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08-25-2011, 07:06 PM | #1 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
| 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 |
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08-25-2011, 07:06 PM | #2 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
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Ok time for some pics The supplied rx also seems to be custom made, and its the smallest fs (compatible) rx i've seen Here's some external pics Ok so here's the battery tray, and the plugs. I like this ALOT Alright now some pics of the main board Here's the rf module, seems as if it doesn't use ppm, but all the other stuff I see spots for two extra LED's, i wonder what their for And these two pots seem to be connected to the TH channel, not sure on the purpose, from the schematics supplied by fcc it seems like a trim, so i'm assuming its to counteract the 70/30 trigger, but just a guess. The way these are mounted and such is defiantly a poor way of mounting them IMO... Some proof for those doubting it being flysky and i found these markings on the main board, when i google IN Hobby it takes me to a Chinese hobby shop, kinda strange |
08-25-2011, 07:07 PM | #3 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
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Here's abunch of pics for those wondering about rtc mech's and how their assembled One thing i wish axial would have done when changing around the design, is make it a 50/50 trigger. Here is one of those other poor assembly things i don't like, a horrible way of doing things, and looks like a 2 year old decided to try and solder. Now moving onto st wheel stuff, which imo, it is a fabulous way of mounting and in general a great setup and here's some general internal shots Last edited by losikid; 08-25-2011 at 07:09 PM. |
08-25-2011, 07:07 PM | #4 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
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Reserved
Last edited by losikid; 08-25-2011 at 07:11 PM. |
08-25-2011, 07:07 PM | #5 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
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If you have any Q's lmk
Last edited by losikid; 08-25-2011 at 07:11 PM. |
08-25-2011, 07:24 PM | #6 |
www.team3sixrc.com Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scalerville
Posts: 4,506
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actually, I do. can the radio be made into a 3 channel. I think that would help a lot of newbies. BTW, Great review. |
08-25-2011, 07:40 PM | #7 | |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
| Quote:
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. | |
08-26-2011, 08:58 PM | #8 |
Got Worms? Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 6,116
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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 |
12-20-2011, 11:48 PM | #9 |
Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Buffalo, NY
Posts: 4
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
thanks for the interesting review!
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12-21-2011, 01:25 AM | #10 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Salmon Arm BC
Posts: 1,777
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
i have one of these radio's,came with my ax10 RTC.. i like it alot.. i do have a question though.. im right handed and i grab the radio with my right hand to operate the throttle/brakes because i have better control over the truck so have to reach over the top of the radio with left hand to steer. can the wheel easily be moved to the left side of radio??
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09-24-2012, 04:50 PM | #11 |
Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie
Posts: 5
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
Ok, old thread, I know, but I'm SUCH an RC noob moron that I have to ask straight out because I don't understand all this stuff. I can build you a house, but put a little electronic car in front of me...duuuhhh. Any way, will THIS RECEIVER bind to my axial ax-3 transmitter as a replacement for my drowned ar-3 receiver?? TIA, Todd
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09-24-2012, 05:37 PM | #12 |
I wanna be Dave Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Madrid, IA
Posts: 2,015
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
It should as its identical to the fly sky's and its meant for a flysky gt3b copy
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09-24-2012, 05:43 PM | #13 | |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,153
| Quote:
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note (Phablet) | |
09-25-2012, 04:16 AM | #14 |
Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie
Posts: 5
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
I have the AX-3/AR-3 transmitter/receiver combo that came with my RTR axial Ridgecrest. I think my son drowned the receiver, so I'm just looking to what I need to do. I'm going to try to get it out to my local hobby shop and see if he has an AX-3 transmitter laying around I can bind to it and see how it works.
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09-25-2012, 04:56 AM | #15 | |
Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie
Posts: 5
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down Quote:
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09-25-2012, 05:04 AM | #16 |
Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Erie
Posts: 5
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down |
09-25-2012, 10:55 AM | #17 |
RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando
Posts: 1,153
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Yep. Both of them will work with stock axial radio. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note (Phablet) |
04-05-2013, 01:06 PM | #18 |
Rock Stacker Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bethlehem
Posts: 65
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
Thanks losikid...great write up..just took the reciever apart and found the nut holding the steering control had backed off letting the plastic lever bind on the shaft thanks a bunch |
01-25-2014, 07:42 AM | #19 |
Newbie Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: NW CT
Posts: 16
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down
Great article and I learned that I can use the inexpensive alternative RX ... excellent! Thanks!
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09-14-2014, 01:25 PM | #20 |
Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Lauderdale WHere the sun does shine
Posts: 25
| Re: Axial AX-3 Review and tear down |
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