deciding on radio

[saleens7]

ive been looking around for a radio to buy....i said i was going to get the FM synthesized futaba radio, but i like the glitch and interference free 2.4GHz systems that are coming out...

so far i have reaserched some different ones and ive came up with 4 different systems

Nomadio Retract

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPHN6&P=0

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Futaba 3PM 2.4GHz with FASST system

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LB7004&P=3

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SPEkTRUM DX3R DSM2 3CH surface radio

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM3100

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and finaly, the SPEkTRUM DX3.0 DMS pistol radio

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPM20300

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all of these radios have the 2.4GHz system but ive heard some bad things about the futaba about its range and the fiberglass in hulls reducing range, the nomadio sounds pretty good though, but i think it might have the same range problems.

the specktrum dx3r seems to be the best, but most expensive of all of them...i called horizon and they said it had 3000feet of range, the antenna is long enough to extend from out of the hull, so range should not be affected, and i asked if fiberglass hulls would affect range and they said no...im still not sure which one i should get....does anyone have any personal experience with any of these radio systems? how did it perform?

should i just stick to the fm synthesized radio?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLZP2&P=0

[Fluid]

I use the Spektrum DSM module in my HiTec Agressor and it works great, zero problems even when racing with five other boats on the big 1/6th mile nitro course. Range has never been a problem, but then I don't run my models so far out that I can't see them. I have both the 'original' and newer 'PRO' receivers, no problems they all work great. Several club members have the DX radios and they love them. No xtals to worry about, no problem with someone else being on your frequency, and an automatic fail safe so the model doesn't go out of control if it loses signal.

The only problems I've seen with the DSM radios has been when the owners try to run low voltage receiver packs. These radios need a good 5 volts to work right - this is no problem for me because I always run 350 to 1200 mAh 5-cell NiMH receiver packs....fully charged of course.

I ran FM for years and the high end radios are very good, but I would never go back now. :D


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[NorthernBoater]

I am running the Dx3 and have had no problems. No need to worry about interference.

[Doby]

Been using my Spektrum DX3,,,nothing but good experiences !

[Jeepers]

My specktrum dx 3.0 is not all way glitch free, at are last race we had problems with several boats acting up, we think it had some thing to do the 440 volt power supply for the big fountain in the middle of the lake, spektrum and FM both had problems. At least 11 spektrums were in use that day, the only radios that did not have problems were the two airtronics mx3 radios, (mine, & 1 other) actually my mx3 is my most reliable radio I think, and I always use 5cell receiver packs.

[saleens7]

seems like everyone likes the spektrum....i would rather get the dx3r than the dx3 because of its looks and it has many other options that the dx3 does...it also has DSM2, not just DSM, so im guessing it doesent have the problems (if there were any) that the dx3 had...

[Jeepers]

SALEENS7 not saying the spektrum is bad just saying we ran into some interfernce with them, I plan on using spektrum on all my boats just dont have enough receivers yet :D, I just thought it was odd we had problems. My favorite part NO crystals to buy!

[saleens7]

i hope the newer spektrum with DSM2 (not just dsm) will have that problem fixed....ill ne be getting that one.