Sanwa radios have always been Airtronics... For whatever reason, the original US Distributor never wanted to sell them as Sanwas... maybe thinking that Airtronics sounded like they were American made. I haven’t raced in almost 20 years, so I don’t know if the distributor went belly up, or if Sanwa finally laid down the law to sell them under their own branding. In either case, I’ve always been a fan of Futaba. First radio I ever tried was a brown box, The first radio I ran with was a 2PK-A, ran a Magnum Jr. during my hey day, and the last Radio I used was a 3PJ Super... I’ve been thinking about getting back in the game, and if I do, my next radio will be a Futaba. They never let me down. Futaba fo’ Life! 🤟
Hey Mark, nice overview in your video. I run my DX3-R for now 13 years and it still works. One little thing I concern is that as far as I know the DX3R is also using DSM2 protocol with the SR3100 receivers.
I started with Futaba stick radios in the late 80's. Switched to pistol grip in early 90's. I had a JR propo which is what I started racing with. Then I got a Futaba PCM. The JR was glitchy and the PCM was so much smoother, faster and way less glitch. This is still back in the days of crystals. also am to fm. Then I left the hobby for 10 years. Came back a bit in early 2000's, still running the Futaba. 2020 I got back into racing a bunch. I started with flysky. I was amazed by spread spectrum radios and the ability to bind RX. No more crystals, so great! That radio was great at first, but slow and the features were limited, but it was cheap. Then I got a spectrum dx5c. faster, more features still not that expensive, but it glitches once and a while which is bad when running nitro. Now I have a Sanwa mt4s. So much faster, never glitches. Its used and the steering wheel is a little rough, maybe was dropped. I want m17 now. If you want to drive precisely, you need the radio to match for sure! They are very $$$, but def worth it IMO.
Spektrum are weird folks. I had the DX4s, DX4R Pro and now the DX5 R. The 4S was better than the Pro and the 5R is only slightly better than the Pro. They always seem to make their next two models slightly better than the last. I don't get them. But the most comfortable radio I ever held, the Futaba 4PV..felt like it was molded to my hand
Top of the line radios are just RC Bling. Mid of the pack radios do and perform just as good. Plus the MT44 feels way better than the M12. People saying 'I feel more connected' are just trying to justify spending the extra $300
i came from the hitec to the m12s, paid 380 new with 2 rx's. that feeling you get from the m12 is no lie, its genuine... the mt44 is good yes but theres a reason why alot of pros have chosen to use the m12 without sponsor ;)
with sanwa or savox servos you will notice the differnce :) for the cost of the m12s now its so worth it. but not what blokes in the states are paying at amain etc. you guys getting ripped off hard on all radios except spektrum
id just like to add, i too one was one who refused to buy some of the top of the line stuff because i believed i would never notice the differnce etc same with 1/8 buggys and the kyosho... the feeling between say a mugen and a kyosho is crazy, ones really easy to drive and you let the car do the work(the kyosho) I bought the m12s because it was cheap and thought bugger it why not and see what the craze is about, on track i went from low 18s to high 19s with the hitec to consistant low to mid 18s, if i go back to the hitec it legitimately feels slow to respond.
My local club run all these fancy remotes, I'm just there with a 15+ year old T Maxx converted to a 3.3 using a TQI setup haha. Does what they do on a super budget. They are racers and I'm a basher...... means I dont need all this stuff imo. Would I like it? Sure, but I wouldnt use it to its fullest.
Couldn’t agree more mark! Mid pack radios are all you need, the top end stuff is more of a features, bling, and status symbol than performance upgrade vs their mid range counter parts.
jmh3571 Fair enough , but i simply drive a rare model for pleasure and some of the high end features add protection and safety so it does make a huge difference in performance , my 4 PX makes driving much easier and safer and harder to crash . i intend to get the 7PX simply to be able to enjoy the telemetry , after all this hobby is plenty expensive and is for enjoyment not being frugal anyway , might as well buy what makes you happiest , for me , that is the high end radio .
I’ve been looking at radios real hard. Everything I have is RTR’s, but I need to get into the racing and some of the events that are going on on the East Coast. I’ve watched a few of your videos and so many others… But I think I’ve narrowed it down to the Futaba 7PXR 7 and a Sanwa M17. Is there any other radios that you would recommend or what direction would you consider going?
