What about the Futaba 4PLS? Not quite as spendy as the 4PXS, but still feature rich.
What about the Futaba 4PLS? Not quite as spendy as the 4PXS, but still feature rich.
I think they where rated at 1.6 or 1.7v ea. can't remember.
With my Futaba 4PLS I run a 7.4 1300 maH Lipo on the transmitter and a 5 cell Nimh 1600mah pack on receiver and get great distance as far as I can see. The Spectrum receiver that my friends run are able to have the higher voltage of 7.4v. the futaba can not hence why I run the 5 cell Mimh.
I've used Futaba radios almost exclusively all my life.
The few times I didn't I regretted it.
I'm currently using a Futaba 3PM MX fasst with fail safe in two Pursuits for two seasons with absolutely no problems whatsoever.
Spare receivers are however a tad expensive so I house mine in a watertight 1/16" clear coated plywood box with a thin clear plastic lid taped to the top. Receiver is also mounted inside with double sided foam tape to give it some resistance to vibration.
Futaba 4PX is on the way. Picked up a Vorza flux to convert to a basher so figured why not get something that would suit all my models. Bout time anyway. Will let you guys know the results with the boat.
Love this radio. Without having the antenna sticking up in a straw Im able to drive my Vorza buggy out of sight and back. Just got a futaba r614fs fasst receiver for the Zelos twin. Epoxied the board and the seams. Was a little tricky with the internal antenna but all is well. Won't have an idea on range or response until the boat is reinforced and painted But if range is anything like the cheaper receiver in the car then life is good.
I know older thread but I started off with some airtronics and yikes way too short switched to a 3pm-x and a 3prka and they are both are easy 300+ yard radios i run good size lakes and need it. for $70 on the prka thats impressive.
now looking for a true in-expensive 4 channel for a retrieval boat I am starting on an ebay special with a good radio I am thinking of the 4gwd but need to rummage thru my vintage box and see if I have an old one that works good.
Last edited by markwithak; 04-22-2017 at 11:13 PM.
Most Flysky radio issues came from the GT2B not the 3B etc...
I love mine except when inside a steel drivers stand. Of course I'm one of the very few that sit inside a drivers stand while others stand above any Faraday cage effect. Never had a problem without a stand or on a wood stand.
The only boat that got away from me was my Cheetah and I screwed up not cycling power after an esc setting change and re-calibration. Won't do that again.
I'm thinking of going stick now with this Flysky FS-T6 2.4GHz 6CH: http://www.ebay.com/itm/351776442225...AIT&rmvSB=true
Nortavlag Bulc
The 4PLS is what I now use also.
Some interesting reading in the Futaba manuals.
The 4PLS - T-FHSS or S-FHSS system has a longer range then the Futaba FASST system.
Larry
Past NAMBA- P Mono -1 Mile Race Record holder
Past NAMBA- P Sport -1 Mile Race Record holder
Bump & Grind Racing Props -We Like Em Smooth & Wet
Terry, what features do you really need or can use in a boat going 50-60mph for 90 seconds. tactic has four features, steering/throttle, manual trim for each, lol
I run multiple boats on the same tx . can anybody even see past the range of 5-600 ft.
The Hobby master turned me on to the tactic, I used to run futaba faast system.
Cheers , Jay.
I had a brain fade this weekend and dropped my transmitter off the drivers stand and broke the antenna mounting. It fell about 8 feet on to rocks. I re glued the mounting and it lived threw it. It worked fine the rest of the weekend.
After using Flysky, Airtronics, Spektrum, and Futaba, I think it's time for a change. I have a boat I'm rebuilding now, another will be here next week that needs to be rigged, and yet one more that will need to be rigged when that one arrives in June. So I figure, three new boats, let's try a new radio system. I think I'm going with this...http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEPYZ&P=ML
Was looking at the Hitec Aggressor series as I don't need all the bells and whistles but considering the Futaba 4PLS too. Right now I've got an older Aggressor 2 channel for my BBY Off Shore 26.
I've finished my JAE 21 and working on the Cracker box and have the BBY 21 Offshore to build.
Yesh.....I know It's taken me a long time but I have a lot of other stuff on the board.....planes, gliders, so now I have to consider a new radio, one that I can run several boats. Futaba receivers don't seem to be as expensive as the Spectrum at least for a 3 ch.
Got lots of time to consider as the lakes are covered in ice.
I know Randy doesn't have that problem where he lives. LOL.
It seems that Futaba is now bundling their most expensive radio with a T-FHSS receiver ... I always thought T-FHSS has much less range and responsiveness than their "premium" FASST system. So why are they now switching over?
Last time I used T-FHSS with their overpriced voltage sensor -- the lag made it nearly unusable. It would only refresh telemetry after the boat is within about 20 feet of my transmitter.
I was thinking to ditch my 4PLS with T-FHSS and going for a used 4PK Super or Spektrum DX5R but I'm starting to think it might be a little pointless. Been noticing a lot of FASST radios being in the for sale sections nowadays... switching to Spektrum.
I personally like my spektrums (I say spektrums because I’ve upgraded a few times) but I’ve never used a high end futaba except for one of the older ones. My problem was the weight and bulkiness of the futaba vs spektrum.
32" carbon rivercat single 4s 102mph, 27” mini Rivercat 92mph, kbb34 91mph, jessej micro cat(too fast) was
Why would you want to change from the 4PLS to the top of the line FASST system if you are worried about range.
The 4PLS has more range then the FASST system.
These numbers are right out of the manuals.
Range
4PLS - 100 meters
3PMX - 80 meters
Looks like the 4PLS beats it by over 60 feet.
Larry
Past NAMBA- P Mono -1 Mile Race Record holder
Past NAMBA- P Sport -1 Mile Race Record holder
Bump & Grind Racing Props -We Like Em Smooth & Wet
I'm actually comparing Futaba 4PLS and the Futaba 4PK Super.
Theres an interesting thread about radio response comparisons.
https://www.rctech.net/forum/radio-e...results-3.html
Past NAMBA- P Mono -1 Mile Race Record holder
Past NAMBA- P Sport -1 Mile Race Record holder
Bump & Grind Racing Props -We Like Em Smooth & Wet
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