DumboRC DDF-350 vs. HotRC (Rlaarlo) CT-8: Awesome Budget 10/8-CH RC-Car Radios with Colour Display

In detail comparison of HotRC CT-8A and DumboRC DDF-350
Bind receivers - 18:10 , Voltage Telemetry - 21:15 , DumboRC X10F RX Light Control - 28:21 , Switches and Buttons - 38:59 , HotRC CT-8A Menu + Functions - 50:58 , DumboRC DDF-350 Menu + Functions - 1:27:17 , Winch Setup - 2:05:18 , 4WS - 2:20:48 , Size Comparison with Other Popular Radios - 2:31:02 , Final Comparison and Conclusions - 2:36:41
HotRC CT-8A 8-ch Radio:
www.banggood.c...
DumboRC DDF-350 10-ch Radio:
www.banggood.c...
DumboRC Wireless Trainer Module
www.banggood.c...
DumboRD Metal Handwheel
www.banggood.c...

[@TheCynabal]

I just ordered a DDF-350 I noticed you gave it minus for not having a foam wheel, when I purchased mine I had the option of plastic, foam or machined aluminium I chose foam. thank you for the in depth breakdown.

[@joeysantillan]

Thank you very much for taking the time to figure these functions out for us. With the HotRC, under linearity, diversion = steering curve. Under ESC, CCS = cruise control (for boats) but i also do not know what acceleration and brakes under ESC does. I can also confirm that if you purchase the RLAARLO F-08AT receiver, it will bind with HotRC transmitter and gyro function will work.

[@lillagubben2815]

Hi Donald. Thank you so much for this video! I am old (school). And I enjoy reading a thick manual cover to cover before ever touching a new product. That does not happen anymore. And your video was instrumental in understanding my new DDF-350. I love it! I particularly love the steering and throttle curves, the truck battery telemetry, and the cruise control. I use the Mode 1 cruise control instead of the Mode 2 cruise control. Mode 1 is much more like a real car cruise control than Mode 2. Mode 1 is set, engaged, and disengaged all by the throttle trigger. Mode 2 is preset, and engages and disengages with the push of a button (not good in a panic situation!). The most annoying feature is the low battery alarm at 20%. I am currently using NiMH rechargeable batteries. They will never show 100% and spend a lot of time in the 30% to 20% range with that annoying intermittent alarm. I can only disable all alarms, which includes the cruise control sounds, which I want to hear. I could recalibrate the battery voltage reading. But I wonder if that 20% is actually a minimum voltage below which the transmitter should not be operated. I wonder if range is a function of battery voltage. Do you only achieve that 350 meter range on a 3S battery? (Of course, for small scale trucks you rarely need a 350 meter range; 50 meters is all that is necessary...)

[@donaldsneffe]

Thank you! Wow, that is something I missed - this mode 1 cruise control, did not take a look on it. Thank you. For sure it is not "dangerous" for radio if battery voltage is below 20%, I also think this is annoying, but do not know a solution. Simply try, recalibrate and make 0.1 V (or so) higher than readings, couls help. No danger for nothing (neither radio nor battery) IMO. I also use NiMH in most of my radios. But I did not run this DDF-350 much so far, so no problem with runtime. I'd highly prefer a voltage (4.4 V for example for NiMHs) setting to a percent-setting. I did not and cannot measure 350 m range... but since all other, elder Dumbo RC radios do have very good range, confirmed by several KZbinrs, I aussume this should be correct, too.

[@duard8652]

I habe this transmitter from DumboRC. Best knowledge source for it is indeed not the manual. But they have Bilibili (Chinese YT analog) with a lot of videos on transmitter and receiver, and they answer fast by e-mail. On practical note: there is also a cruise control Mode 1. Switch to Mode 1, define key, e.g. Key 8. Then, click K8, it is "armed". When you hold throttle in same position for 5 seconds, it will remember it and keep it without trigger squeeze. Trigger in other direction to stop CC, K8 to "disarm".

