What new radio for multiple classes?
 

Decided to play with toy cars again after a few years off. I am going to be running multiple classes and would like to get something to support that. I will be running the following...

1/10 scale 2wd (17.5)off-road carpet
1/10 4wd off-road carpet
4wd short course (lg) outdoor dirt off-road
1/8th e buggy (lg) outdoor dirt off-road

I previous used an Airtronics MX Sport when I was just running 4wd SC and 1/8 Ebuggy. I had a complete radio for each vehicle. I was thinking the new Futaba 4px but it may be overkill for what I need? Anyway figured I would ask those that are more knowledgeable and have used multiple brands/products. I have not been in the hobby for a while to know what are the go to products that are being used now. Thanks in advance!

Where are you running 4wd off-road carpet at, banana?

I'd grab whatever feels comfortable in your hand. I like the lynx 4s from hitec but I've used sanwa and futaba in the past as well and they are all great radios. Check out Indy RC World, they usually have several high end radios in stock you can try out and see how you like them. I think the 4px always sells out quickly there but either way, someone there will have one you can hold and get a feel for at least.

About 3 years ago I moved back to the Texas panhandle. There is a new track that just opened here. I forgot to update my location in my profile, sorry.

I'm not a racer, but I love my Hitec Lynx 4s fwiw.

If price for Rx's is important, seeing that you need to cover 4 classes, I would consider Graupner... they have an upper-mid level system called the X-8N and a luxury system called the X-8E, here's a quick breakdown of comparisons between both system on this post. The biggest selling point for me is Graupner USA offers a 2 year warranty.

If money is no object, then the only other brand I would personally consider right now is Futaba, but they are rather overpriced IMO which is the only reason I decided not to go with them.

Other brands that have disappointed me in the past are Radiopost and KO Propo.

Doing a short amount of research it appears like the Hitec Lynx radios are on par with the Futaba 4px's? When I quit racing a few years ago it was mostly either Airtronics and Futaba. DXR radios were just coming popular but don't seem to be as much so anymore? With all that said, thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.

Too many systems to cover every reason why none shine as well as Graupner and Futaba, but Hitec is having over heating issues with their Rx's causing brown out/glitching... Spektrum also runs into intermittent glitching/range issues as well... Airtronics went out of business leaving limited support through Sanwa (OEM for Airtronics)... there are dozens of other brands distributed out of China, but if you want to have a US based service center and a product without known issues, then the current top 2 choices are Futaba and Graupner IMO. Once Hitec fixes their over heating issues they I would put them right up there with the other 2 brands.

Another cool selling point with Graupner is they sell matched ESC's which can be programmed directly through the Tx without the need for a separate programming card hooked up the ESC. Just to clarify, you still need a separate Rx, the ESC doesn't include a Rx built into it, however Spektrum has recently started making Servos with integrated Rx's built inside them to help reduce weight for stock racing classes. I've seen Spektrum radios do really well on small too medium size tracks, but also seen too many folks have glitching issues on larger tracks.

For a limited budget, my top pick would be the Radiolink RC3S

Serpent of America provides u.s. based Sanwa support fyi.

I keep hearing about overheating Hitec rx's but mine is stuffed into a sealed box and I have yet to have an issue, even running through multiple battery packs back to back. Never once has it glitched or acted up on me fwiw. I guess I'll see if the heat of summer changes anything, but for now all seems to be well.

That's good to hear, do they actually make repairs (for a nominal repair fee) to older systems outside warranty or do they only offer warranty support with no repair service? I've been burned in the past with Savox USA claiming to offer a service center but later learned they only honor warranty claims.

KO Propo and Radiopost offers service outside warranty, but I got tired of having to calibrate my Rx's too frequently to prevent glitching.

I've heard this happen to team drivers running long nitro mains, I've also talked to other pro drivers who said they never had any problems... any chance you're running SV or HV through the Rx? I have to wonder if that might be a contributing factor or not?

Well decided to go with my first intuition, the 4px. Hated to spend that much on a radio but figured I would second guess my choice if I didn't. Futaba has been a top quality brand for as long as I can remember.

feel
 

alot is feel and if its comfortable for u
i like spektrum just wish they would fix brown out issues

Got to try out the new setup last Thursday. Complete new package of RC10B6 and the Futaba 4px, running 17.5 2wd buggy. Did not get any practice time and it was the first time I had raced 2wd buggy since ~1991. Got better each of the two heats and ran decent in the main. Love the new radio and the buggy felt super smooth! Crazy how different driving 1/8th scale on dirt off-road compared to 17.5 2wd 1/10th scale on carpet (off-road), is!! Can't wait to play with some 2wd mod buggy and a 1/10 4wd buggy again. They should be up and running in the next couple of weeks!