I actually had spectrum when I first went crystaless then got out of racing for many yrs I now have a cheap ads $60 Sky Rc and it's perfectly reliable and there is no more inability I need out of it as I did with my $300 radio I will never waste my money on hype again you say you get what you pay for but in this instance this is def not the case.
Those big name companies charge so much because they have huge marketing budgets. There is zero performance difference outside of someone already being comfortable with their radio. Which Mark says is the most important aspect. I've had an expensive radio for my slash 4x4 8 years ago and I like my FS GT5 much better. Its dirt cheap and has tons of function that I don't even use. Throttle and steering are super smooth and the stability control has so much tunability. Even has ABS but I don't use it.
I always wonder if I switch from my stock traxxas slash remote to say like a $250 remote will it really help me I go ot the track to have fun like twice a month not a racer but I like tracks
My tqi remotes have horrible crunchy steering and throttle. Just using an $80 flysky gt5 that has smooth inputs I can better modulate the power from my erevo. I don't use the abs function on it because it messes with reverse, but stability control is far more tunable. You can set how much it overrides you own input (priority), how much throttle it reduces from 0-100, and how sensitive it is. . Anyone making a big deal about "latency" is just trying to rationalize an expensive purchase. All the radios have extremely good latency, even the crud tqi ones do, so the actual perception of it will be all placebo since we just can't distinguish between the two. . It's like golf. You're selling a product that is ever so marginally better than the other, but charge 2-4x the price simply because you spend so much money on sponsorship and advertising.
Great video 👍 Everybody I race with swear by Airtronics. I bought a Spektrum and I am happy with it. Then again I'm a noob, haven't even been racing 2yrs yet. The only thing I am worried about is that it is an android based system and we all know how often we have to buy new phones lol
I was looking on RUclips for suggestions on a transmitter for my daughter and this video almost makes me not want to get into Rc. Why do you like people pressure you into doing things you don’t want? Who cares what they say. I’m going to use this video as Peer pressure awareness for my children, do you homie
I wouldn't let anything you see make you decide to avoid the hobby. Especially given you mention a child that you will bring into it with you. Most of these videos are aimed more towards those big into the hobby and compete. Some of the fun is lost when you go from going out and playing with friends or kids for laughs and pure kid like enjoyment to competition where losing sucks. Just depends where you plan to take the hobby. You can be successful with stock equipment in novice race classes. Once you step higher though the people are passionate about their cars and equipment. Much of their lives revolve around their hobby or possibly profession. I've been in the hobby over 20 years. Started at 12 with traxxas rtr nitro. I now have no issue dropping 3k into a car build and spending 700 on a radio because I like nice things. It also let's others know my love and dedication to the hobby. The more expensive top shelf equipment has features or strengths the lower cost items lack. New entries into the hobby have no need for the top level equipment as they don't have the education to even make use of it starting out and most times have no idea how technical rc cars are. Just as much tuning and testing can be put into them as full size race cars. Most rc lovers never go fully in and spend their years just enjoying and doing some upgrades here and there. As with anything in this world those at the top who live for the hobby may come off as arrogant or seem like a jersey but really it's that they have no time for those who they see as less passionate as themselves. Hope you dive in and bring the kids along. Lots of good times to be had.
The first generation Spektrum sucked so bad, it was horrible to be honest. Random glitches, bad reception in general. DSM2 wasn't that much better either. I used to race fast electric boats at that time, Spektrum just didn't work with boats. After that I switched to Futaba 4PK and after that I bought Airtronics M11, both were fine but receivers at that time were 100+$ wich was ridiculously expensive. After these high dollar machines I went to the GTB3 radio from FlySky wich was 30$ with 6$ receivers and I never looked back ever since. I have been using the same GTB3 radio for the last 10 years without any problem not even a split second reception loss. So for me the best radio ever isn't only the cheapest but also the best performing.
Man you didnt know anything about that radio lol. Airtronics was made by sanwa. It was the usa version so to speak. Sanwa is like futaba. Been around longer than everyone except maybe futaba. Spectrum was notorious for brown outs especially with certain brands of servos like savox. I still use an airtronics M11x.
