Carisma F14 Blog - Part 4
Part 4 of RC guru Dez Chand's Carisma blog addresses which radio gear best suits the F14.
Radio
When choosing a radio package the price is always a major factor, but there is no excuse for going without certain features that will increase your control and race results. The Etronix range includes two radios which offer a big bang for the buck, with features only found on much more expensive transmitters, and now in a 2.4Ghz crystal free package too! The FHSS (Frequency Hopping) 2.4Ghz system means it always hunts for the strongest channel available and will not be suffer interference from any source or indeed any type of radio system including other 2.4Ghz modules.
The manual version of the Etronix Pulse offers the same rock solid connection between transmitter and receiver but uses dials to set steering and throttle end points, plus a push button fail safe position and switches for servo reverse.
The two thumb switches are dual rate increase and decrease buttons as you would expect, so it has a very traditional feel and is very easy to adjust under changeable track conditions. Everything is there in front of you rather than hidden within some computerised menus.
The computerised version of the Etronix Pulse has a 15 model memory so you can move the receiver around several of your favourite models without losing their settings. The 'Pulse' uses selectable menus to allow you to adjust all the usual parameters you'd expect to find on a computerised radio hand set. Servo reverse, end point adjust, steering curve, model select and model name, even the failsafe position, etc, plus thumb switch to change between a choice of two adjustable preset steering dual rates, and another switch which can be set as a throttle up fast idle when warming up a nitro engine. Don't get the two confused! It looks like a pair of regular dual rate buttons but they are not, and are clearly marked as such.
The three channel 2.4Ghz receiver allows the use of a Personal Transponder without a 'Y' lead or indeed the third channel can be used with the top switch on the handset to perform a range of duties including the reverse function on some nitro monster trucks. The aerial wire is not so long that it looks out of place on a 1/18th car, and the standard size of the receiver box still fits easily within the confines of the F14 bodyshell.
Whatever your budget you'll find both Etronix Pulse handsets very reliable and easy to master. They both use 8xAA rechargeable cells which can be removed to charge individually or boosted as a pack through the charge socket. I have not needed to recharge the cells even after several meetings, so as long as you are careful to store it in transit such that the side mounted on/off power switch cannot be knocked to the on position accidentally you should find your batteries last a very long time indeed.
The manual version of the Etronix Pulse offers the same rock solid connection between transmitter and receiver but uses dials to set steering and throttle end points, plus a push button fail safe position and switches for servo reverse.
The two thumb switches are dual rate increase and decrease buttons as you would expect, so it has a very traditional feel and is very easy to adjust under changeable track conditions. Everything is there in front of you rather than hidden within some computerised menus.
The computerised version of the Etronix Pulse has a 15 model memory so you can move the receiver around several of your favourite models without losing their settings. The 'Pulse' uses selectable menus to allow you to adjust all the usual parameters you'd expect to find on a computerised radio hand set. Servo reverse, end point adjust, steering curve, model select and model name, even the failsafe position, etc, plus thumb switch to change between a choice of two adjustable preset steering dual rates, and another switch which can be set as a throttle up fast idle when warming up a nitro engine. Don't get the two confused! It looks like a pair of regular dual rate buttons but they are not, and are clearly marked as such.
The three channel 2.4Ghz receiver allows the use of a Personal Transponder without a 'Y' lead or indeed the third channel can be used with the top switch on the handset to perform a range of duties including the reverse function on some nitro monster trucks. The aerial wire is not so long that it looks out of place on a 1/18th car, and the standard size of the receiver box still fits easily within the confines of the F14 bodyshell.
Whatever your budget you'll find both Etronix Pulse handsets very reliable and easy to master. They both use 8xAA rechargeable cells which can be removed to charge individually or boosted as a pack through the charge socket. I have not needed to recharge the cells even after several meetings, so as long as you are careful to store it in transit such that the side mounted on/off power switch cannot be knocked to the on position accidentally you should find your batteries last a very long time indeed.
Click the images below to view the other parts of the blog.
