RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

There have been hundreds of broken spring posts on the RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller reported in the Knife Edge Forum.
I would like to hear from anyone in this Forum that has this problem.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Mine broke but I described it at KE-Forum already. Why do you ask ?

Jörg

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

JORG;
NOW THAT THE WARRANTEE HAS BEEN EXTENDED INDEFINITLY,
WITH ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SENT IN DEFECTIVE CONTROLLERS FOR REPAIR, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY RECEIVED A NEW CONTROLLER
WITH THE IMPROVED GIMBALS.
I DO NOT WANT TO GET BACK A CONTROLLER THAT STILL HAS THE WEAK (DEFECTIVE) PLASTIC PIN.
RICH

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I didn't know about the extended warranty. This is the first I’ve heard of it … sorry don’t come to the forums often enough …

I’ve emailed RealFlight twice now, on Friday and last night, asking about getting my Interlink controller replaced. I dropped it - actually it fell from the top of my computer tower to the floor about, what a foot and a half? Now I don’t have elevator or throttle. The last email I received was yesterday when they asked when I bought it and what was wrong with it. I’ve had it for about a year, with no issues. It’s worked great.

My original notification to them simply asked how much to get it replaced? I dropped it, I’m willing to buy a new one. I hadn’t heard anything about an extended warranty. I assume this new extended warranty thing is why they wanted to know how long I’ve had it and what exactly is wrong with it.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Actually I can say that I read everything on KE-Forum concerning this issue for at least a year now.
There has been no confirmation from Knifeedge that:
- there is an issue with the controllers
- the design of these pins has been changed

Actually they do replace these controllers, maybe even if warranty is over (but you have to pay shipping).
No customer on KE-forum did confirm any design-changes till now.

If there is other information maybe they only gave it to people calling them via phone or e-mail.

Jörg

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

i had 2 of the them(the pin) go out and after the second controler i took it apart and fixed it myself. Havnt had any problems since

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I fixed it myself the first time it broke, and that was the last time it broke...
( why should I pay shipping ? I´ve bought something already shipped , it doesn´t work correct )
But to be honest thats not exactly the way to solve the general issue...
KE should have to replace every crappy controller to see what they´ve sold.
And obviously none of us has ever seen the better designed new controllers.
I still believe they don´t exist at all until at least 5 people open them and tell me that they got redesigned controllers...

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

hmm i didnt pay shipping

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

How can a newbie and new G3.5 owner tell whether she got an improved controller or not?

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

you'll know when it breaks:eek:

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

LOL

Rich

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

The people who say there is a new and improved controller have not shared with everyone what the changes are, nor how to identify the improved controller.

The problem mentioned in most posts has been the retainers for the springs on the sticks breaking. It appears that if you drop the box or are particularly hard on the sticks there is a good probability a spring will give. They are anchored by plastic posts that apparently aren't robust.

It appears that the Interlink controller is actually one of Futaba's inexpensive transmitters without the RF components. That would suggest a couple of things. Their cheap TX's would probably be as easily broken, or the Interlink somehow gets harder use at the PC than the TX's see at the field. There is little reason for a mfg to specially produce that Interlink when they can use what already works well for them. But they could have used components that were not up to specs (bad plastic for example).

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

With RealFlight and now the G3.5 version how important has using your own RC controller been for sim flying as opposed to using the "cheap" InterLink Plus Controller been? Assuming I don't drop it and it doesn't fail on its own will this controller do the trick or should I proceed asap to using a real controller?

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

It is not important at all to use your own TX with a sim.

The controllers that come with FSOne and G3.5 actually feel about the same. Most of my students wind up handing ME their "good TX" and learning to fly on a least cost buddy box TX. Darned if that isn't a perfect simulation of what you're going to do with a simulator, right? ;)

About the only compelling reason to use your TX on the sim is if it has it's trims or special switches so located that you think you need to practice using them. And that doesn't really seem probable.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

The great thing is, mine just broke not even a minute ago. I searched for the damn number once again BECAUSE I have already sent this thing in before and odds are this second time might not even be the last. I wonder how many times I have to send this thing in. I mean we spend $200 on this thing and it breaks down faster then my rc planes which is crazy because I am not the most experienced flyer yet.

Maybe they are making the sim so real that I need to turn off the "flight failures" because it activates a very sophisticated switch in this amazing tx that "pretends" to break the spring??? Yeah maybe no... un NO lol.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I visited our only local hobby store and learned that if I want to use a Spektrum DX7 controller with the G3.5 sim I will need to get some sort of "module" to use. The only guy that knew anything about this "module" promptly went running off to do some RC flying so I couldn't learn anything more about that.

What a mess... I can't make up my mind whether I want to go glow plug or electric!

Thanks.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Some questions have already been asked and answered on the forum. I looked down the list of topics and found the first thread that asked this question. I just bumped it so it'd be at the top of the list instead of down in the list. If the thread doesn't have enough info, or the post you're reading doesn't cover it all for you, do a search on the keywords.


And that's a topic that isn't sim related. You might ask it in Questions & Answers.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

My daughter just had a b-day party. There were at least ten pre teen kids in my house. An sometime during all of this my controller for my G3 grew legs an "left the building".I turned everything in this house upside down. couldn't find it.........So can i buy a new one to work with what is already loaded on my computer?An if so how much are they????

