News from Futaba shows that their Futaba 3PL 2.4GHz FHSS Radio system will be shipping early September. Their new radio is meant to be a little easier on the wallet, and we like that! If has 3 proportional channels and a 4th for special mixing needs. It has 10 model memory, 4WS mix for crawling and brake mixing for 1/5th scale vehicles, and throttle fail safe. It comes with the R2004GF receiver. Expect to see them soon under the $125 range.

Hit up the www.2.4gigahertz.com site for more info!

Welcome to day four of DuraTrax Evader DT week here at the Squid.  Today I’m taking out the stock electronics and dropping in some mad power and control.  The stock Sprint 2 ESC, a fine system for beginners, gets the boot in favor of a Castle Creations Sidewinder ESC.  The Photon 2 brushed motor is taken out and put aside in favor of a Castle 4600kv motor.  The Tactic 27Mhz radio is shown the door and replaced with a Futaba R603FF 2.4GHz FASST 3-channel receiver that is compatible with the Futaba 4PK uber transmitter.  Just wait until you see what this combo does for the Evader DT, my initial testing regimen puts the overall speed rating at just above STUPID FAST.  That’s scientific people.  But you’ll have to wait for another video to actually see it in action.  For now, let’s get on with the show.

If you haven’t already done so go read our review of the Evader DT.  As a quick recap, on day one I installed a full set of DuraTrax’s hard anodized shocks, day two saw me installing a few chassis mods with some aluminum parts and the graphite chassis, and on day three I put a full set of ball bearings in the truck and an aluminum idler gear in the transmission. To follow this feature week just bookmark this link.  For a full list of optional accessories that are available for the DuraTrax Evader DT be sure to check out the DuraTrax web site.

Just a reminder for all you 1/8th scale electric buggy guys, the Futaba 2010 1/8 Scale Electric Challange is just a few weeks away!

It’s an interesting race that takes place over two days at two different tracks! August 28th, 2010 they will race at RJD Hobbies in Lincoln Illinois, then on the 29th, the racing continues at JTEC Raceway in Tilton Illinois!

You can download the PDF clicking HERE or on the mini flyer image. Please right click/save as.

Just a reminder, for those of you thinking about picking up a new Futaba FASST system, now is the time! Now through July 31, 2010, you will get a second receiver (R617FS or R603FS) depending on the radio that you buy. That’s like a extra $100 gift!

You only have till the end of the month, so you better hurry!

Hit the Futaba site for more details!

For those of you thinking about picking up a new Futaba FASST system, now is the time! Now through July 31, 2010, you will get a second receiver (R617FS or R603FS) depending on the radio that you buy. That’s like a extra $100 gift!

You only have till the end of the month, so you better hurry!

Hit the Futaba site for more details!

Everybody likes saving a little cash now and then. Lucky for us a few of the big dogs are making it easy to save some big cash right now. Rebates abound out there on some great gear and cars.

Basher friendly Duratrax is giving $15.00 back to you when you buy an Evader EXB or Evader EXT (check out our review!). Considering the already ridiculously low price points of these two RTRs, we might just be approaching ludicrousness. These rebates are good until May 31st. Get all the details and your rebate form straight from Duratrax.com.

If you’re in the market for something a little larger, say a 1/8 scale truggy, you might want to have a look at the rebates on Losi’s line of 1/8 scale race rollers. You can save up to $150 depending on which car you choose. And just because they’re cool like that, Losi also has a $50 rebate on their crazy cool Comp Crawler race roller. These rebates last until April 30th, so now would be the time to buy. Losi’s site has all the info you need.

Perhaps you’re thinking “come on man, I already have enough cars,” to that we say there’s no such thing as enough cars! What are you doing reading this site?! Around these here parts we don’t take too kindly to that kinda nonsense talk. But if you insist that you have enough cars, then how about a new radio? Futaba has a special deal going on right now that lets you to buy a second receiver for only $10.00 when you buy a qualifying FASST radio such as the 3PKS or 4PK. Considering the normal cost of Futaba’s FASST receivers that’s a pretty freakin’ good deal. This offer is only good at participating hobby shops and ends on April 30th. Click on through to Futaba’s site to get what you need to know.

These deals aren’t going to last forever, so get to your local hobby shop and get to buyin’ fool.