[@donaldsneffe]

Thank you. I totally missed this (mode 1), somebody already commented some days ago. Difficult for me to check Chinese videos ;-)

[@joeysantillan]

The HotRC will only charge the 18650 with USB if the battery setting in SYSTEM menu is set to “1S”

[@ValleyRC]

The HotRC stuff seems to be amazingly good for the money. They have a great range of interesting transmitters, too, including 2 different single handed controllers, great for making RC videos! I remember switching to DumboRC because my Flysky stuff would give me really bad latency issues in certain areas and with certain ESCs etc. The issues were resolved with Flysky's newer afhds 2a stuff, but it would have meant having to get new transitters and recievers to benefit from it, so I decided to give Dumbo a try. Dumbo was not only cheaper, but had much better range and resistance to glitching etc. The only thing that annoyed me with Dumbo, at the time was that parent company Radiolink deliberately split their higher end stuff (radiolink branded) and lower end (dumbo) so you couldn't, for example, use a Radiolink transmitter with a dumbo receiver, even though they were physically identical, because they firmware made it impossible. I didn't realise this at the time. It's nice that Dumbo have finally released a higher spec Transmitter, but it was a long time coming. The HotRC stuff seems to be even better value for money than Dumbo, with a lot of great features at lower price points plus those unique one handed transmitters etc. Seriously tempted to invest in HotRC. I'll still keep my dumbo stuff, but I might go with Hot moving forward.

[@donaldsneffe]

The downside in HotRC for me: only few receivers available. Love the micro receivers for Dumbo (and Flysky), etc.

[@ValleyRC]

@@donaldsneffe They have a pretty small 4ch one now (F-04B) And apparently there is a micro 6ch one coming with just the wrap on like the micro dumbco

[@donaldsneffe]

@@ValleyRC Interesting... I will keep an eye on it.

[@moutwtrng]

Great review! Both are almost very similar in price with a lil bit more savings on the HOT RC. But if you only have to live with one, which would you rather have considering everything and why. I'm on the fence now and not sure what to go with?... Help!

[@donaldsneffe]

I would take the Dumbo, because of the numerous different receivers available, and it looks/feels a bit better IMO (incl. screen).

[@niklaszx4011]

I would love a latency test between these two

[@JacobScherer]

Great video and comparison!

[@RevDktrPickles]

Thank you for the thorough review! Lots of information I didn't find in others! But I'm curious if you have any experience with another HotRc remote, the DS-4a. It's pretty nice for one handed option, but I've not been able to figure out use the extra channels for a winch.

[@donaldsneffe]

Thank you. No, did not yet buy this tiny remote... for sure interesting - but for me it looks a bit toy-like, that is why I did not buy it after release.

[@khairulhasif8640]

Hi bro very cool complete review 😘 I'm still looking for a tutorial on how to mix channel 2 and winch at the same time.. Can be set to stretch and pull using the throttle. I hope you will show me how. Maybe next vedio will come..thanks in advance bro🙏

[@Murphys_Law9]

Nice been looking for something like this

[@thercdude]

A bit lengthy, but very informative video! Thanks man. Just 1 question, what type of sensor the DumboRC DDF-350 use for steering and throttle? is it hall effect sensor or just normal potentiometer?

[@donaldsneffe]

I assume a normal poti - it is so cheap? Donno for sure, but if hall sensors, they would probably add this bonus to the description.

[@JoshWilkinson-yx5jw]

Great video. Do you know if it's possible to turn down the steering speed on the dumbo? Can't find anything in the menus. Thanks

[@donaldsneffe]

THX. No, did not find this.

[@bega-rc238]

Danke für die super Erklärung

[@R-EVLMNKY]

Definitely dumbo for me, though I must admit I hate the (spin button in 1) as a selector. It makes it hard as it spin while pressing most of the time 🤬

[@erik15K]

Great videos, very helpful! I’m debating between dunborc def-350 and ldarc-ct01, which one would you recommend more?

[@donaldsneffe]

Dumbo - LDARC display is so tiny, quite hard to read and much more difficult to program. And many more receivers for Dumbo. And more programming options.

[@CaptainCarling]

I have just received the ddf-350 and three 6xdc g receivers. I've installed two in different cars but the giro is working backwards. I've tried pressing the bind button twice as per instructions, but it's still wrong. Am I missing something?

[@donaldsneffe]

You have to press it only once to change gyro correction, 2 is for end point, 3 gyro on/off

[@SngGenius]

Tried to update the DDF-350 and it failed...I cannot use the transmitter anymore!

[@TheMitsosBlog]

Thank you very much. Can you use Channel 6 as a throttle limiter? So you can give the RC to a child.

[@donaldsneffe]

Do not think so, you'll have to do it with Endpoints.

[@webepevlog]

Menurut anda....lebih bagus yang mana?

[@user-qy1eh7oh9u]

Do you know how to limit maximum speed by adjusting ch.5,6or7? I tried channel mixing and end point but it just does not work. adjusting ch5 will just constantly increase ch.2 value so vehicle will just go forward in ch2 null position.

[@donaldsneffe]

Hi, no. Do not think this is possible that easy, only by using endpoints or dualrate, but not with a channel.

