Budget radios. Thoughts?

[jamespl]

I've just got myself a proboat stiletto and not owning Amy spectrum radios I used an FS-GT3B radio. Now I'm not a racer I just like to have a thrash around the pond on my own. First impression are this is a pretty good radio for the money. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Now I'm not stupid enough to think that a £30 radio can compete with a spectrum but it makes my boat go forward & left and right plus the range is good so that works for me and my pocket.

[domwilson]

What ever works for you. Many people here use the Tactic radio. Not heard many complaints about it.

[HYDROJERRY]

i have many Tactics and havent had a prob yet and can get extra rx's off ebay for like 30.00,, some times cheaper than that..and you can use one tx and bind multiple rx's to it but they must also be tactic rx's..

[johnmaclean]

I have a couple of those HK radios and have been very satisifed with its performance for the money

[jamespl]

Deffo. Even if it only lasts 6-12 months I think they are still worth it for people on a budget. It's not just the cost really, I could afford a £300 radio but my wife would go nuts lol

[siberianhusky]

John and I have run his radios side by side with my Spektrum DX2s and it performs at least as well.

[detox]

Futaba has a new 2.4 budget radio. It comes supplied with one receiver and uses only 4 AA batteries.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LNAVSY&P=G

[FastVee]

I used the gt2 and gt3b.(started using futaba 3pm , that was also reliable -no issues ever.... -but the 109€/rx was too much so I started to test the hk gt radios.)
Both (gt3 and 2)were fine until I had carbon/glass hybrid hull with 2 outrunners... it started to loose signal when ever it wanted to... After that(wont risk of loosing control of 10kg´s boat going 35mph any more)I tried the Spectrum dx3c and love it! -use the mr 3000 that comes with stiletto and no issues what so ever. -even the included sr300?(I think that was it?) had ok range and way better then gt3 had.

The dx3c is also only radio that fits perfectly in my large hands -cause it comes with 3 different grips! -and the large grip is perfect.

Even better radio (for my use) is sanwa mx3x , it has no limit to it´s range(that I could see yet) and no issues at all in any car or boat -ever!(well, so far so good....)
I just cant afford the rx prices that sanwa asks...(99€)


Most esc´s /radios have failsafes so as long as it works for you, use the gt3b. But I wont use them any more because I have sanwas and spectrums to use and they work better here/on my use.

Maybe this was a bit too deep but these are my thoughts.

Pate

[TheShaughnessy]

I use the gtb3 (hk radio) no issues yet, been using for a while now.

[sundog]

I used to use the Airtronics MX3 FHSS and it was rock solid - but like FASTVEE said, the receivers were too costly. I have since sold it all and gone to the GT3B. As far as I can tell there is no difference in range or features, etc. but a HUGE difference in price. $6.60 vs $89.95 for receivers - and they are much smaller too. You do have to set the failsafe manually on the GT3B (easy) - it was automatic on the Airtronics/Sanwa, I believe. And the LCD is difficult to see in bright sunlight, you have to shade it a bit to see.

[Doby]

This thread reminds me of the old saying about Motorcycle helmets...if you have a five dollar head, buy a five dollar helmet.

[carlcisneros]

the Fly Sky radios are a good radio.
The ones in our club have been doing great.
they are being used in my twin 45" FE mono (the one in my avitar), Daytona cat, speedmaster 20 mono.
one of the other guys uses his in an 90 Eagle SG Rigger and his Twin 80 powered Eagle SG Rigger.
they have performed flawlessly to date.

[HTVboats]

I have seen this debate on IW and the "Dock". The most popular radio in the US that I have seen at boat races is the Futaba. The Tactic I beleive is an economy version. So your range from a top line Futaba at about $400 to a Tactic at $65 basically do the same thing, Go left-right and throttle up and down. My Flysky $40 2.4 does the same and its hard to compare when they all seem to function. When they loose range or break down regularily you have something to compare.
Like an automobile a basic Hyundai will get you from point A to point B just as well as a Mercedes. New can you say one is better than another just transporting you. Both steer and throttle and brake well in normal every day driving. Now is the luxury of a Lexus worth $20,000 than the Toyota that has the same basic frame and drivetrain, just a few more bells and whistles.
Your choice I certainly an entertaining the possibility that I have overspent money for features I never use. I have Futaba's and Nomadio's which may be the best technolgy ever but they make more on defense contracts with Boeng so they got out of RC. So far my Flysky is religated to models I can afford to loose but if over time it performs and proves reliable i will trust them in more expensive boats. Futaba is pretty much proven as an over water radio and other than isolated incedents that probably are operator error they will remain my go to Tx/Rx.

[sundog]

This thread reminds me of the old saying about Motorcycle helmets...if you have a five dollar head, buy a five dollar helmet.

Yeah, it's a hard pill to swallow that you could be doing the same thing for a tenth of the price. They're all made in China now, you just cut out the middle men. The tried and true features of the top line models have been hacked and put into this radio as far as I can tell. As far as range, it'll go until you can't see the boat anymore! I'm not much into brand name recognition - if it performs the same for less, now that's a (cheap) thrill! I don't mean to grandstand, but to hear owners of the more expensive sets talk down these units (to justify their own expendature) is ignorant. Nothing personal, Doby!

[Doby]

Yeah, it's a hard pill to swallow that you could be doing the same thing for a tenth of the price. They're all made in China now, you just cut out the middle men. The tried and true features of the top line models have been hacked and put into this radio as far as I can tell. As far as range, it'll go until you can't see the boat anymore! I'm not much into brand name recognition - if it performs the same for less, now that's a (cheap) thrill! I don't mean to grandstand, but to hear owners of the more expensive sets talk down these units (to justify their own expendature) is ignorant. Nothing personal, Doby!

Agreed....I run the Tactic on all my boats....20 bucks for a receiver is pretty cheap...but its as cheap as I'll go...eventually quality will suffer the lower the prices are.