I’ve recently (about 3-4 months ago) bought the Lynxmotion BRAT combo kit, and I’ve been enjoying programming it. I’m starting to look into hexapods for the near future, and I’ve been trying to see if this was answered but I could not find anything. My question is, between the Phoenix and the CH3-R, which would offer more opportunities for expansion, programming, etc? Thank you for any responses! 
They both are lots of fun!
The CHR-3 can probably handle more weight than the phoenix, so in a way it is more expandable. Programming wise the Phoenix code will run on both. Not sure if the current powerpod code supports the phoenix or not. I think the Phoenix looks and moves more interesting, but that is personal taste. Note: I have both. I have the Phoenix running with an Arc32 which I like to keep whole and use it More when people are around. My workhorse is the CHR-3 which I am constantly tearing something apart on it and have had BAP28, Arc32, Arduino Mega, Propeller controllers at one point or another. I have also had three different leg configurations on it. Some of these duties will soon be taken over by a new T-Hex.
In the end I don’t think you can go wrong either way. If you do go the route of the CHR-3, I would suggest you purchase it with as good of servos as you can. Mine uses all 645s.
Kurt
Thank you very much! I would have to agree with liking the creepiness of the Phoenix, but the roundness of a CH3-R is also nice. I will look into both further and make my decision from there. Thanks again!
We have similar tastes Kurt! I have both as well, and although I think the Phoenix is the more graceful of the two, my CH3-R is still the favorite. It is bigger, badder, and more things can be piled onto it (I also bought the expansion upper deck in the SES Chassis section).
I’ve recently bought the ARC32 board and will be giving this board to my CH3-R. I’ve also bought the long C-Brackets set to retrofit my CH3-R’s Tibia connection with the long C-Bracket instead of the short ones… This should allow the tibia to fold down a bit more, probably not as much as the Phoenix’s, but it will make it fold down more…
My Phoenix is currently undergoing a major tear down. I’ve just ordered a lot of goodies and I’m going to be turning it into something that I had in mind for a long time. There’s going to be some minor cutting and drilling, but in the end, the Phoenix will be a lot different than what it started.
From a desktop programming side, I do like my Phoenix more since it’s a bit more compact when it’s folded up. However, after this tear down, the Phoenix will be approaching the size of the CH3-R.
If size is NOT an issue, I would start looking into the MEGA H3-R. That SES build is badass to say the least, and it uses the larger scale servos, which seems like a better bang for the buck if size isn’t an issue…