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Does anybody use stick radios anymore? I went to the store today to pick one up and found my options very limited. The shopkeep told me that no one uses them. I feel like such a dinosaur.

I have only one of the stick type radios, which I occasionally use.
outside the US the stick radios are quite popular and there are good choices. There are some air radios available on ground frequencies which gives more adjustments than the barebones Futaba attack style radio.
then there is the mother of all ground 2-sticks, the futaba 3-vcs, but that one is $$$.

Don't forget, one of the best this world will ever see uses a stick radio, Masami!

Roadblock,
I forgot to ask, what shop did you go to on LI?

mrlexan wrote:Don't forget, one of the best this world will ever see uses a stick radio, Masami!

over-rated

aconsola wrote:Roadblock,
I forgot to ask, what shop did you go to on LI?

Long Island Raceway & Hobby in Farmingdale. They have an indoor off road track that i'd like try my hand at.

i prefer sticks, i can use both no probs but for racing it has to be sticks

YZ-10 wrote:i prefer sticks, i can use both no probs but for racing it has to be sticks

After I try racing and make it around the track the right way, will I want to upgrade from the Futaba attack? If I really enjoy the race scene, I'll get a new B4 but will the $40 radio be good enough?

Geez, I must be driving you guys nuts with all these noob questions. Just tell me to hush if I become annoying.

yeah definately mate, you get loads of settings on the top line ones. plus the action on the sticks is so much nicer

I have gone back to my roots recently and started using stick again - I honestly believe that I have better "feel" for the car with a stick - you can be allot more precise with just your thumbs moving!!

You simply CANNOT go past this Futaba radio:



The 3GR is 2.4 ghz FAAST system and is extremely good value for money. The unit has all the features of the classic computer 3PL wheel radio, with features like: 10 model memory, end point, travel, ABS - you name it.....fantastic value for money.

I got mine from Tower - and at the moment the buying is EXCELLENT with their special....I honestly highly recommend this radio - I wont use or trust anything less than this system in my vintage race cars now - the FAAST system is ultra reliable.

Next month I will be reviewing Futaba's flagship surface stick model the 3VCS for R/C CAR magazine- man what a super sweet radio that is!

Unless you are racing seriously though - the features of the 3GR are more than adequate.

Cheers

Darryn

KO Propo makes one that a few Euro Pro drivers use too.

Yep - the "Esprit III Universe" is there current model.....very nice radio indeed too. I had an esprit II for a while - but got frustrated with the "feel" of the transmitter. It always felt a little small in my oversized mits!

The Futaba (3GR) is a whole lot cheaper and easier to program too. Has a really nice weighted feel to it with molded recesses for comfort.....did I mention it is great value!! LOLOL Sorry - just that my first radio ever was a Futaba stick - funny how we come full circle in this hobby....I am getting all nostalgic now - could be because it is 1:30am in the morning!

Cheers

Darryn

I'm using an old 4 channel futaba still.
The sticks are pretty long and the springs on them are real tough.
whenever I try something else in a shop I feel like there's not enough "feedback" with todays short sticks and light springs.

there is a dirt oval guy Mitch here in wernersville, pa that runs the wernersville r/c raceway that still uses a stick radio and he kicks ass with it too.

Excellent! I'm glad to hear that sticks are still viable. I had a pistol radio a long time ago, never got comfortable with it. The futaba 3gr is 3 channel right? Are the sticks one axis a piece or is one like an aircract radio and move two different dierctions?

Edit: upon actually looking at the pic, I see that they are one axis a piece. Just ignore me, I'll shut up eventually.