Cheap 4 Channel Rx for Spektrum from Hobby King

[Tim Mackey]

OOS of course, but I for one cant wait to try these out in some smaller foamies!

 

Edited By Timbo - Administrator on 29/05/2010 11:03:19

[Allan Bowker]

They sound great at that price, will try and order a few myself when back in stock.

 

Must point out to others though that these are 'parkfly' range.

 

Spektrum have a notice out on their website too about "counterfeit" receivers

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Articles/Article.aspx?ArticleID=2162

[Tony Smith 7]

Maybe once the cat's out of the bag like this, manufacturers might embrace compatibility.  

 

Isn't this a great selling point for Spektrum transmitters now?  Maybe people might choose a DX7 instead of a Frsky module now that you can get sensibly priced receivers.   

Edited By Tony Smith 7 on 29/05/2010 13:40:28

[leccyflyer]

There's a difference between counterfeit - trying to pass them off as genuine - and receivers which use the same protocols, but which are clearly not trying to pass themselves off as something else.

 

The six channel set for $14.95 - about a tenner - is interesting, even if one does not  wish to get one they might has some effect on the pricing of comparable branded items

[Tim Mackey]

I have taken a punt and ordered 10 of the small 4 channel jobs - several club members have reserved 8 of them....and I will let you know how I get on with my two.

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

So that's why they went out of stock so quickly!  I will have to bide my time and wait until they are in stock again

 

[Mark R]

Well after spektrum got 'hit' with the ar500 troubles, i hope these are more reliable than the genuine ones.  Wonder if this will wake up the big names, perhaps they will now start to make things a lil cheaper, look at all the cheap 35mhz receivers you could get, they were reliable.  And i wonder how long before someone reverse engineers a Futaba fasst receiver.

[Chris Card]

I've seen a suggestion elsewhere that these receivers may only be capable of receiving Spektrum DSM and are therefore only compatible with DSM2 transmitters by virtue of the fact those Txs can be switched into DSM mode.  Not sure if that's the case but I'll certainly look forward to Timbo's verdict on them once he has some to test.  

 

 

[Tim Mackey]

I read it that they are compatible with DSM2 and DSM.

All Spektrum Tx units ( except the car version DX6 ) are DSM2, and automatically select either DSM or DSM2 when communicating with the Rx.

DSM Receivers such as the AR6000 do not "talk back" to the Tx during binding, so the Tx then automatically switches to DSM on the lack of this chat.

All current Spektrum / JR Tx units are DSM2 / DSM equipped.

[Tim Mackey]

From the specs page....

"A perfect foamie or parkflyer receiver. Very small and very light!
The new range of OrangeRx receivers are built using original components and MCUs and with state of the art SMT automation to ensure a quality product each and every time.
All OrangeRx receivers are QC tested before leaving the factory.
The OrangeRx will work with ANY Spektrum DSM or DSM2 2.4Ghz transmitter"

[Braddock, VC]

Timbo, remember the claims made for mds engines, all that glisters is not gold....

[Chris Card]

You're right Timbo, it's very clear in what it says, however I remain a sceptic.  For the receivers to be compatible with both DSM and DSM2 transmissions they will need dual receiver circuits, using 2 different chipsets.  An expensive way to build a receiver, and given the relatively small size of the DSM user base these days, why complicate things such?

 

It seems far more likely that the receivers only receive DSM and allow the marketing men to claim "DSM2  transmitter compatibiliy" only as a result of the DSM2 transmitter's behaviour (defaulting back to DSM protocol when presented with a DSM receiver).

 

I will, however, be delighted to hear that I'm wrong if your testing demonstrates this.  Not sure how you would test whether DSM or DSM2 is being used between transmitter and receiver though?  Also, does it matter?  Well I suppose not.  If the receivers give you adequate range and prove to be reliable then who will quibble over the difference between DSM and DSM2.  

 

Spektrum have made public that DSM2 offers a much more robust and power efficient control link, if the legacy compatibility with DSM receivers is what's opened the door to these cheap copy receivers, will Spektrum now close the loophole by withdrawing DSM compatibility from their future transmitters?

[Tim Mackey]

Posted by John Gibbs on 31/05/2010 10:17:43:

Timbo, remember the claims made for mds engines, all that glisters is not gold....

 

Not expecting gold at these prices John

[Tim Mackey]

Interesting thought Chris. I would have thought that if they are only compatible with one of the protocols...then DSM2 would be favourite, as after all - DSM is a dinosaur. I will have to have a google around to see if there is a method for determining which system they deploy - although we do have a very clever geek in the club who will doubtless be able to suss it in in seconds

As you say....doesnt matter a whole lot really -I have 3 early AR6000 rx units ( DSM ) and they all perform superbly...and also way past the stated parlk fly range. I think there may be a power saving advantage with DSM2, but frankly....I cant tell the difference, and have never bothered to measure it. I do like dabbling with testing and so on, but usually its very practical and user based stuff - does it do what it says it does, is it far from spec on important things, and so on.

....... I left my oscilloscope on the bus in 1972, and never did go looking for it

[Mark R]

Cant wait to hear the results Timbo....please please let it be good news....dayaaaaam i am a skin flint, totally proud of it tho.

[kc]

Are these CE marked and therefore legal to use for planes in Britain?

 

Read page 78 of the BMFA latest handbook  ...."otherwise you may be personally liable for the legality of its operation"

[Tim Mackey]

No idea yet KC.

[kc]

Are you just going to throw them away if they are not CE marked, use them illegally or go through the CE approval process at your own expense?

Edited By kc on 31/05/2010 23:44:13

[Chris Card]

I'm just listening the latest All Things That Fly Podcast and the guys are discussing counterfeit and third party clone receivers.  Seems like the way to determine whether it's DSM or DSM2 is to see how long it takes to bind and whether it provides model match functionality.

 

[Tim Mackey]

I dint think model match was a sole  function of the rx

I have 3 models with AR6000 rx units ( DSM ) and my DX7 will not allow operation of the wrong model with any of these either ?

KC - I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I suspect that I shall probably be only using these in cheap foamy slope soarers, and they will be well tested before use.

Edited By Timbo - Administrator on 01/06/2010 08:53:14

[ken anderson.]

timbo-hope you haven't been had........and the rest of your mate's dont come round and bash your front door in...... ...

 

  ken anderson...ne 1...

[kiwi g]

Badge engineering can be a great thing. theres nothing to say these arent made in the same factory as specktrum .

Waiting for test results.

Someone had to take the risk.

Good on ya timbo

[Ed Darter]

Do module based TX setups provide backwards compatibility with DSM ? or would they be DSM2 only ?

[Chris Card]

Did you get your receivers Timbo?  What's the verdict so far?

 

 

[Tim Mackey]

Nooooo, I am about 3/4 way down a list of over 1000 backordered last time I looked.

fear not, will report back when in and tested.