Seeker II Uncommanded Movement  
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros >> Radio Manufacturer Direct Support >> Polks Hobby >> Seeker II Uncommanded Movement
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Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 10/30/2006 3:04:14 AM   
kstick


 

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2005
From: Corpus Christ, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Both here and on Polks site there have been recent discussions about uncommanded servo movements with Polk's Seeker II receivers.

I bought 2 Seeker II receivers in March of this year from the Polk's Internet site. One Rx has about 50 flights and seems to be working well. The Rx in question had 12 successful flights on the Super Stick I use for testing.

I recently put it in my new Venus II. Today on its maiden flight, on the first flight I had two instances of a sudden quarter roll and then control came back almost immediately. After the second I set up and landed successfully. I range checked again, both with engine off and with engine at full throttle. With only 1 segment extended (Futaba 9CS non synth) I got over 100 feet on both. I also moved the antenna from along the bottom of the fuselage to the top to move further away from the servos and wires as the rudder and elevator servos are in the rear. I checked the battery (1500 mah Nimh 4 cell) and it was over 5 volts under load. The servos are 5x HiTec 6635 s plus a HiTec 425.

After these checks I put the plane in the air again. It flew fine for 5 minutes when there was a sudden elevator pitch down (~ 30 degrees) when in level flight, and it also immediately let me recover. I turned to land and it happened one more time, but recovered again and I was able to land safely.

I'm real skittish now about this Rx after this experience and reading others having the same thing.

My question is was there ever any resolution to the previous problems that were discussed here and on Polks site? If so what was the problem, does it effect my Rx based on my purchase date? Is it due to a bad Rx or have I some how caused the problem by radio installation?

This is my pride and joy plane and I've invested enough in it to build and equip 3 of the planes I normally fly.

Thanks for any ideas on correcting the problem.


       Post #: 1

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 10/30/2006 3:30:32 AM   
XJet


 

Posts: 3452
Joined: 3/31/2003
From: Tokoroa, NEW ZEALAND
Status: online 		I suggest you add your comments to the thread I (missileman) started on the Polks BBS.

Your symptoms sound a lot like the ones I've experienced in almost all the receivers I purchased in a batch late last year.

Sometimes they'll sit there good as gold (for a minute or two) and then you'll get massive twitching, often on just *one* channel. In my case I've got a receiver that I'm flying (for lack of a replacement) that twitches real bad but only on throttle. The range has no effect -- sometimes it'll do it when I'm taxiing out and other times when it's way at the limit of visibility.

The worst ones also have short range and twitch almost constantly after being on for a minute or two -- I've sent them back. The first two were repaired/replaced and one of them is now 100% perfect, the other is the one with the glitchy throttle channel.

I've just sent another three from the same batch -- these have never been flown because they twitch/glitch so bad I dare not.

On several occasions I've asked Polks to confirm or deny that there was a bad batch delivered late last year -- but so far they're not saying (which means they're not denying it either).

I'm a bit pee'd off that I've bought $360 worth of useless receivers and the manufacturer can't even be bothered to tell me why they're useless.

Of course the usual disclaimer applies: the Seeker 6's I've got that actually work are *brilliant* and my favourite PPM receivers. If they could just get the failure rate under the 60%+ that I've experienced (or tell us how to avoid the bad ones that have made their way onto retailers shelves) then I'd be happy.

In the meantime -- I (and most of our club) aren't buying any more and we can't really recommend them to anyone else either.

_____________________________

When I'm not here, I'm at RCModelReviews

(in reply to kstick)
       Post #: 2

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 12/25/2006 3:50:54 AM   
ira d


 

Posts: 811
Joined: 5/29/2003
From: Rancho Belago, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I have a seeker 8 that has the sympton that you are dscribing I sent it to Polk and they
returned it in the same condition. I purchased the receiver two years ago and it seem
to work ok for maybe the first year, but it seems there is a defect in many of these
receivers I wont be buying anymore soon.

_____________________________

Ira d

(in reply to kstick)
       Post #: 3

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 2/7/2007 2:15:44 PM   
moodier



Posts: 752
Joined: 10/5/2002
From: Yuma , AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi;Interesting to see your post on the glitching!My seeker 8 seems to have same problem!Just cost me a plane did the movement to close to recover but was and old test plane anyway but could have been a good one too.Like the receiver but was just going to order couple more but think willreconsider although so far my others seem OK.Sounds like sending them in isn't much of an answer either?Mine was couple years old too probably came with my earlier tracker 11 not my new 111.ANy idea if the new ones are any better???Thanks!

