In the market for a new transmitter

[_Ben_ 197]

Hello!

I'm in the market for a new (better) transmitter as I am quickly realising my current one has limitations.

What do you use, and why would you recommend it to me!?

[Gebbly 547]

A few questions :

1. Would you like to control more than one vehicle with a single transmitter? Some have a memory system and can store settings for multiple vehicles.

2. Will you ever use this transmitter for anything other than cars (e.g. tanks, planes, drones etc). Some transmitters have a selection of extra buttons/switches for extra control such as a tanks gun effects

3. Do you prefer the trigger and wheel type controllers or the twin stick controllers?

4. Do you already have any devices that use particular receivers? Different receivers use different protocols to communicate with the transmitters. You would need a transmitter that can understand the same protocol as the receiver. Some transmitters can understand only a single receiver protocol, some can understand multiple receiver protocols and some start understanding one but can be upgraded to understand extra receiver protocols.

[skom25 643]

I have Sanwa MX-6. Receivers are bit expensive but I cannot say anything bad about it. Has lot of settings, clear display, possibility to save ten different vehicles if I remember correctly.

User Experience could be little bit better in terms of settings but it is not bad. Just could be better.

[ChrisRx718 4163]

FlySky GT5 for value alone (wheel and trigger style). If you have a lot of models that is, since receivers are ridiculously cheap (like £6).

[BuggyGuy 1090]

I'm loving the KO Propo EX-Next LDT

I was never a fan of wheel radios - but the KO has completely changed my mind

[Busdriver 6088]

53 minutes ago, ChrisRx718 said:

FlySky GT5 for value alone (wheel and trigger style). If you have a lot of models that is, since receivers are ridiculously cheap (like £6).

+1 for this. 20 model memory, 4wheel steer mode and Gyro. Nice clear screen and even the instructions are quite good. Would be even better if it came with rechargeable battery pack. It does have the facility to plug one in though.

[alvinlwh 5286]

Second vote for the GT5. Cheap basic RX or a bit more for gyro ones.

[Busdriver 6088]

1 minute ago, alvinlwh said:

Second vote for the GT5. Cheap basic RX or a bit more for gyro ones.

Yes sorry should have mentioned that, but it’s not a lot more particularly when you compare it to say Spektrum etc with similar specs 

[Mad Ax 8385]

Definitely worth reading @Gebbly's questions and answering those before you make a decision, but my two pen'orth:

Budget stick: FlySky FS-i6.  (Also FS-i6S available for people who prefer transmitters that don't look like transmitters are supposed to look).  The UI is a little clumsy and takes a while to get your head around (like press-and-hold-cancel to save a setting, because, why wouldn't you?) and you will have one vertical axis with a ratchet, unless you buy the spring conversion kit (around £10 online).  However, you'll have 6 channels out of the box (upgradable to 10 with a firmware update, I think the FS-i6X version has this applied by default), very cheap receivers, 20 model memory and lots of settings you can play with.  If you're ever planning to run winches, light kits, selectable transmissions, diff locks or the like, this setup will do you well for a tiny budget.  I have two of them.  One of them once got a soaking during heavy rain, it stopped working but we opened it up and let it dry over the aircon vents and it has worked ever since with no problems.  OK, I lie, a year later one of the microswitches stopped working, I had to open it up and clean it, but it's been fine ever since and gets lots of use - most of my crawlers and monster trucks use it.

I think you can go cheaper still with FlySky if you only want 2 channels.

Budget wheel: FlySky GT-5.  Now I confess I have had problems with the steering not centring properly (wiring wasn't properly routed inside and was getting pulled by the trigger - a quick fix) and the throttle pot wearing out (FlySky now sell replacements on their website so it was an easy fix, although it was out of action for 2 years while that part wasn't listed).  On the plus side, it has a multi-model memory (I think 20, may be 10?), 5 channels operated by switches and/or wheels, a crawler steer mode (switchable between off, rear steer and crab steer), and with the included receiver with built-in gyro, it has a gyro stabilisation mode too (useful for drifting, I've never tried it to stabilise a non-drift car).  The proper gyro receivers aren't expensive but it also works perfectly with the iA6 receivers from the FlySky FS-i6 (see above).

Again, I think there are 2 and 3 channel FlySky wheel transmitters if you don't need winches or gyros or multi steering or the like.

I have used the GT-5 for racing, and it does have features like expo and DR, but IMO it lacks the resolution once things really hot up on track.  If you're serious about racing you probably want something a little more pricy.

