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-   -   Upgrade from 3PK? (https://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-electronics/1052496-upgrade-3pk.html)

anthonyscardina 10-23-2019 02:53 PM

Nice part is, no more $80-90 receivers! The R204GF are 40 bucks :nod:

Billy Kelly 10-23-2019 03:43 PM


Originally Posted by anthonyscardina (Post 15533155)
Nice part is, no more $80-90 receivers! The R204GF are 40 bucks :nod:

Futaba........ receivers........binding.........

anthonyscardina 10-23-2019 04:18 PM


Originally Posted by Billy Kelly (Post 15533170)

Futaba........ receivers........binding.........

It's FINE once you figure out the little tricks, I've never had one I couldn't get to bind after some effort. Not everyone wants 95 RTR transmitters :rolleyes:

Billy Kelly 10-23-2019 04:41 PM


Originally Posted by anthonyscardina (Post 15533189)
It's FINE once you figure out the little tricks, I've never had one I couldn't get to bind after some effort. Not everyone wants 95 RTR transmitters :rolleyes:

Believe me. I wish it hadn’t gotten to this point.


Cornfield 10-24-2019 07:19 AM

I’ve never had trouble binding any kind of receiver, air or surface. Just follow the directions

Billy Kelly 10-24-2019 07:30 AM


Originally Posted by Cornfield (Post 15533513)
I’ve never had trouble binding any kind of receiver, air or surface. Just follow the directions

Unfortunately my experience with Futaba hasn’t been good. Even another Futaba owner struggled to get a car to bind last week. And it’s more then just binding issues.

I considered giving Sanwa a try. But $50 for receivers ended that interest.




billdelong 10-24-2019 07:49 AM


Originally Posted by Billy Kelly (Post 15533522)


Unfortunately my experience with Futaba hasn’t been good. Even another Futaba owner struggled to get a car to bind last week. And it’s more then just binding issues.

I considered giving Sanwa a try. But $50 for receivers ended that interest.




This is where Graupner fits the bill for me ;)

Billy Kelly 10-24-2019 08:24 AM


Originally Posted by billdelong (Post 15533529)
This is where Graupner fits the bill for me ;)

You’ve mentioned those for years now. Might have to give another look.

All I need is a multiple vehicle controller with about 5 adjustable settings. Every thing else is electronic bling to me. And no ridiculous jog button. Simple buttons or scroll wheel.

I liked my spektrum controller. But when I started racing. Kept finding dead spots for throttle thar didn’t really notice before.

The Futaba has been a disappointment. Difficult to make even simple changes. The jog button is so sensitive even change vehicle model is a fight. The binding issue has been absurd. It’s not possible to buy 5 defective receivers from 4 sellers in a single shot. Last car we had to take out of the building, and about 100 feet away from building. It kept picking up other controllers. That weren’t even on.

Sanwa looked good for their basic model. But $50 receivers is no go.

billdelong 10-24-2019 08:51 AM


Originally Posted by Billy Kelly (Post 15533553)

You’ve mentioned those for years now. Might have to give another look.

All I need is a multiple vehicle controller with about 5 adjustable settings. Every thing else is electronic bling to me. And no ridiculous jog button. Simple buttons or scroll wheel.

I liked my spektrum controller. But when I started racing. Kept finding dead spots for throttle thar didn’t really notice before.

The Futaba has been a disappointment. Difficult to make even simple changes. The jog button is so sensitive even change vehicle model is a fight. The binding issue has been absurd. It’s not possible to buy 5 defective receivers from 4 sellers in a single shot. Last car we had to take out of the building, and about 100 feet away from building. It kept picking up other controllers. That weren’t even on.

Sanwa looked good for their basic model. But $50 receivers is no go.

2Ch Rx's are around $30 with Graupner
The touch screen makes programming changes super simple, I've come to realize that I will not settle without a touch screen display going forward regardless of brand.
One of my favorite features is ability to charge the radio with a USB port, no fuss swapping between charging phone and Tx on the pit table ;)


mushroomed 10-24-2019 10:49 AM


Originally Posted by Billy Kelly (Post 15533522)

I considered giving Sanwa a try. But $50 for receivers ended that interest.

The Sanwa-compatible receivers go for around $30 and work great, have telemetry and internal antenna.

Billy Kelly 10-24-2019 10:55 AM


Originally Posted by billdelong (Post 15533586)
2Ch Rx's are around $30 with Graupner
The touch screen makes programming changes super simple, I've come to realize that I will not settle without a touch screen display going forward regardless of brand.
One of my favorite features is ability to charge the radio with a USB port, no fuss swapping between charging phone and Tx on the pit table ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e30feqVyDg0

Touch screen does look to work better. I’m mixed on them usually. Some work, some are a pain. I’ll have to look again on those receivers. Only ones I’m finding are $45-50 each.

I’ll have to see if any place carries them. I’m never buying a controller again unless I’ve seen it in person. I’m also hesitant about higher end controller with need firmware updates. I’m assuming this could. I don’t have a way to do these. I’m still a dinosaur with technology.

I’m in no hurry. I rushed on the Futaba because it looked like great deal. And had read and heard only good things. One of the few names I knew off before getting into the hobby. Unfortunately it’s not been that way. It could be something simple I’m just missing, but I’ve done nothing but fight with it since April.

billdelong 10-24-2019 10:55 AM


Originally Posted by mushroomed (Post 15533680)
The Sanwa-compatible receivers go for around $30 and work great, have telemetry and internal antenna.

Not for the current generation of Sanwa radios, this is why I bought a used M12S so that I could get aftermarket Rx's for a reasonable price... both Futaba and Sanwa are intentionally phasing out older Rx's in order to make a higher profit to force people to buy their own equipment and that is what is making them lose me as a customer.

billdelong 10-24-2019 11:02 AM


Originally Posted by Billy Kelly (Post 15533682)

Touch screen does look to work better. I’m mixed on them usually. Some work, some are a pain. I’ll have to look again on those receivers. Only ones I’m finding are $45-50 each.

I’ll have to see if any place carries them. I’m never buying a controller again unless I’ve seen it in person. I’m also hesitant about higher end controller with need firmware updates. I’m assuming this could. I don’t have a way to do these. I’m still a dinosaur with technology.

I’m in no hurry. I rushed on the Futaba because it looked like great deal. And had read and heard only good things. One of the few names I knew off before getting into the hobby. Unfortunately it’s not been that way. It could be something simple I’m just missing, but I’ve done nothing but fight with it since April.

Here you go:
https://www.graupnerusa.com/2CH-2.4G...ios-33502.html

Back when Tower was distributing Graupner I could get them for $25 after the tower discount, not sure who is currently distributing for Graupner, but they are selling direct to the public and they have a solid customer support where I have heard several horror stories about Sanwa taking several months to warranty their products. On my Graupner X-8N I got a replacement trigger shipped to me in about a week under their 2 year warranty.

Billy Kelly 10-24-2019 11:34 AM


Originally Posted by billdelong (Post 15533692)
Here you go:
https://www.graupnerusa.com/2CH-2.4G...ios-33502.html

Back when Tower was distributing Graupner I could get them for $25 after the tower discount, not sure who is currently distributing for Graupner, but they are selling direct to the public and they have a solid customer support where I have heard several horror stories about Sanwa taking several months to warranty their products. On my Graupner X-8N I got a replacement trigger shipped to me in about a week under their 2 year warranty.

I’ll keep eye out. See if I run into someone with one. But I’m not spending on controllers unless I’ve at minimum held one. On top of the issue I’ve had the the Futaba. It feels very odd.


Ive read those stories with Sanwa. Especially from those buying overseas then having problems.


mushroomed 10-24-2019 12:57 PM


Originally Posted by billdelong (Post 15533683)
Not for the current generation of Sanwa radios, this is why I bought a used M12S so that I could get aftermarket Rx's for a reasonable price... both Futaba and Sanwa are intentionally phasing out older Rx's in order to make a higher profit to force people to buy their own equipment and that is what is making them lose me as a customer.

At least one of the receivers is listed at M17 compatible. I haven't tried it personally except with an M12s.


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