Ko Propo Esprit III Universe Or Futaba 3vcs

[coolcars782]

I am going to get a new radio and still havent decided which one.

I have decided its either the Ko Propo Esprit III Universe Or Futaba 3vcs both on 2.4ghz.

Which would be the better one, or which one do you recommend?

AND do these radios have adjustable tension on the sticks?


Thanks,

Carl

[traffman]

I have owned both and i liked the 3vcs and if i can recall the tension was adjustable , however the menu system was a touch difficult to fathom.

I now own the ko esprit 3 and i love it , the menu system is easier to skim through and it literally has all the functions you could ever need including adjusting the tone of the low batt alarm!

[ianjoyner]

They're both very good.

You should try and get hold of each to see how they feel, they're pretty different, I like both though. The 3VCS does have adjustable stick tension, I'm not sure on the Esprit. I think the 3VCS is a little tougher built, I know a few people who've had trouble with the sticks working loose on the Esprit. The menu is better on the Esprit, although it's not too bad on the 3VCS. Receiver size is a quite a bit smaller on the Esprit.

Both are ageing a bit and probably due a dedicated 2.4GHz replacement at some point as Futaba and KO both have dedicated 2.4GHz steer wheel versions, they've not been quick to follow with stick equivalents though, so that could be some time.

[sosidge]

Originally Posted by ianjoyner

They're both very good.

You should try and get hold of each to see how they feel, they're pretty different, I like both though. The 3VCS does have adjustable stick tension, I'm not sure on the Esprit. I think the 3VCS is a little tougher built, I know a few people who've had trouble with the sticks working loose on the Esprit. The menu is better on the Esprit, although it's not too bad on the 3VCS. Receiver size is a quite a bit smaller on the Esprit.

Both are ageing a bit and probably due a dedicated 2.4GHz replacement at some point as Futaba and KO both have dedicated 2.4GHz steer wheel versions, they've not been quick to follow with stick equivalents though, so that could be some time.

+1 on this.

I can't stand the KO, it is so thin, it's like holding a tea tray in my big, European hands. The 3VC feels very nice to me. But you should definitely have a feel of both before buying.

The Futaba is clearly better quality though. A much better investment, my 3VC is now 8 years old and apart from a damaged case where my daughter dropped it, it still works like new.

[Big G]

I bought a 3VCS after using an esprit II and found the menu's a joy to navigate through. I think the only time I've looked at the manual is to find out what the acronyms are. The rest is really easy I found. Receiver is a bit big compared to others on the market, but never really had a problem fitting it into any of my cars.

I paid £160 for it with 1 receiver. then £18 for a lipo from HK which does 16hrs on a full charge.

Only briefly looked at a Esprit III so can't really comment.

[coolcars782]

Thanks for the replies Guys


I can only have a feel of the 3vcs because no one has a Ko Propo.

I've had a go with the 3gr, I found it quite bulky but cant really compare it anything. The thing I didnt like about it was the springs, they were so soft- which I didnt like.

Also, is there a Spektrum Module for the Ko Propo? As I have got quite a Spektrum Rx's from previous Radios. I know there is a Spektrum Module for the 3VCS.

[Garry]

I've used a 3VC and I own a Vantage 3, and I've got to agree with everything said so far.

3VC
+ Super quality
+ Reassuring quality feel
+ Built in battery pack (not sure if thats still the case?)
- Menus can be hard to work out (1min before the A-final, that makes a difference lol)

Vantage 3
+ Lighter, easier to hold
+ Thinner case is better for smaller hands
+ Super simple menu system
- Nearly all of them WILL break at some point (mine was the stick angle screws, stripped thread, Superglue in the casing fixed it)

The KO 2.4ghz can go nuts and need sending back though, I've seen 4 go over the past couple of years. I have the light grey original Spektrum module in the back of my Vantage 3 (theres the high response translucent grey one too), so that is a factor (Spektrum receivers are £30-60 depending on size). Not sure how reliable is with the Futaba FASST system, but you don't see many people complaining about them.

[super__dan]

I have the Futaba and think it's ace, I know someone who had issues on extended runs in 1/8th but in electric mine's been perfect.

[CHEVY]

3vcs any day build quality far better than ko esprit 3
used both had ko about 1 week

[Dazzler]

Just to throw something else in that you may not have considered.

I have owned an Esprit 2, Esprit 3 (Spektrum Pro) and 3VCS (2.4 FASST) - and honestly - I preferred my old Esprit 2 Type R... Wish I'd done a spektrum conversion! Felt the best to hold out of all three, excellent quality, and I preferred the rate knobs where you knew where the end points were when you couldn't take your eyes off your car! As for reliability, I have never had any radio issues with any of them, look after your radio, and it'll look after you.

[coolcars782]

Cheers for the advice guys

Sorry for the late thanks, I was doing D of E, I will try and see and feel the radio's in person..


Thanks,
Carl

[Benjy1]

Hi

I am interested did you make your choice as I am also looking at both of these and not sure which one

[coolcars782]

Still looking for either mate

[G-46]

i was also looking and went for the the 3vcs, but one thing when i was looking is that i could not find a Ko for sale even if i wanted one, Ko are no longer making it and RcDisco dont have any left.

So if your looking for a new one, you may have no choice..

[ste mi4]

How do these compare to Sanwa exzes-x

[rondoolaa]

i'd say the 3vcs also, 90% of people i race with have the 3vcs and that says it all for me..


you could get a 40meg one off ebay cheaper than 2.4ghz and then get this to make it a 2.4,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Corona-CT3F-2-...item5adcd9d29a


i did and have never had any problems, also they are so cheap you can get a reciever for each car you may own for next to nothing

[[email protected]]

If anyone want a KO Set I have a cracking one for sale 2.4ghz and 40mhz, if your interested let me know, good as new and well looked after

[coolcars782]

Ahh I forgot to say guys I got a 3VCS quite a while ago and its great

[RogerM]

They both feel very different in hand but there is mext to no real difference in opperation so go for the one that feels most comfortable.

I ran a 3VC for about 4 years and it was always perfect in opperation but I then drove a friends car with a Universe and it just felt more natural so I changed and now the transmitter has disappeared into the back ground as it should ... was always concious of holding the 3VC.

Futaba build quality is better though.

[sosidge]

Originally Posted by ste mi4

How do these compare to Sanwa exzes-x

This also seems to be a very nice set. A few in use locally and people are very happy.

One (sort-of) benefit of the Sanwa X is that it is a dedicated 2.4 radio - no module, no awkward antenna position and it runs on 4 cells. The downside of having no module is that if you can't run 40MHz if there are serious problems with 2.4 at the track (which can apparently happen if there are a lot of wi-fi devices in use as well).