Transmitter with lots of model memory and cheap receivers

[Peter_B]

Currently I have the Core RC Code CR151 radio which has a 15 model memory.

I'm up to 8 models (or will be when they're all running) and don't think it's likely to stop there.

Thinking ahead I'm wondering what options there are for transmitters with more model memory? It also needs to be something where receivers are quite cheap.

I've always had stick transmitters, so that would be the preferred option, although I would consider a wheel if that was the best option. Sticks must be self centering though.

Number of channels doesn't really matter. CR151 has 3 but the 3rd is just a 2 position on/off switch. Would be nice to have at least 3 channels, with mixing capability, and maybe more control of the 3rd channel. EPA should be on there too, and should be 2.4ghz.

If the receivers are cheap then I don't mind paying a bit more for the transmitter.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Nobbi1977]

I would look at splitting models and controllers. The more models you have the more you need to lend them out to friends.

[Peter_B]

Ah but if I only have one transmitter then I have an excuse for NOT letting other people have a go

[Wooders28]

You've got the cheapest option imo, the CR151 has all the features and a micro rx are less than £15.

I've a tamco tac330 too, same as the cr151, but the core micro rx don't work,it's different software, so I've the cr151 now too lol 

 

[Peter_B]

Yeah I'm covered for now.

But I'm thinking further down the line when I, inevitably, end up with more than 15 cars.

I don't really want to be in the situation of having multiple transmitters with some cars bound to one, some to another and having to remember what is bound where.

I'd rather have one TX to rule them all.

I think I saw a Spektrum system with 250 model memory, but it was wheel and I'm not sure on receiver costs.

[Wooders28]

8 hours ago, Peter_B said:

I think I saw a Spektrum system with 250 model memory, but it was wheel and I'm not sure on receiver costs.

https://www.wirelessmadness.com/spektrum-dx6-6-channel-dsmx-transmitter-and-ar610-receiver-mode-2-spm6750eu?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2NHDy4G61wIVJ7XtCh1o2gbHEAQYAiABEgJLpfD_BwE

Something like this?

I'd buy another CR151 and a marker pen, and mark the recievers!! 

(Schumacher say they're back in stock at the end of the month, even though they don't list them on their site anymore?!?) 

[Peter_B]

2 minutes ago, Wooders28 said:

https://www.wirelessmadness.com/spektrum-dx6-6-channel-dsmx-transmitter-and-ar610-receiver-mode-2-spm6750eu?language=en&currency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2NHDy4G61wIVJ7XtCh1o2gbHEAQYAiABEgJLpfD_BwE

Something like this?

I'd buy another CR151 and a marker pen, and mark the recievers!! 

(Schumacher say they're back in stock at the end of the month, even though they don't list them on their site anymore?!?) 

The one I saw was the DX5R. Done some more reading and apparently it's compatible with an older Spektrum protocol, which means it can be used with 3rd party receivers (OrangeRX). Although how well that works I don't yet know.

Also seen a Futaba (4GRS I think it was) with 40 model memory and also apparently has OrangeRX receivers available.

[Wooders28]

Still £££££ whichever! 

[Jonathon Gillham]

Yep I've seen the Orange rx for Futaba and most people say they are fine. Futaba are more expensive though than others to begin with so the Orange rx are still more than those Core rc ones. I've ended up going down the route of more tx as a decent multi model radio means expensive rx. I can get 3 Flysky packages for the price of a single Sanwa rx if i buy them retail (so always on the lookout for second hand rx). Can't help on one with massive model memory though, I'm almost tapped out at 9 models (amd have 5 tx for them)

I also get your reasoning about loaners, but now I have 2 TT02B buggies which are loaners and my Boomerang is on my Sanwa tx so I don't have to lend it out. I wish the Novafox was too, but more so my son doesn't break it...but my point was a couple of cheap and cheerful extras like the Flysky GT2 would give a couple more models for not much more than the price of an rx and they can be the loaners. 

