How do members rate RC equipment

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hello All

This has probably been covered before but I would like to raise the question of reliability and workability of different RC equipment.

Has anybody any experience of FlySky kit?

Paul

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

I have got a number of RadioLink sets. These are VERY cheap Chinese sets.

I find that the trim and finish is poor – but the insides look fairly similar to all other radios. The components will be cheaper versions, but they have always worked for me. The quality control can be poor – it's worth checking the soldering for poor connections if you buy one.

FlySky (not to be confused with FrSky, which is a different company) is a bit more expensive, and very popular with the penny-pinchers. Like a lot of these Chinese sets, I think several early sets suffered from poor software. Google 'FlySky problems' to get a feel for these…

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

I have a Flysky FR T6 & find it more to my liking than my other set, which is a Spektrum Dx5E.

[harry smith 1Participant @harrysmith1]

I have a Hobbyking Turnigy IA-6 2.4G 6 channel, the telemetry is a bonus with temperature, revs and voltage sensors.

On board adjustments for servo end stop, changing servo direction, etc.

Supports up to 20 models with naming for each.

I use these for a few years and had no problems!!!

They only come with one receiver and no servo's, but, Hobbyking servos work very well.

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Turnigy seem to be rebadged FlySkys…

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

All good info

DG

Is Turnigy rebadged FlySky?

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Has anybody come across this.

RadioLink AT9

Size: 183 x 193 x 100mm
Frequency: 2.4GHz ISM band (2400MHz to 2485MHz)
Modulation mode: QPSK
Channel bandwidth: 5.0MHz
Spread spectrum: DSSS
Adjacent channel rejection: >38dbm
Transmitter power: <100mW(PCB testing), <20dbm(3 meter air testing)
Operating Current: <105mA
Operating Voltage: 7.4~15V
Control distance: more than 900 meters ground, 1.5kms air
Channel: 9 channels, 5~9 channels are customizable
Simulator model: under the simulator model the transmitter action turn off, change to power saving model
Screen: 2.8 inches 16 colourful screen, 240 x 320 pixels
Switches included: three 3-section, four 2-section, one reset switch and four proportional potentio-meter
Compatible model: Include all 120 degree and 90 degree swashplate helicopter, all fix wing and glider, five flying model and aircraft

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Simulator model: under the simulator model the transmitter action turn off, change to power saving model

Clear as mud. I bet the Instruction Manual is a hoot!* You'll particularly appreciate the "humanised switch positioning", Paul, while I was very much heartened to see that "vibration alarming is used to avoid any ignorance in a noisy condition".

(*In truth I've downloaded the English Manual and I have to say that I've seen much worse examples of Chinglish, but there are pages and pages of tables showing the programming screens and options – very few of which you'd need for a boat. It was like watching the weather forecast on the BBC – you know you've seen it but you can't recall a thing about it five seconds afterwards!)

Mind you, with a receiver it just about breaks my stated £80 barrier and it's a smart-looking piece of kit – but I still don't think I could bring myself to pressing the Send key on the Confirm Order screen. I'd need to have a very close look at one first.

As for the Dx5e, the words bargepole, touch, with and wouldn't come readily to mind. I really didn't like mine at all and eventually sold it to Kim Holland!

Suit yourself, Paul.

Dave M

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Hi Dave

I have a pal over in Hong Kong and have an option on importing some RC gear including these transmitters and I wanted to know if anybody had ever used them.

Why don't you like the Dx5e?

Paul

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

It's a long time since I had it and frankly I'd forgotten about it, but I didn't like the accuracy of the sticks and the fact that the pulse width on the channels wasn't centred at 1.5mS. Indeed, on the throttle it was of the order of 1.38mS and required surgery on the stick unit to get it back to something like. I also wasn't impressed with the way it was assembled and I remember that the receiver aerial emerged from the sharp plastic case with no grommet and was chafing so badly that it had just about worn through. The Tx was also quite long and bulky. Wombat had a Dx6i at about the same time and the difference in the quality of the two sets was extraordinary.

Would your pal be prepared to send a sample AT9 set 'for inspection and appraisal' (CRUNCH! BANG! THUD! CRASH! Hints dropping like hailstones)?

The only caveat I would give is to do the maths. Chinese manufacturers are often prepared to sell single units direct to end-users for the same price (or for very little more) that they charge trade customers for bulk purchases. Interpose two agents in the chain and you could end up with unsaleable product.

Dave M

BTW If any ardent Dx5e fans out there feel inclined to write and champion their set then please feel free, but don't think it will change my opinion one iota.