If you got the money I'm sure he'll sell it to you If not I've got A used one I'm going to get rid of I used it about three months three and a half maybe four hours run time I went back to the Traxxas and just use the Traxxas link with it and very happy with that .
Bro you should give all that Traxxas stuff to some kids or something. A Losi 4.0 E buggy with a few hop ups 900 dollars, punting a Traxxas Rustler off the race track into the woods because the jerkoff driving it hit me going the wrong direction on the racetrack?...priceless.
Sanwa radios have always been Airtronics... For whatever reason, the original US Distributor never wanted to sell them as Sanwas... maybe thinking that Airtronics sounded like they were American made. I haven’t raced in almost 20 years, so I don’t know if the distributor went belly up, or if Sanwa finally laid down the law to sell them under their own branding.
In either case, I’ve always been a fan of Futaba. First radio I ever tried was a brown box, The first radio I ran with was a 2PK-A, ran a Magnum Jr. during my hey day, and the last Radio I used was a 3PJ Super... I’ve been thinking about getting back in the game, and if I do, my next radio will be a Futaba. They never let me down. Futaba fo’ Life! 🤟
Thank you so very much for your honesty! As a new rc driver, moving up from the kit radio, this helped me a lot.
Awesome that your honest about this. I feel the same way. Most expensive radio isn't always the best for everyone.
Hey Mark,
nice overview in your video.
I run my DX3-R for now 13 years and it still works. One little thing I concern is that as far as I know the DX3R is also using DSM2 protocol with the SR3100 receivers.
i remember when spektrum was top of the line and everyone had them. they still make good radios but i dont see them as often
I started with Futaba stick radios in the late 80's. Switched to pistol grip in early 90's. I had a JR propo which is what I started racing with. Then I got a Futaba PCM. The JR was glitchy and the PCM was so much smoother, faster and way less glitch. This is still back in the days of crystals. also am to fm. Then I left the hobby for 10 years. Came back a bit in early 2000's, still running the Futaba. 2020 I got back into racing a bunch. I started with flysky. I was amazed by spread spectrum radios and the ability to bind RX. No more crystals, so great! That radio was great at first, but slow and the features were limited, but it was cheap. Then I got a spectrum dx5c. faster, more features still not that expensive, but it glitches once and a while which is bad when running nitro. Now I have a Sanwa mt4s. So much faster, never glitches. Its used and the steering wheel is a little rough, maybe was dropped. I want m17 now. If you want to drive precisely, you need the radio to match for sure! They are very $$$, but def worth it IMO.
I ride my Megatech Junior for 27 years and bought a 2nd one yesterday :-)
Cheers for your HONESTY!! I run my spectrum dx4s on my FUN cars and a Santa mt44 on my race rigs, I'm super happy with how they operate, CHEERS!!
Never had a Spectrum Radio in my life always had futaba but I’m switching the new sanwa M17 is a bad ass Radio
Damn Mark what did you do to Scott Preston? 😂
I think Scott is off his meds...
3R1C who’s Mark Preston?
Spektrum are weird folks. I had the DX4s, DX4R Pro and now the DX5 R. The 4S was better than the Pro and the 5R is only slightly better than the Pro. They always seem to make their next two models slightly better than the last. I don't get them. But the most comfortable radio I ever held, the Futaba 4PV..felt like it was molded to my hand
Top of the line radios are just RC Bling. Mid of the pack radios do and perform just as good. Plus the MT44 feels way better than the M12. People saying 'I feel more connected' are just trying to justify spending the extra $300
100% agree
i came from the hitec to the m12s, paid 380 new with 2 rx's. that feeling you get from the m12 is no lie, its genuine... the mt44 is good yes but theres a reason why alot of pros have chosen to use the m12 without sponsor ;)
MrSupermugen from the hitec to the m12s maybe, between the m12s and the mt44 not, I tried both.
with sanwa or savox servos you will notice the differnce :) for the cost of the m12s now its so worth it. but not what blokes in the states are paying at amain etc. you guys getting ripped off hard on all radios except spektrum
id just like to add, i too one was one who refused to buy some of the top of the line stuff because i believed i would never notice the differnce etc same with 1/8 buggys and the kyosho... the feeling between say a mugen and a kyosho is crazy, ones really easy to drive and you let the car do the work(the kyosho)
I bought the m12s because it was cheap and thought bugger it why not and see what the craze is about, on track i went from low 18s to high 19s with the hitec to consistant low to mid 18s, if i go back to the hitec it legitimately feels slow to respond.
