anyone out there ever used this wireless buddy box made by 2icrc they claim that you can buddy any rx/tx together here is a link to the site for more info you guys think it would be good item for a beginner pilot thanks for your comments www.2icrc.com</p>

Keep It Simple Stupid, that's what I always say. Too much crap compared to one simple little cord.

KISS +1

While it might be something neat for other applications I think it's a bit too much for just a simple buddy box used in training. All of the reasons they list for a simple buddy box are really not applicable in a training environment. You WANT the student standing right next to you so that you can talk to him, see his actions, and possible physically help with items on his radio such as trim settings. Plus, it's a lot of cost just for trainging a student. Stick with a buddy cord for initial training of a student.</p>

Ken</p>

I took a look at this unit.  This is way to complicated for trainer applications, in my opinion.  There are way to many wired connections, to many things to go wrong, and, can you imagine a student RC'er trying to figure all this out with the concern about just learning to fly?</p>

Way to complex.</p>

As was said previously...  well, I don't have to repeat it.</p>

CGr.</p>

Not only that, but you MUST have one matched receiver for EACH TX used.

This means that you cannot switch among different planes with any ease.

Hey, I'd be worried about that whole wireless thing when it comes to my planes.  Oh, wait a second. .  . . .   &lt;grin&gt;

As was stated above, why complicate the issue?  The student should be within 10 feet of the instructor for communication and perspective, at a minimum.

Jack</p>

</p>

</p>

i guess the reason for input on this device is i have a brand new dx6i that i have never even used to fly with im useing a futaba conquest fp-t4nbf tx/rx because noone can buddy with the dx6i and dont have $ to get another thanks for your help though

From what I gather, one of the beauties of this system is to do exactly what the OP is trying to do by flying different brand radios. I've seen people use this system at my club and it is quite neat. In fact, most of the people using it are intermediate flyers trying out stuff on each others planes with the "safety" of having the owner be a click away. However, you don't have to look like a newb with a buddy cord.

Is this system for everybody? Nope, it's not

But is it a cool gadget that is simple to use and can be fun for all ability levels, and cure some cross-brand interfacing issues? Most Definitely. And besides, who doesn't enjoy having the latest gadget?

Just keep an open mind. And to the OP, if you are interested, just try it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Looks interesting.

When the 2.4GHz radios were coming out, I was hoping they would have a wireless buddy-box feature built in. I thought it would be cool if the TXs could communicate via WiFi for the buddy-box function instead of using a cord.

Iknew there would be discussion about it in RCUniverse, so I joined to give you my input. I recently purchased this device and installed it in a low wing trainer. I was excited enough that I video taped a little bit of the installation. I have since flown it with my 6 year old son with great success.

The product is simply awesome. Worked perfect right out of the box. I am buddy boxing a 2.4GHz Spektrum with a cheapo 72MHz Airtronics that my son uses, I didn't have to spend $350 for another Spektrum for my son which I am happy with, nether am I worrying about having a pricey TX on his destructive little hands... Furthermore, I am only giving him partial control of the airplane. I only grant him controls of the ailerons and elevator.

If I get my brother in law to come out with me, I will have him video tape our flight and I will add it here for y'all to see.

I have come to believe that this product should be given out by AMA to new members as part of the membership bundle!!!

I am very satisfied and look forward to droping it into the next aircraft for my son and I to venture into more advanced stuff....well worth the money....

This is like your first cordless drill or cordless phone...after you use it, you wonder how you ever got anything done with the cord in your way...

The link below is for the Wireless Buddy Box installation video I made posted in YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdcEGno3o7g

I downloaded and read trough the manual. It looks quite straight forward to set-up and use, and easy enough a beginner could figure it out. According to the manual, it will work with any two radios as long as they aren't on the same frequency, and recommends they be spaced at least 4 channels apart. I could also see an issue where space would be at a premium, but in something like a Kadet Sr. it would be no issue. The major drawback is you do have to install two receivers, set up and trim out two separate radio systems (but only one set of servos) , and it only has a 15 day warranty. The $140.00 purchase price sure would buy a lot of trainer chords, but I can see where this could be fun to have too.

Hogflyer

My instructors always said KISS meant Keep It Stupid Stupid?? Bit much for normal operation for my tastes.

I have observed that the use of a wireless connection causes a loss of punctuation.

Too expensive and time consuming compared to a simple chord to me. BUT, I can see the future coming when the manufactureres, JR, Futaba, etc., will make foolproof, affordabel wireless buddy boxes to work with their systems. Then it'd be a great idea IMHO.

I am the inventor and vendor of the Wireless Buddy Box by 2icrc - let me clarify and expend on the topic.

