Receiver/transmitter hunting

[ithrowstones]

Whats cookin RCT!
I'm lookin to do a bit of research on new reveivers / transmitters- mainly for my sledge, the maxx belongs to the Mrs. and stock is sufficient for her.
This coming winter I'm going to tear my sledge down and go thru it and make it bulletproof
One of the gray areas for me is receivers & transmitters. Tbh I've only ever used the traxxas ones that come with each rig.
I want a receiver than can handle good bit of voltage for powering servo , 8.4V +. Traxxas is limited to a measly 6v.
If it helps, I'll be putting a Castle mamba monster x 8s esc with a 1650kv motor running 6s.
I'll look forward to the suggestions!

 

[DavidB1126]

Flysky NB4+
Probably the best radio right now for the money
Have one myself and I absolutely love it.

 

[Beer_Goggles_RC]

Flysky NB4+
Probably the best radio right now for the money
Have one myself and I absolutely love it.

Agreed. NB4+ Kicks ass. I've heard the Flysky GT3C is also a pretty good option if you're on a budget and dont need the expansive features of the NB4.

I used a Radiolink RC4GS for a long time and loved it for crawling and bashing. I'm sure @DavidB1126 would have other words to say about it though

 

[RustyUs]

I urge you to do some research/homework. Visit manufacturer's website for nitty-gritty specs on receivers for any transmitter that you put on wish list for your higher voltage wants. Unless you are using an external_BEC to power a servo, that ESC you mentioned only puts out 8v.

What I'm getting at is: Will it be safe to "push" a receiver, rated for 6.5v, at a higher 8~8.4v for extended periods of time?

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I've been using Sanwa/Airtronics for ever.

Most of the RX's I have can take HV (high voltage), they also have telemetry (motor temp sensor) which I enjoy. Probably had that with your Traxxas reciever.

I personally if I was shopping today I would look at the nb4+
They look awesome and the new RX's with light controllers are sweet

 

[BashingBrian]

Futaba all day long

 

[ithrowstones]

I urge you to do some research/homework. Visit manufacturer's website for nitty-gritty specs on receivers for any transmitter that you put on wish list for your higher voltage wants. Unless you are using an external_BEC to power a servo, that ESC you mentioned only puts out 8v.

What I'm getting at is: Will it be safe to "push" a receiver, rated for 6.5v, at a higher 8~8.4v for extended periods of time?

No, thats not what I'm asking lol.
I'm just wanting a receiver that will be able to put out more than 6v. Traxxas receivers are limited to a max of 6v, which in turn makes for slow servo response. Id like to run 8v to servo. Traxxas receiver would probably blow up at 8v

 

[9x19]

I have a pair of the Flysky GT5 radios, their 6ch receiver (FS BS6) has an input voltage rating of 4.0v-8.4v.

None of my models has ESCs with 8.0v BEC outputs, but those that do 7.4v have not been a problem for me.

 

[WickedFog]

No, thats not what I'm asking lol.
I'm just wanting a receiver that will be able to put out more than 6v. Traxxas receivers are limited to a max of 6v, which in turn makes for slow servo response. Id like to run 8v to servo. Traxxas receiver would probably blow up at 8v

Flysky GT3B radios are cheap, and a great budget radio. They come with the FS-GR3E Rx, which is only rated for 6.5v, but I have run them at 8.4v without any issues so far. But I haven't ran them a lot at that voltage.

The Radiomaster MT12 4-in-1 version comes with an 8.4v capable Rx (R85C), and is an awesome budget friendly radio, that will bind to all kinds of different Rx's. But it has a steep learning curve if you want to get deep into its advanced features.
https://www.racedayquads.com/produc...wN_t-rqVDkRW9BLx7TELzcoD4hXKXXSxoCSXIQAvD_BwE

Another option is direct power servos, that get their power directly from the LiPo battery you power your RC with. So any Rx is fine.

 

[BashingBrian]

Lots of answers here, I think your choice depends on if you want big brand or China specials, most modern rx’s will run HV.
I’m not dissing NB4 or Radiolink as I know they are very good devices, personally I just prefer the quality and feel of Futaba.. yes they cost more but I believe you get what you pay for..
Just don’t buy ripoff Spektrum
I think the main reason the China brands are popular is because of the cheap rx’s, I tried a Flysky once in the past, it was cheap so were the rx’s, it glitched on me and sent one of my cars into a kerb at full speed.. the rest is history, Futaba for the win

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I've had great luck with flysky. I use an NB4 and a pair of Gt5's and all have worked great. Pretty budget friendly too. I have a few Futaba radios but they dont seem to work any better than anything else and cost twice as much.

 

[WickedFog]

Lots of answers here, I think your choice depends on if you want big brand or China specials, most modern rx’s will run HV.
I’m not dissing NB4 or Radiolink as I know they are very good devices, personally I just prefer the quality and feel of Futaba.. yes they cost more but I believe you get what you pay for..
Just don’t buy ripoff Spektrum
I think the main reason the China brands are popular is because of the cheap rx’s, I tried a Flysky once in the past, it was cheap so were the rx’s, it glitched on me and sent one of my cars into a kerb at full speed.. the rest is history, Futaba for the win

I used to use nothing but Futaba radios. They are about as good as it gets. But for bashing, the Rx's are just way too spendy. If I were racing, that wouldn't be a problem. But for just bashing around, being able to buy Rx's for less than $20 is a big plus.