[martinjpayne]

Of course, IF you've got unlimited funds you can always buy a Sanwa RX-471 dual-id receiver for each of your cars and bind them to two Sanwa transmitters at the same time!

[TurnipJF]

If I had the cash, I'd go for a Spektrum DX4S with 30 model memories, which works fine with the new generation DSM2 Orange RXes that cost about a tenner.

 

As it is, I am dead chuffed with my recently acquired 2nd hand but virtually unused DX3C with 15 model memories and compatibility with the same cheap Orange RXes.

[Peter_B]

Do those Orange RX receivers work ok?

[ncpantherfan71]

32 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

Do those Orange RX receivers work ok?

I have one bound up to my dx3r and it seems to work fine. 

The dx5r is a sweet radio, I have a dx6r I use with my on road race kits.  It is a highly advanced TX.

Don't forget the Traxxas TX, when equipped with the Bluetooth module and the app it has several settings to adjust and multiple model memory.   All the settings are saved on your smart device.   Rx can be picked up pretty easy all over eBay. 

[Peter_B]

Have a chance to get a Spektrum DX4S, with 2 receivers, for a reasonable price.

It ticks most of the boxes, apart from being wheel and not stick, and can (I believe) use cheaper OrangeRX receivers.

The most comparable stick setup I've found is the Futaba 4GRS but that is quite a bit more expensive.

I don't need to switch yet, but the DX4S seems quite hard to get hold of. One place told me it has been replaced by the DX5R but that is, again, quite a bit more.

Do I take a punt and see if I can get on with the wheel? 

IfI did get on with it then selling off my CR151, and 6 or so micro receivers, should fund a few of the OrangeRX receivers.

[Jonathon Gillham]

I have seen a lot of people running Spektrum at the track, they are probably the most common overall (although its a pretty even split between them, Sanwa and Futaba).  I believe the DX4S is/was the second to top, with the DX4R being their best of the 4 channel, so its bound to have all the stuff you need.

If its a reasonable price then I would grab it to see if you can use the wheel.  I haven't seen a stick type racing (although I'm sure someone uses them, well they do in Scotland anyway) as if you don't like it you'll probably sell it for what you paid anyway, assuming its secondhand.

[Peter_B]

It's brand new, not an absolute steal of a price, and it's not the cheapest I've seen advertised. But it is cheaper than many other prices and is in stock and it does have 2 receivers in the box.

If it was stick then I'd probably have bought it already, as stick is really all I've ever used.

I have used wheels, both my boys have wheel setups, it just doesn't (yet) feel as natural. Throttle control, braking especially, feels more comfortable and precise using my thumb rather than index finger.

Another alternative is the DX5C which is cheaper by about £60, but only includes 1 receiver.

The Futaba 4GRS stick set is £60-90 more than the DX4S and again only has 1 receiver with it.

[Jonathon Gillham]

2 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

It's brand new, not an absolute steal of a price, and it's not the cheapest I've seen advertised. But it is cheaper than many other prices and is in stock and it does have 2 receivers in the box.

If it was stick then I'd probably have bought it already, as stick is really all I've ever used.

I have used wheels, both my boys have wheel setups, it just doesn't (yet) feel as natural. Throttle control, braking especially, feels more comfortable and precise using my thumb rather than index finger.

Another alternative is the DX5C which is cheaper by about £60, but only includes 1 receiver.

The Futaba 4GRS stick set is £60-90 more than the DX4S and again only has 1 receiver with it.

What functions do you need it to have? I find the cheap Flysky sets work fine for basic buggies but they just don't have the functions required for some cars. The DX5C will be a great radio as long as it has the functions you need, and that 60quid difference will buy a lot of receivers. 

