Radios...

[G-46]

Why have stick radios gone out of fashion, I can’t seen to find any anywhere, the Ko has been discontinued according the RcDisco, so what are you guys using? What are the advantages of a wheel radio as I have never used one?

[sosidge]

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.

[ch!3f]

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

[dale]

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.

[zippy]

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

[ch!3f]

what kind of trouble?warranty covered?

[ianjoyner]

Originally Posted by sosidge

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.

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.

[G-46]

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....

[gnr racer]

I wouldnt jump into changing it to 2.4,with the vast majority of racers on 2.4 clashes etc shouldnt be a problem.
I've run Futaba 3gr for the last 3 years & cant fault the brand