I have had Spektrum transmitters in the past and while the ones I had were cheaper ones and felt "cheap" I had no real issues with them to speak of. Reading thru the forums most people seem to have a real hate for Spektrum transmitters and I'm trying to figure out if they are really as bad as what alot of people say?
My question is this, I use a Futaba 4pls at the moment and while I like the transmitter its just simply not comfortable to me, I feel like the wheel is too high or something. So I'm looking at new transmitters and really looking at ones with a drop down so that is a option for me, The Futaba 4Px looks great but big bucs, The Spektrum Dx4r pro feels qwite good in my hand and is priced right BUT I cant find a local using one. So I'm looking for any actual users of the Dx4r that can give me a honest opinion and there personal thoughts of the transmitter, I'm a racer and thats all I'm intrested in.
Incase it matters at all, I run Tekin Esc's (Rx8 gen2-Rsx) and Savox HV servo's. Thanks,Dan

Yes, they are that bad.


Ok,ok, no they are not really that bad. Everyone around here knows I'm a long time Spektrum hater but the truth is that they are just fine for 90% of RC car uses. My problem is that I run in that top 1% of performance needs (1/8th onroad and 1/12th). There every millisecond counts and Spektrum just doesn't cut it but for most other uses, they are just fine.

that's the #1 brand of radio you'll see guys using around where I live. some futaba's and airtronics (me too) thrown in the mix but 90% spektrum. and they're all pretty darn good drivers.
some top level pros use them without problems too. I think they got a bad rep from the earlier models from my understanding.

I have the new DX 4 S and love it. I have been using Spektrum with no issues for the last several years. Futabas were awkward (to me). I have run 1/8 nitro, 1/8 electric, short course truck, dirt oval 1/8 and 1/10 LM, short course LM, as well as 1/12 and 1/10 pan car and 1/10 4 WH drive.

The newest Spektrum is faster than ever; and while I don't have the R, I think it would be a very good radio. IMO

Hold the radio in your hand first before you buy it. For my personal taste, I could never get used to the ergonomics of Spektrum radios. The grip and the overly large steering wheel never felt right for me. I guess for guys with bigger hands it may be better.

Either way, I have not met a Futaba, KO, or Airtronics guy at my track who have gone back to a Spektrum.

You make a good point with that last statement and I'm guessing that is truly the norm.

Thanks to the rest of you for your honest opinions as well, I'm hoping maybe I can get a few to answer that have possibly used a Futaba/Airtronics/KO whatever then went to a high end Spektrum.......seem's that isnt the normal progression though.

Besides ergonomics Futaba and airtropics are way better than spektrum, yeah most people use spektrum because they look nice, also cheaper than other radios. I had two spektrum radios dx3s and the dx3r pro had some signal issues with both of them switched to Futaba and couldn't be happier.

The japenese brand transmitters I have experienced feels a little better in the hand (less tinny) and tend to have a better fit and finish to the radio.

All I'll say is try the Airtronics MT4 OR M12. There are also some M11's in the second hand market that would be worth looking at if on a budget. These are by far the most comfortable and well performing radios on the market today.

I have strong negative feelings and experiences with Spektrum stuff which I have been very vocal about in the past and in other threads on RC tech resulting in hate mail PM's etc and so I won't repeat it here. Suffice to say your hard earned cash would be better placed on Airtronics hardware.

I have been a KoPropo guy for 15+ years. When the new flagship came out from Ko, I was all excited, until I seen the price tag. Nearly everybody else I race with, have gone to Spektrum. I was very hesitant to stop using Ko. I had my Helios since it was introduced. I finally took the leap, and got the DX4R in January of 2014. I dont use all the features, never did with my Ko, but it did take a while to get used to. What Spektrum did that finally put me on to them, is they put servo speed into the DX4S and DX4R models. I use that feature more than anything else.

It will take a few races to get used to the remote, and I have no complaints about it.

Spektrum is actually relatively new when it comes to radio brands, so they had some issues with their earlier and cheaper models. Won't deny that.

I used my 3R for years, literally beating the crap out of it once the "new" wore off and I didn't care as much anymore. I bought it when they first came out, not even sure what year that was. This spring I think I finally wore it out, literally. I weighed my options heavily between a new 4R and a 4Pks. I decided that between my overall experience with my 3R and the cost comparison that I would get a 4R. I've had no issues with it. Do I think it's holding me back as a driver, No. Can I see and feel a difference between the two, Yes. IMO is it worth the extra cost, No. Do some people have an issue with the "feel" of the 3R/4R line, Yes. I personally don't.

Has/Does Spektrum seem to have more issues than other brands, sure. But when you look at the cost knowing that not everyone reads this site looking for complaints. How many 3R/4R radios do you think Spektrum sells vs. Futaba and Airtronics? Probably A LOT.

In the end for every one guy who has an issue 99 don't. BUT you'll see the same 5 guys banging the "Spektrum sucks" drum just like they have for years. After awhile you simply "tune them out" and realize they'll always be haters.

I liked spektrum when they had the boxes for different radio. I really miss using my m8 . I only run boats, and I have not heard anything really good about them in that sense.

I've tried them all, M12 (too top heavy) KO Ex-KIY (Twitchy), DX4S, DX4R, 4pk, 4pks and now settled on a 4px, just on the look and feel although the trigger takes getting used to. Had an MT4, was a great radio the only radio I have ever had that I have truely thought was garbage was the Futaba 4pl/4pls.

Spektrum gear is popular, easy to set up and easy to trouble shoot because odds are someone at racing has one. But it has it's limitations they don't play nice with high draw servos such as Savox, the range isn't as good as some of the others and they are prone to interference from the coil on two stroke motors. Each to their own, find a radio you like not what people tell you to like.

I used spektrum gear in both airplanes and helicopters and I can't complain at all.

I've had Futaba 3PK and 3PKS and Airtronics M11 but ended up using the Spektrum 3R and 3R Pro without any regret. I still use a Futaba 4PL only because it works with my crawlers and has cheap receivers.

It's been about 6 years since I even used either of the Futaba 3PKs and probably will never use them because they are too heavy and using Spektrum modules anyway.

Range has never been an issue since I race at tracks that are not bigger than a baseball field.

Spektrum does have the best bang for the buck and are the lightest radios to hold for long mains.