FlySky FS-GT3B or Something else?
11-19-2010 | 12:40 PM
#1
FlySky FS-GT3B or Something else?
So... I'm using a FlySky FS-GT2 but want to upgrade to a radio with more than just throttle and steering trims, as I want to start racing.
I realize there's a HUGE thread on the GT3B, but never really saw any info as far as comparing it to leading competitors.
The price, like many others, is what attracts me. I am wondering if anyone uses this for racing and if there have been any problems, aside from the known... i.e. blacklight led.
I really want honest opinions that have actually used the GT3B and others like Spektrum, Futaba, etc, and what your thoughts are comparatively.
I don't think it's "worth" it to spend $300 on a TX/RX if a $50 one will do the job fine. So please, voice your thoughts. Thanks!
I realize there's a HUGE thread on the GT3B, but never really saw any info as far as comparing it to leading competitors.
The price, like many others, is what attracts me. I am wondering if anyone uses this for racing and if there have been any problems, aside from the known... i.e. blacklight led.
I really want honest opinions that have actually used the GT3B and others like Spektrum, Futaba, etc, and what your thoughts are comparatively.
I don't think it's "worth" it to spend $300 on a TX/RX if a $50 one will do the job fine. So please, voice your thoughts. Thanks!
11-19-2010 | 07:41 PM
#2
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 86
From: on the edge of insanity
All the threads on all the forums that I could find that contained info on the GT2 and GT3B have all said the same thing; they perform the same, but the GT3B has more options. So if you are satisfied with your GT2 (I am) then don't hesitate because your not going to find a better deal.
Is the GT2 your first and only Tx? If so you don't need opinions, you need to feel with your own hands the other expensive brands. My Airtronics Tx trigger and wheel both have nicer feel and weight to their movements, and the overall balance in hand is better. Performance wise, I'd be a liar if I said I could feel a difference in controling the car. So either I'm a hack or the performance is more than adequate. You'll see a way bigger difference in servo choice.
Yes the FlySky will get the job done, I am getting one soon (GT3B) to add to the GT2 I just got for my son. But the other radios not only get the job done, they do so with a substantially better feel.
Are you willing to pay a premium for steller performance and build quality?
Is the GT2 your first and only Tx? If so you don't need opinions, you need to feel with your own hands the other expensive brands. My Airtronics Tx trigger and wheel both have nicer feel and weight to their movements, and the overall balance in hand is better. Performance wise, I'd be a liar if I said I could feel a difference in controling the car. So either I'm a hack or the performance is more than adequate. You'll see a way bigger difference in servo choice.
Yes the FlySky will get the job done, I am getting one soon (GT3B) to add to the GT2 I just got for my son. But the other radios not only get the job done, they do so with a substantially better feel.
Are you willing to pay a premium for steller performance and build quality?
11-19-2010 | 11:56 PM
#3
All the threads on all the forums that I could find that contained info on the GT2 and GT3B have all said the same thing; they perform the same, but the GT3B has more options. So if you are satisfied with your GT2 (I am) then don't hesitate because your not going to find a better deal.
Is the GT2 your first and only Tx? If so you don't need opinions, you need to feel with your own hands the other expensive brands. My Airtronics Tx trigger and wheel both have nicer feel and weight to their movements, and the overall balance in hand is better. Performance wise, I'd be a liar if I said I could feel a difference in controling the car. So either I'm a hack or the performance is more than adequate. You'll see a way bigger difference in servo choice.
Yes the FlySky will get the job done, I am getting one soon (GT3B) to add to the GT2 I just got for my son. But the other radios not only get the job done, they do so with a substantially better feel.
Are you willing to pay a premium for steller performance and build quality?
Is the GT2 your first and only Tx? If so you don't need opinions, you need to feel with your own hands the other expensive brands. My Airtronics Tx trigger and wheel both have nicer feel and weight to their movements, and the overall balance in hand is better. Performance wise, I'd be a liar if I said I could feel a difference in controling the car. So either I'm a hack or the performance is more than adequate. You'll see a way bigger difference in servo choice.
Yes the FlySky will get the job done, I am getting one soon (GT3B) to add to the GT2 I just got for my son. But the other radios not only get the job done, they do so with a substantially better feel.
Are you willing to pay a premium for steller performance and build quality?
That's why I was wondering how it is. I have had no issues with the GT2 but would like more functions like expo, EPA, etc, for fine tuning. I've only used RTR TXs and, well, haven't really had any issues with those either. Just wanted to go 2.4ghz.
11-20-2010 | 07:26 AM
#4
Tech Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 309
I'm in the same sort of boat.. i've had a lot of tx's in my time but they were nearly all dual stick 27mhz. I've had two trigger grip 27mhz too, none of my previous TX have had any kind of adjustments beyond basic trims - not even dual rate and it's features like EPA, exp, that i want and the reason i'm getting a GT3B. I can't offer any performance information but if it's as good as the GT-2 my buddy has then it's good for anything, i've raced for years and admittedly am a bit of a hack but with my experience i should be able to tell the performance difference between the DX's and EX's and Mx's vs the GT-2/GT3b.. and i can't, really.. the difference is so small I have to look hard for it and more than once i thought i was imagining it.. lol. What i can offer is this:
Don't like the cheap feel? put a tennis racquet grip on the grip of the tx, change the wheel for one you do like, rubber bands or harder springs on the return mechanisms for the wheel and trigger.. and you could put a small sleeve of rigid-ish tube like fuel line or silicon hose over the part of the trigger you push on to get reverse/brake
300-500$ TXs are probably a touch faster and have more features, and are much more adjustable within those features, but if you're just starting to race, you won't notice it unless you're the next multiple time world champion. The main drawback such TXs have over the Flysky radios is the Flysky RX is a few bux whereas the rx for "better" radios cost at least 10x that
Don't like the cheap feel? put a tennis racquet grip on the grip of the tx, change the wheel for one you do like, rubber bands or harder springs on the return mechanisms for the wheel and trigger.. and you could put a small sleeve of rigid-ish tube like fuel line or silicon hose over the part of the trigger you push on to get reverse/brake
300-500$ TXs are probably a touch faster and have more features, and are much more adjustable within those features, but if you're just starting to race, you won't notice it unless you're the next multiple time world champion. The main drawback such TXs have over the Flysky radios is the Flysky RX is a few bux whereas the rx for "better" radios cost at least 10x that
Last edited by skree; 11-20-2010 at 10:12 AM.
11-20-2010 | 08:34 AM
#5
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,891
From: anywhere I can race 2wd dirt,and 1/12 onroad in MI.
I have been running the GT3B for a month or so now.Definitely good stuff for the price.I have owned many top end radios over the years, mainly airtronics and futaba with spektrum modules. Is thier quality better ,Yes.Is it so much better that it warants the price difference, not really.Maybe if I was racing at a worlds level or something like that, but for weekly club or series racing the gt3B is just fine with me.When i think about what I was racing with 10 yrs back the gt3B is awesome.
11-20-2010 | 10:39 AM
#6
Tech Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 65
I just got an FS-GT3B. So far so good, it looks and acts like a real radio. Very cool!
The manual is full of typos, though. I couldn't get my servos to reverse direction, and finally figurd out what the correct procedure was.
If they would put out a decent manual, this might be a terrific radio.
If you have one, you've probably found that the manual is full of typos, and the procedure for reversing servos (Page 16) doesn't work.
After a lot of fiddling, I figured out the correct procedure. At least, it works for me on my FS-GT3B.
-----------------------------------------
1.) Turn on the transmitter.
2.) Press the large, round ENTER button. The MODEL text will highlight.
3.) Turn the large, round ENTER button until REV highlights.
4.) Press the large, round ENTER button. The channel number will begin flashing.
5.) Turn the large, round ENTER button to select the channel number you want.
6.) Press the END button. The NOR (or REV) indication will start flashing.
7.) Turn the large, round ENTER button to select REV (reverse) or NOR (normal).
8.) Press the large, round ENTER button to save the setting for this channel. The transmitter will make a slight BEEP sound.
9.) This channel has now been changed and saved. If you want to change another channel, go back to step 4.
10.) When you have changed the direction of all the channels you wanted to change, press the BACK button to return to the opening screen.
11.) Now either turn off the transmitter, or keep it on and start your car to go racing.
------------------------------------------
Hope this helps!
The manual is full of typos, though. I couldn't get my servos to reverse direction, and finally figurd out what the correct procedure was.
If they would put out a decent manual, this might be a terrific radio.
If you have one, you've probably found that the manual is full of typos, and the procedure for reversing servos (Page 16) doesn't work.
After a lot of fiddling, I figured out the correct procedure. At least, it works for me on my FS-GT3B.
-----------------------------------------
1.) Turn on the transmitter.
2.) Press the large, round ENTER button. The MODEL text will highlight.
3.) Turn the large, round ENTER button until REV highlights.
4.) Press the large, round ENTER button. The channel number will begin flashing.
5.) Turn the large, round ENTER button to select the channel number you want.
6.) Press the END button. The NOR (or REV) indication will start flashing.
7.) Turn the large, round ENTER button to select REV (reverse) or NOR (normal).
8.) Press the large, round ENTER button to save the setting for this channel. The transmitter will make a slight BEEP sound.
9.) This channel has now been changed and saved. If you want to change another channel, go back to step 4.
10.) When you have changed the direction of all the channels you wanted to change, press the BACK button to return to the opening screen.
11.) Now either turn off the transmitter, or keep it on and start your car to go racing.
------------------------------------------
Hope this helps!
11-20-2010 | 07:50 PM
#8
Tech Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 86
From: on the edge of insanity
There is a video review of the GT2 and he shows what looks like a laggy response. Slow servo. I have a Futaba 9402 (high speed high torque) in my F104, and a HS-65MG in my Carisma F14, both of those were just as fast with the GT2 as my Airtronics.
11-20-2010 | 07:53 PM
#9
Like I said. You will notice a MUCH bigger difference in servo choice than you ever will in the performance of the GT3B over other systems.
There is a video review of the GT2 and he shows what looks like a laggy response. Slow servo. I have a Futaba 9402 (high speed high torque) in my F104, and a HS-65MG in my Carisma F14, both of those were just as fast with the GT2 as my Airtronics.
There is a video review of the GT2 and he shows what looks like a laggy response. Slow servo. I have a Futaba 9402 (high speed high torque) in my F104, and a HS-65MG in my Carisma F14, both of those were just as fast with the GT2 as my Airtronics.
04-18-2011 | 11:13 PM
#10
Suspended
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 279
From: City of Industry
04-19-2011 | 01:33 AM
#11
Mine just arrived from China Monday. I work 12hr 'nights' so I won't have a chance to mess w/it until Wednesday morning when my work week is OVER!
I'll have a change to test it out Wednesday night at a local club race. I just got back into this hobby about a month ago after a 20+ year break from it. Even the stock 'crystal' radio was pretty nice. However, it seemed like I was the only one with the JOUST sticking out from the drivers stand so I moved on to a 2.4ghz system. This one seems to be priced incredibly.
If I remember, I'll do a post mortem here after I check it out.
I'll have a change to test it out Wednesday night at a local club race. I just got back into this hobby about a month ago after a 20+ year break from it. Even the stock 'crystal' radio was pretty nice. However, it seemed like I was the only one with the JOUST sticking out from the drivers stand so I moved on to a 2.4ghz system. This one seems to be priced incredibly.
If I remember, I'll do a post mortem here after I check it out.
04-22-2011 | 09:05 AM
#12
Just ordered mine yesterday from hobbypartz. can't wait, but one question. Do they come with the usb cable? how do I procure one? Thanks Fly-Sky this ends Several Months of saving for an expensive radio. Hope the product is as good as the hype.
05-04-2011 | 12:04 PM
#13
Tech Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 53
From: Renton, WA
Yes, the GT3B does come with a USB cable. I just received mine yesterday from HobbyPartz.com and after installing the radio, I can safely say its a HUGE improvement than the one that came with my SC18RTR. The controller has a nice weight to it, is a bit smaller in size, and responds just as good if not better than the Team Associated equipment. The receiver is a bit larger than the stock TA unit, but didn't have any problems finding enough real estate to mount it on the graphite chassis upgrade.
I actually like the feel of the grip and the rubber (vs. foam) steering wheel. Mine didn't come with instructions; however, I had no issues figuring out how to navigate through all the settings...which are many! This radio, for 35.00, is the best value I've come across in the RC world. Heck, I've spent nearly as much on a couple of aftermarket upgrade parts (A-arms, bearings, etc.). The screen is bright and clear. Just a wonderful value for the money. For an average joe user like myself, this radio fits the bill in more ways than one!
I actually like the feel of the grip and the rubber (vs. foam) steering wheel. Mine didn't come with instructions; however, I had no issues figuring out how to navigate through all the settings...which are many! This radio, for 35.00, is the best value I've come across in the RC world. Heck, I've spent nearly as much on a couple of aftermarket upgrade parts (A-arms, bearings, etc.). The screen is bright and clear. Just a wonderful value for the money. For an average joe user like myself, this radio fits the bill in more ways than one!
05-04-2011 | 12:42 PM
#14
Tech Regular
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 450
From: Trillville
From 2003 to 2007 I used an Airtronics/Sanwa M8 and also upgraded it when the very first Spektrum modules were released. Great radio. Then I sold all my stuff and took a break from the hobby.
I just recently got back in the hobby this year. I bought the Flysky GTB3 and I am totally satisfied with it. It does everything that my older M8 did. The cheap $8 receivers are also an added bonus. To me I see no difference in performance. Build quality might be slightly on the lower side as I can tell the plastics they use are slightly cheaper...but the difference is so slight that it is negligible. I haven't used the newer M11x etc, so I can compare it to those radios, but like I said, the GT3b does everything I need just like my older M8 radio.
I just recently got back in the hobby this year. I bought the Flysky GTB3 and I am totally satisfied with it. It does everything that my older M8 did. The cheap $8 receivers are also an added bonus. To me I see no difference in performance. Build quality might be slightly on the lower side as I can tell the plastics they use are slightly cheaper...but the difference is so slight that it is negligible. I haven't used the newer M11x etc, so I can compare it to those radios, but like I said, the GT3b does everything I need just like my older M8 radio.
05-04-2011 | 03:24 PM
#15
been running mine about 4 months, i did manage to break off the break trigger. no issues with range or glitches. i sold my helios soon after trying it. i've had all the spectrum radios and this one is all you need. for the price i got 2 with 4 receivers but have not needed to repair anything, just a trigger mod.