As far as my product, the trainer cable on the ground is eliminated by virtue of having two receivers onboard. These two RXs have two independent TXs on the ground, hence, no cable between them. So, in actuality I am not using any technology that would introduce what you are mentioning. Furthermore, there is no latency time on switching control to the secondary pilot and back. Futaba is coming out with a Wireless Buddy Box for their FASST Transmitters, it is a receiver that attaches to the trainer jack. The secondary TX communicates to the RX dangling on the back of the master TX, then finally out the antenna of the same. Futaba people saw my presentation at XFC 2009 in Muncie. They had their version of the Wireless Buddy Box at their table next to mine....their rep told me late 2009 due date at $100 dollars. (I should have taken a pic to attach to this post, I asked him for literature but he told me he didn't have it yet...) So in Futaba's case, the trainee inputs go through two stages in "talking" to the RX dangling behind the master TX then the master TX sending the inputs to the aircraft....so, doubledee here is your loss of punctuation/latency.

Futaba will approach all of your questions and doubts all the same and justify why you should buy their product. All of their rational will apply to my product, however, for the additional $40 bucks you get features they simply don't have and cannot touch. Fact is, none of these big companies are in the market of creating products that enable us (modelers) to go and buy other people's stuff. (We all know that.) Futaba wants you to keep buying Futaba and JR wants you to keep buying JR and so on. Futaba's version of the Wireless Buddy Box is truly simply chopping off the wire at some money cost without giving you any extra features whatsoever. Did I mention only Futaba FASST to FASST TX will be able to use their Wireless Buddy Box...

A product like mine, that enables you to use products spanning time from AM radios to 2.4Ghz and across brandname lines together is simply not in Futaba's/JR's/Spektrum's (and so on) interest.

Futaba has realized the marketability of giving their consumers the freedom of not being connected to one another - so they put money and engineering effort into creating their version of their Wireless Buddy Box. Well, I too saw that prospect, but put out something (sooner) that offers features and applications well beyond cutting a trainer cord (unlike, Futaba).

So time will tell, Futaba is going to make their move....the reality is that my system is much greater then a Wireless Buddy Box. Rather, it is a Co-Piloting System useful for Co-op Training, Co-op Piloting, Co-op Competitions and Redundancy. But I had to start somewhere, so for now, my product is dubbed XPO Wireless Buddy Box - it was the clear marketing choice for me to begin with....

....but I am realizing that what I have is much bigger than what the terminology "Buddy Box" evokes and is traditionally thought as....

I will be at the Big Apple Jet Rally, NY and Warbirds over DE....other events too, soon to be posted on my website. If you are in the area, come to these shows and see my product demo before your very eyes, seeing is believing.

(Anybody else go to XFC 2009 and see the Futaba Wireless Buddy Box on their table?...between the Futaba TX's and O.S. engines....)

I will admit that I have/had my doubts about this system (which can viewed earlier in this thread). And I will be the very first to step up and say that I had my doubts about this system. However, while covering XFC the weekend before last I had a chance to stop by their booth and visit with them. I was impressed enough to walk away with a unit tucked under my arm to review for RCU. Now I will admit that I still think that they student should still be standing right beside the instructor, and that a cord is still good for that purpose. But after visiting with them I see that there are may uses for this device that goes beyond the basic "buddy box" setup.

On the trianing side, here are some situations where I can see this device being good
</p><ul>[*]The student has a different brand of radio than the instructor. WIth this system both radios can be used and the student will not have to purchase a new buddy box and cord to train.[*]the student can train on the radio his is going to use after he solos.[*]the training radio isn't limited to the basic 4 channels that a buddy box is. Since the second radio is independant it is a full radio with all of it's functions. so any of the other channels being used can be used by the student. the current system is only 6 channels, but they are coming out with a system with more channels in it.[*]Higher level aerobatics can be trained with this system. way above the basic training level, but still a training function.[/list]
</p>

some things that I can see above the training level that can be used here</p><ul>[*]pilot challanges. two pilots on the same plane. Play a sort of  HORSE game in the air. First pilot does a maneuver, turns over control to second pilot who then tries to duplicate the maneuver[*]as I said above, advanced aerobatics training can be done.[/list]
One thing that I liked about the system is that it also has failsafes built in. Since the system works off of a channel on the "master" radio it's very simple to program a failsafe to turn that channel on if reception is lost. that way the system will switch over to the second radio who will then have full control. The system works with ANY radio. 27 mhz, 72 mhz, 35 mhz, 6 meter, and 2.4 ghz. They can be mixed and matched in the system without worries, both will work.

so far I do see some downsides. The need to install two receivers can be limiting in some planes. there is a lot of wires and extensions to deal with as well.

Now don't get me wrong, these are all first impressions from simply talking with them at their booth. I'm sure I'll figure out more as I get into the review. But for now I've at least partially changed my mind from my earlier statements. More to come as I dig into the product.

Ken</p>








</p>


</p>

I think I'll wait for the review.

CGr.

The co-op flying part sounds cool, you could do an airshow where the main pilot pretends to drop his tx or something like that while the other guy off to the side that no one sees takes over and makes the plane look out of control!

My student last year, keep stepping on the cord!!!!

