Buggy RTR Radios-Are they worth replacing

[Ericke1]

I recently lost my engine's piston, sleeve, and connecting rod to apparently overheating the engine and am rebuilding it. This is a force .26 on my Ofna Violator. I am also going to be including a 2-speed transmission on my Violator to improve on speed. Upgrades already include the Hitec 945mg for steering and the Hitec 625 for throttle. I'm thinking if there is any benefit to changing my radio from the stock Ofna Radio to a FM MX3 (they are about 99 dollars at Tower).

Advise anybody? What are the specific benefits to upgrading the radio that I will see. I dont race much, just parking lot driving and practice.

Thanks.

 

[PiErow]

Features, features, features. I would say go synth. You dont have to use crystals anymore. A lot of people encluding myself like the jr xs3. It is a hundred dollars more than what you have picked out but it is synth and comes with back up servos. Here is a link

Pro(i have and love, the diiference is you get get a much smaller reciver and the casing, and a few other things)
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=JRT3372-75

Normal
https://www.ssl-stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=JRT3172-75

Just my .02

 

[Ericke1]

Thanks-can you elaborate on features-I know about the use of no crystals, locking in your settings, digital readouts but I want to know about control, handling/performance differences etc? Any ideas?

I like the JR but I can't rationalize paying that amount for the radio any other ideas?

 

[SkyMaxx]

The radio itself is going to give you little in the way of performance. It will give you extras that make the radio convenient to own.

You might see multiple model memory allowing you to store settings for up to 10 models. You might see some endpoint setting capability. You might see some ABS style features. The Digital displays. You might see some lap counters and clocks. Synth versus crystal.

But the price tag associated with the radio is directly related to the extras incorporated in the radio.

If you want to see performance gains from via your electronics, then go with faster or stronger servos (depending on where you need the gain). Speed is kind of key in throttle servos. Strength and speed are both players in the steering servos. So a faster reacting set of servos will give you better results when it comes to performance.

Other than that, I'd say if you are happy with what you've got...then stick with it.

Note: A better radio...or a more Gucci radio...will not make you a better driver.

 

[CorradoPsi]

I'd say if you are happy with what you've got...then stick with it.

Note: A better radio...or a more Gucci radio...will not make you a better driver.

ill agree with your first statement here. but not the second. i use a mid priced radio with all the features listed above (futaba 3PM) and some features like dual rate capabilities, ABS, and throttle ATL i use on a regular basis to help get the car reacting the way i want on the track. it does improve my laptimes. these features will not really be noticed by anyone that just bashes or parking lot races though.

 

[mikeburgin]

corrado you must have also brought a very fast digital servo for your throttle, cause if you havnt abs is a waste of time, trust me i use it on my 5th scale fg and took me ages to find the right servos, I agree with skymaxx a control needs no more than end points, all the rest is fruit or bling bling as you guys put it, it doesn't improve your lap times and and you may find that if it does its because your actually driving diferent, remember that these are off roaders so things like abs are a waist of time, i want my brakes to lock when i want them to and not to when i want them to, abs doesn't give you that choice, Dual rates have there uses but honestly your hand does just a good a job of dual rating.

my 2 cents

 

[CorradoPsi]

i have a hitec digi 5925mg on throttle with 128 oz-in, in .08 sec. my abs does work well and allows me to push deeper into corners while steering under braking. i dont use my brakes to pitch the rear around, i use momentum and chassis setup for that. i do drive differently than most since I'm used to driving onroad. i find i drive with smoother movements than the other guys. also none of that throttle blipping here, i actually have to tune my midrange since i use it so much. i dont use my expo on this buggy, but i found it helped me a lot with my losi xxx-nt. the steering was too sensitive for me.
i dont use dual rate on the steering at all offroad, but some times i will onroad depending how tight the track is. i use expo in steering the most, but my stadium truck ill use it on the throttle if the track is pretty slippery so i dont loop out as easy (i can adjust seperate expo curves for throttle and brake). most of the features are used to adjust the way the car feels. just because the suspension is setup right, doesn't mean it feels as good as it can at the radio. thats what i use the features for. to make a good handling car, handle well for ME. the more comfortable you are with your car, the better times you can turn.

 

[psunitro]

I like my JR xr3i I got with my Storm. It was one of the reasons I picked that buggy over the OFNA choices.Nice radio,just a better"feel" than my stock Traxxas radio.But if the radio you have works and you like it just keep it and upgrade something else.

 

[Ericke1]

Thanks guys, I'm going to keep my radio for now, upgrade to the 2 speed and then see where we go. I already have upgraded the servos. I'm also working on completing my Inferno MP-6 International which I purchased over 3 years ago, I have a OS VZ-RB .21 engine in it-lets see how that bad boy runs against the competition. Besides EBay, let me know if any of you folks have access too sites that offer parts for older kyosho buggies

On another front, I'm going to HK over Christmas and will stop by the famous RC shops in Mong Kok, any idea what buggies/trucks I should look out for as far as bargains..

 

[SkyMaxx]

ill agree with your first statement here. but not the second. i use a mid priced radio with all the features listed above (futaba 3PM) and some features like dual rate capabilities, ABS, and throttle ATL i use on a regular basis to help get the car reacting the way i want on the track. it does improve my laptimes. these features will not really be noticed by anyone that just bashes or parking lot races though.

