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Dookie-Shoes

Hi all... Need some advice.

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Hello all... new member to this forum, but I’ve been building/collecting Tamiya kits on and off for most of my life. Just a brief background- I’m not an RC whiz AT ALL. To be honest, I prolly know enough to be dangerous. Over the years , I’ve built and owned about 2 dozen different Tamiya kits. The kits I had when I was a kid I ended up having to sell to help pay for school ... and then the kits I collected and built while I was married - I ended up having to sell to pay for the divorce. So, Im essentially starting from scratch again. My builds are really basic. I essentially build them using the standard kit parts and the only upgrades I really do is bearings. So, my builds are all really standard with no hop-up parts/options. I use the standard speed controller that comes with the kits, the standard motor, and I’ve never built any other brand of RC car other than Tamiya. I just finished the Sand Rover and the Willys Wheeler and now, I’m currently about to start the build for my Lancia 037 ... and after that, I have the Subaru Brat, Renault 5 Turbo, Grasshopper, Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GTA, Mini Cooper Monte Carlo, Lancia Delta Integrale, and the Renault Alpine A110. Also, I’m ordering the Ford Escort Mk II Rally the minute it’s available. 
 

Here’s my dilemma... I’m a bit old school in that I started out with 2 channel/2 stick radios by Futaba and it’s basically what I’ve always used with every build. I’m not necessarily opposed to the pistol grip radios- I’ve tried them before - but, I just prefer the 2 sticks. Trouble is, I can’t seem to find ANY simple 2 stick radio by ANY manufacturer that was the equivalent of the Futaba Attack that I had used. I know it’s a really cheap and basic radio, but it’s affordable and it does a good job for how I run and use my cars. 
 

I’ll also be completely honest and come right out and say that I don’t really understand much of the tech/terminology with radios. (As if it wasn’t obvious by now) ... Obviously, I can find 2 stick radios, but they all show multiple channels and are WAY more expensive than what I had been using. So, I guess my question would be: for a basic build , is there a good, affordable 2 stick radio that I can get? Or am I going to have to pay significantly more and get some radio with 6 channels to get a 2 stick? If that’s the case, I can go to a pistol grip because you can see the number of cars that I have to build and I’m going to be getting a lot of them.

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I'm the same - 2 sticks for me . I have been looking at Carson  and Absima 2.4g . They come with matching receivers .

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31 minutes ago, Dookie-Shoes said:

I ended up having to sell to pay for the divorce

Been there

 

32 minutes ago, Dookie-Shoes said:

I prolly know enough to be dangerous

Been there

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I've been liking the Flysky FS-I4. It came with 1 receiver in the box, and packs of 4 receivers are available cheap on Amazon, so I was able to get 9 cars up and running with a single transmitter handset for around $100. The only problem was the left stick had no spring return since it's a drone controller, but fixing it was easy--just had to crack it open and swap over the spring return setup from the other stick. It has been a drop-in replacement for my old Futaba gear, and it runs perfectly with MSCs and 4AA batteries or an ESC.

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If you are gonna run a few models, make sure the receivers are obtainable separate 

the flysky ones can be had for £4 each

£3.64  5% Off | Flysky FS-GR3E 3 Channel 2.4G GR3E Receiver with Failsafe GT3B GR3C Upgrade for RC Car Truck Boat GT3 GT2 Transmitter
https://a.aliexpress.com/_A1RoGf
 

JJ

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1 hour ago, CoolHands said:

This... this is what I’m looking for! All of the local hobby shops in the Denver metro area don’t seem to stock any Futaba gear anymore ... and when I shop online, I’ve always used Tower Hobbies but they don’t have this radio listed! In fact, I looked it up online and it only seems to be available in the UK? Is it not sold in the US? 

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1 hour ago, KEV THE REV said:

Been there

 

Been there

Yeah... it sucks when I think about all of the great cars I built and had to let go... My original Fox which was my first RC car... my Ford Escort Cosworth, , my Frog, my Hornet, my Super Hornet, my Blitzer Beetle, my Rover Mini, my Blackfoot, etc.., not to mention that I’m now going to be building my 2nd grasshopper, my 2nd brat, my 2nd Mini Monte Carlo, and my 3rd Wild Willy 2... ugh. But at least I got to buy them again before Tamiya discontinued them... I blinked and the NovaFox was gone... missed my chance. 

