Help with RC Radios

[justski]

Hi what is a good RC Radio Receiver for around $200 will go a lil more but no more that $250 i was looking at Spektrum DX3S 3 Channel DSM Surface Radio with Telemetry

[jamespl]

I'm not sure you need to spend anywhere near that much. I use a fly sky GT-3B and I find it great and having used it for over a year I've had no probs. some will argue that you get what you pay for and I would normaly agree but for my application it works great. There is now the GT-3C version. I've heard the argument that why would you put a $50 radio in a $500 boat but it has a failsafe. Many pros and cons for the budget and expensive radios.

[justski]

thank you i am very new to this so i am trying to pick as many brains as i can .....what do you mean by failsafe?

[jamespl]

The failsafe is there incase you lose signal. It kills the throttle so your boat doesn't go screaming across the pond at full speed and smash into a million bits when it hits the side lol

[justski]

Ummmm that wouldn't be good .LOL....Thank you ...that is good to know ...like i said i am new so i am trying to learn

[JonD]

I would go along with Jamespl. I have also been using a GT3B for 18 months on my Gensesis and also a Traxxas Emaxx truck. No problems at all. However the GT3B did have an annoying firmware fault in that the steering exponential was screwed up in one direction. New firmware can be installed but you need to be a bit of an electronic wizz to do it. If you aren't using exponential, then no worries. They may have fixed it up in later versions of the GT3B. If not, I certainly hope that they have fixed it up on the new model (GT3B is now superseded I believe, so you will probably only be able to get the new model, unless someone still has some stock).

Does anyone have one of the new models, who could confirm whether or not the exponential problem has been fixed?

[justski]

Thank you Jamespl and JonD for the info... I been reading on them and for the price you cant go wrong for the price i been looking at the new model

[BHChieftain]

Hi,
I like the Spektrum line, only because of their waterproof receivers.

I have the DX3S radio, and I do have to say it is overkill for RC boating. The reason I got it was at the time I think it was the only surface radio compatible with the Spektrum Marine receivers (they had just come out). Spektrum does not make a marine version of their telemetry receivers, so you can't really use the features of the 3S (unless you want to use their standard surface telemetry RX).


Fairly recently, they've released a lower cost DX3C TX that is both compatible with their Marine receivers and also has model memory (no telemetry)
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...rod=dh-SPM3300

If you want to run a single boat, the DX3E is very economical as well, but no memory.

Chief

[MR2NR]

Speaking of waterproof Rx I also have a GT3B and LET'd the 7$ Rx and it has been completely underwater. Never a problem. Now I have had to buy another Rx because the original wouldn't stay binded but you could buy 10 Rx's for the price of one Spectrum Rx. Flysky is pretty much the McDonalds of the Rc world. Ya it isnt good for you and the service sucks but for 7$ why not!!!

[runzwithsizorz]

Since you mentioned the Spektrum DX3S 3 Channel DSM Surface Radio, I take it you know a little about them, and have an interest.
I would be willing to sell one of my older DX3S *SURFACE* only TX's. I have used this with boats, and telemetry for 4 years without a problem.
Horizon will convert it to marine,(for a price), if you send it to them. I am keeping the probes, and the telemetry RX.
Price for TX is $95 shipped, add $15 for case, add $20 for 2 channel sport RX, pcb was water proofed with conformal epoxy. LMK
.

[Basstronics]

Ive been using the cheap 2.4 GHz radios in everything.

They work and work well for cheap. Theres a lot of people who say why put a $15 radio into a $300 boat. I say its to save money. If it works it works, why look down on a product just because its cheap?

Ive since moved into the GT3B (havent upgraded to the C version, yet) and I just run multiple Rx's off one radio. They FlySky and HobbyKing 2.4 radios/receivers work together same Mfg (Flysky).

I will be running this in my JAE That I pray will be doing at least 70mph with 100's of dollars into it. Yup I trust it that much!

[dana]

I'm using the gt3b also without issue

[justski]

Thank you everyone for the info this is going to be a winter build the way the U.P is (UPPER MICHIGAN ..YES WE DO EXIST...lol) we might get snow tomorrow .i just got my boat today it was like x-mas...LOL...but i am taking all the info in ...i just made another $200 order well i am going to wait a few hours to make sure i have everything i want to get me started .being new to this i hope i picked out all the right stuff....LOL

[Flying Scotsman]

Buy a Spektrum with marine receivers...they work, and have warranty service....my boats cost about $1500.00 on average and I have 12 of them...it is up to you how much you want to spend.

Douggie