RCCrawler Forums

God prefers Diesels · 07-20-2011, 11:56 AM

I just got this radio for my son's pro crawler. But before I put it to use, is it any good? Reviews on the internet are nowhere to be found. Just want to make sure There isn't a better comparable radio out there in the $69.99 price range. Thanks!

Harley · 07-20-2011, 11:59 AM

It's a budget 2.4 system and for the cost will take care of you pretty well. It is 3 channel but the 3rd channel is only 2 position. So if you are looking for dig then it may not be the best choice on the market. If you need help with Futaba products though feel free to contact me.

jdawg53 · 07-20-2011, 12:22 PM

What kind of rig are you using it with?
J

losikid · 07-20-2011, 12:28 PM

A Flysky GT3B is a much better radio...hacked or not hacked. Hobbypartz sells them not hacked, i sell them hacked. I'd recommend a hacked GT3B as the ultimate budget radio, that doesn't sacrifice features, just ergonomics, and QC.

If you want to stick to brand name, i'd have to say the dx3e would be a better choice at that price range, i never even heard of the 3prka, i thought you had a typo till i googled it.

BurnLatex · 07-20-2011, 02:09 PM

I would take the Futaba you have over ANY Spektrum radio. Even a POS DX3R or whatever Spektrum top of the line radio is. They are all overpriced junk IMHO.

The GT3b is a golden turd. Cheap chinese unit but works great. Best bang for your buck. Very tiny Rx. $7 a RX. I got one that is not hacked and use it on my Losi comp crawler. I only use rear dig so a 2 position 3rd channel works just fine for my use. The Tx is a bit bulky.

JohnyBeGood · 07-20-2011, 06:08 PM

I was looking at the same radio but couldn't find much on it at all. The GT3b is looking like a pretty good buy too though.

losikid · 07-20-2011, 08:42 PM

I just noticed your here locally, if you end up with a gt3b, i'll flash it for ya

I'm also trying to get andy to carry them, but he'll be charging as much, if not more than what i sell them for, pre flashed.

God prefers Diesels · 07-21-2011, 12:36 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Who's Andy?

Ergonomics are kind of important in this case because he's not even four yet and he has small hands.

It's going with a Losi Pro roller. I was going to use it with my rig and give him mine, but I like that it has a concealed antenna so he won't fall and break it off or something.

Right now he has a Maisto crawler from WalMart and he's gotten really good at driving it, but I can see he gets a little disappointed when his crawler can't do what mine does.

He gets this crawler when he learns to write all his ABC's. He's on E right now, so I have a month to get stuff ready. So far I've got the car and the radio.

I'm using a HS-645mg just like on my crawler. I can mod my stock Losi plate for his rig and I have some more Axial posts for it. Then It's going to be stock Losi ESC with Slider motor or something around there. I like brushed because they're cheap, and he still likes to run into stuff and keep on the go pedal and I think the motor is going to hate life, so no reason to go expensive. Although he will only be able to bash it when I'm there. He still has the Maisto for when I'm at work.

I'll prob go with the LOSB1207 1000mAh Lipo like on my truck. 27 bucks and has lots of power and run time.

Are those Rock Claws on it the same as stock Losi RTR rubber? They have the same tread pattern and feel roughly the same too. Just curious if I should finish modding my Flatirons and put them on for him.

Kids need hobbies. Soon I'll have his go-cart built so he can get good at driving fast, and by that time it's time for junior dragsters!!

Thanks again for all the replies guys. And I welcome any tips on cheaper and easy to find parts and electronics for this thing that are better than the choices I've made.

God prefers Diesels · 07-21-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by losikid

I just noticed your here locally, if you end up with a gt3b, i'll flash it for ya

I'm also trying to get andy to carry them, but he'll be charging as much, if not more than what i sell them for, pre flashed.

Thanks for the offer. I'll check out those radios and maybe get one for myself and let you go to work on it. But I want my rig to be able to comp. Do they care about how many channels the radio has, or just how many you're using?

God prefers Diesels · 07-21-2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley

It's a budget 2.4 system and for the cost will take care of you pretty well. It is 3 channel but the 3rd channel is only 2 position. So if you are looking for dig then it may not be the best choice on the market. If you need help with Futaba products though feel free to contact me.

Thanks for the info! But since he's small, no dig required. If he can't make it up an obstacle, he just gives the rig a little help.

What help with Futaba do you mean?

losikid · 07-21-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Who's Andy?

Owner of High Desert Raceplace on North AVE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Ergonomics are kind of important in this case because he's not even four yet and he has small hands.

It's going with a Losi Pro roller. I was going to use it with my rig and give him mine, but I like that it has a concealed antenna so he won't fall and break it off or something.

Right now he has a Maisto crawler from WalMart and he's gotten really good at driving it, but I can see he gets a little disappointed when his crawler can't do what mine does.

He gets this crawler when he learns to write all his ABC's. He's on E right now, so I have a month to get stuff ready. So far I've got the car and the radio.

