Inexpensive 2.4Ghz systems

[Robin LeeParticipant @robinlee31938]

Hi guys,

I already use the Futaba 6EX-2.4GHz system which I find excellent. Up to now when I have added a model I have purchased another receiver of the same type as that originally supplied with the system – Futaba R617FS. This is quite an expensive strategy as the receivers cost about £60. I have not investigated if a cheaper receiver is available compatible with the Futaba 6EX-2.4GHz transmitter particularly for boats only requiring a basic two channel control so any feedback on that would be great.

 

Another approach would be a cheaper system. Has anybody tried the Radiolink T4U system? http://www.giantcod.co.uk/gianitcod-24ghz-4channel-mode2-transmitter-p-403779.html

This is so cheap that perhaps it is unsuitable?

Robin

[Robin LeeParticipant @robinlee31938]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Robin

In my experience you get what you pay for with these cloned Chinese sets, and no more. There are issues with build quality, failsafe settings and neutral signal values. There’s also no service back-up at all. While they seem acceptable to some folk I personally wouldn’t buy one.

Futaba have just introduced a budget 4-channel 2.4GHz set without the computerisation (is that really a word??) It’s around £80, including servos I think. Check out the latest magazines and/or Howes’ website. Might be a better buy in the long-term than a Pound Shop job!

Dave M

 

(Now wait for the howls of indignation!!)

[John W EParticipant @johnwe]

hi ya there Robin

 

I have the Giant Cod 2.4 conversion kits – 2 of these – these are a DIY unit.    You fit the unit into either a 40 mghz or a 35 mghz transmitter to convert  the transmitter to 2.4 GHz.  Along with the unit for the TX you also get a new RX (normally of an 8 channel).    As I have said, I have fitted 2 of these units (costing £26 each) to existing FUTABA gear and on the bench, under test – it works perfect.   However, it has yet to be field tested.   Going by reports of other people with this set up – they cannot faulter it.

 

I also have a ‘cheap’ Planet T5 five channel 2.4 GHz set – I bought that from Cornwall Models for about £36.  On face value its good piece of kit for what I paid – but – it does have a reduced range of only 100 metres….not that that will bother us much – cos after 100 metres I doubt whether you would be able to see the model boat  unless of course your model boat is a 1 – 1 scale supertanker  .

 

Now the downside of this little unit – on test – I have noticed something.   If I switch the RX on first and then the transmitter – sometimes the throttle mode (which is normally mode 2) swaps channels and goes over to mode 1 without any warning – in other words quite dangerous IF YOU DONT REALISE THIS HAS HAPPENED.   It doesnt take long to find out once you have lost control of the model.    I am not sure whether this is a fault with the unit I have, or, it may be just one of those things – I have never heard anyone else complain of it YET !! 

 

One of the good things I did find out though is that the majority of the speed controllers I have such as Electronize, and that ‘old’ firm I think they call them ACTion with the positive field diodes roond the wrong way – and it even works with them!!!!   United sand -dancers association – suckers eh…..

 

so my advice would be – although a lot of these cheap sets are getting good reports and write ups – if you decide to buy one – give it a blinking good bench test before using it on the open lake – SOME FOOD for THOUGHT ANYWAY.

 http://www.giantcod.co.uk/corona-24ghz-module-dsss-ct8z-p-404735.html

 

Aye

john e

 

Edited By bluebird on 31/10/2010 18:46:25

Edited By bluebird on 31/10/2010 18:47:50

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Hi all

There are also Etronix sets on the market now – Test Bench review in September 2010 MB and a full review in December MB which goes to the printers in 2/52 time. These are ‘cheap’ sets but seem to work well and spare receivers are approx. £25 or less. The 3 channel set can remember 15 different models, has  end point adjustment etc. etc. the same as full computer radios and is only £79.99 RRP for tx + rx.

Also Spektrum DX6i sets are starting to fall in price now that the DX8 is readily available – but rather dearer!

Paul Freshney

Editor. 

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

Robin

 

I bought a Planet T5 set a few months ago and the only problem I have had was with the batteries connection being lost when putting the cover back on.  This kept turning the Tx off, thankfully it didn’t happen when running a boat.  This was fixed with a small piece of al foil. 

The only other point I would make is that the Rx is intended (I think) for a model aircraft, and is made from the circuit board and a small paper board carton.  I have wrapped mine in PE foam and positioned it where should be kept dry. 

 

For the price it’s good value.

 

Tim

[Robin LeeParticipant @robinlee31938]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I think I will probably take a chance with the Giantcod Radiolink T4U. The reviews do look very promising on their website reputably from many model aircraft flyers so thay can’t be that bad(?) . Bottom line is the most I can lose is £28.69 including P&P. One thing I need to ask the vendor is about converting both left and right hand sticks to sprung loaded. On my Futaba I think a spare spring and lever were included.

Robin

 

Dave – I will pay you a visit at Warwick for a kit version of your P79 ESC

[DickyDParticipant @dickyd]

Robin

The Planet 5 R/C does a conversion kit for a couple of quid to convert the ratchet stick to a sprung loaded stick. The servo reverse switches are easier to operate too.

I have the Planet 5 and the Giant Cod and the Planet 5 is more user friendly.

[Robin LeeParticipant @robinlee31938]

Hi DickyD

 

I have recently had a personal recommendation for the 6 channel Planet T5 system (£47 at Howes), so may well go down that path. I have been looking on-line but cannot find information on the following:

Failsafe – can this be selected on the Planet T5, e.g. for loss of radio reception can the throttle output of the receiver be set to zero demand to an ESC?

Batteries – can rechargeable batteries be used?

