Remotes (Futaba)
 

Hello there,

Recently I have picked up RC cars again having taken a rest from this hobby for over 10 years. I got myself a TT-02D a few days ago Since I have built two RC cars in the past, this TT-02D is very easy for me to build and it's coming along nicely (photos to come later), it was built in 2-3 hours.

However, one thing that is completely new to me is the introduction of 2.4GHz remotes. In the past I used AM/FM remotes which were much simpler and a lot cheeper than remotes now. These days remotes have various functions, channels and other stuff to consider when picking one to buy. Some with 2-3 channels might cost more than a 4-channel one, but I'm not sure why.

1. Can someone offer some pointers as to what are the differences between remotes?
2. Does it matter if I use a receiver that is a different brand to the remote I use?
3. If I want to go racing with TB-04, what should I get?
4. Do I need a 2-channel or more?

I am specifically looking at the Futaba range of products and want to get a decent remote for my car.

It would also be great if you can tell what remote you are using and the quality of it.

Thank you very much for your kind advices. ;)

I believe the 2.4GHz radios nowadays are simpler than the old ones because you don't need to care about crystals, frequencies, long antennas etc.

You can get very simpel 2.4GHz radios with limited functions that are easy to install and operate.

In my view the main difference between a low-med-high end is functions and response time.

Most people that use the high end radios, e.g. for competition purpose, use only a fraction of the functions, so don't be too stressed by that. You quickly learn to only use the few functions that you need. Some radios let you have customized menus where you can put the functions you need, and then forget the rest.

If you are looking for decent quality radio, that doesn't cost too much, I believe that a Sanwa (Airtronics) MT-4 or the newer MT-4S is the best value buy on the market right now, quality, function and response time wise. These are mid range radios with almost high end functions and response time.

Futaba is off course quality stuff also, but their mid range radios, in my view, are a little outdated and no match for the Sanwa (Airtronics) MT-4/4S. But that is my personal opinion :)

Were you used to have a stick transmitter or a pistol grip?

Hello Roelof, in the past I used pistol grip for both of my old RC cars. Recently I got a stick for my RC truck, but for my TT-02 I'm looking to be trigger happy again :p

Fantastic advice! Thank you so much Salkin. :blush:

I got a used Futaba 4PLS with 3 receivers on ebay a few weeks ago for $125 shipped.

I LOVE this radio, and for the price it has everything I need and excellent quality.

You need to be very careful there. Although some receivers share compatibility with others from different manufacturers, more often, they will not work with another brand. And some receivers can be quite expensive e.g. Sanwa(Airtronics), so please make sure you buy one that works with your transmitter.

I use to run a JR R1 and R1Pro back in the day with PPM, ZPCM receivers before I took a break in 2000, resurfaced last Fall. The features portion is similar to my current radio which is a Futaba 4PKS-R and Spektrum DX4S. Actually I use a lot of the features so having all these programmable parameters is a great thing for me. Basically the Futaba is for my on-road and Spektrum for off-road. Spektrum receivers are water resistant so great for outdoor use.

If you're going Futaba, I'd get the 4PX. The receivers are much cheaper than the FAAST system like my 4PKS-R and reverse compatible, meaning you can run FAAST and FHSS protocol receivers off your 4PX.

I suggest getting a 4 channel system. You'll want the extra channels for your transponder power (unless you get a y-cord adapter), maybe glitch capacitor, sensor switch for lights, etc whatever accessories you might want to add later on.

Here's the link to the 4PX
http://www.futaba-rc.com/systems/futk4905-4px/

If youre just getting back in the 4PX is very overkill. You don't need a $500 radio. The 4PLS is my recommendation. Its fairly cheap, has 90% of the same features as the PX and uses the same cheaper receivers.

Find a second hand 4pk, the 4px is a great radio but isn't cheap, I wouldn't touch a 4pl/s with a 10 foot barge pole, cheaply made, the steering stops are molded into the radio case and are subject to breakage with Futaba will not warranty, the Antenna feels cheap and fragile, which is a shame because functionality wise it's quite good.

As you can see, Sanwa (Airtronics) or Futaba.....religion.

If you go the Futaba way, I would also recommend a used 4PKS or 4PKS-R (newer and the model before the 4PX) instead of the old midrange 4 PL/S.

Or, as already suggested, by a new or used Sanwa (Airtronics) MT4/4S :)

Hummm...is it? Because I'm the kind that buys the best radios and just keep them for a long time, as a result, saving money and time in the long run.

Kind of like with tools.

The only real difference between the 4PX and the 4PLS is the latency of the radios, the 4PX is about 5% faster.

I don't think that's accurate. Not even close.

The 4PLS is an "old" mid range model. Futaba states on their website that the new 4PX is 30% faster than the previous high end 4PKS-R.

How much the 4PKS-R is faster than the 4PLS I don't know, but the 4PX is much faster than the 4PLS.

The 4PX comes with the same receiver as the 4PLS/4GRS, so it shares the same new Futaba's FHSS technology with a framerate of 2.9 sec. The 4PX has beside a nice screen also the support of the older FASST system.