4pl or dx3s
 

I am going to buy a new radio for my sc10 and blitz and I can't decide between this two.I need a radio which I could use on both of them.Which one of this two is better,which has more options to program...


thanks for help

DX3S is by far the better choice of these 2. But honestly your better off with the DX2S(same radio, one less needed channel, and a bit cheaper due to one less channel as a bonus)if your using this with a SC10. You only need 2 channels, unless you have other rc's in your stable requiring a 3rd channel. :)

i would personally go for the futaba as the quality is beter

For what do people use 3rd channel?

What are differences between dx3s and 4pl?

I highly disagree with the quality being any better at all. And this is coming from someone who used to only use Futaba tx/rx products religiously. Quality between the 2 mfg's is right on par with each other.

3rd channel would be used for a "reverse" servo on a nitro run rc. For an sc10 a 3rd channel is useless.

The 4pl uses and older version of FHSS 2.4gig spread spektrum signal. It does have more features though like ABS, a 4th channel on top of the third,EPA curve, channel mixing etc. With an SC10 though you wont use many/most of the added features. The DX2S does have telemetry, which on an electric rc will be useful for battery voltage and engine temps/temp warning.

ANother important feature, the SPektrum recievers can run on unregulated 2s Lipo batteries since it has a voltage range of 4.8-9.6 volts. This is a big advantage right here.

I race both of my SC10's and an SCTE using the 3 channel DX3S(I have some nitro vehicles I use with it as well)and it has everything needed for competitive racing or just fun bashing around the yard, and its range is excellent. The DX2S also can be had for $75-80 cheaper than the 4PL. With the money saved you can pick up a second reciever for your 2nd rc roller.

Any more advices?I still don't know which one to buy:sweat:.Please help!

4pl is a nice radio but the warranty isn't worth the paper it's written on. A few ppl now have had issues with the plastic stops inside the case that stop the wheel over-extending, they snap off and because it's part of the moulded plastic case, the whole case half has to be replaced, which, as I found, Futaba used the 'physical damage, no warranty' out, this despite my radio not having a mark on it.

Maybe Futaba warranty is better in the USA, because in Australia it was worthless to me and wouldn't cover what is obviously a design fault. (The Aus technician spun me some bs about he's been to Japan and seen their quality control bla bla bla, woop-de-f..n-doo!)

The Futaba has more range, Spektrum actually admitted to and fixed quality issues they had with the roller in the early DX3S radios.

If that with Futaba's warranty is true I won't buy it because I am from Europe and I don't now is Futaba warranty good in EU.Almost all guys at my track have Futaba radios and they all say that Futaba radios have good quality but after this I think I will just go with spektrum.

I dont know if you are stuck on only Futaba and Spectrum (both good radios), but I would also look at the Airtronics MT-4. I was trying to make this same decision a little while ago and decided to go with MT-4. Just another option to look at.

Every guy and his cousins uncle is going to have a different opinion on what radio to buy. Personally, i don't trust Speky radios.....But that's my opinion. If you have a local hobby shop go and look at the two radios, see what feels better in your hand and what one you like the menu and control style better on. Buy that radio:).

A lot also depends on what application.

Spektrums have a lot of problems with 2 Stroke motors (Bajas etc) as the Coil causes interference.

I still use my 3pl and 4pl but have to be careful (esp not to over push the 4pl wheel as the stops are gone), I would buy Futaba again but not locally, you pay the extra here under the premise of "warranty support" etc and really it's worth s#it, so I'll save myself $40-$50 and get it from the US and pay the UPS freight. I just bought my son an SC18 so my intention is to put a 2pl in there, but they are $99 USD plus say $20-$30 UPS freight or $165 locally, and $1.08 USD = $1 AUS right now.

Being a user of both Futaba and Spektrum radios I can tell you this: In your case the DX3S will be just fine. It has all the features you could want for a short course truck (In fact I use my spektrum radio for my SC trucks too) and the receivers cost half as much as Futaba receivers. They are also a lot more durable and not voltage sensitive. Spektrum also has the model match system, so if you accidentally leave one truck turned on in the pits while you drive the other, it won't drive off your pit table. I see Futaba users do that all the time.

I use my 4pk for onroad racing where it is desirable to have a faster response time and a few more tweaks available that help out with the TC classes.

Guys thank you all,I decided to go with Spektrum:nod:.

thanks

Yeah, that was the smart move. Not sure if you went with the 2S or 3S, but I personally would do the 2S, save the money towards an extra rx and be good to go. Otherwise your just paying for an extra channel you will never use since they both have all the same identical features. :nod: You will love the Spektrum radio regardless. :nod:

It might be a little to late, but here is a interesting review.

http://www.bigsquidrc.com/futaba-4pl...-radio-review/

2s vs. 3s
 

I have been looking at the 3s, 1. because I didnt realize the 2s had telemetry also, and 2. I thought an amb transponder would use the 3rd channel. Is this true or not the case? If I only need the 2s and can still run an amb transponder, that will be nicer on the wallet.

I read that but I reallly like that Spektrum has built-in telemetry.

Its interesting, but it lacks alot of information and detail.

Few points Ill make.

A. Any of these tx's will survive a few "opps" drops, LOL!
B. Any 2.4gig transmitter will give you 1000 feet of range and great signal lock in the countryside where there is no radio interference. My AE XPSS rtr 2.4gig tx/rx set will give me that type of range at my camp.
C. Review was quite limited, LOL! Dissapointed it didnt go into features in detail.

You just plug the transponder into a free slot on the reciever, be it the 3rd channel or for a 2 channel reciever the "batt" slot. You can also just use a Y splitter to plug it in. But you will be fine with a 2 channel 2S system.

The 4pl won't, the plastic wheel stops inside the case will break off if you look at this transmitter the wrong way, and as I found it's a nice way for Futaba to weasle out of warranty.