I received my Futaba Spectrum unit tonight. I threw it into my 3pk just moments before the first qualifier, so I ran it without any chance to "adapt" to any radio response changes. Ran indoors on carpet 2 qualifiers and a main, under flour. lights, wifi network in building, etc - a good test for the system.

I am happy to report that it worked flawlessly. No delays, no problems, with a Novak GT7 ESC, stock motor and Futaba digital servo. Control felt just like it should, no change from the stock transmitter module, and TQ'd in Stock sedan. Good Job Spectrum!

Ran into only two "problems". The included instructions do not tell you (at least not that I saw) that you have to set your 3PK off of HSR (high speed response, the standard receiver with the 3pk) to PPM. If you have it on hsr, it will not bind. Switch to PPM, it binds immediately.

The second "problem" was getting used to the new radio's weight balance. It seems weird to say so, but it is amazing how one gets used to having the long regular antenna up and waving around. When I first tried the spectrum, the radio just didn't "feel right" in my hand, I had removed the standard antenna. I asked my son to run over and retrieve the standard antenna from my pit and put it back into the radio extended. As stupid as it may seem, the radio "felt" better balanced running the spektrum with the old antena still on the radio and extended!! I think it will take a couple days of practice without the old antenna to get used to the new weight balance of the radio.

It is amazing how good old habits remain - such as waiting to turn on until all the drivers from the prior race had collected their cars and turned off their radios, obviously not absolutely necessary when you have a spectrum.

For those of you who have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Futaba Spektrum, it was worth the wait.

Thanx for the report :) - JB

Minidriver glad to hear everything went well!Now you make me want one even more then I already did!

Ohhhhh Mini,

I think I was high on the list for the 3PK module, but I am in Atlanta this week. If I found out you got my system I will have to go digging in the Craftsman toolbox!

http://www.supermodels-online.com/month/2000/minaug.jpg

How's the receiver size compared to the HRS? In todays world of small space electronics for touring car a small receiver is a must. I couldn't get away with much larger a receiver.

I'm assuming there is no difference in receivers for the M8's or KO's or Futaba? Hopefully they'll drop in price from the $80.00 they're at....god knows I'll need atleast three if I decide to go with the spectrum. RCtech and Ebay will be flooded soon with receiver sales. :lol:

the receiver is larger the the ko 302 receiver, but 1oz lighter.

I will probably be picking mine up today from my LHS. If anyone is inerested go to www.mikeshobbyshop.com and get their number and call them. I think they are selling the module and receiver for 139.

They are selling them for 179.00 on e-bay right now.

Has anyone put one into a 3PJS yet? I would be very interested to see if all has worked well, I really, REALLY want to get one of these for my radio, it seems lately I have had channel conflicts with people and none of the other drivers have had backup channels so I've been playing channel jockey to keep racing....A problem I hope will soon be gone :)

I guess the only downside going to the Spektrum system is I'll loose the HRS mode on my 3PK. looks like I'll wait awhile before getting one...since I don't have problems with frequency conflicts or glitching.

Just picked mine up from my hobby shop today. Got it for $149. Tossed it in my 3pk and it bound instantly. No problems. Seems as fast at HRS. I guess track testing this weekend will tell the whole story.

If everyone gets one, I'll be the only guy there with crystals.:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Rob, I'll be right there with you.

FAST
 

The Spektrum is the fastest response system available. Something like 5.8ms, I can get the exact number but Futaba's HRS is around 8ms......and the resolution is just short of 4 times that of a 1024 PCM system. Go SPEKTRUM! :-)

If you take the spektrum module out of the the 3PK trans. (or any other trans for that matter) and put the old module back in to run a non spektrum car do you have to re-bind the trans to the receiver when you put the spectrum module back in ?
Thanks.