New Radio for intermediate level driver?
 

So i use to race electric clay/dirt oval cars quite a few years back with my dad and now that i have branched out into on-road nitro i was looking to pick up a new Surface Transmitter and was looking for some advice. I think an M11X and 4pks would be overkill for me. I am looking at a Spektrum DX3S right now and it doesnt seem to entry level but also is not a pro-driver transmitter. Do you guys have any recommendations? Looking for a little help

Im kinda where your at and i just picked up a futaba 3pm. Loads of settings, abs brakes is nice to have. Havent tried it yet since there is loads of snow outside, but i hear its awesome. It was $209 canadian.

Yeah i looked at the futaba 3PM and the 3PK but the 3PM has some bad reviews regarding receivers over heating and cutting out so i was a little leery. I don't have to deal with snow in sunny florida :D

I have two Futaba 3PMs and six receivers that are 2 years old. They get used in all my electric, nitro and 1/5 Baja. I race 3 weekends a month all year long and Ive never had a glitch, cutout, or overheating issues even during 30 minute nitro mains. I do run lipo receiver pack with regulator in my nitros. I'm more then happy with my 3PMs:nod:

+1 for futaba 3PM... I have two of them and have had zero troubles, and the price is great...:nod:

I've actually read more about Spektrum having brown-out issues than I have about Futaba products, but I have never owned a surface transmitter from Spektrum. Have to be careful what you read in some of these reviews, some guys are incredibly brand loyal and will go onto threads for other manufacturer's devices to talk smack. I do know the brown-out issue is real, though. Especially for Savox servos (too much current draw for the internal BEC curcuitry.)

Yeah this is why it is a tough market to research. One person loves it and the next hates it. I think i am going to have to go with my gut on either the spektrum or a Futaba

3PM/FM or 3PM-X
 

Do you guys have a 3PM with the FM transmitter or the 3PM-X with the new 2.4GHz technology?

3PM with FASST 2.4Ghz, several 603FF receivers.

Also have the 3PM with synthesized FM... older model. So is my FASST radio, form before the 3PM-X and the crawler movement. ONly difference I'm aware of is the channel-3 switch is only 2 position instead of 3.

Here's a twist
 

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the Airtronics MX-3X? For $150 it seems to have good reviews and most say it feels better than the "cheap spektrum" transmitters. Any thoughts

I use it and love it, plenty of features and a very lightweight nice feel to it.
But after awhile you will want the m11x since they both use the same RX which are insanely fast, PM me if you want to buy a used one so i can get the m11x :nod:

Yeah i think after reading some more the airtronics MX-3X might be the way to go. A Main hobbies has it with the high end receiver for $159 while they want $249 for the Spektrum with the two receivers. I know i don't need two receivers right now plus i don't even know if i would use the telemetry

Will the rx that comes with the MX-3x handle LIPO without the use of a regulator? I'm looking into this radio as well but would rather not use a regulator, though I may have no choice.

hi all, im new to forums here, but long time racer. used to race many years ago, and still have all my gear. looking to get back into things, with my TC4 touring. i would like: new radio & receiver, and to go brushless & lipo. looking for recommendations. i would like to not break the bank here, and would consider used as well.

brother in law has a spektrum 2.4 radio, w the telemetry and such, for both his cars. i do not have anything else to base my decision on yet, as i just started doing research on everything.

thanks to all in advance,

bryan

I will put in my vote for the MX-3X also. More than enough features and Ive smoked guys using $400 radios... Just as fast as the more pricey (and bulky) M11 series.

In fact im about to buy another MX-3X since it makes more sense than buying a receiver alone. That way Ill have a back up radio as well for the slight extra cost.

Also too many issues going around with the spektrums and their "cheap-e-ness". It will be a long time and they will have to revolutionize TX's to get me to even think about one.