FlySky GT3: FS-GT3 2.0″ LCD 2.4G Wireless 3-CH Gun Transmitter with Receiver for R/C Car and Boat (8*AA)
3CH recievers:
6CH receivers:
8CH receivers:
DSC Cable for PC:
Battery Lipo pack: HobbyKing Turnigy Transmitter Batteries (1450mah)

JR Modules to replace the stock TM002:
Compatible FrSky module
Compatible FrSky module with Telemetry (my fav!)
Compatible Corona module
Compatible Assan module

PDF Manual

I was looking to replace my old FM radio system with 2.4ghz.  In searching I found a really inexpensive option.  For ~$69 at my local hobby shop, I got a 3 channel programmable radio system with a ton of features.  The manual was written in “engrish” but if you’ve ever own a programmable radio before then terms like end points, trims, etc, isn’t that foreign.  For most applications like RC vehicles all you’ll need is 2 channels (forward/backward, left/right).  It does have a 3rd channel (AUX) that is basically an on/off button.  Might be useful for hovercrafts to turn on/off the main motor.  You can also use it for turning on lights on your car too.

The receivers were very inexpensive as well.  I bought 5 of the receivers (FS-GR3A) for my nitro and electric cars for about $15 each.  With 2.4ghz, I don’t have to worry about other people interfering with my radio.  Good bye to crystals.  You just have to bind the receiver with the transmitter and you’re set.  You no longer have to worry about other radios around you with the same channel frequency.

The interface takes a little bit to get used to but it has everything you would ever want in a radio.  To enter the menu, press and hold the dial button, then you’ll get a list of options.  To move between options, you can push the buttons above the dial or turn the dial itself.  To get out of the menu, press and hold the dial button again.  There are a ton of other buttons on the transmitter which I never use.  It’s definitely not the most intuitive interface but it does the job.  If you ever want to rename the models, it’s a real chore.  But for the price you really can’t complain right?

How to bind the RX (receiver) to the TX (transmitter):

1.  Plug bind plug into CH3, turn on car, the LED light should flash
2.  Hold down bind button on transmitter module while turning on the TX
3.  The light should go steady now
4.  Let go of bind button, turn off car, remove bind plug, turn off TX
5.  Turn on TX and then turn on car, it should be bound now

Here are some features:

LCD display
2.4ghz and FM (extra module)
8 model memory slots
E-point (aka EPA, end-point adjustments, travel adjustments)
Servo Reversing
Subtrim
Exponential (FlySky calls it, ARC)
Dual Rate
ABS
Steering Delay
Throttle Delay

You sure get a whole lot of features for your dollar.  If you’ve never had a programmable radio before, then this could be a bit confusing.  I would advise downloading a manual from Spektrum for their DX3(r) radios and read that.  Get use to the terminology and concepts. It’s pretty much the same, except, Spektrum may call it travel adjustments or EPA (end-point adjustments) whereas the FS-GT3 manual refers to it as E-point.  ARC instead of exponential, etc.  Same thing, just lost in translation.  For most people, all you really want to know about is servo reversing, EPA and maybe (sub)trims.  Everything else is fluff.  If you’re coming from a non-programmable radio, you’ll know what trims and servo reversing is.  As you get more into this hobby, settings like dual-rate/exponential/etc may come into play.

The FS-GT3 comes in a nice box with transmitter, a receiver, and a bind plug. If you ever feel like going back to in time, you can also buy a FM module so you can control your other FM receivers too.  I like how the steering knob swivels out.  It uses your standard 8xAA batteries.  I modded my FS-GT3 to use rechargeable lithium polymer batteries now.  See here.

I use this radio with all my RC cars.  From my nitro buggy, on-road electrics, and brushless F1 and buggies.  I love it.  People think I paid hundreds for it.  It’s a pretty sexy pistol-grip radio great for bashing around.  Looks great and cheap enough to not worry about it.

Product Details
-Channels: 3channels;
-Model type:car&boat;
-RF power:less than 20db;
-Modulation:FM&GFSK;
-Code type:PCM;
-Sensitivity:1024;
-LCD type:128*64 bit;
-DSC port:yes;
-Charger port: yes;
-Power:12VDC(1.5AA*8);
-Weight:680g;
-ANT length:26mm;
-Size:190*80*240mm;
-Color: black;
-Certificate: CE FCC; Item Packing
-2.4G 3CH Gun Transmitter(FS-GT3) x 1

Please take note that there are newer revisions of this radio system.  The one from DealExtreme looks like a newer version. The new ones use a different 2.4ghz module, FS-TM002.  There are also new receivers, FS-GR3B, FS-GR3C. FS-GR3C has a fail-safe built-in. The new receivers won’t work with the FS-TM001 module.  You can tell by looking at the receiver, there should be a button next to the LED.  This is for the fail-safe setup.  It returns the throttle to neutral when radio signal is lost.  Unfortunately, V1 of this radio doesn’t have it. 🙁

Video review: