futaba or ko????
 

trying to decide which to get....im looking at the 3pks 2.4ghz or the ex-1 2.4ghz. there's like a hundred bucks difference between the two being the ex-1 is cheaper. should i spend the extra dollars and just get the 3pks???

I think the Ko ex1 is the better choice. Although you may be able to afford the ex10 2.4ghz. This is so as ko is now the only Tx and Rx still made in japan. Futaba has out sourced it to taiwan.....

thanks darren....i think i will just get the ex-1 as im really on a very tight budget right now. so is it just the big LCD screen that makes the 3pk expensive??

Screw that ex-1 ur my buddy got one and sold it in like a week. I couldn't drive with that thing it was just weird. the wheel response was really finiccky.

he sold it and got the helios and that seems to be way better from the ex-1 i tried.

Not hating here i really wanted a ex-1 till i tried it. wait till dcoe15 chimes in he would know more then me.

he went from 3pk > EX-1 UR > Helios....

Hey!!! I was made in Taiwan. :)

so what do you guys say???? is the 3pk super a better radio than the KO EX-1??? or better yet just get the Helios???

chocolate or vanilla

You just have to test drive any Radio you buy. Remember, it is
a big investment for RC. I tried my friends 3PK and I happen to
like the EX-10 better. It's a personal thing! ;)

After switching to the 3PK and selling all my Ko stuff I wish I had never done it. Go with the Helios. You won't be disappointed and if something should go wrong Ko's service is 100 times better.

I recently posted this on another thread, but applies here as well. Also, if you do go Futaba, definitely get the 4PK, not the 3PK. It's a big improvement.


If you can, try a Helios with a lipo battery. It’s not only very light but also perfectly balanced - and lasts 14 hours between charges. Make sure it has the drop down wheel installed.
In my opinion, and I’ve used an M11 and owned a 3PKS for a couple of years, the Helios is by far the best feeling radio out there (the 4PK has closed the gap, though).
The KO 2.4 system is also amazing and I’ve heard the fastest currently available. It’s super smooth, glitch-free and doesn’t have the thermal shutdown issue of the Futabas. The RX is tiny, too.

The two best and most comfortable radios on the market (not including the 4pk, never tried it) are the Ko ex10 Helios and the M11. Period. M8 is also very comfortable, but a bit dated--and you'd have to get a used one.

3pks is a very nice radio--incredible electronics, but it has kind of an uncomfortable trigger IMO and is very top heavy--even when using the stock 8-cell ni-cd or ni-mh. I never thought it was that comfortable while I was running it. I do think it has the best features and electronics though.

If the 4pk has the same weird trigger as the 3pk that is a strike against it. Otherwise it looks like it performs fantastic--but not having a module prevents me from running it with my Spektrum stuff. No way I am going to get 4 Futaba fAst receivers at $80-$90 (or whatever) a piece just to run the 4pk.

EX1 is a cool piece, looks retro and all, and I like the simple screen and controls--but its ergonomics are dated and it has awful steering feel. From the moment brought it home and tried it I knew in the back of my mind it WAS NOT the radio for me. Very, very uncomfortable for even avg. sized hands. If you have slightly larger hands or fat fingers you will not like running it. I never got used to it, in the 3 or 4 nights I ran it my lap times were CLEARLY off my usual pace.

Ex10 Helios suits me the best. Its nice and large for wide fingers, superb balance, not too heavy and great steering and throttle trigger. I would recommend it without hesitation over the 3pks, ex1, dx3r. Believe me, the ex10 is a FAR better radio than the ex1. I haven't found a single person who likes the ex1 better. The ex1 has that weird, super dated, plastic diamond dimples on the grip--stuff from the 80s--yuck!!

Go for the ex10 Helios or the M11, you won't regret it. If you already have Spektrum I would rule the 4pk out as you will have to switch all your receivers to Futaba FAST.

Iv'e had the 3pks and Mars R, and currently have a Helios and ex1 ur.

3pks- great radio, never had a problem with the FASST system, but it felt like the leaning tower of Pisa, a very top heavy radio. Comes with a tx battery but it needs to be charged between rounds. Probably the easiest of the 3 to navigate the menu.

Helios- trigger throw took some getting used to as it's a little more than the 3pks. Jog dial works great. I"m using crystals without any problem. I just wish it was a tad more compact. It'll tip very easily on the table.

EX1- smaller radio so it's better suited for smaller hands. Mine is still sitting in the box so I cant' compare it with my other radios other than the Mars R, which is basically the same thing. KO's new 2.4 rx is just slightly larger than a postage stamp.

M11 Fo' Life !!!!! http://b20vtec.com/forums/images/smilies/crap.gif

sounds dumb, but go to ur shop and hold them all. for as long as possible to. even when ur talkin or lookin at other product and talkin to the fella (or gal) behind the counter. the 1 you forget your holding is the 1 you want. who cares if it has gizmos if its not comfortable

R

My vote is for the KO Helios Ex-10. It's the only one that has the angled drop down wheel. The 4pk and Ex ur1 only have a drop down wheel. Having an angled wheel is by far the best feeling. This plus with a lipo battery.....BUTTA