wtb: sectrum mr3000

[Christaphason]

I am very impressed with the fact that Spektrum would take the time and money in R & D to create a MARINE radio.

Now i do not run Spektrum in my boats, but if i ever had a problem with Futaba i would be the next one up in like to buy the Marine radio set up.

By the way the Spektrum radio with my Heli works great!

[runzwithsizorz]

I was talked into buying a DX3S at the LHS about a year and a half ago. The sales guy didn’t bother to tell me at the time that this system wasn’t *really* for marine purposes, even though my boat was sitting on his counter. Never the less, I thought I’d give it a try, and after following the tips, and buying a couple of items I found here at OSE, I waterproofed the 2 RX’s that came with the transmitter. Wow, what a difference, the throttle, and steering response was not only fast, but smooth as silk, and, if you don’t like it, you can change it, 8 ways to Sunday. No other radio system offers so many options for complete control, it is almost mind boggling, then again, my vcr is still flashing 12:00. No longer does my boat think it’s an amphibian by launching up onto the shore, or worse yet, a rock climber, or weed eater, or a rocket ship by trying to hit escape velocity in a 100 foot pond. No longer do I have to stare helplessly at the soft white underbelly of my cat cuz the rx didn’t decide to respond until 2/3 of a trigger pull, with the rudder already laid over, hello, is this thing on? Can you hear me now? Seems most cats don’t execute the donut maneuver well. I was a bit concerned with only a 3 inch antenna, and that there would be a range problem, I will let those with a 40”+ day-glo painted boat, and 20/20 vision address this, I, have gone as far out as I care to. Heck, there’s even a timer with an alarm to let you know you’re having just too darn much fun.
Now, Spectrum has built a new marine rx with dual antenna, one is 14”. This, among other things would address the carbon fiber issue. My next boat build will definitely have one of these receivers, and alas, I will have to upgrade my transmitter. This is the very nature of technology, and I consider it a small price to pay. Look at it this way, how much have you spent on memory upgrades since the days when Steve Jobs told us that 256megabytes of pc133 would be all the memory we would ever need?
Regards, and happy sailing; Runz

[Steven Vaccaro]

Steve,

I use SR3100's with my DX3R and get beyond-clear-visibility range on them.

As for your other question, it's just a matter of when technology is available vs. when production runs start and when marketing materials can be produced.

Andy

I should have been more clear. I was frustrated that I couldn't use it with a marine rx. I'd rather spend money on new rx's that are marine and not have to buy the others.

As far as my experience with Spektrum, This past spring and summer I've slowly been upgraded my kids boats and transmitters to Spektrum. Its the best money I've spent in rc in 20 years. I no longer have to bring a transmitter for each boat, worry about frequencies. And I haven't had a glitch in the system since I fired it up. The kids love them because they can use them in their boats and mini trucks. In the trucks the 3" antenna is a blessing. No more broken antenna wires or tubes. Plus programming is a snap for those who hate to read instructions.

[6S HYDRO]

to bad if they get wet they croak, unlike the tactics- just blow them off and off you go in 5 min. and no antenna wire

[AndyKunz]

Next, the very first time I used my Spektrum rechargable AA's for the tx, after charging them all night, the batts were dying half way through a five lap race.

Sounds like you got at least one bad cell, or a bad charger. What did your transmitter report as its voltage when you turned it on after charging overnight?

You didn't plug it into a switched outlet, did you? I mention that because we bought a new house this spring and one of its "features" is that a lot of outlets are switched - but you never know which one! Like the alarm clock in my bedroom that's on a switch, right next to the main bedroom light switch... Took me by surprise! The same thing happened when I was charging my airplane tx. I turned off the shop lights and the LED on my charger went out, but I didn't notice until morning when the tx was still dead.

( as the Spektrum tech suggested Because, there were no directions in the box with the charger nor with the batts )

We aren't perfect, that's for sure, but I guess we're in good company. We were in a meeting the other day and this exact item came up as somethign missed in a toy instruction sheet that one of the guys had gotten for his wife. She didn't know what to do - good thing he's a modeler!

Now, Spectrum has built a new marine rx with dual antenna, one is 14”.

The antenna is actually only the last inch or so - the "different" part. The rest of the antenna is a shield, and is that long in order to get the little part up, out of the hull.

Andy

[AndyKunz]

to bad if they get wet they croak, unlike the tactics- just blow them off and off you go in 5 min. and no antenna wire

The Marine ones are coated, and they don't croak when wet (I think it was Terry who learned that at the Nats). That's just one of the differences between the car and boat receivers.

Andy

[Steven Vaccaro]

to bad if they get wet they croak, unlike the tactics- just blow them off and off you go in 5 min. and no antenna wire

Why even wait 5 minutes. Coat the rx with corrosion x. Than if it gets wet, just spray it down again and your off to the races(most times :-) Its worked wonders with all my car version Spektrum rx's.

[6S HYDRO]

i dont know about coating the tactics as they dont have an external antenna.

[Steven Vaccaro]

I'm not 100% sure either, but a coating like Corrosion X, AeroPlate or similar shouldn't bother it. I would stay away from the epoxy coatings.

[runzwithsizorz]

"we bought a new house this spring and one of its "features" is that a lot of outlets are switched - but you never know which one!"

Andy, by code, all outlets that are on a switch are, *supposed* to be installed upside down.
I do not know all of what is involved in upgrading our transmitters, but now days pcb's are not altered, but replaced, so it seems to me Spectrum could sell a diy kit.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Andy, by code, all outlets that are on a switch are, *supposed* to be installed upside down.

thats a cool thing to know. Thanks. I now just have to find the meathead that wired my house. Not only didn't he do that, he has outside lights that are impossible to shut off!

[runzwithsizorz]

I'm not 100% sure either, but a coating like Corrosion X, AeroPlate or similar shouldn't bother it. I would stay away from the epoxy coatings.

Did I do something wrong? http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/inf...erproof-rx.php
Read the last 2 sentences.

[Steven Vaccaro]

Did I do something wrong? http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/inf...erproof-rx.php
Read the last 2 sentences.

Back then we were talking about rx's with antenna's. In this post we are talking about a Tactic rx with NO antenna. Since I haven't tried epoxy a Tactic, I wouldn't suggest it.

[runzwithsizorz]

thats a cool thing to know. Thanks. I now just have to find the meathead that wired my house. Not only didn't he do that, he has outside lights that are impossible to shut off!

Most HOA housing developments are built this way on purpose, mine included. It saves them the expense of installing, and maintaining street lamps, it also helps to maintain the conformity of the neighborhood, you do want to conform don't you? As a retired general,and landscape contractor i was easily able to circumvent this by using the existing wire and converting to 12 volt with a switch, light, and motion sensors, and a timer. It did help that I had an unfinished basement with easy access to the wiring, but as you should know, anything can be built, or *adapted*
Feel free to email me, I would be happy to assist.

[AndyKunz]

Andy, by code, all outlets that are on a switch are, *supposed* to be installed upside down.

EVERY outlet in the house is upside down, not just those that are switched. Some are separated - top outlet might be switched, bottom isn't. In the shop, NONE of the outlets are inverted.

I live in a rural area - construction inspections don't happen. I'd like to meet the guy who did the plumbing...

I do not know all of what is involved in upgrading our transmitters, but now days pcb's are not altered, but replaced, so it seems to me Spectrum could sell a diy kit.

It takes both new hardware and software re-programming.

Andy