Pistol Grip or Sticks?

[Hoghappy]

Do you perfer the Pistol Grip Car type of Transmitter or the Standard Stick type for boats.

This discussion sort of surfaced on Captain Sunshines introduction thread and I'm curious about the preference out there. I have the following to say about why I prefer the stick type controls VS the pistol grip.

The pistol type of transmitter may be ok for the rudder function, but I can't imagine my trying to hold the throttle perfectly steady at any setting other than wide open for any length of time. I can't imagine trying to hold a constant winch setting for the sails either. The pistol grip controllers I have do not allow for that...they are spring loaded and you can't move them like you can a stick if you remove the springs. I don't like pushing with the back of my finger for reverse...it just don't feel right.

Another problem is you have to use both hands with the pistol grip transmitter. With the stick transmitter, strapped to my neck, I can set the throttle or sails and leave it till a change is needed or wanted. I have that hand free to do other things with. I only need the rudder hand and only when I need or want it. So I can sail with no hands for part of the time.

That's my 3!

Captain Slick

"Weevils...the breakfast of iron men sailing wooden ships!"

[green-boat]

I like the stick ones over the pistol grips. :D :D

[CG Bob]

That depends on the the type of model and the operating features you want to have. The pistol grip radios are 2 or 3 channel and are generally better suited for the go-fast type of boats. If you want lots of operating functions, like individual control of two oro more propulsion motors, turning gun turrets or fire monitors, working fire pumps or cranes or any other functions, get a stick radio with at least 4 channels. You can get "channel expander (http://www.vantec.com/khitch.htm)" units that plug into one channel and allow control of several more functions.

My radio collection includes the following:
Stick radios: 1 Futaba 9 channel; 1 Futaba 6 Channel; 3 Futaba 4 channel; 1 Futaba 2 channel; 1 Ace Nautical Commander 5 channel;

Pistol grip: 1 Futaba 3 channel & 2 Futaba 2 channel units.

9 radios to control 29 operating models; 1 stick radio for a work in progress. 12 operating models controlled by sticks and 17 by pistol - mostly scale boats.

I have no problem working the wheel and throttle with one hand on my pistol grip radios.

[was up88]

stick all the way

[magnat]

Since I am an RC Drifter I use Pistol Grip.. Feels more natural for me although I can still use Stick from my Tyco RC Days..


The Aquajet is much like my drifter... loves to go sideways :D

[der kapitan]

I prefer twin sticks over pistol-grips hands down, as I have more control, and I can modify them to suit. :)

Most all of my radios dedicated to boats have the left stick's spring removed, and replaced with a ratchet for the throttle. Inside, I notch the wheel so that I can "feel" dead center for neutral. The right one stays spring-loaded. ;)

I also have three pistol-grip units that came with my RTR Reef Racers, and they are okay for go-fast boats, as CGBob said. :D

[smart_racer]

Stick for scale builds and pistol for speed builds

[Ghost 2501]

i had a pistol set with an RTR and binned it! give me sticks every time especially so i can use the tx single handed that way so have a soda in the other hand

[Kmot]

50/50

I use both, and have no issues with either.

[der kapitan]

i had a pistol set with an RTR and binned it! give me sticks every time especially so i can use the tx single handed that way so have a soda in the other hand
A SODA in the other hand---? ;)

Uh-huh---. :p

[Ghost 2501]

at one regatta, my boat didnt leave the water, come dinner time I carried on sailing, tx on the floor, throttle cracked open a touch to keep the boat moving, tray of fries on my lap, soda by my side, just made fine adjustments to steering and carried on munching.taking a swig of soda to wash the fries down.

with my EXA its common for me to sail with a can of pop in one hand and the radio in the other, as most models are set up so throttle and rudder on one stalk, makes life simple for me, confuses the hell out of others when they move the right stick left/right and boat just carries on in a straight line and they wander why the navigation lights are flashing instead!

[keith S]

Stick for scale builds and pistol for speed builds
That is my choice. better controll with scale boats with sticks as you can visibly see what you are doing with the controlls. Had a member of opur club who tried and tried to run a fishboat with a pistol grip and had problems. Once we got him transfered to stick, he had no more steerage issues.

[tim slocum]

Stick for everything, its what I'm used to and good at. :)

[Captbill]

The real one is sticks...yes even the helm in new boats, so why deviate...those "pistols" are for cars....

My .03 (inflation)
:o

[quicksilver]

stick all the way

[bill g]

I use pistol radios in my fast boats, and stick radios in all my scale boats, and have no problem going from one to the other. bill g

[Michael Heer]

I prefer stick as well. Mike

[misfitsailor]

I got a pistol TX with an ARF boat, but it was too nice to "bin". It now controls my wife's Vac-u-duck.

I'll stick with sticks!

[toesup]

The real one is sticks...yes even the helm in new boats, so why deviate...those "pistols" are for cars....

My .03 (inflation)
:o

Sticks for Aircraft.. Pistols for cars AND boats.. :p

"During the Tug and Barge the Judge(a full size tug Master) really liked the way Toes drove it in a realistic manner and the way it worked thru the whole course"
...with a pistol grip... :p

I have just 'upgraded' Mrs Toes to sticks though as she seems to have problems with the pistol grip type.. :o

[smart_racer]

I guess it is what you feel comfortable with... and what works for you.

[der kapitan]

:) I guess it is what you feel comfortable with... and what works for you.
I have an oddball Futaba 2 CH radio in my transmitter cabinet that has a stick on the left side, and a wheel on the right. :confused:

It has a metal case, servo reversing, etc. and I picked it up at a hobby shop that was folding. I've never seen another like it---. ;)

Might be interesting to run a boat with it---.

[smart_racer]

I have seen that Futata model on ebay, I do not know much about them...maybe it gives you the best of both Tx worlds...LOL

[CaptLee]

Kap Got one of the earlier ones like that, no servo reverse, etc. but quit using it when went to Fm with all the bells and whistles. Youngster wanted a Vac-U-duck but was money limited so set it up for him and he went away happy to have one that works. He came back two months later top show me how he made the side stick vertical with some ball joints and a screw or so. gonna have to watch this one as he is already smarter than me.

[misfitsailor]

This is a TX I modified with a key chain from Fisherman's Wharf. I use it with a Proboat Classic these days.

[magnat]

I Remember when you had those Radio Controlled Boats at the Local amusement park where you paid like 20c for 10 minutes and they used a Steering wheel lol..

[toesup]

:)
I have an oddball Futaba 2 CH radio in my transmitter cabinet that has a stick on the left side, and a wheel on the right. :confused:



You mean like this one?..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Futaba-2-channel-AM_W0QQitemZ270138938203QQihZ017QQcategoryZ34056QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Kmot]

That one, toes, is the first commercial car radio. The wheel is one channel, and the throttle is on the side, where you would use your index finger to control it. The slide on the front of the case is the on/off switch.