New Radio

[Flying Scotsman]

I am thinking of buying a new pistol radio 2.4ghz and cost is not an issue, just the best technology for boats, ease of programming and the tactile feel of the radio. I stiil use my trusty Hitec FM radio and the UL-1... 2.4ghz supplied radio which is OK but cheap and cheerfull..no memory...turn pots etc.
I would love to hear from lads in RC boat clubs and others as to what they would recommend and why?

Thanks,

Douggie

[Rumdog]

I'm no racer Douggie, but this is what I've been using lately: http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/futk1200.html Inexpensive, super easy to use, and fully programmable. The radio has a great feel to it as well.

[BHChieftain]

I like the spektrum dx3s as it has model memory, is easy to program, and works with spektrum's marine receivers (mr3000- water resistant and long dual antennas). But they are not cheap...

Chief

[ozzie-crawl]

I like the spektrum dx3s as it has model memory, is easy to program, and works with spektrum's marine receivers (mr3000- water resistant and long dual antennas). But they are not cheap...

Chief

i have had mine for awhile now,never had a single glitch
the marine rx is tiny but has dual throttle/steering out puts

[crabstick]

2pl looks good!

[Jeepers]

I have been using a Spektrum DX3R with the SR 3100 receiver no problems. I have also been using my DX3S with the MR3000 no problems or glitches either.

[tharmer]

Last two seasons I used a Spektrum DX3S with perfect results. Last month I bought another Spekctrum, the DX3R. Lots of the racing guize are using this TX.
-t

[Simon.O.]

I know you said cost is not the issue, that would be nice , I went the other way.

I was fed up with swapping expensive rx's in and out of hulls with my trusty Hitec FM that Douggie actually talked me into years ago.
I love the dual conversion FM setup and the handset is very comfortable and easy to use. The adjustable epa thumbwheel was real nice.
Anyway enough of the FM bit, I decided it was time to go with 2.4.

I dived in and got a dodgy cheapo 2.4 pistol set from HK for $20 inc the first rx and bought 4 more rx's to trial
It is a bit less ergonomic than the Hitec and the adjustments are not as accessable, but it is a dang fine set for what I need and I have already run some of my bigger and faster hulls on it with no isssue at all.

I even got one rx wet (dont ask) and with a bit of sun for the morning it was fine.

It is not expensive
It is not pretty
It is not the best

It is however a great radio and I love mine.

[andym]

I have both the DX3 and a Fasst system. For me I love my Futaba Fasst

[ozzie-crawl]

its for douggie,does futaba make a slooow

[Darin Jordan]

Guys... Just to clarify, the DX3R is NOT currently compatible with the MR-series Spektrum RXs... only the DX3S. The DX3S and the MR3000 or MR200 RXs are an excellent marine package, with the added benifit of having essentially waterproof RXs (they are listed as "water resistant", but the MR3000 is potted entirely in epoxy, and the MR200 is conformal coated.)

[nomobux]

Guys... Just to clarify, the DX3R is NOT currently compatible with the MR-series Spektrum RXs... only the DX3S. The DX3S and the MR3000 or MR200 RXs are an excellent marine package, with the added benifit of having essentially waterproof RXs (they are listed as "water resistant", but the MR3000 is potted entirely in epoxy, and the MR200 is conformal coated.)

The part that gets me is the non compatibility and I heard a price of $50 or so plus substantial down time to upgrade the 3R. On top of that .... for some reason the 3S is not convertible to a Lefty config. Damned if ya do and damned if ya don't. I love my 3R. Spektrum needs to do the total package.

I'm tired of being treated like a 2nd class citizen ! I might start a class action

[Darin Jordan]

The part that gets me is the non compatibility and I heard a price of $50 or so plus substantial down time to upgrade the 3R.

The 3R is currently NOT compatible with the MR series, and can't be upgraded to be. Only the 3S. If you have a 3S without the Marine sticker on it, then it's $50.00 to upgrade. Not sure of the downtime.

That is the situation right now... Things could change for the better, you just never know...

[T.S.Davis]

Love my Spektrum. I'm down to one radio and 8 recievers. So far so good.

[Flying Scotsman]

Terry, what model and receivers, as I will need 10. Thanks to all that have replied.

Douggie

[Darin Jordan]

Terry, what model and receivers, as I will need 10. Thanks to all that have replied.

Douggie

Doug,

I would recommend the DX3S with MR200 RXs. The MR200's are 2-channel, and are easier on the wallet than the MR3000, which is 3-channel, with dual outputs for each channel. It's more than what the average boater needs.