Premium wheel: Sanwa MT-5 (earlier versions are probably just as good).  I bought this a year ago after I had trouble with the budget ORX receivers bound to my Spectrum DX-3C transmitter browning out at a national race meet (causing my vintage Top Force Evo to run full-throttle across the track, launch itself off a pipe and fly right over the catch fence).  I was hesitant, because it was a lot of money, but I couldn't believe how much it changed my racing.  There are so many features that the menu is a bit confusing, it's a bit like navigating an 80s text adventure game, but it really, really works well.  First time with a 'premium' transmitter and now I always use it when racing.  The handset is fully adjustable, which when you have tiny little girly hands like mine is awesome - I can actually use the brake without my finger flying away from the lever now!  And the resolution is so much better - steering is smoother and quicker, and I always get the sense that I'm fully in control, not just sort of shouting commands at it and hoping it can hear me.  I never even realised that was a thing until I tried it.

The drawback - I could buy two complete FlySky transmitter and receiver combos for the price of just one new Sanwa receiver.  I'm sure we were promised clone receivers for the MT-5 but I haven't seen them yet.  Sanwa "upgrade" their protocol with every new transmitter model so all the old receivers won't work with it - that means we have to wait for the clone companies to catch up before we can buy cheap receivers.

My solution is just to have one receiver that I set up specifically in whatever car I'm racing on race day.

Of course these are just my experiences, there are plenty of other manufacturers that I haven't tried yet.  And I would recommend the Spectrum DX-3C, as I've had mine for a decade and it's still going strong, but it's long discontinued and IIRC the protocol it uses is no longer "allowed" so there are no new receivers available (fortunately I have a full arsenal of 20 receivers that use that protocol so I'm good).

[alvinlwh 5286]

Oh, a real budget option suitable for kids hands (if you are wanting to let kids use it), I had good experience with Turbo Racing P32 (actually feel better built than a GT3). Also gyro able too, cheapish RX. In fact I am thinking of getting an adult A82 for myself.

Forget the above if you are not looking for budget or for kids use.

A mid range highly rated one is Flysky Nobel although I do not have personal experience with that.

[_Ben_ 197]

Thanks for all the responses. And to answer @Gebbly's questions...!

1. Yes - this is what I currently do. I use the same Tx for the four cars I have (so they all have a Rx of the same type in there). Memory system would be a bonus.

2. No.

3. I prefer stick, but I am quickly realising that the options are budget (which I have and am not that happy with) or really quite expensive which I can afford, but not really justify!

4. I have the same receiver in all four cars. It would be nice if what I end up buying can "speak" to those receivers, but it's not a deal-breaker, if I have to buy a handful of receivers.

I'll have a look at the FlySky offerings that people have suggested. :-)

[simalarion 2149]

They have FlySky on AliExpress, probably the best offerings you will find

[Wooders28 4560]

As above, depends on your budget.

More expensive radios, aren't just for more features, but the response time too, and most of the recievers these days are antennaless (no worrying about running an antenna and keep a clean look on some projects).

I'm running a Sanwa Exzes ZZ,  and it is brilliant, so much stuff I'll never use though, and I had to learn to get used to it, as I kept turning in too early, because the response time was that much quicker.

(This is the manual, all in English, so yeah, there's a one or two features..😳)

 

If you can drive a wheel, there's just so much more to choose from, as sticks seem to be a British thing (seemingly, as we had sticks from model aircraft , copies of what they flew in the war, and we weren't about to spend extra money on a handset, when we had a perfectly good one in the shed 🙄) , and the rest of the globe seem to like the wheel.

I got my daughter an Absima CR3P wheel controller  as her hands are a bit small for sticks, and struggles to turn left, it seems okay, if not a bit of a faff binding more recievers. 

[_Ben_ 197]

27 minutes ago, simalarion said:

They have FlySky on AliExpress, probably the best offerings you will find

I haven't ventured onto AliExpress for anything yet! Is everything on there legit?

[El Gecko 1312]

Mad Ax gave a pretty good explanation above, but I will just second his recommendation for the Flysky FS-i6, if you like sticks. I have the i6X version which did come with upgraded firmware and a 10 channel receiver, and it's perfect for me. Tons of switches and knobs to hook up whatever accessories I want, and it can use all kinds of different Flysky receivers (even GR3E which is a different protocol and relatively cheap compared to the newer stuff). I just had to swap the sticks from side to side (very simple to do) so I can have the throttle return spring on the left.