The Planet T5 seems to have a lcd screen suggestion it can be programmed for mutiple models? I hope you can enlighten me.

 

I see latest MB mag has a review of  the Etronix Pulse 2 and 3 channel sytems. I like the basic 2 channel single model system. The more expensive 3 channel 15 model system looks very useful for model car users but not so sure this system makes sense for model boats. The three channel capability is very limiting specially as the two sticks are single axis so no good for a two prop boat if you want individual throttle control.

 

Robin

Edited By Robin Lee on 24/11/2010 15:35:57

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

The main plus points for the 3 channel Etronix system Tx are that it can remember the electronic settings for up to 15 models. You can at the transmitter, electronically alter the throw (end points) of  each of the channels differently either side of neutral, offset the neutral, note running time etc. The cheaper non-computer sets don’t have that facility.

If you wish for ‘tank control’ then a 4 (or more) channel set with at least two dual axis sticks will be essential and the Etronix 3 channel set is not for you.

Fail safe – Mtroniks esc;’s have their own built in fail safe – loss of signal means it simply stops working – at least mine do! The Etronix set does have a ‘setable’ fail safe.

At £80 it does what the Spectrum DX6i does for approx £35 less, except it only has 3 channels, which for many model boaters or yachtsmen  will be adequate.

I personally have never used individual motor control – left and right, and forward and back, being quite complicated enough for me!

An electronic  mixer (ACTion) or micro-switches turning off (or slowing) the inner motor on tight turns has always stood me in good stead. 

 

Paul Freshney

Editor  

 

 

 

[DickyDParticipant @dickyd]

Hi Robin

I dont know about the fail safe as I tend to use the speed controllers with a fail safe built in, ie no signal, no throttle.

The Planet 5 LED screen is for the voltage of the Tx batteries.

 You can use rechargeable batteries.

Why would you want to programme for multiple models when all you need is a receiver in each one bound to the Tx ?

[Robin LeeParticipant @robinlee31938]

Thanks guys, much food for thought. Despite issues on after sales support and limited functionality I am still tempted to try a cheap basic radio. I will post which way I go and how it turns out later.

Robin

[David MeierParticipant @davidmeier28154]

Hi Paul.

 

I would appreciate if you could help me out with a couple of questions about the Etronix 24Mhz transmitter you mentioned in your previous post.

 

You said.

 

“The main plus points for the 3 channel Etronix system Tx are that it can
remember the electronic settings for up to 15 models. You can at the
transmitter, electronically alter the throw (end points) of  each of the
channels differently either side of neutral, offset the neutral,”

 

 Would the transmitter be able to limit the travel of a yacht sail winch?

 

Do you think it is practical to use the above Tx for both electric powered models and yachts, bearing in mind that for the yacht sail stick I have a single throw without a spring return and for motorised scale boats the throttle stick would want to be spring return to centre position.

 

I like the idea of being able to have many models on one Tx.

 

 When buying multiple Receivers for the Tx, can they automatically be used in different models and recognised by the Tx as individual receivers assigned to such and such a model.

 

I would like to get away from my 27Mhz crystal based systems.

 

Thank’s in anticipation.

 

David.

[Paul FreshneyParticipant @paulfreshney24971]

Hi David

 

It is always best if you have queries of this sort  to send them to me at editor@modelboats .co.uk  rather than post on the forum since I do not as a rule  look at it on daily basis – I have quite enough to do as it is, Monday to Friday! Hence Colin Bishop looks after the forum  and website for me.

 

In this case I posted, because personally I think that computer radios make it so much easier to set up a model and the price difference between them and the other less expensive sets is narrowing all the time. It is like a modern car –  garages use  a computer to reset the best parameters for an engine – a screwdriver or spanner doesn’t go anywhere near it if it can be helped!  

 

I did not review the Etronix R/C systems – this was done by John Elliott for the magazine.

 

If you can limit the throw on a rudder or throttle channel electronically, then presumably the same would apply to a sail winch. 

 

It would not be worth the bother of physically altering a stick from self centring to a non-neutral type every time you changed models.You would have to open the back, pull off springs etc.

 

Currently, only rather more expensive sets have a facility whereby you can physically alter a stick from self-centring to no neutral or a ratchet function, just by the turn of an external screw. These are the Spektrum Dx8, Hitec Aurora and Multiplex Cockpit SX that I currently know of. Futaba probably have a similar set.

 

Yes, if a  transmitter can be ‘bound’ to 15 different receivers, then it will remember the individual settings for each of the 15 models controlled by those receivers.

 

Hope this helps

 

Paul Freshney.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

David

If you need to restrict the movement of a yacht sail-winch then this little gizmo will do the job without having to buy a new radio  http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/P96.pdf

Dave M

[David MeierParticipant @davidmeier28154]

  Thank you for your helpful reply to my questions Paul.

 

I will get a 2.4Ghz computer radio for use with my powered models and keep using the old 27Mhz sets in the mean time for the yachts and make an adjustable mechanical stick stop so I can use one radio for more than one yacht.

 

David.

[JeremyParticipant @jeremy15845]

Interesting reviews of budget 2.4 Ghz systems. One problem which a friend and I have both encountered with the Planet T5 is that the throttle and rudder reversing switches do not work with ESC’s and servos which responded OK to the reversing switches on the AM transmitters which they replaced – in my case an Acoms Techniplus 27 Mhz unit. If the revesing switches don’t reverse, what are they there for? Can anyone explain why this might be happening and if the problem can be overcome without switching the polarity of the battery connection eo the motor or turning the servo back to front? Do other 2.4Ghz systems suffer from the same drawback?

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

See my response to your other posting – they do work.

DM

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