XRAY - Model racing cars

I am getting ready to buy 2 M18MT + Power Pack for recreational use (bashing). Any recommendations for good radio/receiver combos that will work with the stock #389170 XRAY XMS01MG Micro Servo – Metal Gear and #389182 XRAY XMC300R Micro Speed Controller 300R With Reverse included in the kit? I don't want to break the bank since my kids will be using most of the time.

I would look for a name brand (Futuba, Airtronics, JR, Spectrum, Hi-tec, KO propo) and then look for features such as:

-Smaller micro receivers.*
-Steering/throttle end point adjustment (EPA).
-Trim adjusment
-Multiple Models**
-Servo Reversing
-NOT 27mhz (not as many channel choices)
-Possibly FM***

*Sometimes hobby stores will take out the included larger servos/receivers if you are only after a remote for a slightly reduced cost. Hitec makes some smaller receivers that are widely available in all bands. Otherwise, Novak makes one also, though at a higher cost.

**Nice to have if you think your kids will be getting other models in the future. Wont require a new remote for every vehicle cluttering up your house.

***A FM version will cost more, but the prices have dropped dramatically. They are more reliable to not having glitching interuption, so your boys wont end up with a broken vehicle from glitching at high speeds.

Be carefull with KO, the better sets come with default HRS which is not compatible with the standard Xray servo's.

Spektrum DX2 and DX3 are good sets, you can sell the servo's delivered with the set if not needed but the standard receiver is big... It will fit but it is big.... Spektrum does have a smaller receiver but it will give you some extra costs. By the way, the DX2 can be modified to a DX3 (not that you will need it)

Futaba is a well known and used brand. A cheap setup can be made with a 3PM

By the way, do you want a pistol grip or stick transmitter ?

I personally own a Futaba T3VCS and a older model the FF3, both stick transmitters with awesome performance.

Thanks for the info. OK, I am not a newbie, but not familiar with the term HRS...What is it?

Definitely want the pistol grip.

On the Futaba do you know anything about the 2PL FM version?

I will check out the DX2 as well.

Trying to keep the cost down but sill buy flexibility

HRS stands for High response system. Normally the servo gets the information once in 20 mSec, with HRS that is faster. Normal analog servo's are made to wait the 20mSec to open itself for the new information and digital servo's are continious looking for the new information and so will react on a faster transmission.
HRS will give some advantage with fast (digital!) servo's on tracks with a lot of corners.

Futaba is a good transmitter, I do not know a 2PL FM version, so far I know (here in Holland) the 2PL is a 27mhz or 40MHz AM transmitter. The 3PM is more digital with a display and a menu, it can also store more models.
The best Futaba is the 3PK, expensive but worth the money. It can use PPM (standard transmission), HRS and PCM (digital transmission) and can be equiped with a Spektrum module.

The 2pl is a fine model. My friend used/raced the am version for awhile before upgrading to a ko-propo.

Some of the items speced such as hrs, pcm, specturm are great for racing, but if your kids are just bashing at this point, they are overkill.

I ordered the Futaba 3PM. Not too expensive, but good functionality. I will let you know how it works out.