Friday, August 26, 2011

Futaba 4PL 2.4GHz S-FHSS

We have used the Futaba 3PKS, 4PK & 4PKS FASST™ radios for a few years now in our racing boats with much success. They work super good for RC boat racing!

Futaba have a new 2.4GHz system they simply call "2.4GHz S-FHSS" that is a more affordable system and their latest "surface" radio is called 4PL. Yesterday we where at the pond testing our new Kep's T2 project boats with TecnoPower M03-21 engines and I felt it was time to test a 4PL radio in one of my development boats. It worked super good - no issues what so ever. :)

(4PL in the foreground - 4PKS in the rear)

Some of the 4PL features:
  • S-FHSS 2.4GHz system
  • 40 model memory
  • Four mixable channels that also can be adjusted/activated through the external switches and dials
  • Brake mixers for large scale cars
  • 4WS mixers (crawler)
  • ABS brake
  • Adjustable throttle & steering speed
  • Racing timer with manual lap counting
  • Digital trimmers
  • Choose able functions for the digital dials and trimmers
  • The trigger is of the same type as 4PKS - it has adjustable "length" from the handle and adjustable spring tension
  • And much more...
Note, the Futaba 2.4GHz FASST™ & Futaba 2.4GHz S-FHSS systems are not compatible.

(4PL to the right - 4PKS to the left.)




Futaba 4PL receiver -> R2104GF
The receiver for the 4PL radio is called R2104GF and it's a quite small and light and it's S-FHSS & FHSS auto detect.
  • Size: 39 x 26 x 10.2/12.7 mm
  • Weight: 8.4 g

We also tested our development Kep's T2 .21 riggers (four different versions) and Micke got booth of his TecnoPower M03-21 engined T2 riggers to work really good. Sorry for the blurry pics... ;)