(in reply to ira d)
       Post #: 4

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 2/8/2007 8:22:14 AM   
XJet


 

Posts: 3452
Joined: 3/31/2003
From: Tokoroa, NEW ZEALAND
Status: online 		My best Seekers are the ones I bought longest ago. All the recently purchased ones had problems.

_____________________________

When I'm not here, I'm at RCModelReviews

(in reply to moodier)
       Post #: 5

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/9/2007 5:26:40 AM   
twmoody


 

Posts: 81
Joined: 9/16/2003
From: Rockford, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I was going to switch my entire fleet to Seeker 6's and I had bought 8 receivers but I started having problems. I would get a lap or two around the field and then the ailerons or rudder or elevator would suddenly go to one extreme. Several times I managed to get it back but I did destroy 4 planes.

I sent all the receivers back to Polk and when they came back I continued having the same problems and when I crashed the second plane I decided I would not risk any more planes. I sold the 8 receivers as is for $75 for the entire 8. The fellow that bought them sent them all to Polk and after they came back he has crashed 4 planes due to glitches in the receivers.

Too bad, the idea is nice but they seem to have a real problem.

Now I have been flying a Spectrum for a little over a year and have had no problems with it.

Tom Moody

(in reply to XJet)
       Post #: 6

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/10/2007 4:58:18 AM   
ira d


 

Posts: 811
Joined: 5/29/2003
From: Rancho Belago, CA, USA
Status: offline 		My Seeker 8 was going to be a $70.00 paper weight but then i thought it would be good
to use to test with and set up servos ect ect I wont fly it any more though.

_____________________________

Ira d

(in reply to twmoody)
       Post #: 7

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/10/2007 6:28:50 AM   
saramos



Posts: 2244
Joined: 12/6/2003
From: Northridge, CA, USA
Status: offline 		I used to be a proponent of Polks radios and was flying the Tracker and seeker. They had a good concept at a great price. But after 4 crashes and 1 totaled plane, and sending in both the radio and receiver for repairs, no more. Bye bye Polk, hello Spektrum (or any other brand).

Scott

(in reply to ira d)
       Post #: 8

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/10/2007 6:50:16 AM   
XJet


 

Posts: 3452
Joined: 3/31/2003
From: Tokoroa, NEW ZEALAND
Status: online 		I still have several Seeker 6 receivers that are flawless in their operation - but I also have some that won't dare see the air again.

I wonder what gives?

Clearly they *can* work very well, but too often they just don't.

If I could rely on getting a good one each time I bought a new one, I'd buy a whole heap more bnut until then I'll use the ones I've got which I can rely on and wait until there's some definitive word from Polks as to what the problem(s) are caused by and how they've been addressed.

It's a shame really -- I was contemplating trying to secure the agency for Polk gear for this part of the world but I can see that the support cost would make it unprofitable right now.

_____________________________

When I'm not here, I'm at RCModelReviews

(in reply to saramos)
       Post #: 9

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/10/2007 1:01:45 PM   
moodier



Posts: 752
Joined: 10/5/2002
From: Yuma , AZ, USA
Status: offline 		HI XJET:Ya! I sure wouldn't want to be responsible for selling there equip with the reports I see on here!I have both the Tracker 11&111 trasmitters and several seeker 11s.I may not be the best flyer in the world but I can tell when I am not giving the orders to the plane and have had to many of those incidents.From what I read no use sending them in either as I have tried that too!The only other one at our field is a new tracker 111 which he no longer will fly at all do to obvious uncontroled movement of surfaces!It to has been sent in with no improvements.MIne is always saying busy while other scanners say nothing.Have seen it on ground go to busy while testing it and all contols go to fluttering,yet others on same channel have no problems!Don't know but there will be no more Polk equip for me,waiting for the new Futaba SS system to be available!Good Luck!!

(in reply to XJet)
       Post #: 10

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/11/2007 6:41:33 AM   
ira d


 

Posts: 811
Joined: 5/29/2003
From: Rancho Belago, CA, USA
Status: offline 		What is sad about this situation is that Polks is very much aware of the problems with
their radios and yet say nothing, they should step up to the plate and admit there is
a problem and either replace the defective equp or offer refunds.

