To Spektrum, or not to spektrum? That is the question

[Sammy]

Guys and Gals.

In my area, we get awful glitching on 27mhz (all frequencies)

Since I've bought my RallyX setup, costing over £300, I cannot afford (litterally) to have the car going haywire and going out of control, causing lots of damage.

So: Either, I upgrade to 40mhz FM (around £90 for a full setup with two receivers and xtals etc..) or I save up longer, risk damage to the cars in the meantime, and buy a Spektrum set.

Obviously in the long run, Spektrum is better, but is it worth saving up for, and taking the risk that in the mean time, a car will go out of control... aaaaah decisions...

Sam

[Neil G40]

save up for the spektrum but get a fail-safe in the meantime.

[jozza]

Have you thought about 40AM? I run most of my cars on a Futaba 2PL, which is 100 quid cheaper than the entry level Spektrum, and the receivers are the same price as 27MHZ. I don't get anywhere near the interference problems that 27AM users suffer, and there's a much larger choice of frequencies if someone is clashing with mine (which doesn't happen often).

 

Not saying that I don't recommend the Spektrum; I think it's a fantastic idea, but the price of what seems to be a rather plasticky and cheap looking model for me far exceeds the impressive spec. They are currently throwing in a second receiver though, which makes the price a little more attractive, but I reckon it will go down soon as the scale of market penetration increases. If you've already got a nice transmitter which will take a Spektrum module it's better, but the cost of one of those + a Spektrum module is pretty high.

[garry]

I can't comment on the DX3 as I haven't used one yet (but there will be a cheaper version with less functions - the DX2), I do have the plug-in module for my KO radio.

Its excellent, crystal-clear (excuse the pun!) signal, and having a built in failsafe is ideal for nitros.

[ChrisB]

I have the DX-3 Spektrum set, having sold up all my 40FM gear about 6 months or so back. The finish is a bit plasticy, but underneath its based on a fairly solidly performing JR 3 channel Tx, and it has a LOT of adjustments - far more than I will ever need for bashing.

I think as Jozza says the DX-3 currently comes with an extra receiver included in the price, so I think its pretty good value. As the system is the same globally (not seperate frequencies per country), then economies of scale should see the prices come down further. Don't forget that if you price up a conventional set you probably need to factor in at least 3 or 4 sets of crystals to stand a chance of running at most gatherings of more than a few people. With the Spektrum setup you have a potential of 79 channels out of the box and the receivers can be bonded to the TX's meaning they won't transmit anything until a free freq slot has been found, even when you turn them on.

I have other things that I really like about the Spektrum style system too:

- antenna length is so short it can fir inside the cars - improves the scale looks no end

-  no glitching from motor or other electronics on board

I would try and see if you can get a go with the Spektrum gear first hand before deciding, or try and get along to a meet where someone has a set to see what you think.

Personally I'd find it hard to go back to more conventional sets, but then I have invested a bit of time and effort building a swappable waterproof receiver casing that means I can use one reciever amongst my cars without too much hassle. If you needed to buy a Spektrum receiver for each car things could get pricey very quickly!!!!!!

[Stefan(2)]

Has anyone already tried the 6 channel park-flyer setup?

Must be instesting for the rig/tank riders!

Mostly instrested if it goes together with MFU truck unit and Full option tanks

Stefan

[TWINSET]

Has anyone already tried the 6 channel park-flyer setup?

 

Got it, not actually tred it yet [:$]

[Stefan(2)]

Shame on you!

Considering fully swapping to spektrum, but if it does not work on the tamiya computer stuff,

it is quite useless to me lol

 

Still sitting there twinset??

 

sidenote, was on a rc fair today, quite funny to see grandfathers fighting it out over the use of frequenties , -this would all end with spectrum!-  ..

Spectrum, a little step closer in world peace! (i should copyright that one for advert use )

Stefan

[TWINSET]

Not saying that I don't recommend the Spektrum; but I reckon it will go down soon as the scale of market penetration increases

 

Already happening

 

Just seen online ads in the States for $169 - They were $249 a couple of weeks ago (albeit with a 'free' $80 second RX)

[jozza]

Cool - I think it's quite good value at present, but the price of the receivers is prohibitive if you want to put a separate receiver in each car. If the receivers come down in price then I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Spektrum system, it's definitely the future for r/c.