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Old 09-01-2014
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ChrisM ChrisM is offline
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Germany
Posts: 13
Default Futaba, Spektrum...

There are a few more options.
Futaba still make their T3GR, not that cheap, but only works well for larger hands imho, similar feature set as the 70£ version mentioned above. Important also that you can get small enough receivers (e.g. from FrSky for around 35€) and do not have to use Futaba's freeakin' expensive ones.

Another option is to modify a Spektrum brand 4ch Tx (lock 2 channels/ gimbals mechanically), and use even cheaper and tinier orange brand receivers from hobbyking.

As i'm using the T3GR personally, I can say that I'd probably give a non-Futaba brand a try. The T3GR doesn't allow much adjustment of the gimbals, which is really annoying for me since i'd love to swivel the steernig gimbal a little (as it could be done with the cheapest Futaba TX 20 years ago and most of the more expensive brands nowadays, I believe.) In the long run, a feature loaded and more expensive tx is probably still worth the price. Not that you need every single feature, but the ergonomics are presumably better. If you're used to stick tx from 20 or more years ago (as I am), don't expect the cheaper (and sometimes even Futaba priced) tx of today to be on similar haptic and ergonomic levels compared to the older ones of the 90s. Sure, they are lighter, but also more plasticy, and of a cheaper build quality in a mechanical way.

The feature set should at least comprise exponential setting, end point adjustment, and reversing. Everything else is rather personal preference. I haven't built a single car which did not need endpoint adjustment though in order to achieve proper servo operation.

So my recomendation is to go out and actually hold some diferent stick tx in your hands, and then decide, since I think ergonomics is the most important point, folowed by features and price...

Cheers,
Chris
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