The Radiomaster MT12 is a good example. Even the 4in1 version Rx's have ridiculous range, low latency, and the R85C Rx is only $17.99. The radio has 16 channels, and not that you'd ever need it, but with the nano module bay and a second 4in1 module, you can get up to 32 channels, with basically an unlimited model memory. With an ELRS module and Rx, the range is just stupid. An ELRS equipped surface RC can still be controlled from the opposite side of a big city without the buildings and trees having any effect on the signal. And it's latency beats higher end Sanwa radios, at a price of about $150.

Unless you're racing, it's just hard to justify spending Futaba money, considering how good the budget radios are these days.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

I have had some experience with FlySky too.

Back in the day when I first got back into the hobby I had a hacked FlySky GT3(B? I believe), running on 3s. It was awesome! I really enjoyed it, until I went to local meets and the track.

People began blaming glitches or interference (perhaps it was bad driving ) on my radio.

I switched away not on peer pressure, but because I didn't want people blaming their bad days on me or my gear.

 

[BashingBrian]

I used to use nothing but Futaba radios. They are about as good as it gets. But for bashing, the Rx's are just way too spendy. If I were racing, that wouldn't be a problem. But for just bashing around, being able to buy Rx's for less than $20 is a big plus.

The Radiomaster MT12 is a good example. Even the 4in1 version Rx's have ridiculous range, low latency, and the R85C Rx is only $17.99. The radio has 16 channels, and not that you'd ever need it, but with the nano module bay and a second 4in1 module, you can get up to 32 channels, with basically an unlimited model memory. With an ELRS module and Rx, the range is just stupid. An ELRS equipped surface RC can still be controlled from the opposite side of a big city without the buildings and trees having any effect on the signal. And it's latency beats higher end Sanwa radios, at a price of about $150.

Unless you're racing, it's just hard to justify spending Futaba money, considering how good the budget radios are these days.

Do agree with you on some of what you say, but currently Futaba rx's are cheaper than Spektrum.!!
I looked at the MT12 when it first came out, the amount you can do with it is crazy..!! but as others have said the learning curve is quite steep.
I don't race, just bashing but got sick of terrible radios over the time, started with China specials then Spektrum when I returned to the hobby, grew to dislike them very quickly

I just saw this the other day on Ali, can't believe how cheap it is and how much it offers (it's around $36)..
It's got features that my 7PXR has got for less cost than one of my rx's.. I believe they make a 10 channel one too..!!

 

[Littlemotor]

Servo power is limited by the ESC, not your receiver. -at least when you make it to proper big boy radio’s. No idea what’s acceptable with an RTR transmitter.. Also, even Futaba advertises at 6.0V-but of course they’ll support higher.

 

[CreepyQuarryCrawler]

You could also install a BEC and wire it ONLY for the servo. That would allow you to reuse the radio if increasing the voltage to the servo is your goal.

When it comes to the wiring, you just need to ensure that you don't have two power sources going to the RX. I usually recommend a small Y or terminal block. Then you can remove the red wire from the harness going to your receiver from your servo/bec connection.

It would most likely be cheaper than switching out the radio.

Food for thought.

 

[RustyUs]

No, thats not what I'm asking lol.
I'm just wanting a receiver that will be able to put out more than 6v. Traxxas receivers are limited to a max of 6v, which in turn makes for slow servo response. Id like to run 8v to servo. Traxxas receiver would probably blow up at 8v

Pick out a transmitter that has all the bells and whistles that you need. Then look at the available receivers for it... check out the specs of those receivers to see the said input voltage they can handle. Easy-peasy. If you find a receiver that does not instill confidence for your setup... keep shoppin'.

I wouldn't be worried about putting 8v thru a receiver rated for 7.4v. It's the receivers with 6~6.5v input specs used in a heavy 1/8 scale monster truggy; using a demanding/power-hungry servo, and with BECs cranked up that maybe, MAYBE, would concern me a bit. I know people do exceed receiver limits all the time. I'm just thankful I don't have to be a guinea pig.

 

[Littlemotor]

Pick out a transmitter that has all the bells and whistles that you need. Then look at the available receivers for it... check out the specs of those receivers to see the said input voltage they can handle. Easy-peasy. If you find a receiver that does not instill confidence for your setup... keep shoppin'.

I wouldn't be worried about putting 8v thru a receiver rated for 7.4v. It's the receivers with 6~6.5v input specs used in a heavy 1/8 scale monster truggy; using a demanding/power-hungry servo, and with BECs cranked up that maybe, MAYBE, would concern me a bit. I know people do exceed receiver limits all the time.

Doesn’t matter with a quality transmitter/receiver.. Like I said; in electrics the ESC limits the servo, NOT the RX like the OP apparently believes. In all my nitro stuff-I throw 8.7V at my Futaba RX, and it’s advertised at 6.0V…

 

[RustyUs]

Doesn’t matter with a quality transmitter/receiver.. Like I said; in electrics the ESC limits the servo, NOT the RX like the OP apparently believes. In all my nitro stuff-I throw 8.7V at my Futaba RX, and it’s advertised at 6.0V…

The same with some servo companies like Hitec. I know manufacturers used to spec things to be on the safe side, but inflating numbers these days can and does run rampant.

 

[Littlemotor]

Every last one of my electrics are limited by the ESC @7.4V. I run only capable, quality servo’s (NitroPro, Tekin, MKS), and they are all BLINDINGLY FAST. Make sure your servo’s are at least .10sec transit speed, and set your Castle to 7.4V, NOT 6.0V, and you should be night and day difference from factory.. Absolutely zero need for getting an external BEC to allow for 8.4V in most cases.. MOST guys end up slowing their servos’s DOWN with the radio after they get setup with 7.4V and servos that are actually doing what the say..