Best Value 4CH Transmitter

[dave1320]

Hey all, I'm in the midst of gathering parts for my Wraith rebuild and I want a new transmitter and receiver to replace the stock RTR stuff. I'd like 4 channels and I'm trying to stay around or under $300. I'm presently looking at the Futaba 4PM and the Spektrum DX5R. I've read a fair number of bad reviews on the Spektrum, but overall it seems most people like them. There's far less reviews on the Futaba. What say you? If anyone has another suggestion in my price range, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance.

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[spoo76]

There's tons of capable radios under $50-80 That have been proven to be reliable and offer more features than you need.
DumboRC and Flysky are worth looking into.
I've been running a pair of hacked GT3Bs for about 10 years or so

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[Panther6834]

First, don't bother with the Spektrum. I don't want to call it "garbage", but I'd definitely avoid it. While their aerial radios are great, their surface radios are a bit on the "deficient" and "crippled" side. Futaba, on the other hand, is excellent. I don't have the 4PM...but, I do have the 7PX, and it is outstanding. Other than having three fewer channels, the 4PM has most of the same capabilities.

As mentioned by Spoo76, you should also consider FlySky. The GT3B GT3B was found to have its own collection of problems, and was replaced by the GT3C (as low as $52)...but, it's only a 3-channel. FlySky does make the GT5 (as low as $63, and a 6-channel), which not only has the additional channels you want/need, but doesn't cost much more than the GT3C (which I also have).

I purposely saved what could be the "best bang for three buck" for last...and, it's also by FlySky - the Noble NB4. Technically, it's a 4-channel...but, it's also a 12-channel. How? Through firmware updates. When originally released (2+ years ago), it only supported up to 4 channels (plus, it did have a number of problems, which have all been addressed/fixed through firmware updates). A later firmware update increased it to 8 channels (tho they hadn't yet released any 8-channel receivers). More recently, firmware was released that supports 12 channels...and, they released 8-channel & 12-channels receivers. The Noble NB4 sells for as little as $190 through Banggood, or $230 at most US hobby shops that carry it (Team Powers recently became the official US distributor, enabling a LOT of LHSs to start carrying FlySky).

For that $230, you get the Tx, two 4-channel Rx, the USB cable (for updating firmware, for exporting/imprint saved model data, and...get ready for this, as it's truly amazing (and one-of-a-kind)...for using the NB4 as aPC game controller. While the GT3B/C and GT5 are entirely plastic, the NB4 is a mix of plastic & aluminum...FAR more sturdy than the other FlySky offerings (except for the just-released Noble Pro, but it's $380). While FlySky's other offerings are "good", they've still felt somewhat 'flimsy'...almost "toy like". The Noble NB4 (and Pro) feel like top-of-the-line products, equal in build quality to the best offerings made by Futaba, Spektrum, and Sanwa/Airtronics. I would HIGHLY suggest checking into, and reading up on, the FlySky Noble NB4. I will also mention that, in addition to the Futaba 7PX & Flight GT3C, I also have the FlySky Noble NB4.


~ More peace, love, and kindness would make the world a much better place

 

[spoo76]

It's worth mentioning if you're into tinkering the GT3B and GT3C can easily and cheaply be hacked to have nearly unlimited button mapping, mixing, and up to a channels with the use of six or eight channel receivers that are easy to find. I haven't used the fly sky noble, but I would imagine it's easier to setup having a touchscreen

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[RJW]

IMO Futaba radios are one of the best, no doubt about, but very expensive. My sons and I have been using Flysky GT3C that are hacked and provide 8 channels. We have a total of 5 of them and all are over 6 years old with no problems. All our crawlers have 4 wheel steering, winches, remote lights etc using several channels on the transmitter. Stock models are 3 channel, but pre-hacked models are available online for a reasonable price. (80-120 dollars) depending on where you purchase. 6 and 8 channel receivers can be purchased at a very reasonable cost and are easily available.

 

[dave1320]

Thanks guys. I'm definitely checking out the FlySky pieces. I've been reading up on them alot and I can't find much negative. I appreciate the info.

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[Cyclist]

Flysky GT5 should be at the top of your list. It's only about $75 and extra receivers are cheap when you want to add other models. The nicer Spektrum radios are ok, buy the receiver prices are damn expensive.

 

[spoo76]

As far as features per dollar/Bang for your buck IMO the Flysky GT3C
GT3C can be had for $40-45 unhacked. It's cheap and easy to hack yourself and as said you can find it hacked for a little more money.
Ive had 2 hacked GT3B's for about 10 years without a problem. Electronically it's the same as the GT3C. 8 channels,tons of features. Inexpensive and easy to find receivers sold under various brand names including the older axial AR3.
I don't know anything about the GT5, but I know it's relatively popular and does what most people need out of the box.

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[mikemcE]

For crawling get the cheap FlySky GT3b, hack it and your set. I added a life battery for longer battery life.
Lights, winches, dig, OD, aux
It’s about a 15 minute hack and works as advertised .
Spare receiver for 8 channels about 12.00


Hang up and Drive

 

[themountain]

Radiolink RC4GS....best of both worlds...cheap and capable!