The DX2S is similiar, but only has 5-model memory.

If you have the chance to go check one out before you buy, take it... I think you'll like how light it is (only used 4-AAs, not 8), and you can also get a grip kit for it to customize the size of the grip. There are fancy aluminum steering wheels available in multiple colors, and I even recently saw a graphics kit for the TX, if you are so inclined.

Here you go:

DX3S: http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM3140

MR200: http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...rodID=SPMMR200

[nomobux]

The 3R is currently NOT compatible with the MR series, and can't be upgraded to be. Only the 3S. If you have a 3S without the Marine sticker on it, then it's $50.00 to upgrade. Not sure of the downtime.

That is the situation right now... Things could change for the better, you just never know...

Haven't looked, maybe you know offhand. Do they make a module / marine rx for my lefty M8 ??

[Darin Jordan]

Haven't looked, maybe you know offhand. Do they make a module / marine rx for my lefty M8 ??

They do make an M8/M11 module, but I'm checking right now to see if it's MR compatible... I'll get back to you when I find out. I don't THINK it is, but I'm not sure at the moment.

Perhaps another thing, if it's not, I can suggest to them to make happen.

[T.S.Davis]

I have the DX3S and MR3000 rx's.

The new MR200's would have saved me some dough. The MR3000 is kind of overkill. I do like the fact that they are completely potted though. They're more like a receiver cube. One of our club members was just telling me about the 200's on Sunday. I haven't seen one yet. Conformal coated should be okay. Sort of like the old RC-hydro ESC's. Just be careful with Velcro. Put it on and leave it there. You don't want to crack that barrier.

[nomobux]

They do make an M8/M11 module, but I'm checking right now to see if it's MR compatible... I'll get back to you when I find out. I don't THINK it is, but I'm not sure at the moment.

Perhaps another thing, if it's not, I can suggest to them to make happen.

Thanx ... I'd rather end up with the lefty R3 with marine, but the M8 would do me

[Darin Jordan]

One of our club members was just telling me about the 200's on Sunday. I haven't seen one yet. Conformal coated should be okay. Sort of like the old RC-hydro ESC's. Just be careful with Velcro. Put it on and leave it there. You don't want to crack that barrier.

Terry... introducting the MR200.... no need to worry about the Velcro... it's in a case...

[Darin Jordan]

Thanx ... I'd rather end up with the lefty R3 with marine, but the M8 would do me

The answer was NO... the module for the M8 is not marine compatible. Not sure on future plans for it. Sorry...

[nomobux]

The answer was NO... the module for the M8 is not marine compatible. Not sure on future plans for it. Sorry...

Thank you for trying

[Flying Scotsman]

Okay, I think my mind is made up. Darin on the new MR200 how long are the antenna and how should they be orientated....1 flat and 1 vertical I presume....also can you purchase the DX3S with no receivers. Thanks for the info Terry

Douggie

[Darin Jordan]

Okay, I think my mind is made up. Darin on the new MR200 how long are the antenna and how should they be orientated....1 flat and 1 vertical I presume....also can you purchase the DX3S with no receivers.

Douggie

Doug,

I think you automatically get an SR3100 RX with it. We've talked to them about their packaging, but that's how it currently comes. Actually a great RX that I've used in several boats without issue.

I run the loger antenna up inside a standard antenna tube, and then just coil the other antenna up in the radio box or inside the hull. If you can run it perpendicular to the main antenna, all the better, but I've never had an issue either way.

I think the antenna is about 11" long, but I'd have to measure to verify. The actual "antenna" is really only the last 32mm (silver part at the end), the rest is just to get it up and out of the hull.

If you want to "bling" it a little, I can get you the links for an aluminum steering wheel and also the decal packages that are available.

[Flying Scotsman]

Steven, time to get some MR200 receivers in stock

Douggie

[simo71]

So with the DX3s is there any reason why the out of the box rx's will not work?

[egneg]

Did you bind them?

[simo71]

NO no, I am asking if they will be ok to run in a boat as I don't want to fork out on other rx's straight up.

[T.S.Davis]

We have a really great local hobby store that will swap the factory RX out for a marine. He's probably not supposed to but he moves so much product that it doesn't hurt him and he gets a little love from us boat turds.

Darin, the 200 is fine looking product. I ripped the coating off of one the prototypes I sponged off Dave. It was conformal coated. Didn't have the case then. Got wet. Wrecked it.