Regarding the CC85HV and software versions.

As has been noted in this thread, there is a software version for the Castle Link (the PC interface device) and while it can be the same as the firmware that is loaded into an ESC, this is usually not the case. The Castle Link software will have different versions of firmware for various ESCs, BECs, etc that are supported by Castle Link. The latest Castle Link firmware is 3.241, and the latest firmware for the 85HV is 3.2. As firmware is updated for a specific ESC, older versions of firmware may be dropped. If you look at the history of the Phoenix firmware (on the Castle website under downloads), you can see multiple versions have improvements for running high power outrunners (aka, stuff used in pattern).

I have tested many versions of firmware on the HV85 (outrunners and inrunners). Inrunners run well on pretty much all versions, so run the latest 3.2 firmware (my recommendation). Some combinations of firmware/outrunners really don't work that well (and this is not unique to Castle). At any reasonable power level, the 1.55 and 1.56 were absolutely bulletproof (no screech, maintaining timing at high power). The only firmware I would upgrade to (for outrunners) is the 3.2, which statically achieves the same prop RPM at fewer amps (than the 1.56). With the crappy winter weather in the northeast, I've not been able to fly the 3.2 on pattern outrunners, but it is working well on smaller motors (statically, and flying).

Regards,

Dave Lockhart
Team Castle Creations