Help me decide which radio..
 

So after reading all the threads here about the DX3R, M11X and 4PK, I have reached a dead end. I am still undecided which to get. Actually I was able to narrow it down to the M11X and the 4PK, but the local Spektrum dealer here in Manila has slashed the price of the DX3R. So here are the pros and cons I've noted, along with the price converted to US dollars.


Spektrum DX3R - $244

Pros:
-Receiver is lipo ready
-light weight (485g)

Cons:
-cheap quality?
-only 6 assignable switches (6 digital trims)
-no "idle up" for nitro
-no ABS
-no traction control
-screen is not backlit
-reports of Rx going into failsafe when running alongside a FASST system


Sanwa M11X - $308 (w/o battery and charger)

Pros:
-Traction control
-newest of the three
-10 assignable switches (5 digital trims, 4 push buttons, 1 dial)
-supposedly the fastest
-Tx is lipo ready

Cons:
-heaviest (787g)
-4th channel pretty useless to me (can only be used for brake mixing)
-Rx is not lipo ready

Futaba 4PK - $402

Pros:
-4th channel (perfect for 4WS and dig)
-light weight (701g)
-9 assignable switches (3 digital dials, 3 digital trims, 3 push buttons)
-comes with a battery and charger

Cons:
-Rx overheating issues
-no traction control
-Rx is not lipo ready
-no local warranty


So which one do you think I should get? Like I said earlier, I was already set between the 4PK and the M11X but now, for the price of the M11X I could get the DX3R and another Rx. For the price of the 4PK i could get the M11X and an extra receiver. Is the 4PK worth the $100 premium over the M11X? Or should I wait until December since I will be going to Hong Kong, and buy the 4PK there? (HK$2800 = US$362 for the 4PK). M11X is HK$2400 ($310) and DX3R is HK$1780 ($232) so not much difference there.

Do you have options to hold each one of them? You have to like the way it feels above all else. Plus which one do you have access to extra RX's and parts? I'd choose by those two thoughts first everything else second.

What kind of vehicals do you have/get?

DX3R- looks cheap but it's actually very good. No backlite that does suck:(
rx being lipo ready is pretty darn cool but only a problem really with nitro vehicals. Most electric esc's are lipo ready.

Futaba 4pk- The overheating problems that i have heard of seen to come from having the RX foam wrapped and enclosed in a 1/8 rx box during the middle of summer. I've been running the FASST system since it came out and have had zero problems.
Comfirmed 1/2 mile radio range. By me and nic case(holder of the world's fastest r/c car record).

M8, M11, M11x- used by some of the best racers in the world. Who can argue with that.

Good Luck.

Yep I have the option of holding each one but I'd rather do when I'm already set to purchase :D LHS1 sells the 4PK and LHS2 sells the DX3R and M11X. So I will be able to directly compare the DX3R and M11X. Both LHS offer similarly priced receivers.

The LHS that sells the 4PK unfortunately does not offer a warranty. So I might as well get it in Hong Kong if I do decide to get the 4PK. So far I haven't heard of a single problem with the M11X, no Rx failsafe issues or overheating. So it definitely looks like a good, reliable radio :nod:

Just because the hobbyshop does not offer a warranty does not mean that there isnt one. there is always a warranty through the mfg. my local hobbytown wont warranty anything they selll. hobby towns policy is to let the mfg deal with it.

I can't speak about the other radios because I have never used them. I use the DX3R and its a very good radio. I have not heard or experienced the failsafe issue you spoke of with regards of its proximity to the Faast system. Also, your listed weight for the radio is way off. I just weighed my DX3R WITH 4 duracel alkaline batteries installed in it and it weighs 485 grams. Without the batteries the radio weighed 387 grams. This radio is super light, which is why people always say it "feels" cheap.

Thanks for the correction Scott. Wow that is light indeed. I've read a couple of people having problems when running alongside a FASST system and it's a concern for me since I will be using this radio at the track.

It's no problem for you guys in the US since you have Futaba USA to send it to. If ever there is a problem with my radio I will have to contact Futaba Japan and they may or may not honor the warranty. Plus I will have to pay $$$ for international shipping.

this is it.
 

Bradir, M11x.:nod:

Really. Are you saying that the radio can detect wheelspin and then limmit power? I think all it does is over rides fast trigger inputs. That should not be called "traction control" because it is not.:tire:

Well, that's what Airtronics calls it and I'm not about to make another name for it :D

A.B.S. in the Futaba and Sanwa radios don't detect skidding as well, they automatically pump the brakes every time, so should we call this something else too?