Hobby Playbook

RC Toys: Choose the Right Battery Strap, Ball Link Pliers, or AUX Switch

Choose between a ball-link tool, two five-pack battery-strap sizes, and a remote AUX switch. The key decision is whether your RC project needs mechanical linkage work, battery restraint, or spare-channel control.

Last updated Aug 15, 2026

Quick take

RC toy projects can call for very different add-ons, and the right choice starts with the job at hand. A ball-link tool, a battery strap, and an AUX switch are not substitutes for one another: one addresses linkage work, two focus on battery restraint, and one adds remote on/off control through a spare channel. Listed prices span $3 across this group, so purpose matters more than choosing solely by price.

The Apex RC Products Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725 is the focused pick for curved ball-link tasks. Choose between the two strap packs based on the footprint you need: the #3020 is the lower-priced strap choice, while the #3031A is the larger listed strap format. For remotely toggling compatible accessories, the #9025 is the dedicated electronic option.

Listed price comparison

ItemListed pricePrice position
Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725USD 10.99
Battery Straps #3020USD 8.99
AUX Channel On/Off Switch #9025USD 11.99
Battery Straps #3031AUSD 11.99

Decision matrix

  • Working on curved ball links: Choose the Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725.
  • Securing most 3S-4S LiPo batteries or batteries on most 250mm FPV racers: Choose the #3020 Rubberized Battery Straps.
  • Turning lights, a smoke system, bomb drops, or plane canopies on and off from a remote: Choose the #9025 AUX Channel On/Off Switch, provided you have a spare channel.
  • Looking for the larger listed battery-strap dimensions and a non-slip strap: Choose the #3031A HD Non-Slip Battery Straps.

Product notes

Apex RC Products Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725

Pick these pliers when curved ball-link work is the task in front of you. Their title identifies a specialized RC tool rather than a general battery-management accessory or remote-control module, making the purchase decision straightforward for builders dealing with ball-link hardware. At USD 10.99, the listed price sits between the two strap-pack price points and the two USD 11.99 options. The tradeoff is focus: these are curved ball link pliers, so they address a different need than holding a LiPo battery in place or switching an accessory from a transmitter. Choose them for the specific linkage-related job, not as an all-purpose RC add-on.

Apex RC Products 16mm X 200mm HD Rubberized Battery Straps - 5 Pack #3020

The #3020 is the choice for shoppers seeking a five-pack of 16mm by 200mm rubberized battery straps. It is described as fitting most 3S-4S LiPo batteries and being suited to most 250mm FPV racer batteries, giving it a clearly stated battery-focused role. Its USD 8.99 listed price is the lowest in this comparison. The main constraint is its listed format: it is the narrower, shorter strap option when compared with the 20mm by 300mm #3031A pack. Choose #3020 when that smaller strap size matches your battery-retention setup and a rubberized five-pack is the priority.

Apex RC Products RC Remote Electronic AUX Channel On/Off Switch #9025

Choose the #9025 when your project calls for remote on/off control through an available AUX channel. It is described for switching lights, smoke systems, bomb drops, and plane canopies, and it is also positioned for RC cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, and drones. The compact listed dimensions are 30 by 13 by 3mm, with a listed weight of 7 grams. It plugs inline with the item being controlled, and the channel throw is specified at +/- 100%. Its limitation is built into the intended setup: this switch uses a spare radio channel, so it is for radio-control functions rather than battery restraint or linkage work.

Apex RC Products 20mm X 300mm HD Non-Slip Battery Straps - 5 Pack #3031A

The #3031A is the battery-strap pick for shoppers who want the larger listed 20mm by 300mm format in a five-pack. Its title calls out a non-slip design, while the product description notes double stitching by the buckle for added strength. This model is listed at USD 11.99, tied for the highest listed price in the group. The tradeoff is simple rather than universal: it is a longer and wider strap format than the #3020, so it serves a different sizing preference. Select it when the 20mm by 300mm dimensions and non-slip strap description are more relevant than the smaller #3020 format.

Final recommendation by use case

For curved ball-link work, choose the Apex RC Products Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725. For the lower listed-price battery-strap option and the stated 3S-4S or 250mm FPV racer use case, choose the #3020 Rubberized Battery Straps. Pick the #9025 AUX Channel On/Off Switch for spare-channel remote switching of the listed accessories. Choose the #3031A HD Non-Slip Battery Straps when the larger 20mm by 300mm strap format is the deciding factor.

Products in this article
Apex RC Products Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725USD 10.99View on eBayApex RC Products 16mm X 200mm HD Rubberized Battery StrapsUSD 8.99View on eBayApex RC Products RC Remote Electronic AUX Channel On/Off Switch #9025USD 11.99View on eBayApex RC Products 20mm X 300mm HD Non-Slip Battery StrapsUSD 11.99View on eBay
Apex RC Products Curved Ball Link Pliers #2725USD 10.99View on eBayApex RC Products 16mm X 200mm HD Rubberized Battery StrapsUSD 8.99View on eBayApex RC Products RC Remote Electronic AUX Channel On/Off Switch #9025USD 11.99View on eBayApex RC Products 20mm X 300mm HD Non-Slip Battery StrapsUSD 11.99View on eBay

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