Purchase a new Futaba FASST 2.4 GHz radio system before January 1, 2010, and you can receive up to a $75 merchandise certificate.

Thew new Futaba radio being called the Futaba 3PM-X 2.4GHz FASST Radiois promoting itself as a sort of ‘do it all’ radio saying it’s perfect for cruising, crawling and crushing! It makes it unnecessary to need different radio’s for racing, rc rock crawling, and monster trucks with the ability to setup a two or three position switch to control things like dig, or front or rear only drive. That’s cool. Here are some features:
• Four-wheel Steering Mix – switch between crab, all-wheel steering, front-wheel only or rear-wheel only, with just the push of a button.
• Digital Trim Steps – choose a level of trim adjustability, from fine-tuning finesse (1) to maximum travel (16).
• Adjuster Function – keep throttle and steering throws as well as centering at programmed ideals for optimum performance.

And don’t forget about the 2.4GHz part! Sounds like this might be the new ‘must have radio’ for bashers! Looking forward to checking it out at iHobby! Hit the www.2.4gigahertz.com site for more details.

Don’t forget the 2009 Futaba / OS Engines Nitro Challenge coming up this weekend. I mention it .. not only because I dig Futaba and OS engines, but because they are even including a 1/8 Scale Electric class this year! Cool.

Afraid I won’t be there because we have our own event, BASH-A-PALOOZA Sunday August 16th!

Good luck to everyone that attends! Go support 1/8th scale electric!

I just saw a link to the 2009 Futaba / OS Engines Nitro Challenge coming up in August, and thought I would mention it.. not only because I dig Futaba and OS engines, but because they are even including a 1/8 Scale Electric class this year! Cool. Sadly, we won’t be down there covering the event because that’s the same weekend as BASH-A-PALOOZA. Good luck to everyone that attends! Go support 1/8th scale electric!

For a limited time, RC’ers who are ready to retire an old radio system can move up from their current radio system to a high-quality Futaba FASST system! People who purchase a Futaba FASST system between July 1st and October 31st, 2009 can trade in their old, tired, inferior – even broken – system and receive a merchandise certificate worth up to $250.00 toward more Futaba purchases. All the details and forms can be found at the Futaba site.

News from Futaba is that they have a few new products coming soon. The first is the MC950CR – Brushless ESC. It has an aluminum case and heat sink with removable fan, large solder posts, and is fully adjustable through your transmitter!

Next up are the Futaba Brushless Servo’s! The have been proven to outlast brushed servo’s 5 to 1, deliver 30% faster response time, and they have 16 different types that cover just about every aspect of RC! Flying to Driving!

Normally when we talk about ROAR, it’s usually Cubby sharing his ‘feelings’ about the rules or sanctioning body, but this news is a little different. We just heard that Futaba and O’Donnell Racing will be sponsors at the 2009 ROAR 1/8 Scale Off-Road Nationals at Leisure Hours Raceway July 15-19! Look for Big Squid RC to be there grabbing photo’s, video, and handing out plenty of stickers! If you see us at the event, make sure to stop by and say hi!!

It looks like Futaba wasn’t happy having an awesome radio that does ‘almost everything’. The new i-4PK WILL do Everything! The super smarty pants folks over at Futaba have integrated the best radio with the best phone creating the world first Transphoner! It does make sense, I mean the iPhone can do just about anything! Surf the web, check my email, and the 4PK could do just about anything RC related!

Man, I can’t wait to update my twitter from the drivers stand! Maybe I’ll IM my pit guy and tell him to hurry up with the fuel, or check my hate mail!

Some news from Futaba, these guys have really been cranking out the press lately, good for them!
Futaba is proud to announce the signing of one of the best rock crawling legends of all time, Austin Dunn. Austin has not only won more regional/national events than anyone else, but he is always on the cutting edge when it comes to innovative designs and has helped push the crawling scene to the next level.

When asked why he made the switch to Futaba, Austin had this to say: “When the nationals are on the line, I want to have 110% confidence in my equipment. With Futaba, I now have that confidence. Also, with their new 4PK, I will be able to do things I only dreamed about…it really opens the door for innovation!”

With Austin as the latest addition to the crawling team, Futaba will be a force to reckon with in 2009…in other words, Futaba rocks!