Review: Futaba 4PKS Transmitter

VITAL STATS
Manufacturer: Futaba
Product: 4PKS 4-Channel 2.4GHz FASST Tx/Rx
Fits: Most RC Surface vehicles
Price: $499.98
Band: 2.4GHz

When Futaba released the 4PK back in 2007, it drew a lot of attention from racers! With its contemporary styling, light weight and ergonomic feel, the feature-packed 4PK soon became the hot ticket in RC transmitters. Futaba has recently upped the ante by releasing the 4PKS, a transmitter that looks similar to the 4PK but offers racers quite a bit more sophistication.

The first thing that will catch your eye is the revamped control pad and red LED lighting. I was never a big fan of the 4PK multi-function jog button, but this new design makes navigating through the menus a snap! Once in the menu, you will notice the gazillion of standard functions the 4PK came with, but there are a couple new functions included, like 4-Wheel Steering Mixing (offering better control for rock crawlers and other 4wd vehicles), menu customizing (allowing you to re-arrange the ‘home’ screen with the functions you use the most), and four ‘preset’ menus (“New Driver”, “Race Ready”, “Expert” and “Big Car”) set up with functions based on your skill level.

What’s really off the hook is what happens on the back-end of the radio…the guts of it. First off, Futaba uses their FASST (Futaba Advanced Spread Spektrum Technology) System. This system shifts very quickly, virtually eliminating signal conflicts and interruptions unlike any other 2.4GHz system on the market. Futaba’s ‘Easy-Link’ system is also incorporated into the 4PKS. This system features a unique ID in the transmitter that links to the receiver. This code ensures that the receiver follows only the commands from this transmitter and, with over 134 million possible codes, there’s really no chance for a conflict. To further protect the signal and your model, Futaba has integrated a dual-antenna system that enables FASST to automatically and seamlessly select the best reception between the two antennas built into the receiver. This keeps your model under control at all times, eliminating the chance of signal loss. But wait, there’s more. Futaba is using something called Pre-Vision Pack Screening Technology. Basically, this technology scans incoming data for potential problems and applies sophisticated error correction techniques to keep a solid signal with the vehicle.

All this sounds super-tech and special, but how does the 4PKS stack up? For the test, I dropped the included R614FF receiver in my Hot Bodies TCX (look for an upcoming review on the TCX) and put her on the track for some fun. As I mentioned before, I wasn’t keen on the first-gen jog button, so I never really made any on-track radio adjustments. With the new 4PKS, I found myself adjusting everything from Dual Rates, Throttle Speed, Anti-Skid Braking, and Steering Speed…all from the drivers stand. The feel of the 4PKS is about perfect (I installed the included 37mm wheel-drop), and the response time is amazing (Futaba claims a latency of up to 2 times faster than the 4PK!). Oh, and for those of you that like to customize your colors, the 4PKS has 7 different colors for the pilot lamp! Personally, I love the red!

If you’re looking for a high-end 2.4GHz upgrade, then give the 4PKS a look. This Futaba System has more features on it than most new cars, and with all the technology that Futaba has integrated into it it’s only a matter of time until someone hacks into the Pentagon with one. I love it…the new features, the feel and especially the new job button. I just wish it came with enough receivers to outfit all my cars!

Features
• 2.4GHz FASST system — the industry’s most reliable RF link
• 40-model memory
• Menu customizing
• Digital trim w/reset
• Pre-Vision Packet Screening Technology
• 4-Wheel Steering Mixing
• “New Driver”, “Race Ready”, “Expert” and “Big Car” menus
• Function select dial
• MC-Link
• Edit button lock & trim/dial lock
• Changeable wheel and trigger location
• Reversible hand operation
• Tension adjustment
• Mechanical ATL adjustment
• Display switch
• Vibrating grip
• 7-color LED pilot lamp

Links
Futaba
www.Futaba-RC.com (217) 398-8970