My local club run all these fancy remotes, I'm just there with a 15+ year old T Maxx converted to a 3.3 using a TQI setup haha.
Does what they do on a super budget. They are racers and I'm a basher...... means I dont need all this stuff imo.
Would I like it?
Sure, but I wouldnt use it to its fullest.
Mark! I’ve never had a high end radio but right I’m choosing from Futaba 7pxr and Sanwa m17s which one do you prefer?
Couldn’t agree more mark! Mid pack radios are all you need, the top end stuff is more of a features, bling, and status symbol than performance upgrade vs their mid range counter parts.
jmh3571 Fair enough , but i simply drive a rare model for pleasure and some of the high end features add protection and safety so it does make a huge difference in performance , my 4 PX makes driving much easier and safer and harder to crash . i intend to get the 7PX simply to be able to enjoy the telemetry , after all this hobby is plenty expensive and is for enjoyment not being frugal anyway , might as well buy what makes you happiest , for me , that is the high end radio .
Airtronics was always bigger on the west coast. On the east coast it was always futaba, jr, spektrum.
I never gave in to the airtronics when I raced. I was a JR guy, now Spektrum.
Jr are nice radios
can you use a different radio with traxxas cars? or do you have to use the Traxxas radio and reciver?
Mark just getting back into hobby after 35 years. If you buy a transmitter from Japan or Taiwan. Is the warranty still valid?
Which one do you think has better Range futaba or airtronics aka Sanwa
He bought it and just a little while later, the M17 came out.
Love your old Traxxas dude!
Damn!! Scott be mad af!! Tell your wife and boys I said hello mark! You still cool to me! Haha
I’ve been looking at radios real hard. Everything I have is RTR’s, but I need to get into the racing and some of the events that are going on on the East Coast. I’ve watched a few of your videos and so many others… But I think I’ve narrowed it down to the Futaba 7PXR 7 and a Sanwa M17. Is there any other radios that you would recommend or what direction would you consider going?
Thanks for being honest
Just that it’s heavy..you should try ssr and shr mode..it’s damn fast..mt44 is nice too..
Thanks Mark appreciate the insight.
Love the wrap on your M12. Mind if I ask where you got it?
I’m an idiot. Just got to the end of the video. Nothing to see here, move along...
Where did you get the transmitter decals?
What reciver do u have? I have the rx 481 or 482 and i cant do any telemetry. Is there something else i need?
I just ordered an m12s and was wondering where I can get a skin
what race radio are you using now?
I actually had spectrum when I first went crystaless then got out of racing for many yrs I now have a cheap ads $60 Sky Rc and it's perfectly reliable and there is no more inability I need out of it as I did with my $300 radio I will never waste my money on hype again you say you get what you pay for but in this instance this is def not the case.
Those big name companies charge so much because they have huge marketing budgets. There is zero performance difference outside of someone already being comfortable with their radio. Which Mark says is the most important aspect. I've had an expensive radio for my slash 4x4 8 years ago and I like my FS GT5 much better. Its dirt cheap and has tons of function that I don't even use. Throttle and steering are super smooth and the stability control has so much tunability. Even has ABS but I don't use it.
I always wonder if I switch from my stock traxxas slash remote to say like a $250 remote will it really help me I go ot the track to have fun like twice a month not a racer but I like tracks
My tqi remotes have horrible crunchy steering and throttle. Just using an $80 flysky gt5 that has smooth inputs I can better modulate the power from my erevo. I don't use the abs function on it because it messes with reverse, but stability control is far more tunable. You can set how much it overrides you own input (priority), how much throttle it reduces from 0-100, and how sensitive it is.
.
Anyone making a big deal about "latency" is just trying to rationalize an expensive purchase. All the radios have extremely good latency, even the crud tqi ones do, so the actual perception of it will be all placebo since we just can't distinguish between the two.
.
