New Powerbox radio...
#1

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Join Date: Oct 2011
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#2

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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Juan, , PUERTO RICO (USA)
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Boy; That's an ugly radio........
hmarmaizmd717
hmarmaizmd717
#3

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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Bush,
LA
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Yikes, I have to agree with that statement.
#4

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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Mendon, MA
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The form factor looks very similar to the Jeti DS-16 handheld transmitter.
I actually like the looks, especially the display.
I actually like the looks, especially the display.
#5

Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: , UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 89

If looks sell, I'm not sure Jeti has anything to worry about... Looks like a FRsky cast off...
THe Jeti looks worth the money - this looks cheap...
THe Jeti looks worth the money - this looks cheap...
#6

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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Highland Utah UT
Posts: 5,016

It's not only ugly as sin, I cannot see how the thing could possibly feel balanced in your hands or on a neckstrap with that display mounted where it is.
I like PB stuff and use it quite a bit, but I'll keep my current radios thank you very much.....
I like PB stuff and use it quite a bit, but I'll keep my current radios thank you very much.....
#7

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leicester, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 942

Well I have just had this new radio in my hands this morning at JetPower and I can say:
Its well lighter than the DS24
The sticks are very light and smooth
The Tx is totally balanced and feels very nice in the hands
The display is VERY quick to update
Lastly yes I will be buying one...
Alan
Its well lighter than the DS24
The sticks are very light and smooth
The Tx is totally balanced and feels very nice in the hands
The display is VERY quick to update
Lastly yes I will be buying one...
Alan
Last edited by fireblade5437; 09-15-2017 at 08:03 AM.
#8

The look doesn't bother me at all and the display is in a sensible position. What I'd like to know is if the top row of switches can be reached easily without having to stretch and look. My DX18 Tx has always been too tall in that respect, and I have quite long fingers. Also,the trim positions might need a bit of getting used to, though at least they should be easy to reach. Is the switch a push on-off type and if so is that safe? Presumably it requires a lo-o-ng press to activate it to avoid inadvertent operation.
Gordon
Gordon
#9

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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: private, UNITED KINGDOM
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Perhaps it is like the Jeti which requires a second, different button to be pressed to confirm it.
Last edited by HarryC; 09-15-2017 at 12:31 PM.
#10

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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Latrobe,
PA
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Looks like a Multiplex radio. Do we know a price?
#11

Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Hilversum, NETHERLANDS
Posts: 36

Yes, Euro 2490,00
Erik.
Erik.
#12

Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Watford, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 10,410

There is so much about this radio, the picture does not show it well. The details are prototype-Always a risk showing an un finished product.
The features are amazing, balance as Alan said is perfect, I have plenty of pre orders and we are along way from release.
its comfortable in my hands, switches are well laid out, you can put your finger between the two top corner switches and they don't 'switch'
When I'm back from the show I'll list more of what is in there.
The features are amazing, balance as Alan said is perfect, I have plenty of pre orders and we are along way from release.
its comfortable in my hands, switches are well laid out, you can put your finger between the two top corner switches and they don't 'switch'
When I'm back from the show I'll list more of what is in there.
#13

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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SANTA ANA, CA
Posts: 2,169

I don't understand the need for such a prominent visual display. If you're looking at that thing while in flight, you're just inviting trouble. Jmo
I like the current Weatronic size and location.
David S
I like the current Weatronic size and location.
David S
#14

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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Fort Worth,
TX
Posts: 1,896

I like the placement of the screen. Should be easy for a spotter to see the display... I'd rather glance at the top of the transmitter for telemetry info, versus down at the bottom. Should be interesting.
#15

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#16

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Weatronic was not commercially successful, but the technology and RF quality was way ahead of everyone. Understand this system uses the same RF technology, so looking forward to the finished product.
#17

Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carolina, PUERTO RICO (USA)
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#18

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: , AUSTRALIA
Posts: 321

Better screen resolution, size, brightness etc surely has to be a good thing. After all its the only thing we have to interact with the controllers settings.
#19

Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston, Texas.
Posts: 4,038

The trim buttons are off center and difficult to reach. Shame because the sticks are nice and smooth and the screen a big step ahead of the competition.
Price point is an immediate no go when comparing this radio with the DS24 and its triple channel redundancy.
I hope that Powerbox will be able to drop the prices rapidly as soon as the system is going on production.
Price point is an immediate no go when comparing this radio with the DS24 and its triple channel redundancy.
I hope that Powerbox will be able to drop the prices rapidly as soon as the system is going on production.
#20

