Amazing response,absolutely love the adjustable spring tension on both the wheel and trigger! Everything I need and more!
I bought one of these second hand but wanted to give a review. I also own an MT-R.
Overall, this is a good radio. The steering and throttle feel super great, and I feel very connected to the car while on the track. Range is "fine" (though I'm wholly disappointed in the range and latency capabilities surface RC protocols compared to what is available on sticks). The menus are easy to navigate, and the radio has a nice weight. It's light without feeling cheap.
Compared to the mt-R and m-17, It's much closer in form to an m17 than the mt-R in my opinion. The steering and throttle potentiometers feel the same as the m17, the weight distribution is more similar to an m17. The mt-r steering just doesn't feel quite as nice it's like the wheel is tighter no matter how you adjust the two radios. I really dislike that it takes three AAA rather than three AA dry cells though. Battery life is pretty bad. Ordering a sanwa battery and doing the wireless charging is expensive because of the cost of the sanwa lipo. This is what's nice about the mt-R. 4 AA batteries last really long in that radio, and getting rechargable AA batteries is a good cheap solution for that radio. I wouldn't recommend going the AAA route on this one.
So far i like the radio, a little disappointed that it doesn't work with the previous receiver's. It's a big investment to buy a new radio and all new receivers. I would recommend the M17.
Good thing I researched this before I made the plunge... This, along with the new Sanwa radios, ARE NOT COMPATIBLE with the previous FH4, FH3 and FH2 receivers. So if you have multiple cars like me, this is not the radio to buy. Looks like the only option is to get the more expensive M17.
This is a good radio but it will not work with older style fh4, fh3, fh2 receivers! This is a big deal since I already have a lot of these fh4 receivers in my cars, and makes me so mad that I'm going to sell all my sanwa stuff and buy a Sky Noble radio next!
The transmitter is pretty good, though I upgraded the steering wheel because I found the original too narrow. Since the aaa battery holder is so janky I would like to upgrade to a Sanwa Lipo (due to the USB charging input), but the manual doesn’t specifically state what model Sanwa battery to use and Sansa’s website states that the LP1-2500 is for the M-17 and the LP1-1400 is for the MT-44.
I’ve seen sellers list the LP1-2500 as working with the MT-5 but since this is an “update” to the MT-44 which battery do I purchase?
I emailed Sanwa and received an automated response from the server, not Sanwa, a server. The server, an email server, was kind enough to inform me that Sanaa’s mailbox is full. FULL.
And don’t get me started on Serpent America (their service provider).
My RX-493i has a cracked case, and I really don’t want to send my entire receiver via mail I have to pay for because Sanwa has terrible quality control.
Even though “you’re more connected with the Sanwa” I should have went Futaba.
Very disappointed in Sanwa. No email. No quality control. And a warranty policy and service reminiscent of the days before the internet.
Coming from an MT-4S, the MT-5 is a nice upgrade. It's light, comfortable and easy to use. For those who don't want to spend $600 on an M17, this is the perfect alternative while saving some cash. My only complaint is the folding handle on the top of the radio. It's completely unnecessary, but definitely not a deal breaker. This is a great radio at a great price!
This radio can do more than I’d ever need. I use it now for my racers and it’s fast. I’m using the Protek 5500mah Lipo with it also.
I haven’t had a lot of higher end radios, this one replaced a Sanwa MX-6.
I do with the receivers where cheaper but they are small and have great range.
Fantastic transmitter/receiver pair. I had a Sanwa MT-4 with a RX-461 back in 2016 (I somehow lost my transmitter, which is why I bought this.) The receiver works fairly well, even with a different brand digital servo. (I've heard Sanwa doesn't always like to play nice with other brands, which seems to be a common trend in most electronic components across many hobbies.)
Can't really say I have much negative to say on this, though, as I've had no issues with the previous transmitter either. Just hope the transmitter turns up eventually so I can just pass it on.
Just got my MT5 TODAY and It's awsome. I tried my friend "MT4" and was hooked over the Spektrum DX5 PRO radio I was using. Had to push the "GO" BUTTON and buy this. Only thing I'd day is (at least with my radio and Reciever came already binded!! I thought something was wrong lol I tried everything. Then finally I said "lemme just the rx battery in and take the bind plug out and presto!! It was already binded. Lol so yeah, if u run nitro or electric turn ur radios on hook you rx to w.e buggy truck or w.e and see if yours is already binded also so you won't have to be as confused as I was lol.. 10 out of 10 once again A main and SANWA CONNECTION!!
Well,I was a bit intimated when I first started to set it up but it was easy once I got going.The transmitter feels awesome in the hand and with the further throttle position adjustment and tension adjustments, I just love it.I feel totally connected to the car ,the more I use it the more confident I feel overall running the cars without the loss of connection .I'm totally loving it.
Great transmitter. Upgraded from an older Sanwa model when I bought my B6.3d kit. Very responsive, very reliable and very reproducible. Also picked it up on sale. Thank you Amain for all my racing needs!!!
