RCCrawler Forums - Axial AX-3 Review and tear down

RCCrawler Forums (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/)

- Electronics (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/electronics/)

- - Axial AX-3 Review and tear down (http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/electronics/333467-axial-ax-3-review-tear-down.html)

Axial AX-3 Review and tear down

Ok well i've had afew requests, and i've been curious myself. So i found my self an AX-3 radio, the one Axial supplies with the Wraith, and from what i've seen this is a nice radio, i like it quite abit. Also for those wondering, this is a Flysky radio. it use's Flysky's v2 2.4 module, this is 2.4 hopping technology. v1 is the non hopping flysky tech. So any Flysky v2 rx will bind to this radio, click here for links to compatible rx's.

So now that we have settled that this is infact a Flysky based radio, its based of the FS-GT2. and looks very similar. However axial made some very nice changes compared to the GT2. So first thing is the steering wheel, the GT2 comes with a lame looking steering wheel, and the rubber grip is ok, but its almost as bad as a plastic wheel. The AX-3 however, has a real soft and very comfortable foam, its real nice. Now the next very nice improvement is the power systems. Most noticeable is that it takes 4 AA's, 6 volts, which is nice compared to the 8 AA the GT2 requires. Not only did axial lower the required voltage, but they included a very nice 4 AA battery tray that uses a JST plug (the red power ones) and it actually plugs into the handle itself. Up to this point i was loving the design and thought that went into this, it has way exceeded what a rtr radio needs. I haven't even popped the cover off, just took it out of the box i got it in.

Now for the insides, which axial defiantly made sure there was plenty of screws holding this together. First thing i did when i popped the case open was to look and see what Axial had done to make it compatible with 4 AA. I was surprised by the results, what i found was a smd volt reg. looking at internal pictures of the GT2, there was a large through hole VR. These holes are nowhere to be found on this board, so axial had to have a new board made, which is further backed up with some other sections of the board i can tell differences. However for the most part its exactly the same as the GT2, but the quality control seems better than the norm for flysky stuff, theres still afew things that looks to be hand assembled by 2 year olds, but 95% of it seems like a good construction.

Also some other things i'd like to note before i finish up this quick review before i start up the mass pictures, it does seem that the bearing mod for the GT3B will work as well on the AX-3, and i believe the wheels are interchangeable. Also the steering wheel is supported alot better than it is on the gt3b, and imo its in a more comfortable position.

So if your looking for a decent 2 channel radio i give the AX-3 two thumbs up, its of a decent quality, cheap rx's, and is quite comfortable overall.

Now time for the pictures i took, and my opinions and thoughts about stuff

If you have any Q's lmk

actually, I do. can the radio be made into a 3 channel. I think that would help a lot of newbies."thumbsup"
BTW, Great review.

Quote:

Originally Posted by team3six (Post 3248819)

actually, I do. can the radio be made into a 3 channel. I think that would help a lot of newbies."thumbsup"
BTW, Great review.

Simple answer is no, but it is possible however the amount of $ it cost and the difficulty involved in flashing a new FW, the GT3B would be alot better solution, and be easier and cheaper.

However i have some idea's that will use this radio, because i like it alot better than the gt3b case. So i'm going to work on two different radio designs. Both of which will be documented in full in a build thread. Average joe probably won't be able todo it, but it'll be wicked by the time i'm done, the gt3b based radio will be fairly decent and simple. But the more advance and high $$$ one will be like 16 channels, telemetry, alot better screen and a pc programmer/simulator. It'll be pretty wicked. If i was to sell this radio it be like 1k possibly more retail.

Ok, so i popped the covers off the rx, and they are indeed nearly the same as the FS-GR3C. Just simply a more compact layout.

I also noticed that the AR-3 RX is also labeled by IN Hobby, same as the board thats in the radio

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-r...0/IMG_0713.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/IMG_0714.jpg