[@BellumAngelus]

appreciate the info, disheartening about what it means. i was believing that you could turn on and off the lights on each channel you plugged lights in. i have 3 pin light plugs though so dont think id be able to plug them into the LED plug since its only 2 pin plug

[@donaldsneffe]

That's what everybody (incl. me) thought about this light "control". 3-pin light plug? So 3 wires? Then this is a light controller/switch and you should be able to switch the lights by every channel (3+).

[@BellumAngelus]

@donaldsneffe yea no idea I have them plugged in and they just all stay turned on the buttons channels do nothing when I press them

[@lillagubben2815]

If you mean 2 wires in a 3 pin plug, you can dremel off the vacant side, and it will fit into the 2 pin width...

[@BellumAngelus]

@@lillagubben2815 I have those wire splitters that come with injora lights. Have brown, orange, and yellow wires

[@donaldsneffe]

@@BellumAngelus still not sure what you have. Du you have a 3-pin plug with only two wires (black and red) or a 3-pin plug with 3 wires (red, black and white/orange)? If only two wires, then do what @illagubben2815 recommended or exchange the 3-pin Dumont housing against a 2-pin, if there are three wires, there should also be some kind of controller somewhere...

[@peterstavnshj9613]

Thank you for the comprehensive review and comparison. Do you have experience with the FlySky G7p? If so, would you prefer that to these two? I know the G7p is a bit more advanced in some areas at least; however, I’ve read that the G7p has issues with the mechanical durability - have you experienced any issues in that regard?

[@donaldsneffe]

I had the G7P and made a very detailled review video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmPdkohsaq5qmJY Did not really like it so sold it to a buddy. The G7P is large and "ugly", but it is good. But I did not really like the way of programming with the stick/nob, some kind of akward, never got used to it. The 2? The 3? I like the Dumbo DDF-350 most of all those, but the G7P is good and can do a lot, if you do not mind the joystick-programming. However, the buddy I sold my G7P to used it a lot and after less than a year it was broken (guess steering had problems, no mechanical brake). But I do not have long time experience with the Dumbo RC, ... so cannot say if it will hold up better if you use it intensly.

[@peterstavnshj9613]

@@donaldsneffe Thank you for the fast reply. Glitchy/broken steering and throttle is what I meant with mechanical issues. I’ve read about a few other people who had issues with the steering or throttle within the first year, some even within weeks. I guess the potentiometers are of questionable quality.

[@donaldsneffe]

@@peterstavnshj9613 Yes, probably, ... not sure if my buddy tried to repair it (he is not so "good" in soldering and that stuff ;-) ).

[@samoutdoors863]

Does the battery readings work only on one battery or can it work on 2x3s as well?

[@donaldsneffe]

? If you connect 2 3s batteries in parallel, it will work. But of course it cannot detect the voltage of both batteries separately.

[@webepevlog]

1.52 dumborc saya tidak ada fitur ini. Apakah dumborc anda sudah di upgrade firmware nya? Tolong jawab

[@ModModRc]

Does the hotrc have a gyro? Which do you think is best? can either one connect to a flysky fsgr3e receiver or radiolink rc6gs receivers?

[@donaldsneffe]

Mine not, but there is a gyro receiver and you can choose when buying, Rlaarlo also comes with gyro receiver. No, both cannot connect to Radiolink or Flysky receivers.

[@ModModRc]

@donaldsneffe iv looked for the rlaarlo cant find it or the receiver, hot rc adds even say about the rlaarlo receiver is needed for a gyro but the hot rc ad asay Stability Control, i think its this one that will accelerate or brake along with gyro to control, think it was this controller

[@donaldsneffe]

@@ModModRc I know there is a receiver with and another without gyro (as in many DumboRCs, too). Mine does not have a gyro, but radio has the menue option for gyro

[@armandutan5901]

​@@ModModRcthe HotRC receiver with gyro model number is F-08AT. Apparently, CT-8A can work with F-04A 4 channel and F-06A 6 channel receivers as well. So there are 4 fullsize total

[@ModModRc]

@armandutan5901 its that a rrallo reciver? Its dum that they are the same & 1 is a rebrand but the hot rc has no gyro

[@manuelfreez3790]

AAh nice und ich dachte mir schon das hört sich so nach arnold englisch an! find ich geil das du das machst! keep going. ich starte demnächst meinen fpv adventure trail channel. Nice Video!!

[@fulltang1]

Whuch one has rhe stronger trigger spring?

[@cesco_rc]

Donald, DumboRC DDF-350 vs Radiomaster MT12. Which do you prefer more and why?

