 different servos, it's a lot easier to simply reduce the servo speed through the radio.
I recently tried to help a driver at the club with a Spektrum radio and the servo speed adjustment on it was wonky, to the point where the feature was useless. I personally try to stay far away from Spektrum for many other reasons, but having the ability to tune servo speed is what I feel is the single most important setup adjustment above anything else. It's a fact that slower servos are less likely to strip gears too
If it were me, I'd limit the choices between the MT-S or the 4PLS, both of these systems offer servo speed adjustment for a low budget price.
Whichever system you choose, I would highly recommend you select a system that offers "Servo Speed" adjustment. Many drivers tend to select a servo that is too fast for their skill level because they are told "get the fastest servo you can afford" but this is some of the worst advice you can get. While I agree that a fast servo is a good idea in general, there comes a point of diminishing return. Most pros in my area will recommend a servo in the .08 to .12 sec/60° range, every driver has a different preference, so instead of buying 10 different servos, it's a lot easier to simply reduce the servo speed through the radio.
I recently tried to help a driver at the club with a Spektrum radio and the servo speed adjustment on it was wonky, to the point where the feature was useless. I personally try to stay far away from Spektrum for many other reasons, but having the ability to tune servo speed is what I feel is the single most important setup adjustment above anything else. It's a fact that slower servos are less likely to strip gears too
If it were me, I'd limit the choices between the MT-S or the 4PLS, both of these systems offer servo speed adjustment for a low budget price.
Thatīs it !
11-15-2018 | 06:17 PM
#5
Switched from a Spectrum DX3R to a DX5R a year ago and no issues and no problems. Wish I would of switched sooner.
The new DX5 Pro is a step up from the 5R as Spectrum listened to the users and made some nice improvements.
And no problems with making adjustments... like any radio you have to learn how to navigate the screens and understand what each option does...
DX5 Pro on my Christmas list....
The new DX5 Pro is a step up from the 5R as Spectrum listened to the users and made some nice improvements.
And no problems with making adjustments... like any radio you have to learn how to navigate the screens and understand what each option does...
DX5 Pro on my Christmas list....
11-15-2018 | 06:58 PM
#6
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,944
From: Santa Clarita, CA
So my son and I are gonna start racing. He's 15... i currently have a spektrum dx3r. We are going to need another radio so I'm trying to decide if I should give him the 3xdr and buy myself a dx5 pro, or sell the dx3r and get 2 of the futaba 4pls that are on sale. I do have a trx4 crawler, but the rest are short course truck, tamiya m05 &6, xray tc4, and xray xb2. So, 4 channels should be fine.
Thanks!
Thanks!
or you can always buy my 4PV ... It comes with a drop down attachment, 1 Life transmitter battery , 1 NiMH transmitter battery, oversized wheel, original steering wheel, manual, and box.
11-16-2018 | 01:01 AM
#7
Tech Lord
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14,052
From: Holland
11-16-2018 | 06:23 AM
#8
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,410
From: Austin,TX
stay away from the 4PLS.. the antenna is so easy to break. you are better of getthing the 3PV
or you can always buy my 4PV ... It comes with a drop down attachment, 1 Life transmitter battery , 1 NiMH transmitter battery, oversized wheel, original steering wheel, manual, and box.
or you can always buy my 4PV ... It comes with a drop down attachment, 1 Life transmitter battery , 1 NiMH transmitter battery, oversized wheel, original steering wheel, manual, and box.
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