Transmitter selection...

[6cuda6]

Here's a question...maybe no one has given it a thought...

What is the most common radio config being used...wheel or stick??? Just think my Airtronics M8 might be over the top for boating....

 

[user 115]

The old stubborn guys still use sticks. Your M8 will fit right in.

 

[gil sonsino]

Depends on how do you feel confortable driving your boats.

The very first years of running my FSR boats I used sticks then moved for oval circuitsboats and stuck to pistol grips transmitters.

Have four PCM 1024 Futaba's that I don't change for nothing!

Gill

 

[Eric Canto]

Wow, I never thought of myself as old or stubborn!!!

I learned how to drive on a stick radio and still prefer it. I can drive fine with a wheel radio too, but, I am better with the stick radio. There is no doubt that the vast majority of radios at the races are wheel radios. I sometimes fly planes as well and those are obviously stick radios.

Eric Canto

 

[user 115]

 

[Ron Olson]

It's whatever you're comfortable with. My first wheel radio was the old Futaba box, a little before the pistol grips came out. I've pretty much used pistol grips until my latest radio, a Hi-Tec Ranger III. I have a Zig-Zag Racer that is helping me to get used to the sticks again.

 

[Grimracer]

Some 28 years ago i started RC with a stick system. At a car race one year i won a pistol system.. i tried that and liked that too..

Now for all my tunnels i use a pistol grip and for my hyrdos i use a two stick.. the use of a two stick has been a great addition to my hydro program.

As for the M-8.. use it.. its the fastest reacting (FM) radio out there and has a user interface that is second to none.

ROCK ON

Grim

 

[rchydro]

I new cared much for wheel radios until A friend let me use the futaba 3pk

You can change about anything on it, including the color of the "power on led"

NOW thats over the top But like GRIM I still have the stick for hydro racing

Steve

 

[Duck899]

Sticks all the way.......Ever since 1975 with boats.... Hard to change....I even used stick radios when I dabbled in on-road cars for a while.....They thought I was nuts....

 

[ken t.]

When are they going to come out with a virtual r/c system. you could mount a camera on the front of your boat, which would be transmitted to a pair of gogles. You could where gloves that were wired in so you just move your arms as if steering a boat from the cockpit. And have your pitman stand next to you with a glass of water so if your boat flips,you'll even get wet!! :lol:

 

[6cuda6]

There is one radio that will be coming on the market soon that offers feedback...it will show things like temp/rpm/speed etc...what ever you program and hook up...it will also be cristaless just like the Spectrum setup...all for arround the price of top radios on the market today!!!!

 

[Mark]

**** it, that new radio will make my data logger almost useless.

 

[Foolwitools]

Hi Guys!

I have always used stick. I have 6 Futaba 3EGX Gold Box transmitters and regard them as the best ever made. I like the ratcheting throttle control of a stick transmitter much better than the trigger throttle of a wheel box.

I guess it's a matter of what you feel comfortable with..............

I wish one of the radio manufacturers would design a stick style FM system that has all of the control adjustments of the Futaba 3EGX.

I have a new JR XR3i pistol style that came with a new gas boat. If not for a warning from an Int'l Waters member about AM radios not getting along well with spark ignition, I'd be putting a 25 year old Futaba 3EGX in my new boat and selling the Fm wheel system.

Try them both. If you want to try out a stick style system, I could probably lend you one of mine.

Good luck,

Bob the Fool :blink:

 

[topfuel443]

Ive used alot of different radios in the past 15 years with various forms of the R/C industry. THE M8 IS THE BEST RADIO I HAVE EVER USED PERIOD. The 3PK is a **** nice radio with tons of features but it doesnt at first seem to user friendly when navigating the setup menus...

The only gripe I have about my M8 is the lack of adjustabilty on the 3rd channel. (maybe Mr Z. can send that complaint to the right person at Airtronics? )

~James

 

[Mike Hughes]

(maybe Mr Z. can send that complaint to the right person at Airtronics? )

Oh they all ready know about it. I had a talk with Bobby Tom about the 3rd channel setup with Airtronics at last years nats. The problem is that what works for boats is not what is a big seller. Cars & planes are the big markets. You got to go with the big money. I like the Futaba 3PJS. Pre 3PK. There 3rd channel works great for my aplication. I snap up 4 radios after they stop production. I am set.

Mike

 

[waterbug]

I like my HiTec Ranger III's,, but have been thinking of the Futataba 3 PM-TFS...the TX is synthized and come with a crystal RX....

Hitec has a RX that will work with either radio for $32 and Performance Devices Crystals for $6.95 ....

 

[6cuda6]

The M8 has a third channel??? i better re-read my manual, i thought it only had 2.... :blink:

 

[GMC7]

The M8 has a third channel??? i better re-read my manual, i thought it only had 2.... :blink:

90263[/snapback]

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Sure it has three channels the round knob on the front of the radio is used for the needle adjustment. the only problems are that you have to take your hand off the wheel to adjust and there is no end point adjustments.

Steve

 

[6cuda6]

Yah, my racing buddy made a point of pointing it out..... Manual, i don't need no stinking manual!!!! :lol: Guess i should read the whole thing this time....LOL...

 

[raptor347]

I'd been using an M8 in my cars for years. When I got back into boats I realized I missed a stick radio. I picked up an Airtronics Super Exzes about a month ago. All the features of the M8 in a stick radio . I love it!

The M8 is collecting dust in the corner of the shop.