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40 minutes ago, El Gecko said:

I've been liking the Flysky FS-I4. It came with 1 receiver in the box, and packs of 4 receivers are available cheap on Amazon, so I was able to get 9 cars up and running with a single transmitter handset for around $100. The only problem was the left stick had no spring return since it's a drone controller, but fixing it was easy--just had to crack it open and swap over the spring return setup from the other stick. It has been a drop-in replacement for my old Futaba gear, and it runs perfectly with MSCs and 4AA batteries or an ESC.

I definitely love the idea of one radio for multiple cars... would be a huge improvement over trying to store multiple specific radios for specific cars. I’m going to check on that Flysky to see if that’s something I could do. Thanks!

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You could get the flysky from aliexpress if you are in the us. Flysky fs i4 if you’re not in a hurry and allow for delivery time. Aliexpress is like ebay, if you haven’t used it. Pretty safe.

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I’ve been two stick all my life. I put them down in the late 80’s But since getting back into recently I decided I’d get used pistol grip. The fly sky GT3C was too good of deal to care about two sticks. 

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Yeah bro, we in the US picked the wrong time to get back into Tamiya RC. Most places only cater to the RTR rock crawler and truck basher crowd. I've had to get all my Tamiya cars and parts online and from all over the world. It's a battle but definitely worth it when you find the parts youre looking for. 

 

Welcome and good luck! 

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Being that you’re in the US, have a look at Tower Hobbies.  They have coupon codes and 24hr sales frequently. 
 

I don’t believe anyone makes a 2-channel stick radio anymore but most radios support several vehicles, ie 1 radio and multiple receivers. The new 2.4 gig radios are fabulously glitch free.  You can use the spare channels to add a LED light kit to your car.

 

https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/4yf-4-channel-fhss-system/FUTK4200.html

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I dipped my toe into the "one remote many cars" arena a while ago and have ended up with a hybrid setup now. 1 remote per car I use the most, and then a bunch of receivers and a remote for the rest. I have 30+ cars, but mainly only use 3-4 at any one time.

 

 

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The Futaba 4GRS is a two-stick, four channel surface radio with all of the features of a modern radio, including a large model memory. It's the stick equivalent of the 4PLS.

https://futabausa.com/product/bnd304/?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=shp&utm_network=u&utm_mobile=01&utm_creative=447680893917&utm_position=&utm_random=18345961902696208688&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItryQyOrN7gIVjr3ACh1YQgv1EAQYAyABEgLyovD_BwE&utm_campaign=smart shopping - united states&utm_ad_group_id=98206&utm_campaign_id=375869&utm_prod_id=80486

I'm a bit of a radio/electronics snob, granted, but I've found that a nice radio really improves my enjoyment of my hobby, and I really, really don't like cheap-feeling radios. A lot of us drive our cars several hours a week (or more), so why not splurge a bit on the bit you are holding?

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I'm a sticks person too, never got on with wheels. 

Oddly enough though, my kids also prefer sticks and in their case it was their choice, they had very little previous 'conditioning' on sticks so would in theory been easy to get used to a wheel. They both opted for sticks. I suspect it is because all their computer games consoles use twin 'stick' (pads?) controllers (eg.Xbox) so it is more natural for them to control the cars in the same way they control their games?

We all use the Futaba T2HR 2.4Ghz systems. Despite being cheap'ish (£50) they are comfortable, ergonomic and do what we need. I actually find them more comfortable than my very expensive Futaba 7 channel aircraft controller although that does look posh with its led screen and a zillion switches all over it....

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4 hours ago, Big Jon said:

I really, really don't like cheap-feeling radios.

This is my biggest problem with most low-end modern radios. I can use either sticks or a wheel, doesn't matter, but I can't abide those cheap flimsy featherweight Chinese things that come with most RTRs these days. I want a nice chunky substantial feel. Pick up one of those cheapo Flysky radios and then pick up a Magnum Sport from 20 years ago; the difference in quality and feel is night-and-day.

My two current go-to radios are a ten-year-old Tactic pistol-grip and a Spektrum DX5e two-stick. I like the Tactic because I can drive one-handed with it for taking photos, and the Spektrum has good ergonomics and some mass to it. The only thing I don't like about the Spektrum is the digital trims; I'd rather just have the old analog sliders. But it's a minor quibble.