I made the switch to wheel years ago (as in teenager...) and haven't looked back but I understand many people don't want to make the change. I now find wheel a heap easier and my index finger is much better than my thumb but where it really matters is jumps or hairpins, neither of which are much of a problem bashing. I recently tried stick at a track and it wasn't as easy as the wheel. It was on a stock TT02B and I couldn't jump that right with the wheel either (had 2 of them at the track) so can't be sure though, the chassis wasn't up to it  ut it wasn't as intuitive.

[Juggular]

1 hour ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

I find the cheap Flysky sets work fine for basic buggies

As you say, I found that Flysky is good enough for my bashers.  The $40 Flysky FS-GT3B still has end point adjustment, dual rate, exponential, ABS braking and 10 model memory.  Each additional receiver only costs $6 on ebay.  For about $100, I could control 10 cars.  

[Peter_B]

3 hours ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

What functions do you need it to have? I find the cheap Flysky sets work fine for basic buggies but they just don't have the functions required for some cars. The DX5C will be a great radio as long as it has the functions you need, and that 60quid difference will buy a lot of receivers. 

I made the switch to wheel years ago (as in teenager...) and haven't looked back but I understand many people don't want to make the change. I now find wheel a heap easier and my index finger is much better than my thumb but where it really matters is jumps or hairpins, neither of which are much of a problem bashing. I recently tried stick at a track and it wasn't as easy as the wheel. It was on a stock TT02B and I couldn't jump that right with the wheel either (had 2 of them at the track) so can't be sure though, the chassis wasn't up to it  ut it wasn't as intuitive.

The main feature, that started me pondering, is model memory. My current radio has 15, I'm up to 8 cars already which is only likely to increase, and I don't really want multiple transmitters to manage.

Once I started thinking about it, some other features would be useful. For example, the 3rd channel on my current radio is just an on-off switch. I have a Clodbuster and (once built) a TXT-2, so a more advanced 3rd channel with different 4 wheel steering modes would be good.

Another plus for Spektrum would be that there is compatibility across the range, if you stick to the DSM2 receivers.

So, rather than me having one brand (Core RC) and my boys another (Tactic) I could get the boys a couple of DX2E transmitters, and put Spektrum (compatible) receivers in all the cars. Then, if I were to let them have a go with the Clod, it would just be a case of a quick re-bind rather than swapping receivers around.

Now that I've said all of that, starting with a DX5C, or even a DX4C, would achieve the same. But, because of the compatibility, if I wanted to upgrade down the line, I'd just need to swap the transmitter.

I think I'll go and compare some features and prices of those other models...

[Peter_B]

A potential spanner in the works - apparently the newer (since 2015) Spektrum transmitters aren't compatible with DSM2 in Europe. Which would scupper the cheap 3rd party receivers idea.

The DX4S *might* be ok, depending on firmware, as it's from before the change. But upgrading in the future would be out unless 3rd party DSMR receivers become available.

Another possibility is a Futaba 4PLS - the predecessor to the 4PV. I can get one of those for about the same price as the DX4S, and OrangeRX receivers are available.

Don't think there's a simple, cheap Futaba transmitter suitable for the boys though.

 

[Jonathon Gillham]

8 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

A potential spanner in the works - apparently the newer (since 2015) Spektrum transmitters aren't compatible with DSM2 in Europe. Which would scupper the cheap 3rd party receivers idea.

The DX4S *might* be ok, depending on firmware, as it's from before the change. But upgrading in the future would be out unless 3rd party DSMR receivers become available.

Another possibility is a Futaba 4PLS - the predecessor to the 4PV. I can get one of those for about the same price as the DX4S, and OrangeRX receivers are available.

Don't think there's a simple, cheap Futaba transmitter suitable for the boys though.

 

There are 3 options but I doubt they fit the definition of cheap.

The 3PRKA is pretty good, it doesn't have the model memories though but its a far better quality unit than the flysky. You can bind multiple rx to it but the settings aren't saved for each model.

The 3PV is great for kids as its smaller than most radios. Has all the functions of the 4PLS too so good for them to take racing with you. That is more expensive than the 3PRKA

The 2HR is available too which is stick radio, pretty basic but works.