I also have an FS-i4, which I would not recommend unless you only have one car, because although you can bind multiple receivers to it, it doesn't retain the trim settings for each, so you have to retrim every time you switch cars. The i6 has a more robust software and can save up to 20 cars with all their own individual settings.

[_Ben_ 197]

4 minutes ago, El Gecko said:

I just had to swap the sticks from side to side (very simple to do) so I can have the throttle return spring on the left.

Thanks @El Gecko - what do you mean by this? I notice when looking at photos on the web, the left hand (throttle?) stick is in a reverse position as neutral?

[El Gecko 1312]

9 minutes ago, _Ben_ said:

Thanks @El Gecko - what do you mean by this? I notice when looking at photos on the web, the left hand (throttle?) stick is in a reverse position as neutral?

Yes these are technically intended for airplane/helicopter/drone usage, so the left hand throttle is initially setup with no return spring, since you'd want to keep the throttle in a constant spot in those cases.

It's an easy fix though. Just unscrew the back of the case to open it up, undo 4 more screws on each of the "modules" that holds the sticks, swap the stick modules in their positions in the case, and also swap their plugs on the circuit board, and then put everything back together.

The spring return will now be on the left stick, so when you let off the throttle it returns itself to neutral. The right stick can still be used for steering, with normal horizontal spring return, it just won't recenter itself vertically anymore.

[Willy iine 17934]

@_Ben_  I use a Spektrum DX5 Pro-2021 for my off roaders and Futaba 7PX-R for my on roaders.

The reason why I have 2 radios is because of several reasons.  The Futaba can only do 40 model memory so not enough for my collection, plus I run Mini-Z EVO's off my radio and backwards compatible with my FHSS radio receivers for my 4PKS-R so makes sense to have the 7PX-R and not the 10PX.

I use to be an avid JR Propo user (R1) during my sedan racing days in the late 90's and Spektrum use to support/collaborate with JR.. so thought it was a natural progression when JR went out of business in the USA.. The DX5 Pro can do 250 model memory and has micro SD card back up, so it is very compliant to what I like to do in the pretendRCshop.   Spektrum has been notorious for steering return spring breaking, but has not happened to any of my Spektrum radios I currently own.  It is an easy fix if you know how to do it.

For me, radio is something one will use for basically forever.. so I try to get the best ones available and applicable to me.   I still have my JR R1's.. and they both still work, but they are FM and only have one PCM receiver left, so decided to retire it.

Then I got a whole bunch of random RTR radios..    which reminds me, I need to make more labels for my Mini-Z non-EVO cars..

[Kpowell911 1224]

Noble NB4 is unreal for the money

[Rinskie 279]

I use a Sanwa MT-R and couldn't be happier aside from the expensive receivers. 

[No Slack 451]

I use a basic (and older) entry level Sanwa MV-X. It works without problems and is perfect for me. The drawback is that receivers are expensive (if can still find one). The MV-X also works with FHSS2 protocol, thats old. Verdict: Sanwa is very good but avoid the entry level transmitters as these are always a generation behind compared to the other Sanwa transmitters.

[alvinlwh 5286]

3 hours ago, _Ben_ said:

I haven't ventured onto AliExpress for anything yet! Is everything on there legit?

Never had a problem IF you are already buying China brands like Flysky, Xiaomi, Surpass. Branded stuff will be questionable.

[_Ben_ 197]

Some really helpful information here, I really appreciate it!

I have some thinking to do...

[Nicadraus 5721]

Another very good budget options are the Radiolink RC4GS (4-channel) & RC6GS (6/7-channel) radios. The overall feel is good. Steering, trigger and buttons as well as the grip. Although adding rubber grips would make it feel even better, I chose this over a Flysky when I went back into this hobby. As for the mid-range to high end, You can't go wrong with Sanwa, Futaba, Spectrum and KO Propo. Although Fkysky (NB4) and Radiolink (RC8X) released their high-endmodels, they're still not par to the four premium brands I mentioned in terms of overall feel, response and latency. I'm currently using the Radiolink RC4GS which controls four cars (up to 10 cars) and a Sanwa MT-44 (MT-5 is the updated version) controls three cars (up to 20 cars) and love both. I'm very satisfied as both perform well.

[Alexei 433]

i use an Futaba T4PM. pretty good, can have 40 cars linked to it. but recievers gets a little pricey. i have seen a lot of other people use this, but also Sanwa transmitters where i drive.