I'm getting back into R/C after 25+ years, and was wondering if there are any simple esc's out there for brushless motor setups, something like the old Futaba MC111B for brushed motors that used a little plastic screwdriver to set the max acceleration point, the neutral point and the reverse/braking points. Simple to set up, run and bulletproof. It seems today there are LOTS of esc's that require a computer to set up and don't seem to have the longevity of the old ones. The prices are all over the map as are the reviews for them.

Now I realize we are sending a LOT more power to the new motors, but that shouldn't necessitate a complicated set up regime.

Does anybody have any recommendations for a simple to set up and run esc? This will be for bashing around, only racing between buddies (amateurs at best), using brushless motors around 3900KV and NiMH packs.

Any help would be appreciated

NCDaveD

Most of the speed controls I have seen recently can all be set up without using a computer. You calibrate them with your receiver for full speed, neutral, and reverse. Then you can go through the programming with the radio using either full forward or reverse as a yes or no answer to the esc. The only things that are usually not adjusted by the radio are things like timing and custom cut off levels. As far as what to get, for what you have said it would be used for, I would suggest a Castle Mamba Max pro or maybe even a Sidewinder v3. Although both can be adjusted with a computer, they can also be adjusted with your radio.

It may seem like a complex idea to tune a speed control on PC or tablet, or even some program boxes. But the visual feedback that you have the settings where you want them really is almost a must. The ability to edit settings with buttons on the speed control is nice, but it is almost faith tuning compared to something with a display.

They are not going to tune though like wish with a dial you adjust for any brushless setup I am aware of.. Other than the program boxes and adapters I hinted at above it is a button and looking at LED patterns on the ESC and counting beeps.

Most of us are fans of some brand or another, I like Tekin myself. You will get Viper / Orion / Hobbywing / Castle / etc... fans on here as well. To be honest you can do well with any of these brands. If tuning is a major concern then I would look at that angle for any brand you consider.

i would go hobby wing 90 amp with control box for about 100.00 and cheap battery's and motors go with smc.good price great product..i am not sponsored.. but have been doing this since 1987...former owner of hobby shop.

A hobbywing justock would fit your requirements perfectly. It's a steal at that price range. I'm a tekin/speed passion and Muchmore fan at present but have used hobbywing stuff to good effect in the past. Alternatively the Speed Passion Club Stock Race is on a par with the HW justock but is slightly more expensive.

Thank you very much for all of your suggestions. I have been looking at the hobbywing esc's (along with the tekins and others), and since I'm not seriously racing, the less costly ones are probably OK. If I remember right, the Futaba MC111B was about $120 25 years ago, and that was a LOT of money as the cars came with mechanical speed controls operated by a servo(remember those?).

I purchased a used RB5 that is coming with a Hobbyking X-car 120 amp ESC, so I picked up a Turnigy Programming Card as I found several YouTube videos showing this as a workable alternative.

Thanks again guys, and I look forward to trying to keep up with my buddies B4.2 with the 3900KV DTX/Castle combination.

NCDaveD