What is a good RC boat radio???

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  • straitline
    Senior Member
    • Dec 2012
    • 158

    #1

    What is a good RC boat radio???

    Hello OSE Mariners.... I just have a simple question... In your opinon what would be the best boat radio to use for Fast electric or gas boats. Don't know if gas or electric makes a difference(but I have FE boats).

    Let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

    Thanks
  • SloHD
    Slow Electric Addict!
    • Apr 2013
    • 337

    #2
    Here we go again. I would suggest a high end radio like airtronics or futaba, or spektrum. Don't control your $800 boat with a $40 radio. It's just not worth it.

    Comment

    • grsboats
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2012
      • 975

      #3
      Futaba 3PM 2.4 MX is a great affordable radio ...more than enough for most Fe/nitro/gas boats Gill
      GO FAST AND TURN RIGHT !
      www.grsboats.com.br

      Comment

      • ls1fst98
        Senior Member
        • Oct 2009
        • 859

        #4
        i have been using the cheap turnigy gtx3 radio in all my rc surface stuff and it has never once given me a problem. its simple and easy to use and rx are cheap. the failsafe has never not worked, i test them every time i go out with it. but everyone has their own preference on what they like.
        HPR 135 redemption, HPR C5009, modded zelos 36, 32 boats and counting.
        Flier ESC dealer, pm me for details.
        https://www.facebook.com/groups/EliteRCBoats/

        Comment

        • iridebikes247
          Fast Electric Addict!
          • Dec 2011
          • 1449

          #5
          Futaba 3 pm-x, amazing radio for the money. They can be had for $180 bucks on ebay. I haven't had any signal interference in areas where all of my other radios have failed.
          Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSr...6EH3l3zT6mWHsw

          Comment

          • Fluid
            Fast and Furious
            • Apr 2007
            • 8012

            #6
            You can waste your money on expensive radios like Futaba or Airtronics, but if you want true value then the $25 Chinese radios are just fine. I know this because I read it in the Internet and they can't put anything on the Internet if it isn't true!








            J/k. Most of the guys in my club run Spektrums, DX2s, DX3s and DX4s. IME get a mid-level model from Airtronics, Futaba or Spektrum in no particular order. The top models are great and I have owned several, but for beginners they have more features than required.



            .
            ERROR 403 - This is not the page you are looking for

            Comment

            • Alexgar
              Fast Electric Addict!
              • Aug 2009
              • 3534

              #7
              Spektrum has my voted

              Comment

              • flraptor07
                Fast Electric Addict!
                • Aug 2013
                • 2451

                #8
                Futaba here! I originally had a 4PL now I'm running a 4PLS, it can be had for $209.00 to $249.00 depending on where you get it. Loads of features, 40 model memory, telemetry, Etc. And it's 4 channel in case you decide to get fancy with power trim tabs or something like that. Also the range is excellent even with a CF hull.
                Last edited by flraptor07; 04-14-2014, 08:56 PM.

                Comment

                • rockford
                  Senior Member
                  • Mar 2013
                  • 116

                  #9
                  ive been running a futaba 4pl on my boats and trucks for a few years with no problems
                  miss geico 29,revolt 30,villain ex,summit,scte,8ight

                  Comment

                  • borgie
                    Senior Member
                    • Dec 2012
                    • 101

                    #10
                    IMO Futaba, i have a 4-Pl and I've got around 800-900 mtrs of range in my carbon fantasm

                    Comment

                    • Mad Racer
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2013
                      • 140

                      #11
                      I have used Top end stuff like KO & Spektrum and cheaper stuff like Flysky.

                      In all honesty the cheaper radio's have never let me down can't say the same for the high $$$$ radio's. I like a computer radio regardless as they have so many good features like EPA & Travel adj as well as model memory.

                      The next big question is this going to a wheel or stick radio?? I'm in the process of changing over to sticks for racing as I feel they suit boats better and been meaning too for a while but a half good stick set up is rare.

                      I have just purchased this and doing some testing with my sporting boats before I throw it in a race set up. Has way too many features for me which I like. So far all good.

                      Comment

                      • tlandauer
                        Fast Electric Addict!
                        • Apr 2011
                        • 5666

                        #12
                        Originally posted by straitline
                        Hello OSE Mariners.... I just have a simple question... In your opinon what would be the best boat radio to use for Fast electric or gas boats. Don't know if gas or electric makes a difference(but I have FE boats).

                        Let me know your thoughts and suggestions.

                        Thanks
                        Depends on your budget. I am eyeing this: http://www.horizonhobby.com/products...rs4210-SPM4210 I will snatch it the moment it is available!
                        I use MR200 and MR3000 on a number of boats but my transmitter is an entry level one ( DX3E). I think this will be a good one and it is backward compatible with the marine specific receivers. The price seems really reasonable as well.
                        Tactics are my second choice for sport running, I have encountered numerous signal lost with my boat at the same spot on the lake. ( once or twice with Spektrum as well).
                        The FlySky never had trouble at that spot but ... ( If I repeat this story one more time, for sure I will be put on the Ignore List by some people)
                        Too many boats, not enough time...

                        Comment

                        • gsbuickman
                          Fast Electric Addict!
                          • Jul 2011
                          • 1292

                          #13
                          Holy chit' stimpy, here we go again .....
                          this has been kicked around & around & around & around & around .....

                          Alot of people have good luck with the tactic ttx-240 & the flysky fs-gt3c or fs-gt3 from Hobbypartz.com , http://www.hobbypartz.com/rccarradios.html

                          It seems like there is not a 100% guaranteed boat radio out there, cause everyone has had a problem with every radio at 1 point in time or another. Each location is different I guess. The top 5 radios you'll see here are probably spekky, futaba, airtronics, tactic & flysky.

                          If you want to try flysky, go with the fs-gt3 (dsss) or the green fs-gt3c. The orange model has a power button issue solved on the green model. I don't reccomend the gt3b even though a lot of people like it. It has a faulty firmware so the epa & trims don't work.

                          www.overkillrc.com sells the b model with flashed firmware if you want to look.....

                          At the moment I am running the airtronics m11 w/ a spekky module, and the tower hobbies 2.4, but I have used a lil' of everything .
                          For a Ben Franklin, I think I would jump on the Airtronics MX-V. Its gotta be one of the best bang for the buck radios on the market, for these features, quality, performance & price .....

                          Last edited by gsbuickman; 04-15-2014, 02:30 AM.

                          Comment

                          • gsbuickman
                            Fast Electric Addict!
                            • Jul 2011
                            • 1292

                            #14
                            Here's a smokin' deal on the Airtronics MXV. $85 + free shipping if your Interested.

                            Comment

                            • siberianhusky
                              Fast Electric Addict!
                              • Dec 2009
                              • 2187

                              #15
                              They all work pretty well now. Just go to the local hobby shop and try out the radios they have and choose the one you like the feel and price of.
                              Don't bother with things like telemetry for a boat, I have it on my radio, you can't look away from your boat long enough to see the screen on the radio.
                              A basic 2 or 3 channel radio with servo reversing is all you really need. I have 13 boats and have never needed any of the fancy programming my radio is capable of.
                              I'd strongly suggest buying a radio you can touch and feel from a hobby shop, only way you can really know how the radio will feel in your hand and you can make sure the switches and knobs are in places that work for you.
                              The bargain radios work great - but for me the ergonomics are horrible. I have pretty big hands. Need things spaced apart a bit.
                              If my boats upside down then who owns the one I thought I was driving the last two laps?

                              Comment

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