Is the 8879 or the 8886 better? Does it matter? I'm going to use it for cars mostly.

If you get a 8879/ 64227 "Power Functions IR Speed Remote Control" to SMOOTHLY run the Technic Treads, you should consider adding some gears to it to make it easier to use. Here's a nice design by Sariel; there are many others on the web too. The variable speed control allows the vehicle to realistically start up and stop in a controlled manner, and not suddenly jerk around.

Two regular 8885 / 58122c01 "Power Functions IR Remote Control" units (shown in the third picture below) will be fine for operating the other functions.

@DLuders

What about for a rc Unimog?

For cars and trucks, I would recommend using the smaller 8885/ 58121c01 unit, since the signal won't "cut out" like the 8879/ 64277 unit does. There was this past Eurobricks topic that discussed the pros and cons of each.

@DLuders

Thanks. So if im not mistaken, the speed remote is better for tracked vehicles and trains and the other remote is for everything else? And a kinda off topic question... can i use two remotes for the unimog when i motorize it? or is that for more complex models with more functions?

Sure, you can use two 8885 Power Functions Remotes (pinned side-by-side) to control two different Power Functions Receivers.

@DLuders

I'm not understanding how that works though. Is it that one lever (orange piece) controls a function? I've only seen two of them used once before and that was on the motorized excavator and I'm not sure how that worked.

I use the speed remote more for functions that need to be slow or gradual. I use the regular remote to control other functions that are geared down enough that i dont need low speeds.

tim

Thanks everyone. The small remote it is...or maybe a couple of them. When (IF) I ever finish my own MOC I'll let everyone know. Thanks again.

I prefer the joystick-controller 8885 when used for RC vehicules. the 8879 works sluggish and doesn't respond well to fast changes.

@ camaro365: Be sure to read the various "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) webpage on the official Lego Power Functions website.

Since i don't have a speed controller i have a question,

What happens if you use a speed controller on the same channel as a standard one,will you be able to use the speed controller for just changing the speed and the standard one for the motor direction?

Since i don't have a speed controller i have a question,

What happens if you use a speed controller on the same channel as a standard one,will you be able to use the speed controller for just changing the speed and the standard one for the motor direction?

Nope, i have tried it. When one motor is going from the speed remote and you move either joystick on the regular controller the motors stops .

tim

Oh thats a shame,i thought it was going to be a bit of a silly question.

Edited November 27, 201113 yr by Alasdair Ryan

Oh thats a shame,i thought it was going to be a bit of a silly question.

haha no question is a silly question . it would be awesome if that worked though.

tim

well first of all that wouldnt work with even 2 normal remotes, as theres 2 functions per channel and the remotes can controll both functions. It would work if you had a second receiver so that you can use a second channel for the second remote.

How about using the RC Buggy remote(5282) and receiver(6272c01)? I saw a few builders using them and I think they have a longer range - is that correct, I think they don't work on IR as the other.

@ Solozaur: Those two devices do truly use "Radio Control" using radio frequency waves instead of the Power Functions' infrared (IR) signal. Although Power Functions allows one to control a Lego vehicle using "REMOTE Control" (also "RC"), its published range is only 10 meters (33 feet) per TLG. RADIO Control has the advantage of better range and the ability to operate in bright sunlight (where there is a lot of IR energy coming from the sun and confusing the Power Functions Receiver).

Here's my modification to the Speed Remote Control to use it to drive & steer a vehicle, in case anyone is looking for a similar mod. The steering part is obviously trivial; the driving part uses a handle for forward/reverse.

Edited March 16, 20195 yr by ozacek