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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:06 AM
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Default 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
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:19 AM
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Originally Posted by -Lucky-
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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:28 AM
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Originally Posted by -Lucky-
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
i would personally go for the futaba as the quality is beter
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ntrain42
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.
For what do people use 3rd channel?

What are differences between dx3s and 4pl?
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by jake95
i would personally go for the futaba as the quality is beter
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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:39 AM
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Originally Posted by -Lucky-
For what do people use 3rd channel?

What are differences between dx3s and 4pl?
3rd channel would be used for a "reverse" servo on a nitro run rc. For an sc10 a 3rd channel is useless.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 04:48 AM
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Originally Posted by -Lucky-
For what do people use 3rd channel?

What are differences between dx3s and 4pl?
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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 06:38 AM
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Any more advices?I still don't know which one to buy.Please help!
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Old 04-30-2011 | 06:45 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:22 AM
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Originally Posted by nexxus
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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:26 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:26 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by cherokee95
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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:32 AM
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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.
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Old 04-30-2011 | 07:42 AM
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Guys thank you all,I decided to go with Spektrum.

thanks

Last edited by -Lucky-; 04-30-2011 at 07:58 AM.
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