They will likely be out of the radio business soon if they keep going the way they are.

_____________________________

Ira d

(in reply to moodier)
       Post #: 11

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/11/2007 3:17:26 PM   
moodier



Posts: 752
Joined: 10/5/2002
From: Yuma , AZ, USA
Status: offline 		HI;I guess if they won't stand behind there equipment and allow this to go on without even acknowledging a problem the should be out.Now the SS willprobably kill them anyway as at least I would be afraid to buy any more of there equipment.Such a shame as there idea was wonderful and had lot of promise.My problem now is whether to continue using my equip and flying with my fingers crossed or get something else to use till the SS from Futaba is avail?It seems that there is problem with both the Tx and Rxs?Lost 2 planes with uncontroled movements but took same rxs and changed channels and have had no further problem with them?Lot of busy signals on my Tx when other scanners say none.Fly in area with lot of interference?Near a large military research facility and large military airport really wonder if here the radio gets overwhelmed with interference just shuts off as busy?We have a couple of SS units here now and so far no problems!!!Good Luck!!

(in reply to ira d)
       Post #: 12

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/12/2007 12:29:08 PM   
novabill


 

Posts: 1773
Joined: 9/17/2003
From: Hudson, FL, USA
Status: offline 		Just out of curiosity, what channell are all of you flying on? I have 7 seekers and have flown them in glow and electric for the last 2 years. I fly on 30 and to date, I can remember 1 glitch. However, they have been used on 42 and 48 and we have seen similar symptoms as described above. Things that make you go HMMMMMMM....

(in reply to moodier)
       Post #: 13

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/12/2007 3:29:43 PM   
moodier



Posts: 752
Joined: 10/5/2002
From: Yuma , AZ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi;Re;channels.Lost 2 planes on channel 41 and quit 52 due to constant busy signals not shown on other scanners.These don't count dumb thumbs!!Only other tracker at our field no longer used due to constant glitches not sure channel but know it is seeker 6,I don't use my 6 so mine were all on seeker 2s.

(in reply to novabill)
       Post #: 14

RE: Seeker II Uncommanded Movement - 3/14/2007 11:54:34 PM   
kstick


 

Posts: 55
Joined: 5/27/2005
From: Corpus Christ, TX, USA
Status: offline 		I originated this thread and thought I'd post an update for those who may be struggling with the same issue.

The plane is still fine, but I switched it over to a HiTech RCD3800 Rx after my first two flights.

After bringing the plane home after the glitching on the second flight, I experminted with it on the ground in the yard. With both the Tx and Rx on, if I took the Rx antenna and held it along side the fuselage and kind of flopped it up and down I could get different servos to glitch every once in a while. If I held the antenna a foot away from the fuse then I could not induce any glitching.

I then switched the Polk Seeker II Rx for HiTech. I then flopped its antenna alongside the fuse also. In my subjective opinion it was much harder to detect any servo glitches, perhaps by a factor of 10.

Remember from the first post that there are three servos mounted in the tail so the antenna run along the fuselage was parallel to and only 2-4 inches away from the servo extension wires which are about 24" long. In my opinion the glitching was due to stray magnetic fields from the servo extensions inducing a false signal into the antenna (or someting of that nature). The HiTec Rx seemed to be more resistant to this problem than the Seeker II.

I left the HiTech RCD2800 Rx in the Venus II, and routed the antenna to the top of the vertical stab. This got it about 2" further away from the servo wires than my last flight with the Seeker, which had it taped to the top of the fuselage. I've had 12 flights on the HiTech since then and have NOT had any glitching.

Routing the Seeker II antenna the same may have cured the problem, but I wasn't willing to take the chance since my experiment indicated the HiTech was not as sensitive to the problem.

Finally, I put the Seeker back into my Super Stick test bed, and its had 6 flights without any problem. Of course, on the Stick the antenna does not run parallel to any servo extensions.

Answering some comments since my original post.

I'm not signed on to Polks to add my comments to a thread. Am I wrong or has Polks made themselves scarce on this forum and even on their own?

I haven't quit using my Polks Rx's (I have 2 Seeker II's and 1 Seeker 6). They are relegated to my 3 least favorite planes, but seem to be doing fine. Its kind of a shame as I bought them to put in planes to take to fun flys so that if I couldn't fly on my Futaba 9C frequency, I could use my Optic 6 that has the synth module.

Novabill - I was on channel 20.

(in reply to