[@donaldsneffe]

As mentioned in the end of the video: The DumboRC, mainly because of the many different receivers available.

[@andrypatra3474]

Apa sudah memiliki gyro pada hot rc

[@donaldsneffe]

No, mine not. But available, Rlaarlo has.

[@jayone2140]

Servos are glitching badly in RedCat MT/XT Hexfly hx 30HT steering servos how do I fix this problem or do I need better servos? Using DDF 350

[@donaldsneffe]

Better servos

[@jayone2140]

@@donaldsneffe Thank you so much for your quick reply.

[@jayone2140]

@donaldsneffe I read the little instructions I got for the DDF 350 and not read a way to reverse the steering or throttle servos. And yes, you were right about getting better servos. It took care of that glitching badly problem. Thank you for all your advice.

[@jayone2140]

Duuuh! I got it, thanks.

[@donaldsneffe]

@@jayone2140 You're welcome - reversing channels is easy, show it in the video.

[@vrnoobie3804]

hey i just made an order of this radio and i want to know if i can put more lights on there or can i take something else to put more? or how does it work?

[@donaldsneffe]

If you wanna switch more lights you will have to use an rc-switch or a lightcontroller. Lights "unlimited"

[@vrnoobie3804]

@@donaldsneffe I have a injora roof light and i want to put some lights on my custom defender body, but the body lights will be a DIY by myself if i get it to work , and i have 3 fans. And i want to activate/deactivate all from the receiver. I dont think if i will manage to make it but eh. I got into this hobby to learn something.

[@donaldsneffe]

@@vrnoobie3804 Simply buy some receiver switches.

[@FM-oi3me]

Hi, how do I make 8 lights ( 4 Led-pairs) work and set each of them on one button. For example, Button 1 = Headlights on /off. Button 2 = Police-lights (blinking) on / off. Button 3 = ......

[@donaldsneffe]

You need 4 RC-switches which shut on/off power (check Ali, Ebay, Amazon, etc.).

[@FM-oi3me]

??? I thought, i can do it with the Diff-350 and the X10FG Receiver ??? Why must I buy Switches ?

[@FM-oi3me]

Hallo Walter, kann man denn an den X10FG wirklich nur ein einziges LED-Pärchen anschließen ? Das ist gelinde gesagt, etwas wenig, oder ? Das reicht ja noch nicht mal für Frontlicht und Rücklicht 🧐 Auf zusätzliche Switches habe ich keine Lust. Außerdem brauche ich die anderen Steckplätze/Kanäle alle. Könnte ich nicht mit 3 Y-Kabeln insgesamt 8 LEDs anschließen (4x vorne (weiß) und 4x hinten (rot) und die dann ein- und ausschalten ? Das würde mir reichen. Oder ist dann der eine Steckplatz am Empfänger überlastet ? Ich kenne mich mit Strom leider überhaupt nicht aus, deswegen frage ich das…

[@donaldsneffe]

@@FM-oi3me Because you always have to use light switches for switching on/off lights with receivers. But this receiver does have on light switch. If you want to switch more than one light by remote, you will have to use light/on off switches.

[@nevTk-oe9ud]

Halo , Can you advise me if the reciever will take the udi porsche 1/16 scale light plug? I think the plug is called molex plu? thxs :D nice video

[@donaldsneffe]

No, you will have to make an adapter or change the plug for a simple Dupont 2-pin plug ("servo plug").

[@Tym2Repent]

No steering expo or dual rate on the hot RC! dealbreaker for me!

[@oldradiotransmission]

Steering expo is there, dual rate can use mix channel and adjust the rate on the switch accordingly

[@M_i_n_d_W_a_r]

Richtig toll vorgestellt und erklärt. Ich bin begeistert 🙂👍abonniert ✌

[@milleLTZ]

Das ist wirklich alles sehr hilfreich 👌🏻 Ich würde gerne eine Servo-Winde auf Ch7 legen (für ein/aus) aber trotzdem mit Ch5 oder Ch6 die Geschwindigkeit der Winde steuern. Meine Frage wäre, ob man das mit Kanal-Mix realisieren kann 😊

[@donaldsneffe]

Ich glaub du verwechselst Kanal mit Schalter? 3 Kanäle am Empfänger wirst ja nicht belegen wollen mit einer Winde? Und wenn ich nachdenke und versuche zu verstehen was du meinst: Du willst einen Schalter für Ein/Aus der Winde und mit einem Drehknopf die Geschwindigkeit zusätzlich regulieren? Ein/Aus mit Vorwärts/Rückwärts nehm ich an (also 3-Pos-Switch)? Oder Ein/Aus "Overrulen" des Drehknopfes und mit dem Knopf dann Geschwindigkeit plus Richtung? Ist aber egal - geht nicht ;-) Du willst zwei Schalter Einfluss auf den gleichen Kanal nehmen lassen. Kanal-Mix ist "die andere Richtung", also die Kanal-Anschlüsse am Empfänger verbinden, wenn Kanal A das macht, macht Kanal X auch was... Das was du willst kannst eventuell mit der Radiomaster MT12 programmieren, aber frag mich nicht wie, das sind dann schon höhere Sphären in EdgeTX Programmierung.

