Contemplating a radio purchase....

[Rickracer]

Any tips? Definitely needs to be FM, having a multiple model memory would be nice too. I'd prefer not to have to change crystals, and don't really want to spend more than $100 to $150. May do used and/or Ebay too if that's not too dangerous. :cool:

[Watercadet]

Dude you just described the MX3S. The MX3 has all the features/model memory, and the "S" part is the Synthesized setup that you can dial in the freq. with "pots" on the tx and rx. $169.99 from tower for that version with one standard servo, and $114.99 for the crystal version with two servos. The synthed. version has a RX that dials in the freqs. too. A great deal if you ask me.
Adam

[Doubledog]

Looks like I'm going to clean out the old AM Radios to build up for that one. Sounds like a deal at that price.

Rick Racer .com (http://www.rickracers.com/)

[Watercadet]

DD it looks like you just found a soul mate!! :D
Adam

[Rickracer]

How much of a pain is changing crystals, how many different ones would one need, and how often is it necessary to change them?

[ejp]

Crstals take about 1 minute. The only problem is that you have to open your radio box and unseal it to change them. You can get a lot of crstals and they are cheep. I have the mx3 and it is a sweet radio. I got mine for 100.00 with one servo from towerhobbies

[Watercadet]

The crystals are only "chips" that tune the frequency. They need to be switched when there is a freq. conflict with a racing partner on the same channel. They are not hard to change. I would liken it to changing a spade fuse. The only problem is the one in the reciever. The rx should be "sealed" (you can't waterproof it despite your best efforts) and that makes unpluging the crystal and switching it a pain.
Adam

[Rickracer]

Sounds like I'd be better off to wait a week or two and go for the synthesized radio setup. :cool:

[Doubledog]

Adam, I've known Rick for a few years from Scream & Fly (www.screamandfly.com).

Plus he's a "Fellow G' man of the Sunshine Syndicate". ;)

The rc bug has bit & seems to have his teeth dug in real good. :cool:

[zakerid]

JR XS3...Now the the XS3 Pro is out you can get good deals on the orig. XS3. The Pro has a couple more feature and a micro reciever, but is not much different than the XS3. Also, JR's recievers are cheaper than the airtronics.

[zakerid]

MX3S 75mhz rec- 99.99 (tower)
JR RS300 -74.99 (horizon)
I dont know how your LHS pricing compares to mail order, but at the hobby town near me I can get the JR for 70. The MXS sells for 100., maybe if you get a deal from tower it may be worht it.

[zakerid]

XS3 on horizon is 199.99. Ebay avg. is around 150. Depending on how many recievers you buy may make a diff. on what radio to go with. XS3 has a 6 model mem. MX3S has 18 i think. Good luck both radios work great.