Tank Transmitters

[Beeg]

I'm new to RC tanks and their control system/options. I read a thread at RCU that is a little dated as far as electronics go and have a few questions.
Preference: As with my aircraft I like one radio that can control more than one vehicle. I would prefer a radio with multiple model memories. A good single radio for multiple tanks, that you don't have to change AA batteries is worth extra expense so not necessarily looking for least expensive options. Cheaper is good but not primary.

I read that certain tank manufacturers motherboards can use most Rx's protocals, ie. Spektrum, Futaba, FrySky...etc.

1: How many different motherboards are there? Tamiya, Clark, HengLong, Taigen, Torro, Imex..?

2: What are the compatibility issues?

3: For extended IR battle how important is radio ergonomics? I guess I need to know how long the average IR battle can go if you survive.

Looking for insight and advice.

[Rubicon99]

I'm new to RC tanks and their control system/options. I read a thread at RCU that is a little dated as far as electronics go and have a few questions.
Preference: As with my aircraft I like one radio that can control more than one vehicle. I would prefer a radio with multiple model memories. A good single radio for multiple tanks, that you don't have to change AA batteries is worth extra expense so not necessarily looking for least expensive options. Cheaper is good but not primary.

I read that certain tank manufacturers motherboards can use most Rx's protocals, ie. Spektrum, Futaba, FrySky...etc.

1: How many different motherboards are there? Tamiya, Clark, HengLong, Taigen, Torro, Imex..?

2: What are the compatibility issues?

3: For extended IR battle how important is radio ergonomics? I guess I need to know how long the average IR battle can go if you survive.

Looking for insight and advice.

The “big three” aka most used control systems that work with “hobby grade” remotes are Tamiya, Clark and IBU.

The three mentioned are all able to interact in RC tank battles as they all use the “Tamiya Protocols” for IR beams and reading hits. Torro, Taigen and IMEX do not. Heng Longs 6.0 now has most but not all the protocols and thus it can take and receive hits though it does not have the ability to select weight class or take damage speed reduction like the “big three” systems mentioned.

The importance of radio ergonomics is more personal then functional. I use both stock HL and a DX8 for battling and neither has any real advantage in a fight.

A typical IR battle can last anywhere from 5-30 minutes depending on the skill levels and numbers of players involved. The average distances fought at can range from 0-40ft with some MUCH further. (Personally I find the long range fights 75+ feet the most fun as they allow for wider maneuvering options and more shooting.)

Hope this helps a little.

[Beeg]

Next questions

1: Are control boards interchanged in different manufacturers models? Say you have a Torro, Taigen or Heng Long and want to change it to a Tamiya,Clark or IBU board to fight with your local group?

2: Can you bind a Spektrum Tx to a Heng long?

[Rubicon99]

Next questions

1: Are control boards interchanged in different manufacturers models? Say you have a Torro, Taigen or Heng Long and want to change it to a Tamiya,Clark or IBU board to fight with your local group?

2: Can you bind a Spektrum Tx to a Heng long?

1. Yes. That is the purpose for the Clark, IBU and Tamiya boards. I have several Heng Long tanks that use other “control boards” and hobby grade transmitter/receivers.

2. You cannot bind any non Heng Long transmitters to the 6.0 system or older 5.2/3 systems.

[Alpha]

I'll weigh in here as well for Question #3: "Radio ergonomics" don't come into play, at least not for me, while battling RC tanks. It's a fairly straightforward affair, drive and shoot, so the stock radios work fine in models like Heng Long. Even for my Tamiya, it's still doing the same things. In the Air world, the position of the flap switch and expo switch and gyro gain and timer and and and and and... will definitely affect the "radio ergonomics" and comfort/convenience for a pilot. But at least for me in the Surface world, things are much simpler so my expectations on the radio drop way down.

Heng Long's radio simplifies with a few buttons what would need to be mixed in a standalone radio. We're tweaking an MFCB now that adds many other functions/features/options and uses a driver's receiver of choice, which is fun, except what is then required is the user to setup and configure his/her radio to play nicely with all of those functions/features/options. It's not insurmountable, but Clark drivers like myself can tell you it's not exactly a "Power on and Go" system like what the RTR manufacturers deliver. Set your expectations accordingly and all is good in context of their respective missions.

[Rudinater]

For helicopter and airplanes i have one transmitter, and just change the model in the transmitter. But I'm the only person flying my aircraft. For my Tanks, and other ground stuff, Then I have a TX for each model. This way when I'm at a tank event I can let others drive a tank or two while I drive. Same with my trucks. The transmitter I use for surface stuff is the $50 flysky. Its a basic 6 channel computer radio. The cheap transmitter that comes with the HL 6.0 tanks, works really well. The steering and throttle action is smooth and responses very well. Once they upgrade the board to select light/med/heavy tanks with the matching fire rate they will be great battle tanks

[Beeg]

Hopefully HL will quickly adopt and allow user receivers. I think It would be nice to have mode, proportional/expo capability. I do like the idea of a tank specific transmitter if you want to let someone else play with one of your tanks. Once I get going in this, if it ends up being fun for me, I think for your hardcore preferred battle tank you would want to fine tune settings a bit more with a more capable radio.

What would be the required number of channels?
1.Right motor
2.Left motor
3.turret rotation
4.barrel elevation
5.Main Gun fire
6. Machine gun fire

Am I missing anything? Don't need a smoker.

I was speaking to a couple of my local flying buddies and told them about our local tank club and think I have at least one that's onboard to try it. I argued that it would be nice to have something to play with when the weather isn't suitable for flying!

[Rudinater]

.

What would be the required number of channels?
1.Right motor
2.Left motor
3.turret rotation
4.barrel elevation
5.Main Gun fire
6. Machine gun fire

Your making this more complex then it needs to be.

Only one motor and a transmission or two motors and ecs's mixed together.
main gun and machine gun on same channel but use a two position switch or buttons with ATV settings.

That said Tamiya, HL, Clark, and IBU at handle this on their boards. Plus lots of other features, like sound, recoil and other features.