Hacked FlySky GT3B vs Futaba 3PM-x & 4PL....... (2024)

Hi all, I will be covering a review of a hacked FlySky GT3B vs. a Futaba's 3PM-x & a Futaba 4PL.

NOTE: I will constantly update each section as I have comments.......Feel free to ask questions, I will answer as I can.

First impressions.....I've read that the GT3B feels "cheap". Well, with a set of 8 AA batteries, it feels very similar to either Futaba radio in hand. So, not bad in general....when you factor in the price, it's really hard to argue based on 1st impression.

Likes:
-Display is better that the 3PM-x.
-Price is about what a single Futaba 3PM-x RX costs shock.
-Fits my hand well (mid/large sized hand?)
-Smaller than either Futaba

Dislikes:
-Display not quite what a 4PL is.
-"Off brand" RX's for a 3PM-x are ~$10, thus cheaper than the GT3B
-Eight frikkin AA batteries (like the 3PM-x, qty-4 for the 4PL)
-Chrome on buttons makes my eyes hurt trying to read the labeling on the buttons (as it does for my son's eyes as well). If this was my radio, I would likely either sand off the chrome (so I have chrome letters with whatever color is the plastic for the buttons) or paint in the letters so they have a contrast.
-Steering wheel is further away from the TX body. I can reach it, but it's getting to be a reach.
-CH-3 button on the grip is hard to hit compared to either Futaba radio. If it was my radio (and I wanted to use this button) I would either remove some grip material or find a way to raise the button height a bit.

Weight of the GT3B is similar to either Futaba. I will get weights later & post.
I will also try & get real trigger pull tensions, it feels different, but a real number would be better.
I will also update this post with additional thoughts. Other posts will cover programming & using the radio (programming & usage will be separate posts in this thread).
My son & I will be using the radio and I will post both of our thoughts.

Thanks to LosiKid for the opportunity to try this radio out."thumbsup""thumbsup"

Saved for future posts re: programming.

5/23/12....Programming for a M2 dig ESC was sorta an issue. Partly it was a used ESC, partly my clumsiness. Eventually I got it sorta working (more ESC issue than anything) with some help here.
Later, switched to dual CC Sidewinder Micros, easy programming (using supplied template). Radio works great as does the rig. Only change I want to make is a "locked" dig in place of a momentary (so it's more like my 3PM-x/WantAmix set-up).

Saved for future posts re: usage.

5/23/12, So, I've run the GT3B on a 2.2 MOA with a M2 dig, now a 2.2 MOA with dual CC ESC's. I've been happy with the fit & feel of the GT3B compared to my 3PM-x (I like both radios....no real preference at this time). I want to play with some button settings (make dig locked instead of momentary, maybe swap what buttons do dig & propo).
The display can be a little hard to read in bright sunlight, but not a major issue most of the time.

GT3B RX's are just under $6

HobbyKing R/C Hobby Store : Hobby King GT-2 2.4Ghz Receiver 3Ch

skinner said:

Be interesting to see how your review comes out Charlie. I've used all you talking reviews on but not enuff usage on my hacked GT3B as learning on it since came week ago.

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I'm curious as well on this radio.
I see comments on them all the time, but now I can try for myself.
At most, I will have the "programming tree" handy and see if I can do things from there.
I've just been busy most of the week (worked a 14 hour day today....sigh.)

Maxx_Savage said:

Link to the $10 3pmx rx please?

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$10 PMx rx's ... ??? ... where?

But, I'm subbing, I'm leaning towards getting a GT3B but sitting on the wall about it. Looking forwards to your thoughts on the Tx

Rockfrog said:

$10 3PM-x RX's ... ??? ... where?

But, I'm subbing, I'm leaning towards getting a GT3B but sitting on the wall about it. Looking forward to your thoughts on the TX

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The cheap 3PM-x RX's are an off-brand, I will look at them next since $70-$80/RX from Futaba sucks since I have ~5 vehicles I want to run off my 3PM-x.

Onebdgti said:

I wanna see what all the hype is about this radio. I like my Futabas' a lot so i wanna see you review on this radio.

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My 1st Futaba was a goldish box with a side trigger and a front mounted steering wheel, I still have those and well as some later ones. I'm a Futaba fan but I don't tend to bash other radios, thus this review.

ZippoMan said:

I will be watching this thread too! I am new to the RC hobby and will be using the Futaba 3PM-X for my new Axial Wraith kit. I hope it was a wise decision? I always thought Futaba was a leader in the RC industry so I went with this model. I was thinking of a Spektrum DXs or other one but thought Futaba might be better.

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From what I've seen/heard, the 3PM-x is better than most Spektrums (yes, I'm wearing a flame suit).
Either brand can work, but other than "reversing the throttle channel" I have seen few Futaba issues. I have seen many more Spektrum issues.

I will admit, I have never owned a Spektrum radio, but I have been around quite a few over the last 20+ years.

skinner said:

Least futaba and the Gt3b are both fhss while spektrum is not.

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Huhhh :???:

skinner said:

Least futaba and the Gt3b are both fhss while spektrum is not.

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yes they just have different names for it futaba fhss (frequency hopping spread spectrum) and flyskys afhds (automatic frequency hopping digital system)

where spektrum to my knowledge will only look for open channels and lock onto 1 or 2 channels depending on dsm or dsm2