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

200 $ ; 210€; maybe ebay is cheaper but make sure they don´t sell only the discs...

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Man that sucks. I was hopeing to get the controler only. But that what i figured would happen. have to rebuy the hole game

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Anyone ever look at your sticks on the controller from a side view? My rudder stick is angled to the right about 3 degrees when it is in the centered position. It was like this even when new. Also, I had a plastic pin break inside and was able to CA it back in place. So my controller works but I too think for 200 bucks I ought to have better than this. I'm calling Tower.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I just received a new InterLink controller and as far as I can tell the parts look the same. I am on my 4th controller and they told me that they were replacing the right stick only with an improved version. Both sticks look the same and have the plastic pivot pins. I get about 3 months of use before a pin breaks off. Not happy that they told me I would get an improved version and not send me one. Maybe the plastic is molded better this time, right….

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I had the same problem, bought mine in Jan. of this year. After going back and forth with Knifedge, I decided to fix it myself. Their response was "we haven't had a problem with the controller." I knew better, so instead of paying shipping and waiting, I did it myself, and haven't had a problem since.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

The LHS is sending them back for me and I pay the shipping, the only reason I do it is the hope that something is done to improve the part. Picture shows my new Futaba 2.4 T6EX transmitter (LEFT) and the G 3 controller (RIGHT). The gambles are as far as I can tell exactly the same. I am not to happy to see the same parts but the failure IMO would not cause a crash but could mess you up on getting your plane down. The T6EX is made in China. I can only hope that the plastic has been improved on the T6EX. I wonder how far up the product line is Futaba using this part?

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I was afraid of this too. My buddy gave me the game after his radio thumb stick broke off. Cant buy a new radio for the thing, or use your own from what I've read... so I've got a $200 frisbee.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Yes, you still can use your own radio. Just like you could when the Interlink worked. Plug your own radio into the Interlink and the Interlink into the pc. Just like before.

And they're going to replace or fix every broken Interlink you send in for repair.

And since it was a free gift, you've got a frisbee that cost you zip, that can be used as is, or sent in for repair, to become a $200 RC flight sim that cost you nothing or cost just shipping.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I have not had any problem with sending it back for repair, so I would just send it back. You could also find a used TX and use the parts to repair the stick. You can also use another TX, the cables are included it the G3 box. Plenty of options before it becomes a frisbee. I just like using the InterLink I would rather wear out the game controller than a good TX.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Geeze! [:@]

I was thinking of purchasing RealFlight G3.5, but with all these quality control problems with the controller arms I am now wavering!

Has anyone managed to purchase Phoenix with a controller? What is the quality of that controller?

From my previous experience I felt that the Futaba controller that came with RealFlight was the best, but if many people are having issues with it then the quality has gotten weak, like it seems many Chinese toy related items have.

Thanks.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I still think the G 3.5 has the better controller of the SIMs. I still recommend the G3.5 (or AeroFly PRO). I would hope by now that the plastic was improved. I also have the G2 controlled and it never had a problem.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

You know, sometimes things are not as bad as they seem.

Last time I was in one LHS I asked them how often they had to replace the Interlink controller on their G3.5 demo setup. They said in the last year, once when someone ripped the cable out of the top of it. And that sucker sees some heavy use. And heavy handed dolts. How could anyone tear that cable out.... and how would it come about. Amazing.........

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

HE burned it into a puddle ;)

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

He should have burned the CD with it. Because when he destroyed the controller, he made the CD worthless too. And what you've got is not worth $200, it's worth ZIP. It's not a $200 frisbee. You've got a $0.00 frisbee thanks to your friend.

And how the controller stood up to his "normal useage" certainly doesn't cast any doubts on anything about the unit.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

I'll just go with the sound card method to get it to work.

G3.5 doesn't seem to be asking for any particular radio... it boots up pretty well. Heck, the whole reason he burned it up is because at the time they told him they wouldn't repair it unless he paid at least $30-40 something with odd change.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

For those who've forgotten the RCU rules they agreed to follow when they joined RCU:

PIRACY OR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES:
This community forum is a place for ideas and constructive participation, and not a place to violate any laws or to discuss illegal activities. This type of activity includes, but is not limited to, advocating or asking for information regarding software piracy or unauthorized emulators of software or hardware, sharing or distributing viruses, licenses, registration information, software keys, "cracks," or other information designed to do harm to or allow unlawful access to any computer hardware, software, networks, or any other systems. Please refrain from posting this kind of message.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Hi All

Needing some help. I can't install the Realflight G3 Expantion pack 1 on Vista. Everytime I try and run the setup file I get a Vista error. The error process is APPCRASH.

Does anybody have any advice.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

Well waddya know? My Interlink Plus controller broke too. It wasn't like it was being maltreated.

Instead of gluing the broken pin back on, a small metal screw was put in its place and it's now as good as new.

I don't see how Futaba could be so proud of this rather substandard product. I do hope they improve it and soon.

RE: RealFlight G3.5 InterLink Plus Controller
 

It was advertised at one time to be just like their entry level TXs. It certainly looks the same minus a few rubons or cheap overlays on the "real" TXs.

Guess they have varying degrees of quality they feel justified in selling to us.