2-stick surface radio or airplane radio?

[neavissa123]

hi there,

the other day i stumbled across this article in a RC magazine about a futaba stick radio for surface use. 3vcs or so. looked pretty interesting to me, so i went ahead and used one of my airplanes radios to try it the "old" way. i was shocked to see how much better i was able to control the car. that experience made me wanting to go and get one...

the question now is: why not use an airplane radio? for the same amount of money you get a much more versatile radio...i think.

thanks,
georgios

[kschauwe]

If you want to use a stick radio, make sure it's on "surface" channels, not "air" channels.

[neavissa123]

i planned on using a spektrum system...

[rccardude04]

If you're going to use a 2.4GHz system, and you really like it that way, go for it.

PLEASE though, anyone else reading also, do NOT ever use a 72MHz radio for the ground. I know a couple people who lost $25,000+ turbine planes because of that a few weeks ago.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

i would never do that...however, is there anyone out there who is using an airplane radio for surface use? i would like to know what the difference is when it comes to features and things like that?

thanks,
georgios

[rccardude04]

Well, airplane radios don't have a self-centering left stick (or right stick, depending on mode 1 vs. mode 2).

ATV, EPA, timers, dual rates, etc. are all pretty much the same.

I don't see how it would possibly be more comfortable or easier to use an airplane radio instead of a car radio though. Futaba and Airtronics do both make nice full-featured high end racing-level stick radios though...

-Eric

[neavissa123]

Well, airplane radios don't have a self-centering left stick (or right stick, depending on mode 1 vs. mode 2).

ATV, EPA, timers, dual rates, etc. are all pretty much the same.

I don't see how it would possibly be more comfortable or easier to use an airplane radio instead of a car radio though. Futaba and Airtronics do both make nice full-featured high end racing-level stick radios though...

-Eric

i hear you...i was shocked when i drove my RC10B4 the first time with it...i couldn't believe how much better i was able to control it. the only explanation i have is, that it must be still in me, since i started almost 20 years ago with stick radios. i took a long break and got back to it using pistol grip radios...
another thing is, that i am flying lately a lot. in a lot of wind, with small sturdy planes that require a lot of input. i am so used to moving the stick around, that it doesn't matter what i am controlling...

you should give it a try...

p.s. i thought about the guys who lost 25k planes...they were saving money on the wrong end. how can you own a 25k plane and not switch to spektrum?

[rccardude04]

p.s. i thought about the guys who lost 25k planes...they were saving money on the wrong end. how can you own a 25k plane and not switch to spektrum?

They had never had problems before, and a lot of those guys around here have trouble trusting 'new' technology, which is completely understandable.

One of the two bought an X9303 the next day, and the other bought a Spektrum conversion kit for his 10X.

And I have tried stick radios on cars before. I really prefer the wheel. It's just more comfy. Granted, I haven't tried a higher end stick radio but I don't really like the idea of an unsprung throttle stick from an aircraft radio. Even if I tried to drive with right stick throttle and left stick steering, it'd be really weird.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

They had never had problems before, and a lot of those guys around here have trouble trusting 'new' technology, which is completely understandable.

One of the two bought an X9303 the next day, and the other bought a Spektrum conversion kit for his 10X.
-Eric
smart move!!!

And I have tried stick radios on cars before. I really prefer the wheel. It's just more comfy. Granted, I haven't tried a higher end stick radio but I don't really like the idea of an unsprung throttle stick from an aircraft radio. Even if I tried to drive with right stick throttle and left stick steering, it'd be really weird.



i am just gonna have to mess around with the radio a bit longer to see what i really wanna do...

thanks for the input.

[neavissa123]

guess what, i just took an old hitec flash 4 radio and turned the throttle stick into the same as the right stick. now its centered and doesn't have the ratchet thing anymore...
i love driving the car like this. i wish someone would give me a good enough reason not to buy the futaba 3vcs, but modify a regular airplane radio instead...it drives me nuts. didn't anyone do this before?


thanks,
georgios

[rccardude04]

A local guy who operates HUGE r/c tanks actually has ordered 2 DX7s from us with both sticks "self-centering."

He seems to have no problems.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

A local guy who operates HUGE r/c tanks actually has ordered 2 DX7s from us with both sticks "self-centering."

He seems to have no problems.

-Eric

interesting...but isn't there anyone else out there you is going faster than 5mph and uses a stick radio? ha ha...

thanks

[crazy4rc]

I setup a Tamiya F350 with the MFC unit where it required a 4 channel stick radio. It felt akward, I like pistol grip. :cool: BTW I used a Futaba 4VWD system.

[neavissa123]

I setup a Tamiya F350 with the MFC unit where it required a 4 channel stick radio. It felt akward, I like pistol grip. :cool: BTW I used a Futaba 4VWD system.

how long have you been driving RC cars? has it always been on pistol?

[rccardude04]

I know you didn't ask me, but I actually started on stick radios then went ahead and switched over to the wheel transmitter and have never looked back.

Just depends on personal preference I suppose.

-Eric

[neavissa123]

I know you didn't ask me, but I actually started on stick radios then went ahead and switched over to the wheel transmitter and have never looked back.

Just depends on personal preference I suppose.

-Eric

of course it is personal preference. i was just wondering if people use stick radio for cars or even airplane radios and what problems it might bring...

thanks

[rccardude04]

None. Airplane radios will work fine. They transmit the same, just avoid using 72MHz on the ground.

End points work the same, exponential works the same, you even have dual rates that might end up being easier to get to. You will often have access to more timers (I have 3 on my 9C) for 3 pit stops during a long main. You can easily use a neckstrap.

I just don't have the precision with the 2 sticks on the ground. I'm fine in the air but on the dirt/pavement, that's a different story.

-Eric

[chilledoutuk]

well if you like stick radios a good solution is to get a hitec pro car and put a spectrum module in it.
Thats what i have and it works very well.

My general opinion is that sticks have better throttle/break control and pistols have better steering for people that are not very dexterous.

I personally prefer the sticks just like Masami.

[neavissa123]

i haven't checked out the hitec radio yet...i am a futaba fan though. ha ha.

i think i know what i am going to do:
i need a nice airplane radio anyway. i go get one and play with it for a while in my cars. if there are no problems and i like it, i leave it in the cars. if i don't like it for some reason, i go and check out a 4PK or 3vcs. end of story...

thanks for all the input.
georgios