Not to beat this issue up, but similar to a car not making a better driver there is quite literally no way a radio can make a better driver. It might give a driver more options or perhaps some more capabilities with respect to tuning up the set up, but a better driver is not made by a better car or radio.

A better driver is made by practice and skill. A poorly set up car and radio can easily be driven with great success by a great driver, and conversely a profesionally set up radio and car can be driven like crap by a poor driver.

I would suggest that you are finding your improvements in driving from your own skills improving.

 

[Ericke1]

Duly noted.

 

[SkyMaxx]

Sorry, Ericke. My last post was not directed at you. Have fun in Hong Kong. Bring back lots of cool toys and then tell us about it and show us pictures.

 

[olds97_lss]

I have had the traxxas tq3 (POS), the JR XR2 (before the XR2i), and now I use the MX-3. I like the mx-3 better than the JR. The readout shows more info all the time. The JR readout doesn't say more than one thing unless you hit buttons and whatnot. The MX-3 shows you a battery fuel gauge, steering trim, throttle trim and one more setting in the middle, depending on what you have currently highlighted. So, it always shows 4 things. It's not a bad radio, but the recievers are pricey. I needed 2 receivers when I bought mine and since the receiver alone was $80, I just bought two full sets of xmitter and reciever. Now I have a backup xmitter in case I drop it, fall on it, throw it out of desperation... you know, every day stuff.

 

[CorradoPsi]

Not to beat this issue up, but similar to a car not making a better driver there is quite literally no way a radio can make a better driver. It might give a driver more options or perhaps some more capabilities with respect to tuning up the set up, but a better driver is not made by a better car or radio.

A better driver is made by practice and skill. A poorly set up car and radio can easily be driven with great success by a great driver, and conversely a profesionally set up radio and car can be driven like crap by a poor driver.

I would suggest that you are finding your improvements in driving from your own skills improving.

well this is a subject that comes up many times in different fields. from drag racing to marksman rifle events. the quality of equipment. ill agree the best equipment in the world will not help a flat out bad driver. if you agree that poor equipment will hinder a pro driver. now what about the average driver. lets say "hes good enough to get around the track well, without wrecking often, and he has car control down ok." will this person do better with poor equipment or good equipment? its this average driver, that is probibly using a setup he got from a pro online, that a good radio can help. the car setup is going to be pretty good for what he needs, maybe better than him. the radio can be used to help him gain a better feel of the car and have things like the steering react at a speed he can manage. you may say "well if he can't handle the steering the car is setup too twitchy" maybe not. maybe the driver is still learning how fast and far to turn the wheels so steering expo can help tone the steering up or down as needed, enabling the driver to handle the car, complete the lap, and learn in the process. it appears that its just me on this bandwagon, but i see the features as driver aids. i use them as such. if i were a horrible driver, id never complete a lap no matter what i did to my radio. but I'm no pro either, and if i find for example my losi steers too fast for me, i use the expo to dial it down, i noticed this while making small direction changes on a bumpy straight. a small correction at the radio ended with a truck in the pipe. i know that the car handles neutral and i dont want to alter the chassis to change the steering and upset that balance, so i use the radio to do it. i dial out some steering and now that small correction ends with the car where i want it. it may not be for everyone, but for me it does work. i will say that yes my skills have been improving, and as I've gotten better I've taken out some of that expo i put in at the begining of this season, but some of it is still there and i like it. it helps me, and thats what really counts in the end.

Not to beat this issue up, but similar to a car not making a better driver there is quite literally no way a radio can make a better driver. It might give a driver more options or perhaps some more capabilities with respect to tuning up the set up, but a better driver is not made by a better car or radio.

almost forgot. please reread everything I've written. nowhere did i say a good radio makes you a better driver. I've said it helps the driver you already are, granted i used many more words than that though

 

[SkyMaxx]

Ummmm...okay...since reading your post put unbelievable strain on my eyes and brain (try paragraphs vice stream of consciousness posting...helps convey your thoughts a little better)...

I'll just say that I agree that options are helpful and leave it at that.

 

[mikeburgin]

this is actually quite a cool place to come and have a scrap lol,
i too wont go as far as saying bling bling doesn't have its uses but, it still doesn't make you any better at driving.

What i say to people is buy the best car you can afford at the exspense of bling bling on your transmitter, after all its the car that rides the bumps not the transmitter, sure if you can afford the best control, get it, but i think what were all saying is that it really serves no important purpose, a top driver can do just as well without the bling as he can with it.

Corrado it sounds like you drive like most good drivers over here, we tend to use the low and mid end alot more than full throttle, we just dont have any balls out tracks over here, were top end is really important, normally they have a reasonably tight in feild, on high speed sweeper and 1 decent straight.

look skymaxx paragraphs

 

[SkyMaxx]

Thanks, Mike.

And it looks as though we are in agreement.

 

[UltegraSTI]

i'm very glad that when i got back into this i went and bought my 1st ever FM radio. i couldnt believe that they'd have a good 1 for 100bux. this MX3 is beautiful, i'm so pleased i did it. yeh u can spring 75 or so more bux and get that cool syn feature, but its up 2 u.

ah no radio hits!!!

-Ult

 

[NITRO 21]

The features I like most on the radio I use the XS3 is it's FM, Synth, and has a 6 model memory the other stuff is nice but I am still learning the EPA and stuff like that a lap counter and timer is cool but not all that important. Another nice less expensive alternative to the XS3 is the XR3i it is like the XS3 except it isn't synth and has a 4 model memory I think it is going for around $140 now.