I'm using a HS-645mg just like on my crawler. I can mod my stock Losi plate for his rig and I have some more Axial posts for it. Then It's going to be stock Losi ESC with Slider motor or something around there. I like brushed because they're cheap, and he still likes to run into stuff and keep on the go pedal and I think the motor is going to hate life, so no reason to go expensive. Although he will only be able to bash it when I'm there. He still has the Maisto for when I'm at work.

I'll prob go with the LOSB1207 1000mAh Lipo like on my truck. 27 bucks and has lots of power and run time.

Are those Rock Claws on it the same as stock Losi RTR rubber? They have the same tread pattern and feel roughly the same too. Just curious if I should finish modding my Flatirons and put them on for him.

Kids need hobbies. Soon I'll have his go-cart built so he can get good at driving fast, and by that time it's time for junior dragsters!!

Thanks again for all the replies guys. And I welcome any tips on cheaper and easy to find parts and electronics for this thing that are better than the choices I've made.

Jeez, sounds kinda spolied

a jr. dragster must be a expensive toy

losikid · 07-21-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Thanks for the offer. I'll check out those radios and maybe get one for myself and let you go to work on it. But I want my rig to be able to comp. Do they care about how many channels the radio has, or just how many you're using?

Nah i don't think amount of ch's are limited, just how many you use, and even then i believe thats only stated in the sportsman class.

losikid · 07-21-2011, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Ergonomics are kind of important in this case because he's not even four yet and he has small hands.

It's going with a Losi Pro roller. I was going to use it with my rig and give him mine, but I like that it has a concealed antenna so he won't fall and break it off or something.

Yea the gt3b has abit of a big handle, probably not the best for a tikes hand,

But the antenna does fold down flush and hidden, so it won't get snapped off.

jdawg53 · 07-21-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Thanks for the info! But since he's small, no dig required. If he can't make it up an obstacle, he just gives the rig a little help.

What help with Futaba do you mean?

Harley is one of our Futaba team members and does alot with supporting the radio systems by helping people with radio setup and any other issues they may encounter with Futaba products. He has done several videos and tutorials on RCC to help people set up the Futaba 4PK/4PKS/3PMX and 4PL

The 3PRKA will be more than enough for a Losi mini. You also need to take into account at that age, you might not want a bunch of buttons/programming options that can get "bumped" or fiddled with, or screens that can be damaged if/when dropped. I know this because I have a 9yr old and a 5 yr old. And if you decide to upgrade to a 4PL later down the road, the receivers for the 3PRKA will be compatible.

J

God prefers Diesels · 07-21-2011, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by losikid

Owner of High Desert Raceplace on North AVE.

Jeez, sounds kinda spolied

a jr. dragster must be a expensive toy

Thought it might've been him. Nice guy. FAR better attitude than the guys at Hobby Hut.

No, he's not spoiled. But thanks to my wife, he's an excellent kid. But I race, and getting him into something like that will keep him occupied and away from worse things...I hope. Besides, he'll know how to turn a wrench, and that's priceless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdawg53

Harley is one of our Futaba team members and does alot with supporting the radio systems by helping people with radio setup and any other issues they may encounter with Futaba products. He has done several videos and tutorials on RCC to help people set up the Futaba 4PK/4PKS/3PMX and 4PL

The 3PRKA will be more than enough for a Losi mini. You also need to take into account at that age, you might not want a bunch of buttons/programming options that can get "bumped" or fiddled with, or screens that can be damaged if/when dropped. I know this because I have a 9yr old and a 5 yr old. And if you decide to upgrade to a 4PL later down the road, the receivers for the 3PRKA will be compatible.

J

The buttons are under a clear piece of plastic, so they can't get fiddled with. Good to know on the 4pl. Thanks for the tip.

Just wondering, do they make a child sized radio? Thanks.

Charlie-III · 07-22-2011, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God prefers Diesels

Just wondering, do they make a child sized radio? Thanks.

Closest I know of (for a "real" radio) is the MT-4 (IIRC). A fellow club member of mine has small hands and like his new radio over a 4PL due to the size.

losikid · 07-22-2011, 12:38 AM

I've been considering making a custom child size radio...but i figured the amount i'd have to charge for it, it wouldn't really be a childs radio...but i am thinking about a wii nun chuck radio. Which, although it gets rid of the whole wheel/trigger skill learning, would work for a kid perfect.

I would make it so its just a box, with a screen and some buttons that go on like a belt, and the nun chuck would plug into it, or another type of controller. It would be using the internals of a gt3b.

dblrnut · 07-22-2011, 01:28 AM

^^ I would buy it if like the nunchuck did the steering with the thumb and the other controller is trigger for gas, A for reverse, and the 1/2 buttons can be other channels

losikid · 07-22-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dblrnut

^^ I would buy it if like the nunchuck did the steering with the thumb and the other controller is trigger for gas, A for reverse, and the 1/2 buttons can be other channels

st and th would both be on the joy stick...idea is to have a 1 handed controller.

TexasSP · 07-22-2011, 05:28 PM

I would love to have a one handed 3 channel radio. Then I could drive two rigs at once.

07-20-2011, 11:56 AM	#1
God prefers Diesels Newbie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 30	Futaba 3prka I just got this radio for my son's pro crawler. But before I put it to use, is it any good? Reviews on the internet are nowhere to be found. Just want to make sure There isn't a better comparable radio out there in the $69.99 price range. Thanks!

07-20-2011, 11:59 AM	#2
Harley 20K Club Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sending illegals home one Hayabusa at a time. Posts: 22,981	It's a budget 2.4 system and for the cost will take care of you pretty well. It is 3 channel but the 3rd channel is only 2 position. So if you are looking for dig then it may not be the best choice on the market. If you need help with Futaba products though feel free to contact me.

07-20-2011, 12:22 PM	#3
jdawg53 Rock Crawler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 809	What kind of rig are you using it with? J

07-20-2011, 12:28 PM	#4
losikid Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 6,116	A Flysky GT3B is a much better radio...hacked or not hacked. Hobbypartz sells them not hacked, i sell them hacked. I'd recommend a hacked GT3B as the ultimate budget radio, that doesn't sacrifice features, just ergonomics, and QC. If you want to stick to brand name, i'd have to say the dx3e would be a better choice at that price range, i never even heard of the 3prka, i thought you had a typo till i googled it.

07-20-2011, 02:09 PM	#5
BurnLatex Quarry Creeper Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 383	I would take the Futaba you have over ANY Spektrum radio. Even a POS DX3R or whatever Spektrum top of the line radio is. They are all overpriced junk IMHO. The GT3b is a golden turd. Cheap chinese unit but works great. Best bang for your buck. Very tiny Rx. $7 a RX. I got one that is not hacked and use it on my Losi comp crawler. I only use rear dig so a 2 position 3rd channel works just fine for my use. The Tx is a bit bulky.

07-20-2011, 06:08 PM	#6
JohnyBeGood Newbie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Posts: 36	I was looking at the same radio but couldn't find much on it at all. The GT3b is looking like a pretty good buy too though.

07-20-2011, 08:42 PM	#7
losikid Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 6,116	I just noticed your here locally, if you end up with a gt3b, i'll flash it for ya I'm also trying to get andy to carry them, but he'll be charging as much, if not more than what i sell them for, pre flashed.

07-21-2011, 12:36 PM	#8
God prefers Diesels Newbie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Grand Junction Posts: 30	Thanks for all the replies guys. Who's Andy? Ergonomics are kind of important in this case because he's not even four yet and he has small hands. It's going with a Losi Pro roller. I was going to use it with my rig and give him mine, but I like that it has a concealed antenna so he won't fall and break it off or something. Right now he has a Maisto crawler from WalMart and he's gotten really good at driving it, but I can see he gets a little disappointed when his crawler can't do what mine does. He gets this crawler when he learns to write all his ABC's. He's on E right now, so I have a month to get stuff ready. So far I've got the car and the radio. I'm using a HS-645mg just like on my crawler. I can mod my stock Losi plate for his rig and I have some more Axial posts for it. Then It's going to be stock Losi ESC with Slider motor or something around there. I like brushed because they're cheap, and he still likes to run into stuff and keep on the go pedal and I think the motor is going to hate life, so no reason to go expensive. Although he will only be able to bash it when I'm there. He still has the Maisto for when I'm at work. I'll prob go with the LOSB1207 1000mAh Lipo like on my truck. 27 bucks and has lots of power and run time. Are those Rock Claws on it the same as stock Losi RTR rubber? They have the same tread pattern and feel roughly the same too. Just curious if I should finish modding my Flatirons and put them on for him. Kids need hobbies. Soon I'll have his go-cart built so he can get good at driving fast, and by that time it's time for junior dragsters!! Thanks again for all the replies guys. And I welcome any tips on cheaper and easy to find parts and electronics for this thing that are better than the choices I've made.

07-22-2011, 12:38 AM	#17
losikid Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 6,116	I've been considering making a custom child size radio...but i figured the amount i'd have to charge for it, it wouldn't really be a childs radio...but i am thinking about a wii nun chuck radio. Which, although it gets rid of the whole wheel/trigger skill learning, would work for a kid perfect. I would make it so its just a box, with a screen and some buttons that go on like a belt, and the nun chuck would plug into it, or another type of controller. It would be using the internals of a gt3b.

07-22-2011, 01:28 AM	#18
dblrnut Quarry Creeper Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado springs Posts: 209	^^ I would buy it if like the nunchuck did the steering with the thumb and the other controller is trigger for gas, A for reverse, and the 1/2 buttons can be other channels

07-22-2011, 05:28 PM	#20
TexasSP RCC Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tyler, TX Posts: 1,619	I would love to have a one handed 3 channel radio. Then I could drive two rigs at once.

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