My son has 2 cars and will be adding a 3rd. I'm going to swap him to the 3PV when he gets the Monster Beetle for much the same reason you don't want mutli radios. He can run his cars, his mates can run TT02B with flysky, and i have the racecars and Boomerang on my Sanwa so won't have to lend those to anyone either. So we will have 2 sacrifical TT02B buggies which can be used and abused by anyone. The 3PV will also be good enough for him to come racing, my club has a kids class so he will be able to race from when hes ready, pretty much when he can drive around a track. He can use any car too, so no doubt the Fox and Monster Beetle will both make an appearance.

[Peter_B]

25 minutes ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

There are 3 options but I doubt they fit the definition of cheap.

The 3PRKA is pretty good, it doesn't have the model memories though but its a far better quality unit than the flysky. You can bind multiple rx to it but the settings aren't saved for each model.

The 3PV is great for kids as its smaller than most radios. Has all the functions of the 4PLS too so good for them to take racing with you. That is more expensive than the 3PRKA

The 2HR is available too which is stick radio, pretty basic but works.

My son has 2 cars and will be adding a 3rd. I'm going to swap him to the 3PV when he gets the Monster Beetle for much the same reason you don't want mutli radios. He can run his cars, his mates can run TT02B with flysky, and i have the racecars and Boomerang on my Sanwa so won't have to lend those to anyone either. So we will have 2 sacrifical TT02B buggies which can be used and abused by anyone. The 3PV will also be good enough for him to come racing, my club has a kids class so he will be able to race from when hes ready, pretty much when he can drive around a track. He can use any car too, so no doubt the Fox and Monster Beetle will both make an appearance.

Thanks for the info. The 3PRKA looks like it would be a start for my boys, but from pics it looks a sizable bit of kit so might be too big for them.

I still quite like the Spektrum though!

[Jonathon Gillham]

27 minutes ago, Peter_B said:

Thanks for the info. The 3PRKA looks like it would be a start for my boys, but from pics it looks a sizable bit of kit so might be too big for them.

I still quite like the Spektrum though!

I've just checked prices and the 3PV which is much better is only about USD$18 more than the 3PRKA.  I know you have to buy 2 though so thats another USD$36 but not bad when you consider that the 3PV will do the boys quite happily for another 10 years or so, regardless of what they decide to do (as in race, a bunch of models, leave in the cupboard...) whereas the 3PRKA will be great for them for now but will become a pain when they get a few models etc.  It is also physically much smaller than the 3PRKA which is basically the same size as the 4PV/4PLS.

[Peter_B]

5 minutes ago, Jonathon Gillham said:

I've just checked prices and the 3PV which is much better is only about USD$18 more than the 3PRKA.  I know you have to buy 2 though so thats another USD$36 but not bad when you consider that the 3PV will do the boys quite happily for another 10 years or so, regardless of what they decide to do (as in race, a bunch of models, leave in the cupboard...) whereas the 3PRKA will be great for them for now but will become a pain when they get a few models etc.  It is also physically much smaller than the 3PRKA which is basically the same size as the 4PV/4PLS.

Another consideration is the boys are only just 4. So they don't take the best care of things. Although they have been pretty good with their Tactic radios.

Plus if there are too many buttons or lights it would encourage them to press things.

[Jonathon Gillham]

7 hours ago, Peter_B said:

Another consideration is the boys are only just 4. So they don't take the best care of things. Although they have been pretty good with their Tactic radios.

Plus if there are too many buttons or lights it would encourage them to press things.

Mine is only 4 too but he takes the rc cars seriously and looks after the radio pretty well. He does push buttons tho...

My offroad club encourages the kids so are happy for him to run something like a monster beetle in the kids class and I want to encourage him to race with me so keen to gethim the gear to join me. He can run mine if he wantsbut I think he would have more fun with a monster beetle and everyone there would love it