[@milleLTZ]

@@donaldsneffe Vorwärts/Null/Rückwärts mit dem 3 Position Schalter und Geschwindigkeit dann einzeln mit einem Drehpoti. Das wäre ein Traum ☺️ (Also 2 Kanäle für die Winde belegen)

[@donaldsneffe]

@@milleLTZ Ja, geht nicht. Theoretisch wahrscheinlich irgendwie mit EdgeTX und der MT12 programmierbar, aber da brauchst schon einen echten Programmier-Profi in dem Bereich, das Zeug ist derart kompliziert...

[@milleLTZ]

@@donaldsneffe Schade. Vielen Dank für die Antwort ❤️ Ich habe mit der Winde auf Drehpoti etwas Angst versehentlich dran zu kommen, und dabei die Winde oder das Fahrzeug zu zerstören 😅 Geplant ist eine 40kg Muscle Winch, weil 3S fähig über direkt Stromanschluss. Fahrzeug ist ein Traxxas Trx6 mit viel Gewicht, in etwa 7kg. Das Fahrzeug wird in sehr steilen Gelände bewegt. Deshalb die Wahl auf diese Winde

[@donaldsneffe]

@@milleLTZ Jo, ich versteh das eh. Ich hab damit jetzt nicht rumgespielt, aber der Sender hat doch auch so eine Tempomat-Funktion. Wie gesagt, ich hab nicht rumgespielt, ich weiß auch nicht, ob das nur auf Kanal 1 (Gas) geht... eventuell kannst das probieren... würd mich selbst interessieren... (hab grad keine Zeit da rumzuspielen). Ich glaub, das geht aber nur auf Kanal 1... schau mal nach.

[@JimmGr7]

Dumbo RC DDF 350 work on pc with usb cable only for simulators?

[@donaldsneffe]

Guess yes

[@lixnnibblez3193]

I watched it all 😄

[@donaldsneffe]

Tough guy ;-)

[@happydayrc]

hallo mein Freund wollte dir was fragen über der receiver mit gyro, für der Receiver spielt eine rolle wie in der rc auto steht vertikal oder orizontal ? oder ist egal nach deine video glaube ich schon mille grazie für deine vielen video sehr hilfreich

[@donaldsneffe]

Danke. Ich hab das nicht getestet, aber ich denke schon, dass der Empfänger horizontal montiert sein muss damit der Gyro funktionieren kann. Hab Gyros noch nie anders montiert bzw. montiert gesehen. Bin aber kein Gyro-Profi ;-)

[@happydayrc]

@@donaldsneffe hi morgen, hab es probiert muss horizontal gebaut werden, ich hab gefragt weil meine Empfängerbox hätte nur vertikal gepasst aber hab eine grosse bestellt. ciao ciao und danke für geine video

[@ooze1016]

I understand the transmitter but does the receiver control the lights like the x6 or is only able for on/off?

[@donaldsneffe]

Always depending on receiver. With this receiver it is only on/off.

[@ooze1016]

@donaldsneffe next question is, can I use channel 8 on this transmitter to control the light on the x6dc receiver?

[@donaldsneffe]

@@ooze1016 Donno ;-) - do not have this receiver anymore, it is now in Munich, Germany. Guess not, because 8 ch vs 6 - but maybe, ... simply try.

[@ooze1016]

@@donaldsneffe I will try,I have the radio on the way after seeing your review, 3and 4 will be good for front and back diff but I am getting the 6 channel receiver for the light control as well so I want to shift gear with channel 8 instead of using the dials which is 5and6 and the radio. Was just checking because on my dx5 pro I could assign any button for any channel on receiver but that is spektrum once I could get channel 8 on the radio to control channel 6 on the x6dc I'll be good and thanks for you replies

[@ooze1016]

It arrived, and I got the channels to do what I wanted so yes it's a real good budget radio for my crawler

[@longcrawler]

It seems like a great viseo.....but your focus is so bad VERY DIFFICULT to follow....bummed