I was thinking just a few days ago it would be nice to have a wireless system. Don't know if I want to spend $140 for it. But on the other hand I do like my toys!!!!!


sticks

[quote]ORIGINAL: XPO


I am the inventor and vendor of the Wireless Buddy Box by 2icrc - let me clarify and expend on the topic.

As far as my product, the trainer cable on the ground is eliminated by virtue of having two receivers onboard. These two RXs have two independent TXs on the ground, hence, no cable between them. So, in actuality I am not using any technology that would introduce what you are mentioning. Furthermore, there is no latency time on switching control to the secondary pilot and back. Futaba is coming out with a Wireless Buddy Box for their FASST Transmitters, it is a receiver that attaches to the trainer jack. The secondary TX communicates to the RX dangling on the back of the master TX, then finally out the antenna of the same. Futaba people saw my presentation at XFC 2009 in Muncie. They had their version of the Wireless Buddy Box at their table next to mine....their rep told me late 2009 due date at $100 dollars. (I should have taken a pic to attach to this post, I asked him for literature but he told me he didn't have it yet...) So in Futaba's case, the trainee inputs go through two stages


this would be a good question for you.

I have a JR x9303 2.4 and have it set up as a buddy system with a JR XF421ex 72 band. it works but I have to have my JR X9303 fifth channel in the Gear channel and it takes away all my mixing.
Can your system let me have my fifth channel in Aux 1 for the X9303 and use the gear on the RX for the XF421.

sticks

Here is your answer. The XPO can solve your problems (product I developed). You need to find a RX for the XF421 to drop into the airplane. Having the second RX on board will completely separate the transmitter programing of the two pilots (master and secondary). So not only will you have full programming available (expo, dual rates, etc) for both pilots, your fifth channel issues currently plaguing you are just not existent with the XPO.

However, you will have to assign a dedicated channel on you master receiver to be responsible for the switching of control back and forth. The XPO allows up to 6 channels to be toggled between the master and the secondary pilot. If your X9303 receiver has 7 channels, then you will pick a channel to perform the control switching and the rest can be shared with the secondary pilot. If your X9303 RX has more than 7 channels then you have even more options (channel-wise) to pick from to assign as the switching channel....any dial or toggle on your X9303 can be set as your new trainer toggle.

Let me make sure I am clear, the dedicated channel on the master RX controlling the switching always remains with the master pilot.

The XPO Co-Pilot ("Wireless Buddy Box") will give you the freedom you want....and no more student stepping on the cord either....

For me to further personalize your answer I would need to know the receiver you are using for your X9303. Please ask me more if something is unclear or you have other points to discuss.

Thanks XPO

I think that answers my question.

your setup is just how I figured it to be. sounds like a good idea. I have 3 RX's for the 421 72 band.

Your system would solve a problem in a way , but it may not be the way I want to go.

right now I have my radio system ( 2.4) set up so that I can let a student or anyone fly any of my 2.4 planes on the buddy system. I let a new person fly my Hanger 9 j3 cub last nite. It was nice to give him a feel for another plane, he says he wants to stay with the real traniner for now

if down the road I pick up a used JR radio with over 4 channels and one in not gear, my idea will work even better. I just can't use mixing for a plane with two servos for the wing servos with the buddy cord.

thanks for the reply, good luck with this. I may someday give it a try.

sticks

after reading about this new system, I see it as a switching device. Is that right?

when the master tx trainer sw. is pressed the box in the plane switchs to the slave rx and the slave tx has comand, right?

can there be two RX batterys one for each RX in the plane????

I would think this would be a good product for the very high end flyer, like if someone is flying a $5000 RC jet. wouldn't it be nice to have another person standing there with a whole seperate control system as back up. This would be great even if used as a test bed for the new $5000 plane or jet.

$140 would be a drop in the bucket for those guys (I am not one of the lucky ones, but if I was I would have one).

sticks

-It is an In-Flight, Flight Control Switching Device.

-YES...but the trainer switch is whatever toggle or dial that you choose.


-Yes, but in the end the batteries are really in parallel so the two batts. are providing the entire system their added capacity. I highly recommend only using batt. that have the same chemistry, voltage and capacity. Any port on any device, either RX or the XPO itself will servo as a power supply port. I did, however, include a dedicate battery port on the XPO itself for power distribution. If you were asking, are the batteries separate for each RX then the answer is no, all power is in parallel.


-Could not agree more! In the end, it all boils down to your definition of high dollar - for Bill Gates a 50,000 dollar Jet is like a penny on the curb outside that nobody wants to bend over to pick up. But for others, 2 grand in one aircraft is considered a big expense. So, I am offering a way to protect that monetary commitment and also preserve your long hours put into building and customizing your "baby".

I don't care how many people fly the same airplanes I fly, BUT in the end, my plane is still one of a kind....the lost hours is what makes men cry when they crash more so then the money lost....it's a heartbreak...