This is the Sanwa MT-44 FH4T/FH3 4-Channel 2.4GHz Radio System. The MT-44 is the next development for Sanwa offering impressive features in a lightweight and compact transmitter. Most notably, the MT-44 is the first to use low voltage technology as it's power source, using only three "AAA" batteries for power, or an optional 1S LiPo battery. This advancement not only helps reduce overall transmitter weight, but it also helps free up size, space and comfort requirements.
Other worthy features of the MT-44 transmitter include a white backlit HD display, a collapsible handle to provide full view of the LCD, USB charging, telemetry, 1S LiPo capabilities, FH4T and FH3 support.
Features:
- High-resolution liquid crystal display
- Dot size equivalent to that of the M12S
- Optimization of steering & throttle position, even without offset bracket
- Industry's first low-voltage transmitter
- Powered by 3 "AAA" batteries (supports 1S LiPo)
- USB charging support
- Very Lightweight
- Quick setup function
- Safety link
- Racing mode
- Custom menu
- Supports micro SD card
- Telemetry switch function
- Clock function
- Environmental temperature display function
- LOG data CSV output
- Supports CODE 10 (name correspondence)
- Telemetry data 3 simultaneous data display
- Supports multiple languages (Kanji compatible)
Other Functions:
- Large Full Dot LCD Monitor
- White LED Backlight
- Fully Adjustable Trigger
- Telemetry function
- Built-in antenna body
- Menu selector (multi selector operation)
- ST, TH tension adjuster
- Dual rate
- End point adjustment
- Anti-lock brake function
- Servo speed
- Offset ● Trim / sub trim
- Servo Reverse
- Curve (Exponential / Adjustable Rate Control)
- AUX 1 (Select 3ch operation type, same function as MT-4S)
- AUX 2 (Select 4ch operation type, same function as MT-4S)
- Failsafe function (radio wave / battery)
- Timer (wrap / interval / down)
- 20 model memory (when using SD card 250 models)
- Model name (12 characters)
- Model (select / clear / copy)
- Direct model select
- Trim Type (Center / Parallel)
- Throttle Type (70: 30/50: 50)
- RF MODE setting (FH4T / FH3)
- Response mode setting (NOR / SHR / SSR) * Attention
- Key Assign (SW / TRIM / DIAL / LEVER)
- AUX TYPE setting
- CODE AUX (with name change function)
- Step AUX (steps 1 to 100)
- Point AUX (2 to 6 points)
- 4WS mixing (FRONT / REAR / NORMAL (in-phase) / REVERSE (opposite phase))
- MOA mixing (front wheel drive / four wheel drive / rear wheel drive) * Variable drive ratio
- AUX mixing (ST mixing, TH mixing)
- Buzzer (scale and volume change)
- Transmitter battery alarm
- LCD contrast
- Volume adjustment
- Mechanical steering angle adjustment
- Small grip pad included
NOTE: SSL (Sanwa Synchronized Link) System
- SANWA SSL SYSTEM
- When used with compatible RX-472, RX-482, Super Vortex Series, SV-Plus Series, the setting of ESC etc. by Transmitter is available through SSL functions while driving.
- Since the setting can be done without the stop of car, the detailed adjustment in accordance with Race conditions is available without interruption of Intervals and the change of machine conditions.
- RESPONSE OF TELEMETRY SYSTEM
- It is often said that telemetry system reduce response speed. However, SANWA Original Data Processing and Algorithm Design makes Telemetry possible without response speed reduction.
- Sanwa's Excellent Telemetry System has no response speed reduction.
- RESPONSE MODE
- Please do not use Analog Servo for SHR mode or SSR mode. If analog servo is used for SHR mode or SSR mode, the servo will be broken and will not work.
- Digital servo (SRG series, Digital ERG series, SDX series) can be used both for NOR mode and SHR mode.
- SSR mode can be used only by SRG series servo.
- In SHR or SSR mode, BL-RACER, BL-FORCE, BL-SPORT, F2000, F2200, F3000, F3300, SBL-01, SBL-02 and SBL-03CR do not work. Please use NOR mode for the above ESC.
- SV-08, HV-10, HV-12, F2500 can work by NOR/SHR MODE.
Pros:
Very light weight
Menus are much simpler than previous Sanwa/Airtronics radios (compared to M11)
Screen very high resolution and clear
Very fast boot up, including shortcuts to boot directly to the car selection screen.
SUPER comfortable in the hand
Makes me feel like I'm driving with telepathy (it's that smooth/quick)
Native LiPO compatibility, including adjustable low battery alarm
Micro SD Card slot for backing up settings and firmware upgrades.
Telemetry reads receiver voltage without any additional sensors (handy for nitro racing).
Standard wheel position is already where a dropdown would be, no need for a drop down.
Cons: (None of these are deal-breakers for me, just things I think Sanwa could have improved.)
Battery life.
No left-handed option. I don't understand why left handed drivers have to buy the $500+ radio!?!
Included reviver RX-482 doesn't fit in the Associated RC8B3 receiver box. But it's still a great receiver.
No rocker/two-way button on grip for steering D/R. It uses one of the rocker buttons around the rim of the wheel for steering D/R.
