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

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!!

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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!

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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!

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Big News from Futaba. Get Out the Broom!
This year’s Motorama Event was one for the ages, with over 400 entries and over 40,000 spectators in attendance. In the pro truggy class, young gun and Futaba team driver Matt Gosch came from the back of the pack to catch the leader, Futaba team driver and former World Champion Mark Pavidis. What ensued from there was a two-lap shootout for the ages! The lead went back and forth but in the end, it was the young superstar showing the former World Champ how it’s done! Futaba team driver Taylor Peterson got a front row seat to the action as he came in a strong third place. Their weapon of choice, you ask?…Gosch, Futaba 4PK FASST; Pavidis, Futaba 3PK; and Peterson, Futaba 4PK FASST.

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Here is another free offer for those with multiple R/C’s and multiple controllers. Futaba is giving away a new R603FS with the purchase on a 3pk or 4pk system, as long as it is purchased between Feb 1st and Mar 31st of 2009. Nothing to fill out and send in as your local shop should already know. Head on over to Futaba’s site and check it out…

They also have an offer for the Aviation folks…

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I recently picked up a Futaba 4PK transmitter, and have been working on reviewing it. (Review coming soon!) Let me tell you, when you spend the kind of money on a radio like this, you want to protect it! I have mine packed in a Duratrax radio bag, but the way things get bumped around, I think this new Futaba 4PK Metal Transmitter Case will probably be a good investment. I like the additional space for receivers also.

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With the new year comes a new radio system! We are about to start testing out the Futaba 4PK in house!
I was a huge fan of the Nomadio Sensor, but they have long abandoned their market, and it’s next to impossible to find their receivers any more.
So far the Futaba 4PK is looking pretty good! It feels good in the hands, and in use at the track. Programming and setup is no small task (120+ page manual) but you start to learn where stuff is, and get used to getting the settings and models programmed in. I do miss the PC plug and program options of the Nomadio, but it was time to move on to some newer more modern technology. We’ll have a review once we get to spend some quality time with our new friend. So far, one of the cool functions, changing the LCD colors. Honestly, I shut off the top one because it’s hella bright.. but still fun to play with!
Check out these almost professional looking picture I took of it!

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As another year comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to thank all the people that helped make 2008 an amazing year for Big Squid RC. We grew leaps and bounds this year, and really have started to make some waves in the world of internet RC. From our viral videos, to our very much copied style, terms, and stories. We are happy to be the leaders watching the others scramble to be just like us. We woke up a lot of companies at iHobby Expo, and we promise to keep bringing you eye opening and original work in 2009!

Thanks to all of our readers who faithfully keep coming back for more news, reviews and incite. Keep telling your friends about us!

Thanks to all of our writers: Cubby, Jason Anis, Rey (Stangrey), Wesley Dennis (Microman), and our forum moderators Bill (firespring281) and Chris (thenewguy821).

Thanks and good luck in 2009 to our Pro Driver Tim Mohr! We can’t wait to watch you take over the electric 1/8th scale world!

Thanks to everyone who helped make iHobby Expo such a success for us! We could not of done it without you all! Tim, Jason, Jim, Bill, Chris, Geno, Anna, Ewa, Alfonso, Elizabeth and Cubby!

Finally a huge thanks to all of our sponsors this year! Without you all, we wouldn’t be able to pay the electric bill to keep this place running! Make sure to go visit these sites, show your support, and buy their products! Also tell them we said hi. In no particular order:
Duratrax, Max Amps, O’Donnell Racing, Traxxas, Futaba RC, Team Checkpoint, Best RC, HPI Racing, EDS Racing Products, Team Novak, Grand MotorSports, Leisure Hours Hobbies, RC Car Kings, RC Hobbies Naperville, Buku Power, Dragrace Concepts, Acer Racing, Roy Anderson Engineering, Pro-Line Racing, Parma PSE, Schumacher USA and RC Hardware!
Thank you all so very much! Hopefully I didn’t miss anyone, if I did, send your mail to Cubby, he gets lonely.

Don’t worry, Cubby should be back from his vacation next week (fingers crossed) and you will be able to enjoy your weekly soap box once again.

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For all those that are doing a little holiday shopping for that special someone into RC (yea.. you!), Futaba has their winter Rebate Program going! You can get cash back, or a bigger merchandise certificate on most of their newer radios systems. Make sure to head over to the Futaba page for all the details.

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Futaba has just released a whole ton of good new servos. Too many to list all the details here, but I will post the full press release in the NEW Product Forum. The one pictured to the left is the BLS452 Brushless High-Torque Car Servo. It has dual bearings, metal gears, and is ready to be put in just about anything electric or nitro you own. They also have some super light new micro servos, as well as brushless Heli servos that are 30% faster then standard digital servos! Speed = Good. Check out the Futaba or NEW Product Forum for more details.

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First off, Futaba brings this 2.4GHz Module/Receiver set. The receiver is small enough to fit into park flyers, but still powerfull enough to control the big stuff! Then they show off their new BLS352 High Torque Digital Brushless Servo! I can’t even imagine how fast that thing must be! It’s strong enough for steering on 1/8th scale rc truggies all the way down to touring cars and boats! It has dual bearings, metal gears, and a all metal center case! This might be the summer I make the change over! All the details in the NEW Product Forum.

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While still playing catch up after our big computer meltdown, I’m finding news we missed posting in backup emails. I posted a few new press releases in the NEW Product Forum. One of them being for the Futaba 4PK 4-Channel 2.4ghz computer system. We talked a little about it back during our coverage during iHobby, and it looks like it should be shipping soon. Start saving your $$ because this is probably going to be THE radio to have this summer!

Some items that will be on your shopping list if you are a racer or a basher are the new O’Donnell Speed Wash Cleaner and the O’Lube Krytech Dry Lubricant. Check out the press release in the NEW Product Forum. I always have stuff that needs a cleaning, and the O’Lube sounds like a pretty cool product. It dries to a hard waxy finish to seal out water while not attracting dust, yet reduces friction.

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If you are a Futaba 3PK fan, you are going to want to hear this! You now have the option to pick up the 2.4GHz FASST Tx Model with the 2.4GHz FASST R603FS Receiver. If you get them as a combo you will save yourself about $30. Not a bad deal. This will get you the cool Continuous Channel Shifting technology and Pre-Vision scanning along with dual antenna diversity! The only way you are going to loose that signal is if your locked in a safe! For more information check out the Futaba RC site or the NEW Product Forum.

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