Radios...
 

I wouldn't say they have gone out of fashion... it's just that demand is low.

The UK was pretty much alone through the late 80s and 90s in preferring stick radios - the rest of the world had gone over to wheel radios (which are a natural development of slot car controllers). Sticks are a development of air radios.

During the 00s, manufacturers stopped doing UK-specific versions of RTRs, so they all came with wheels as well.

If you go to a race meeting now, you can tell who has been in the hobby for more than 10 years because 99% of them will be using sticks. I'd say that the majority of people I see at race meetings now use wheels.

When the total global market for high-end stick car radios is a few hundred units a year, it's no surprise that they are getting harder to find.

As far as the KO goes, I think they missed the mark with the Esprit 3. The quality was poor. Just Futaba and Sanwa to choose from now. Sanwa have a brand new set out but it isn't officially in the UK yet.

There are no advantages to a wheel radio. It's just personal preference.

i use the core rc code cant knock it easy to use got lots to adjust on it to get it haw you want it,to be honest these days what ever you buy your paying for the name! id go to a modelshop and check out what they have but they will try pushing you to the more expensive items even though they do the samething!its down to haw gullible people are to spend silly amounts of money on things,

wheels are an acquired unit you either love it or you hate it but worth trying out

All the RTRs come with wheel radios. People start with those and rarely change (changing is hard!).

For a decent stick radio, try the Futaba 3GR. Excellent quality like all Futaba stuff, always works perfectly, and not too expensive.

ive had a 2.4g core stick radio for three month.and ive had nothing but trouble with it!:thumbdown:

what kind of trouble?warranty covered?

hi . i had interference and then it kept on cutting out on me.and now it won.t bind. you only get 30 days warranty so its out of warranty. :bored:

if it looses signal (cutting out)you need to use a power cap with it this prevents the power dropping to the receiver and it then will work fine.+ any electric product has a 1yr warranty and 1mth guarantee so if you have your receipt for it get it fixed under warranty

if its not binding have you tryed a different model number and try again is the light in the receiver light on with a 4.8v pack connected?

I have used the 3VCS and the Esprit 3, they are both very good, I ended up with the KO as it just felt better and my brother got the VCS. Both are silly money so I would look for a good 2nd hand one.

I tried wheels.. Steering is fine but using the trigger for braking just didn't seem precise as with sticks. So I went back to sticks.

i've been on the net most of the day looking at options for a stick radio, new and used an it has been my hardest thing i have had to find.. ko have just disapperaed off the shelves and the 3vcs price is out of this world, the only option is to hit the US sites which i hate doing as love to keep things as local a pos...:thumbdown:

Keeping things to uk shops is superb i agree, but if they havent got what you require then hong kong is most probably the best place to look.
I know a few who have just got the sanwa exzes x radio, 2.4mhz and a very nice bit of kit.
Alternatively, have a look on ebay

I picked up a 3VCS with receiver on ebay for £160. I love it. I can drive with a wheel ok ish, but I can't brake lol.

i started racing in '92 so have always had sticks. I don't remember many wheel users at my local club back then, but now I see a lot of the spectrum handsets around.

What's your budget?

Budget, that’s a big one with my wife at the min. As I’m starting from the very beginning once again, I don’t even have a hex drive to my name. I was looking at spending around £300 on a radio and was looking at the 3vcs 2.4 fast (which I can get from the US) as I had the old model back when I was racing TC, over the past week I have been compiling a list of everything that I think I’m going to need and its getting to be one expensive and scary list..

I think I may post the list for you guys to have a look over to see if I’ve missed anything, I want to have the right kit from the beginning so that I may be competitive the only let down will be my lost talent.

Personally I have always had problems with "cheaper" brand radios, especially with the potentiometers on the sticks.

I think it is one area you definitely get what you pay for TBH. As I have said, only changed from the 3VC to the KO to get a slimmer set and the 3VC is without doubt the higher quality unit ... damn my stumpy thumbs

A word of warning about buying electronic items overseas is that the UK agents will be able to tell and most won't want to touch them, not even to send them back for repair at your cost!

What don't you like about the Futaba 3GR? At £200 (in the UK) for the 2.4GHz version you can't go wrong. I was initially reluctant to shelve my £500 FF3 for a £200 radio, but I don't regret it now. The 3GR has all the features you'll actually use and is a very nice handset to drive with.

Nothing wrong with the 3GR ... Futaba can't ever be classed as a "cheaper brand" ... I'd much rather run a budget Futaba than an expensive no-name unit

Sorry I should have included a quote; my question was aimed at the original poster.

I would definitely agree with your statement; I've seen a few people have problems with the Core radios, never seen anyone with a dodgy Futaba.

Don't you think KO will come out with a new dedicated 2.4GHz stick radio? As small as the market is I would have thought they had one of the bigger shares at the high end, despite the quality issues the Esprit 3 has always seemed very popular.

well i've made my bed now and ordered a a 3vcs new from a local store but its on 40mhz which if fine for me at the min, and when im all up and running i can look at changing it to a 2.4....