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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: private, UNITED KINGDOM
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I wish them success and I expect it will be a very desirable radio (superficial looks don't bother me, useability does), I think their problem will be that they are so late joining the party that potential buyers will be well entrenched with their Futaba/JR/Jeti system and will see no reason to change. It's not just the cost of the Tx but all the Rx as well. Faced with a total bill beyond 4000 euros people will struggle to see any value in it. It may well have great range, but if I have not had any range problems with my Fut/JR/Jeti then more range is of no value to me.
iirc, Powerbox said it would not be compatible with the Weatronic gizmo Rx, which will be a big disappointment to the Wea users because the amazing gizmo Rx was really the whole point of Weatronic.
It will be interesting to see the full, final specification and what it can offer that is of enough real world value to tempt people to change brands.
iirc, Powerbox said it would not be compatible with the Weatronic gizmo Rx, which will be a big disappointment to the Wea users because the amazing gizmo Rx was really the whole point of Weatronic.
It will be interesting to see the full, final specification and what it can offer that is of enough real world value to tempt people to change brands.
Last edited by HarryC; 09-15-2017 at 10:46 PM.
#21

Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: CookhamBerkshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 3,383

[QUOTE=Zeeb;12368108]HOLY CH*T!!
There are LOTS of radio systems out there today and Weatronic was not successful, nor I suspect will PowerBox be with a price tag like that for an unproven system.[/QUOT
Wrong!
The Weatronics system was, and is, technically superbly successful. It failed commercially because of the premature and tragic death of one of its major investors and the removal of support by his subsequent estate managers who had no interest in rc.
I have been using it since day one, because of its huge capability and technical competence., 4 transmitters inc. a BAT 60 and 15 receivers.
The release of the Weatronics system was as big a breakthrough in RC technology as was the introduction of glass cockpits, INS and IRS and FMCS in airliner cockpits, now the standard.
With the technical quality, marketing expertise and customer support of Powerbox, this radio will be a success for those of us who want the most capable system.
My order is in, and I will do an in depth, and honest, objective, assessment in due course.
If you see me flying it ( as you currently do with 12 X and tx module) on my valuable models it will have my full endorsement.
DG.
There are LOTS of radio systems out there today and Weatronic was not successful, nor I suspect will PowerBox be with a price tag like that for an unproven system.[/QUOT
Wrong!
The Weatronics system was, and is, technically superbly successful. It failed commercially because of the premature and tragic death of one of its major investors and the removal of support by his subsequent estate managers who had no interest in rc.
I have been using it since day one, because of its huge capability and technical competence., 4 transmitters inc. a BAT 60 and 15 receivers.
The release of the Weatronics system was as big a breakthrough in RC technology as was the introduction of glass cockpits, INS and IRS and FMCS in airliner cockpits, now the standard.
With the technical quality, marketing expertise and customer support of Powerbox, this radio will be a success for those of us who want the most capable system.
My order is in, and I will do an in depth, and honest, objective, assessment in due course.
If you see me flying it ( as you currently do with 12 X and tx module) on my valuable models it will have my full endorsement.
DG.
Last edited by David Gladwin; 09-16-2017 at 08:27 AM.
#22

Join Date: May 2002
Location: Fl.
Posts: 370

It is butt ugly , maybe they'll offer it with a nice camouflage case .
#23

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#24

Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: CookhamBerkshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 3,383

.......your choice, I have a more open, and inquisitive, mind. ( and a helluva a lot of experience than most on the Weatronics concept)
You are just like the guys who, at first, questioned my considerable enthusiasm for the, then, new Boeing FMC equipped airliners when I was one of the very first captains who converted to them back in 1986! They eventually realised the enormous and invaluable progress made !
DG.
DG.
You are just like the guys who, at first, questioned my considerable enthusiasm for the, then, new Boeing FMC equipped airliners when I was one of the very first captains who converted to them back in 1986! They eventually realised the enormous and invaluable progress made !
DG.
DG.
Last edited by David Gladwin; 09-16-2017 at 10:34 AM.
#25

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Leicester, UNITED KINGDOM
Posts: 942

Some pics of the system, had another chance to play with Tx today and I instantly recognised the programming layout/wording. The display is superb and very much real time in operation.
As with my Bat60 we had same comments, I am glad not everyone likes it as it leaves me with a great system and a unique system at the field that makes a change from what everyone one else has got :-) Plus I get one quicker as the ones who don't like it won't be buying it!
Alan
As with my Bat60 we had same comments, I am glad not everyone likes it as it leaves me with a great system and a unique system at the field that makes a change from what everyone one else has got :-) Plus I get one quicker as the ones who don't like it won't be buying it!
Alan
Last edited by fireblade5437; 09-16-2017 at 10:23 AM.