Perspective. A lot of this site is racers and racers like top notch equipment. Spektrum may work just fine in a scenario of Savages and Jatos, so folks should not assume everyone needs the best of the best.

Myself, I'm an Airtronics guy, but am not saying it's the only solution for everyone in every application. Features, comfort, reliability, and specs are bigger driver's for my purchase than, say, cost. That may not be true for everyone, and that's OK.

Thanks for the suggestions on inexpensive radios! I would really like one that I can use in my other cars so that I don't have to setup up the cars. I'm assuming the MT-4 does this but can I buy Orange receivers or comparable ones that are cheap ($15 or less) to use in my other cars?

Btw...not sure if this is accurate but I read this review and thought it was interesting...
The MT-4 utilizes the FHSS-4 signal transmission sequence. I am upgrading to this radio from a DX3R (which I paid $400 for when it first came out, and I have had several range problems with it) which uses DSM, or DSSS signal transmission. FHSS and DSSS signal transmission use the same amount of power, but FHSS sends signal across three different frequencies within the selected band (10 (give or take) different frequencies are in a selected band - varies with RC and WiFi) that are constantly changing based on a pseudo-sequence. DSSS signal transmission sends signal along each frequency in the band. Both of the protocols used by FHSS and DSSS signal transmission effectively reduce interference, but FHSS has been proven to be about ten times more effective at avoiding interference than DSSS. Also, because FHSS and DSSS use the same power, but FHSS divides this power usage among 3 signals while DSSS divides power among all ten (or so), FHSS radios typically have a much better range.

You need to stick with Airtronics/Sanwa receivers as the cheap dsm type spectrum stuff doesn't work as the Airtronics systems use the superior FHSS technology which isn't backwards compatible as eluded to in your post above.

Go with the MT-4 its a brilliant radio - remember the only radios that get a hard time seem to be the spectrums which is evident by people often saying they noticed a big difference or problems went away when they changed to airtronics/futaba/ko....

Thanks for confirming!


Okay....so I called my LHS and was talking about Spektrum vs. Airtronics, Futaba, etc. and he said he personally liked Futaba. But he also said the issues that some have with Spektrum can be solved with a simple BEC. He said Savox servos and other electronics are known to be "power hungry" but a BEC should solve any glitching/brown-out issues.

If this is true...then I wouldn't mind going this route since I can buy the DX3C new for $85 (using my 15% coupon), then buy a BEC and be able to buy cheap receivers (i.e., Orange) for my other 2 bashers. What do you guys think? If I buy an Airtronics MT4 I have to pay another $115 plus $40-$50 for additional receivers for my other two bashers....not good when I'm trying to go the cheap route.

Hmmmm...now I'm thinking if I went back to FlySky with a BEC, I could be just fine. :blush: :eek::confused:

We're not talking about low latency and features here.

We're talking about low range and glitch issues.

These are just as annoying for a casual basher as for a pro racer.

I could not solve my problems with either a capacitor or an external BEC.

And I did not only use Savox servos, I also had the problems with a Team Orion servo.

But it is always a good idea to try to solve such issues with a good quality external BEC (or maybe first a capacitor, cheap and easy to install). Even if it does not solve your problem, it will still give you better servo performance once you find a radio/electronics match that works.

I run high power savox servos both HV and normal. I run Airtronics servos I use ESC's, nitro cars with lipo rx pack. All is perfect with my Airtronics setup. Not one glitch and no need for stupid glitch buster caps or external BECs that you MUST use on Spektrum kit.

Please do yourself a favour. Don't cheap out on your radio don't get the dx3 whatever it is. Get the Airtronics MT-4 and you won't be sorry - no glitches or issues whatever servo/esc combo you throw at it :nod: I'm sure you've seen enough in this thread alone to persuade you to steer clear of Spektrum. I dunno maybe the top top of the range Spektrum that the team drivers use MAY be ok but I wouldn't risk it... Initially just use the one Rx and move it between cars this takes what 5 mins? Then save up for 2 more Rx's later. Trust me you'll be glad you did.

I hate to be argumentative, but I'm going to be argumentative... Your response indicates to me that you don't understand why brown-outs happen. A power-hungry servo (Savox) that overwhelms your BEC and causes brown-outs is not the 'fault' of Spektrum. It could happen with any brand of receiver. If the BEC can't deliver enough power to keep everything running, things start to shut down and presto, you get a glitch/brown-out.

But Specktrum Rx's are much more voltage sensitive than Fut-Air-etc.... Those changes in voltage will shut down a Spektrum RX where my Fut keep going strong.

I ran a 7.4 HV Savox 2274 in my Ebuggy with a Tekin Rx8 Gen 1, Futaba rx. That's about as much stress as you can put on an RX, and the Gen 1 RX8 bec's were on the weak side.

^^^ See if you can do that with a spektrum and get back to me.:ha:

You may very well be right. I just know that when I got a better BEC, my brown-outs went away. I don't blame that on Spektrum.

Weakest link is always what fails. That can be different in any setup for sure.

I will say however i do wish my Fut rx's weren't the size of a 80's Brick cell phone.

My next Tx will be an M12.

:rolleyes:

:nod:

I run Spektrum AND HV Savox servos in all my cars, 8th nitro and EP scale and 10th scale. In the last 3 years, I have not had ONE issue with my radio system OR servos.

The Airtronics MT‑4 is also a great radio, in which my son uses for 8th and 10th along with Savox HV servos. He has had no problems either.

The amount of straight hating and bashing is ridiculous. You dont have to prove why YOU dont like a certian radio or manufacture.

I will say, I have only used the PRO level radios.

I decided I'm going to give the Airtronics MT-4 a try. I had a discount for the Spektrum but Tower Hobbies was offering $20 coupon (which ends today) for the MT-4, plus I had a $30.99 gift card with Tower and free shipping! Total for a new MT-4 was $149.00!!!! So I'll report back with how the MT-4 works. This will be a really good test as my car seems to have all the glitch issues that a glitch buster couldn't solve.

Thanks again Salkin for the tip on the MT4!!!