It's like golf. You're selling a product that is ever so marginally better than the other, but charge 2-4x the price simply because you spend so much money on sponsorship and advertising.
Is DSM as a technology allowed in ROAR sanctioned races?
Is telemetry required or preferred for racing and please elaborate why? :3
Are you interested in selling the dx3r pro if so please let me know
Great video 👍 Everybody I race with swear by Airtronics. I bought a Spektrum and I am happy with it. Then again I'm a noob, haven't even been racing 2yrs yet. The only thing I am worried about is that it is an android based system and we all know how often we have to buy new phones lol
Hook me up with that spectrum you never opened
How bout M17 bro ?
What about someone getting back into racing after 15yrs I sold all my stuff??
Futaba pro shop?🤔
I lost a realy good rc plane due to spektrum when the dx7 first came out
well, we know who gave you the thumbs down lmao!
I was looking on RUclips for suggestions on a transmitter for my daughter and this video almost makes me not want to get into Rc. Why do you like people pressure you into doing things you don’t want? Who cares what they say. I’m going to use this video as Peer pressure awareness for my children, do you homie
I wouldn't let anything you see make you decide to avoid the hobby. Especially given you mention a child that you will bring into it with you. Most of these videos are aimed more towards those big into the hobby and compete. Some of the fun is lost when you go from going out and playing with friends or kids for laughs and pure kid like enjoyment to competition where losing sucks. Just depends where you plan to take the hobby. You can be successful with stock equipment in novice race classes. Once you step higher though the people are passionate about their cars and equipment. Much of their lives revolve around their hobby or possibly profession. I've been in the hobby over 20 years. Started at 12 with traxxas rtr nitro. I now have no issue dropping 3k into a car build and spending 700 on a radio because I like nice things. It also let's others know my love and dedication to the hobby. The more expensive top shelf equipment has features or strengths the lower cost items lack. New entries into the hobby have no need for the top level equipment as they don't have the education to even make use of it starting out and most times have no idea how technical rc cars are. Just as much tuning and testing can be put into them as full size race cars. Most rc lovers never go fully in and spend their years just enjoying and doing some upgrades here and there. As with anything in this world those at the top who live for the hobby may come off as arrogant or seem like a jersey but really it's that they have no time for those who they see as less passionate as themselves. Hope you dive in and bring the kids along. Lots of good times to be had.
The first generation Spektrum sucked so bad, it was horrible to be honest. Random glitches, bad reception in general. DSM2 wasn't that much better either. I used to race fast electric boats at that time, Spektrum just didn't work with boats. After that I switched to Futaba 4PK and after that I bought Airtronics M11, both were fine but receivers at that time were 100+$ wich was ridiculously expensive. After these high dollar machines I went to the GTB3 radio from FlySky wich was 30$ with 6$ receivers and I never looked back ever since. I have been using the same GTB3 radio for the last 10 years without any problem not even a split second reception loss. So for me the best radio ever isn't only the cheapest but also the best performing.
You say you’ve never had a bad radio ???
Let me send you my spectrum STX2 & STX3.
Then say that. 😆
Man you didnt know anything about that radio lol. Airtronics was made by sanwa. It was the usa version so to speak. Sanwa is like futaba. Been around longer than everyone except maybe futaba. Spectrum was notorious for brown outs especially with certain brands of servos like savox. I still use an airtronics M11x.
My first pro remote was airtronics m8 limited edition I thought I was so cool I definitely had the best remote at are track !
Why not get a hitec lynx for 150?
Cuz their ugly and weird?
Whats up MARK!!
Whud UP!
I’ll take it if you not gonna use it!😁lol🤣
If you got the money I'm sure he'll sell it to you If not I've got A used one I'm going to get rid of I used it about three months three and a half maybe four hours run time I went back to the Traxxas and just use the Traxxas link with it and very happy with that .
Scott Preston has mommy issues!!!
First
Bro you should give all that Traxxas stuff to some kids or something. A Losi 4.0 E buggy with a few hop ups 900 dollars, punting a Traxxas Rustler off the race track into the woods because the jerkoff driving it hit me going the wrong direction on the racetrack?...priceless.
Nope🤔
So tell me, why has my original comment upset you so much ????
Spectrum sucks