 

[Bob_in az]

The Flysky gt3 is old news. Get the Flysky gt5. It's a great transmitter right out of the box, no hacking required.

 

[Timmahh]

Have a GT5 with my AXE Great Radio. Works fine.
But I ran across the Radiolinks. RC6GS model. These are a very capable radio. I call it the best 400.00 radio in an 80.00 box I ever bought.

I ran JRs back in the FM days, and with 2.4s I started on JR, but also had a few Futabas, but landed on the Nomadio Reacts. (still have 2). They were 399 when new while their flagship radio the Sensor were 550.00-600. This Radiolink does everything my Nomadio did, with 2 more channels on it.

the one limiting factor is only 10 model memory slots on it.
Otherwise
6 channels with full mixing capability on all channels.
Telemetry so you get signal strength as well as Battery level on the RC as well as the Tx ofcourse (can also read just the Rx battery if you're on a gasser/nitro).
S.bus capable.
1800 ft control as verified by many users.
2s-4s Capable Transmitter battery. I run a 3s 2250 tx pack in mine.
2 handle thumb buttons.
2 3 way switches
all accessory switches can be changed to operate as needed so they can be 2 way/3way or momentary contacts etc.....

They have Gyro that can be turned off completely, not just turned down.

additional rxs are from 13-22.00 12 for an RC6 6chnl no telemetry/no gyro rx to 22 for the rc7g receivers which have gyro and telemetry capabilities.

Overall, its a great radio.

biggest downside beyond the 10 model memory limit is the old spectrum type transmitter case.
Bit Bulky, can't onehand without a thumbpaddle on the steering wheel.

Very good pentometers are used in it. Control to inputs is right on the money. very sensitive to a light finger for feel if that is your driving style but no lag (even at 1800 ft) fat finger wheel spinning response as well.

No I get nothing from them. Not a sales guy or even a fan boy beyond I bought one, and for 80.00 I'm happy to spend 15 minutes typing this out for others to read. Wish I did get a sellers cut lol I could use the extra green. lmao

 

[TexasSP]

Have a GT5 with my AXE Great Radio. Works fine.
But I ran across the Radiolinks. RC6GS model. These are a very capable radio. I call it the best 400.00 radio in an 80.00 box I ever bought.

I ran JRs back in the FM days, and with 2.4s I started on JR, but also had a few Futabas, but landed on the Nomadio Reacts. (still have 2). They were 399 when new while their flagship radio the Sensor were 550.00-600. This Radiolink does everything my Nomadio did, with 2 more channels on it.

the one limiting factor is only 10 model memory slots on it.
Otherwise
6 channels with full mixing capability on all channels.
Telemetry so you get signal strength as well as Battery level on the RC as well as the Tx ofcourse (can also read just the Rx battery if you're on a gasser/nitro).
S.bus capable.
1800 ft control as verified by many users.
2s-4s Capable Transmitter battery. I run a 3s 2250 tx pack in mine.
2 handle thumb buttons.
2 3 way switches
all accessory switches can be changed to operate as needed so they can be 2 way/3way or momentary contacts etc.....

They have Gyro that can be turned off completely, not just turned down.

additional rxs are from 13-22.00 12 for an RC6 6chnl no telemetry/no gyro rx to 22 for the rc7g receivers which have gyro and telemetry capabilities.

Overall, its a great radio.

biggest downside beyond the 10 model memory limit is the old spectrum type transmitter case.
Bit Bulky, can't onehand without a thumbpaddle on the steering wheel.

Very good pentometers are used in it. Control to inputs is right on the money. very sensitive to a light finger for feel if that is your driving style but no lag (even at 1800 ft) fat finger wheel spinning response as well.

No I get nothing from them. Not a sales guy or even a fan boy beyond I bought one, and for 80.00 I'm happy to spend 15 minutes typing this out for others to read. Wish I did get a sellers cut lol I could use the extra green. lmao

Good to know. I ran across this one the other day but hadn't heard of anyone with direct experience until now.

I honestly find myself hard pressed to think the 10 model memory is not enough. It's certainly plenty for me. Glad to know they are as good as the Nomadio's. JeremyH ran those Nomadio's back in the day and he swore by them, I used his and they were very nice for sure. I would have purchased myself but was already into Futaba at that time.

I just can't justify 200+ for a radio anymore when these more inexpensive models do everything and more than than I need. Of course if I do go that route again, it will be Futaba.

 

[Druxus]

When originally released (2+ years ago), it only supported up to 4 channels (plus, it did have a number of problems, which have all been addressed/fixed through firmware updates). A later firmware update increased it to 8 channels (tho they hadn't yet released any 8-channel receivers). More recently, firmware was released that supports 12 channels...and, they released 8-channel & 12-channels receivers.

The 8 channel receivers have been out for probably a year now, I have 3 of them and are around 50$

 

[spoo76]

If you need lots of receivers because you have a lot of RCs it's worth noting a hacked GT3B has 3 channel receivers available all over for $10, 6 channel receivers for $12-15 and 8 channels for $15-20 and there's a few options from Dasmikro if you like really tiny receivers. Also If you have any laying around the older axial AR3 receiver It's just a rebadged fly sky receiver so it binds up fine.

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