Edited By Dave Milbourn on 07/01/2016 15:33:32

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

I thought that it was hail stoning outside but when I looked out of the window it turned out to be some very heavy hints smashing through the greenhouse.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

As Dave says, there is very little wriggle room for UK agents when importing this sort of gear which is why a fairly large one which will remain nameless has recently stopped doing so. Unless you are Howes Models it is unlikely that you would be able to make it work and it is you that will have to sort out all the after sales issues which could easily negate any money you might make.

Also, as you will have noticed, people in the market for economy Chinese gear tend to go for the lowest price which usually means direct from China.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

O, yes! I'd forgotten the after-sales issues! It's bad enough when you make the stuff yourself and just have a customer to explain his perceived "problem" to – that's often if you can make head or tail of it. Been there; seen it etc etc. If you need to pass that query on to the manufacturer – especially one who speaks very little or no English – then you really are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

My advice? Avoid like the plague. You don't need the hassle.

DM (Off for a Chinese now!)

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Paul T on 07/01/2016 13:57:59:

Has anybody come across this.

RadioLink AT9

 

If you want to practice your Chinglish, Michael Huang, who is 'the staff' of Radiolink, would be happy to talk to you here…  especially if you " have any questiton or want to buy AT9, AT10, "

Dave might like to try a hint….

Good Luck!

 

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 07/01/2016 18:35:29

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 07/01/2016 18:36:34

Edited By Dodgy Geezer on 07/01/2016 18:37:23

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Thanks for the link, D-G, but I already have a decent radio (with seven receivers) and so I'm not looking for another one, despite all my talk of dropping hints. I shall leave Dr T to make his own mind up, once he's unscrambled it from debating global warming with you.

(BTW We decided to go to the local Wetherspoons and have a curry instead – it was excellent).

DM

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

And I'm on the lookout for a 40Mhz 7-channel job – you've no idea how hard they are to find…

[BanjomanParticipant @banjoman]

DG,

According to their website, the Danish model boat specialist shop Modelskibet still have four Robbe FC-16 Boat´n´Truck, 40 MHz in stock ("sold while stocks last" they say) ; see **LINK**.

The site is in Danish only, I'm afraid, but you could try running it through Google translate if you were interested. The price of 2499 Danish kroner would be about £235, while I don't know what the freight would come to.

/Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 08/01/2016 08:22:37

Edited By Banjoman on 08/01/2016 08:23:20

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

Posted by Dodgy Geezer on 07/01/2016 21:09:06:

And I'm on the lookout for a 40Mhz 7-channel job – you've no idea how hard they are to find…

I'll have a look in the boathouse on sunday, we've got a box of old handsets in there that belonged to a deceased member of the club & I'm sure there were some 40meg sets among them.

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

I'll have a look in the boathouse on sunday…

Most kind. I'm surprised that the submariners (which is what I want one for) haven't pounced already! The Danish item looks superb, but a bit expensive, particularly for experimental purposes…

Unlike Dave, I'm always looking for items that cost less than the cheapest possible. I have a Radiolink T7f 7-channel 2.4Ghz combo which I bought new off ebay for £20 (+£5 postage!). I don't suppose Dave has any receivers which were that cheap….

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

Posted by Dodgy Geezer on 08/01/2016 16:16:04:I'm always looking for items that cost less than the cheapest possible.

Ayup old cock, I's a Yorkshireman, it can never be toooooo cheap (we're careful wi us cash up north)

One of the reasons I like my FlySky is, it came with a receiver & postage, brand new in the box, for no more than £34.95 yorky punds. I also bought 3 extra receivers from 'Gearbest' for the low low price of £15 + free postage. (no smilie available with a big enough grin)

 

 

Edited By Kip Woods on 08/01/2016 16:46:21

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

I don't suppose Dave has any receivers which were that cheap….

No, I don't, but price isn't a challenge to me. "Careful" doesn't have to equate to "cheapest" – and there's Yorkshire blood flowing through this hulk.

DM

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

DG,

Sorry mate, had a rummage through the transmitters, only 2 or 4 channel in 40meg I'm afraid, can't help this time.

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

Posted by Kip Woods on 10/01/2016 13:03:01:

DG,

Sorry mate, had a rummage through the transmitters, only 2 or 4 channel in 40meg I'm afraid, can't help this time.

Not surprising – thanks a lot for looking. Though if someone has a cheap 4-channel I could probably make use of that. It's hard enough to find them! PM me if that's the case…

[BRYAN ASTONParticipant @bryanaston57723]

Greetings

Regarding reliable r/c equipment I have four flysky transmitters , cheaper than buying separate receivers, never had any trouble from any of them, average price 20 pounds or less. If they to go wrong chuck them in the bin.

Bryan Aston

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