I would like to get a new equiptment! Need advice choosing.

[LosiMan3456]

Ok. I would like to get a new charger, radio, and a motor lathe. I dont want to spend tons of money but I want to get good equiptment. Right now I have a JR XR2 radio. I would like to get an FM radio with easy to use features. I was thinking the M8. IS that a good choice or no. Is the manual good? Does it have explain in good details how to use each feature. This way I wont have to keep upgrading radios. THis radio should last me quite a while. Now for the cahrger I would like to get a NIMH compatible. I was thinking the Millenuim.
I have heard great things about it. I already have an integy 16x2 so I dont want a duratrax charger. Would the millenium be a wise desicion? If I got the Millenium I would need a powersupply. Is there a power supply out there that doesnt cost $120 or do I have to spend that much on a supply? And finally a lathe. Which do you recommend. I will just be cutting mod motors(removable endbells). Is the trinity tru lathe 3 good? Sorry for all the questions. If you need more info just ask. I am also going to the Chicago model hobby expo so I will wait and see what all new is introduced there.

[Obi112]

The Millenium is a great choice. I don't have one personally, but I've used it and it is very easy to setup. A new version will be coming out soon (go to the "New Products" forum for more info). And yes, you will need a power supply. Here's a link to a power supply that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Nairb found this, so I don't take any credit:
http://www.mpja.com/product.asp?product=12422+PS

[marvi]

you might want to wait for the new millenium pro. it has a built-in pit wizard, which is a bonus if you use their programmable escs. i have a cobra lathe ($99 from tower) that works fine. the M8 has lots of settings for you to tinker with.

[JP]

Wow, thats like a 4 hour drive down here! Back to your question:

You asked about a charger, you want a good one but not a lot of money. Since the Millenium Pro is coming out you could probably find the Millenium pretty inexpensive. Its a good charger, many pro's use/used it. A charger I have been eyeing is the Integy 16x5 with power supply for $210 at stormer hobbies. Here's the link: https://sslserver.com/stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=INTE2014 I haven't heard anything against it so it cant be bad...

Radio. You have a pretty big selection to choose from here. I don't have any experience with the M8, but it has to be good if all the pro's use it. I'll admit im in an Anti-Trinity and Anti-Airtronics phase right now so you may want someone else's comments. The JR XR2 and XR3 are great radios, I picked myself up an XR3 about 3 years ago and its still holding strong. Its features are great and i recently switched it from my GT to my E-Maxx, it operates the 3rd channel with ease (good manual too). Your XR2 has the same features so I dont know why you want a new radio unless you frequently use more than 3 cars. I also hear that the JR R1 is a great radio. Its confortable and has a LOT of features when I looked at it. I decided im not smart enough to buy it, but maybe you will be. I was also checking out the Lynx 3D (w/ Spectra). What a sweeeeeet radio! I'm gonna pick one of those up as my next radio.

Lathe. Dont go cheap here, you want a good one. I've heard and used Hudy a lot and have 0, Nada, Zip complaints about it. Very high quality and easy to use. They also make an auto one, but I havent heard much about it. Get one with a diamond (if thats how you spell it) bit. They last forever and can be sharpened, worth the $80 or whatever they're going for now. I've also heard some pretty good things from Cobra, but I dont have experience with them...

[RustlerBoy]

Ohhh, you dont want to spend a ton of m,oney????

And you are looking at the M8? What happend to not a ton o money???

Well, radio wise: M8, Futaba 3PJ, KO Mars

Charger: Millenium

Lathe: go Hudy

[LosiMan3456]

ok thanks guys! I am only 13 and have eyed the R-1 but it has too many features I wont need and wont understand. more comments would be greatly appreciated!

[Big Wig]

If you want an FM radio and you don't plan on running more than 3 cars, I would suggest getting the JR XR3. I believe all the features are the same as your XR2 but you get FM and memory for one more vehicle (the XR2 has a 2 model memory, right?).

I have an XR3 and I think it has all the important features like endpoint adjustment and dual rate steering. The only adjustment I have used on my radio is the endpoints,... I don't even know how dual rate works. This is why I haven't gone for an M8 or R1 yet.

I can't help you with the lathe but I have an Integy 16 X 2 Pro charger and my bud has the Millenium. The only difference we have found between the two is the Integy doesn't have the MaH display,... oh yeah, and you don't need a $100 power supply to run the Integy. If I was to upgrade my charger I would be looking into a real fancy one that will discharge at 30 amps, match cells,... etc... The Millenium (at least the current model) just wouldn't be enough of an upgrade to make it worth the money.

just my .02

Good luck

[LosiMan3456]

Ok thanks for the replies. For the charger I am going to upgrade my 16x2 with the new software so it is NIMH safe for now. For the Radio I will be running 3 cars. I will still use my XR2 though too. I think I will go with the trinty lath because that is what my LHS carries. Now for the radio. I still cant decide. What should I do? :confused:

[chizzler]

when and where is the hobby thing usually held?

[Obi112]

Your 13 years old and looking to spend $300+ on new equipment!? Who do you work for? Or how long have you been saving? Or how many aunts/uncles/grandparents do you have?

[LosiMan3456]

Well I am spending way to much money! See is what I am doing is trying to get equiptment that will last me a long time. In another forum, cant remember which somebody said why not buy a radio for 200 dollars that will last u 5 years? You are only spending 40 bucks a year! But in one time. It will save me from having to buy a new radio step by step each year. I will soon have 3 cars and maybe even 4. Chizzler the hobby show I believe is held in the Rosemont in Chicago.

[rjb]

Look here for info on the hobby show:

web page (http://www.ihobbyexpo.com)

[Obi112]

Well, a high-end radio will last a long time, but so will a low-end one. I've been using my Airtronics Rival Sport ($50) for three years now, and it still works like the day I got it. And it will for many more years.