Futaba 4pl durability

[Slowbro]

Thought I would share what happened at our last comp.

Between courses I had my radio sitting on ledge next to a large pool of water. I reached over it to get my wifes rig and when I brought my arm back my elbow hit my 4pl and it fell about 4ft into the water.

I picked it up and about a cup of water poured out of it... It was powered off at the time and I left it off and pulled the batteries.

Picture of the screen several hours after the comp


I took it apart and let it dry for a couple days and it powered right back up!







Anyone else have durability stories?

[mammoth]

Gl;ad to know it built tough!!!

[666]

Good thing you pulled the batteries out right away, that probably saved it's life!

[Slowbro]

Originally Posted by 666

Good thing you pulled the batteries out right away, that probably saved it's life!

Yes, that and the fact that it was powered off when it fell in. I usually don't have good luck with situations like that but I was happy to see it power back up.

[Hobine]

Well I'll let you guys know how I make out in a couple of days. Out for a lunch time drive my TF2 tumbled down the bank right into the brook. It was a little too far out for me to reach it so I put my 4PL down on the shore, got a branch to fish out my truck, in doing so, I knock my 4PL into the brook too. Stupid F..k!

Quite a bit of water poored out of the 4PL, I pulled the batteries ASAP, but it was on when it went in. For the TF2, this was the only drive #2 with a brand new MMP Esc and Futaba reciever. Everythings apart now in bags of rice. I'll give it a go in a couple days.

[Slowbro]

Originally Posted by Hobine

Well I'll let you guys know how I make out in a couple of days. Out for a lunch time drive my TF2 tumbled down the bank right into the brook. It was a little too far out for me to reach it so I put my 4PL down on the shore, got a branch to fish out my truck, in doing so, I knock my 4PL into the brook too. Stupid F..k!

Quite a bit of water poored out of the 4PL, I pulled the batteries ASAP, but it was on when it went in. For the TF2, this was the only drive #2 with a brand new MMP Esc and Futaba reciever. Everythings apart now in bags of rice. I'll give it a go in a couple days.

That sux...hope all is ok when it dries out

[offroadace]

Sounds like a good add campaign to me for Futaba!

[RickM]

Makes me want to corrosionx the inside of my radio.

[Hobine]

Pure stupidity on my part. This is the first time I ever let an rc fall in, never mind a radio!
Damn new Crawler Innovations foams! I just had to push the newfound side hill abilities too far!

[chicklet]

Glad you were able to save it Wendall! I dunked my non-waterproof wraith in a little creek (didn't think the water was that deep). The Futaba receiver was the only thing that took in water. Brought it home, popped the case open and let the board sit in some dry rice for a day. Works fine.

[hibbs]

I have always had perfect performance from all my Futaba gear. I bought 2 4PL radios not quite a year ago. One was messed up out of the box. It would lose signal and not operate the vehicle correctly. It was intermittent. I sent it back to Futaba, and they sent me a brand new one. Works perfect now.

My oldest radio is a Futaba, it has 1992 stamped on it. Still works perfectly.

[alexchen86]

I run both Spektrum and Futaba radios. Only complaints on the Spektrum side is I used to lose the bind between the TX/RX on some of my rigs running DSM1. Another issue is the damn center roller toggle button has a sweet spot that I know sooner or later will give me problems selecting features. 90% of that scroll toggle button doesn't work.

My Futaba radios from the 5+ year old T2PH on my old TB-02R I sold as a RTR package still works perfectly. I also have a Futaba 2PL over 3 years now never an issue....I run it in the rain and been wet on the outside several times (never submerged though)...lots of rock rash still perfect. My pride and joy is my Futaba 4PL only a little over a year use....flawless as well.

IMO the 4PL is definitely a great radio at an awesome price point. Plus their new micro R-204GF-E high voltage S-FHSS/FHSS RX are great at $40! Another great option is their Futaba R2106GF for small RX footprints...this one being $35 and a tad bigger (meant for indoor aircraft).

[rangercat23]

mine fell off my desk and the trigger broke off.
IMO, the trigger does have a weak spot.

Other than than that ( my fault ) I like them!

[Hobine]

My 4PL Lives!!! Put it back together last night, added batteries and it worked no problem. Same for the 2104 reciever which was under water for a good minute or so.

Lastly my MMP is also working fine! Just need to re-assemble the servo's tonight and give them a shot. Even if thier gone I'm pretty happy my 4PL and MMP are OK!

[Slowbro]

Glad to hear!

[discgolferlee]

the real test will be if they stay working. as long as you guys got em dried out and no rust or corrosion occurs in the future.

but these are good reports on durability. thanks fellas.
been using mine since almost it's immediate release with NO issues whatsoever. never dropped it in water though..knock on wood lol