What I really wish is that there were easy 2.4ghz conversions for old '80s transmitters, especially the Futaba Attack brown box from the mid-80s, and the Airtronics XL2P.

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@markbt73 the Futaba T2HR's aren't like those cheap and nasty RTR TX's you're thinking of. I know exactly what you mean about those and I agree. The T2HR's are a much nicer feeling plastic, very similar to an Xbox controller or the pro style switch controllers). The reason that they maybe don't feel as sturdy as the old Acoms Techniplus or Futaba Attack units is simply their lightweight. The T2HR only uses four AA batteries whereas those old sets used eight AA's which gave them a very weighty feel in the hands. I do miss the weight but I don't miss having to change eight batteries at a time!!! :lol: Also the batteries in the T2HR last ages compared to the old 27mhz and 40mhz sets. Gone are the days when I had to carry 24 AA batteries with me on a day trip with the kids!

 

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4 minutes ago, mud4fun said:

@markbt73 the Futaba T2HR's aren't like those cheap and nasty RTR TX's you're thinking of. I know exactly what you mean about those and I agree. The T2HR's are a much nicer feeling plastic, very similar to an Xbox controller or the pro style switch controllers). The reason that they maybe don't feel as sturdy as the old Acoms Techniplus or Futaba Attack units is simply their lightweight. The T2HR only uses four AA batteries whereas those old sets used eight AA's which gave them a very weighty feel in the hands. I do miss the weight but I don't miss having to change eight batteries at a time!!! :lol: Also the batteries in the T2HR last ages compared to the old 27mhz and 40mhz sets. Gone are the days when I had to carry 24 AA batteries with me on a day trip with the kids!

 

Oh, I have no doubt that Futaba still makes quality stuff. But those 2HRs are practically nonexistent in the US (unfortunately), and I'll be honest: I'm a little put off by the looks of them. I'm sure the ergonomics are great, but it doesn't look "right" to me. Looks like some evil sci-fi robot face. Maybe I'm just being a grumpy old man about it, but give me big chrome bezels around the gimbals and an analog battery gauge any day...

I agree about the benefits of 2.4ghz radios only using 4 batteries. That is definitely an advantage.

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@markbt73 yeah, I miss my old Acoms Techniplus, the early boxy one AND I miss having that nice little battery meter on the vintage TX's. (Well, I say miss, it is actually in the attic as we haven't used 27mhz for 20 years!)

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The T2HR just has a single red LED battery light that gives you very little warning that the batteries are low until it starts blinking, by then it is too late.  Not quite the same as looking at a nice needle dropping down a gauge! 

PS. The only real negative we have with the T2HR system is not actually with the TX. It is the price of additional RX's. They are about £20 each. When you have 12 buggies to upgrade it gets a bit eyewatering..... :o

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Just a couple of other options nobody else has mentioned. 

First one is to find the old radios you used to use. In the uk at least, you can find old Futaba and Acoms gear for under £20. I still use my 27MHz stuff. Until recently I even raced with it, so if you like the old stuff, there's no reason not to use it. 

I say until recently because this brings me to the other option. Occasionally my 27MHz radio would glitch during a race and send my car off the track. I wanted to move to 2.4GHz for racing but like you I don't get on with steerwheel controllers, and like some others, I find the modern 2.4GHz stick radios hideously ugly. 

So what I did was buy a cheap 2.4GHz wheel set, take out its internals and put them in one of my old 27MHz handsets - an acoms techniplus. 

I have wired it up so that everything works as it should, including the original on-off switch, the channel reverse switches, even the battery level dial (I had to adjust the current flowing to it because the new electronics are only 6 volts vs 12 volts of the original). Of course there is no use for the crystal socket with the new internals so this is now the bind button, but it has a crystal holder over the button so it looks like a 27MHz controller still (apart from the aerial!)

It has all of the advantages of the modern 2.4GHz systems but the look and feel of a vintage one. So anyone who misses the look of their old transmitters, there's nothing stopping you from modernising them! (and if you don't want to modify your prized possessions from your childhood, there are plenty of old ones on ebay - I've seen people sell dozens of them in a single lot)

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