Other thoughts:
Out of the box, it uses AAA batteries. Most rechargeable AAA batteries are 800-900mAh and that is good for a couple hours of use. You will need to recharge those every race day. If you are going to run a long nitro main, you will probably want to top them up before the main. They have a LiPo coming out but it's only 1200mAh. LRP has a 3200mAh LiPo coming out for the MT-44 soon, As far as I'm concerned this is a must have. This radio uses a 1s LiPO so most of the LiPO batteries for radios on the market are not compatible.
Update, after a couple months I still love this radio. I have started using a standard 18650 Li-Ion cell. You can find them almost anywhere, they are used in a lot of LED flashlights, and those E-Cig/Vape contraptions. I bought a Tenergy 2600mAh (P/N 30049) cell for $10 at Frys, soldered a receiver lead to it and it works and fits great, it even has built in voltage cutoff. Just be aware when buying 18650 cells, they come in different voltages. The one I bought is 3.7v Nominal 4.2v when full just like a LiPO, so I can just charge it on my charger as a LiPo. I get several race days between charges (running 1/8 eBuggy and Nitro). I could probably go longer, but I just like to charge every couple race days for the piece of mind.
The Screen was well lit and easily readable. Like the short cuts that you can do to get straight to some screens on start up of the radio. I haven't yet tried to set up the telemetry so I cannot comment on that yet. All in all, Everyone at the track last night fawning over this thing. If your a serious racer.. This Radio is for you.
Things to be aware of.
Buy extra batteries, the dry AAA's drain quickly... I cannot wait until the Sanwa 1s lipo is released. 3 AAA batteries make it through 2 race days for 2 classes.
Radio only supports FHS3 and FHS4 receivers. (MT4 supported FHS2,I have several of those)
Pros
- Very light
- Fits in the hand with much more precision than the MT4
- Better wheel position (down wheel)
- Easy access to the menus
- Lighting in the menu
- Wireless Receiver
- Excellent response time
Cons
- Lack of documentation on how to get technical support
- So far my only problem was the loss of connection with 2 differente receivers. The connection returned after disconnecting / plugging the batteries on both, transmiter and receiver.
- I have just upgraded the firmware to the lastest version. Hope this solves the problem.
These aren't what A sanwa was back in the day imo. Cheaper and more Chinese feeling than my older sanwa radios.
It took a while to receive replacement and they weren't very accommodating for the trouble and time down as other manufacturers have been.
The replacement radio is performing well so far. Guess we'll see for how long. Any trouble will need radio sent back and repairs are handled back in Japan. Missing airtronics touch in this area.
Instructions are weakly written. Sanwa needs to step this part up by getting in Touch with American folks who don't speak Engrish.
This warrants a weak 4 star rating. [End edit]
/Mainly coming from an M8 and M11.
This is way lighter than both.
Has tighter frame width and deadband capability. Feels very connected and responds very quick as reported. No lag and ultra low latency.
Feels more flimsy and cheaper than the M8 and M11, but nothing like a RTR deal.
Menu is nice, I'm still learning it.
Feels better with my M11 steering wheel, I've got a few extra new ones. The M11 wheel gives it a slight offset to the outside and makes it easier to finger trims more comfortably.
Binding wasn't smooth. Sometimes the rx is ready and other times it doesn't respond to input. Will look more closely at this or this will have to go back for an exchange.
All in all a good radio and ultra light with the protek 1s lipo installed.
If I find there a need to update I will. Looses one star until the rx issue is cleared up.
Often, It fails to arm when switched on, have to disconect the batery pack and reconect to arm ,
It also loses all memory at times ,have to rebind and reset everything ,real handy when youre race has just been called. Only got it because i had so many sanwa receivers i thought ide save some money, wasted another $400.00au .
UPDATE after many enquirys I found some info on the Sanwa site.
The servo jitters is considered normal because of the fast response time ,and they assure it wont damage the servos, they describe it as frizzing ,fine jittering .
Theres also a software update that should fix all the switching on and resetting issues, as well as many other issues that I wasn't aware of .
Bit of an annoying thing considering its a new radio ! And you need a mini card and a suitable
computer to update the card .
Still they are great radio otherwise. PS i might be able to update my mt4 also, and fix the trim fault ,so i ccan have a reliable spare .
Hope this helps some others who may have issues .SANWA For CarFor Sky All NewsNew productsImportant information Japanese
HOME
About the digital servos specification
Model: All "SANWA" brand digital servos.
SANWA's digital servos were designed to improve a vehicle resoponse to the limit. As a result, the servos makes frizzling noise on neutral status and also the servo horn vibrates slightly. These symptoms are caused by the strict specification, however it does not affect product's performance. We would recommend you to feel the deffirence of the vehicle response.
I’m a smaller guy 5’6 160lbs and the m17 just felt a little big in my hand. Someone let me drive their car with a m17 and I loved it! Then I picked up mt44 and it just felt right. Then comparing price I figured mt44 saves me 200$ which is a set of new tires and two new batteries! Was a no brainer. Plus after using mt44 I still had to turn speed down! I can’t imagine anyone needing a controller that fast as m17. I bet first thing people do is turn speed down anyway! IMO mt44 is way to go!