Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Trying to establish some feedback on the Weatronic Recievers.
I am curious how many of you are comfortable installing a one in your aircraft (or a test aircraft) and if you are comfortable with using them, which model would you choose??

Model # Retail price

A1. Dual Receiver 8-12 R 8 Channel, 12 Servo Outputs $565.00

A2. Dual Receiver 10-20 R 10 Channel, 20 Servo Outputs $629.00

A3. Dual Receiver 10-20 R Gyro 10 Channel, 20 Servo Outputs $695.00
Plus Gyro

A4. Dual Receiver 10-20 Gyro + GPS 10 Channel, 20 Servo Outputs $955.00
Plus Gyro and GPS

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Todd

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Todd, when I get back to the States "for good", I'll be putting one of the 10ch. in the Eurofighter. I have already talked with John C. about it and he will be holding one for me. It looks like a good unit until SS arrives.

George

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Todd,
Purely personal observation! I can't see the need for a second receiver that costs as much as the model I'm flying. The additional servo outputs might be nice, but I would rather spend the money on other goodies. I too am going to wait for Spread Spectrum to get implemented.

John S.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Im interested in either an A2 or A3 Todd. Are you going to stock these? Id like to get one soon...

Greg,

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Todd, I got one of the high end receivers with gyro and gps that I'm installing in my Kingcat. I'm pretty impressed so far. Software installed cleanly and the receiver is talking to the computer without any issues. I'm going to take some time this weekend to get it in the plane and programmed. Not sure if you want to come up and fly with us the following weekend, but you are welcome and you could get a look at the Weatronics first hand.

As far as cost, if you fly with the Champion powerbox and add up the cost of this, a gyro, and a single receiver, it isn't very far off the cost of the Weatronics, without the redundancy, the gps and the programming flexibility the Weatronics offers. I think you should be able to find the Weatronics a little cheaper than list price too.

From the research I have done, there has been extensive testing and flight experience and I don't have major concerns.

Regards, Keith.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

A2

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

This site may be of interest if you don't already know Emcotec. (Powerbox alternative with dual receiver input).

http://www.rc-electronic.com/html/en.../englisch.html

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

A1
best choice

no need for more channels plenty of outputs
however like someone mentioned then the emcotecs are also looking interesting

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Alwin from weatronic will be programming a door sequencer feature into it too at the end of this year, or around spring next year.
Cool stuff, and im sure more features will come with time.

The firmware uptade feature is great, so you wont have an outdated product.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Ok...perhaps I should be a bit more specific.

Dreamworks has been offered a Weatronic dealership. What I am trying to establish is what models to stock. Hate to tie up this kind of change in models that a majority of you have no interest in.

Is their any interest in the GPS or Gyro functions?

Thanks Again,
Todd

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

i would say..A2 and A3 depending if a Gyro is needed..here is pilot finger choise..;)

8 channels seems "low" for a jet..so i will prefer 10 channels..

GPS will be interesting, but the price is to high...for the WE flyers...like me..and almost useless...

personally i'm fan and user of emcotec..but if this product proves to be top as he should be, i will for sure buy one when needed!!

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

I have now spent a considerable amount of time exploring the Weatronics DR and evaluating flight data from a card installed in Mick Burrell's MB339 .(i have yet to fly my own unit at home in Australia, I am in London ) The first section of my RCJI review has been published and part 2 is in production. This is an EXCEPTIONALLY good unit created by talented people who know exactly what they are doing and I am hugely impressed. However well the dual receiver function works, and it does work extrmemely well, its great strength is the abilty to analyze exactly what happened in the models entire control system in great detail after the flight, much as a QAR on an airliner, itself an invaluable tool. Addition of the GPS is very worthwhile as it also allows close examination of the coreleation between the speed, distance and height of the model and the RF performance of the receivers. If I have one criticism it is that the gyro orientation is awkward in that if used on the common (for me at least) sense of rudder and nosewheel steering it means the DR must be mounted vertically.

As to cost, I feel it is exceptionally good value eliminating the need to buy a gyro, voltage regulator and GPS and effectively increases the number of receiver channels available on something like the JR10X which still offers that number one requirement for jet flying, reliability.

My own view , based on experience rather than conjecture, is that if you are going to buy one of these units go for the 10 plus gyro plus GPS. Such receivers will be installed in both of my Airworld Hawks after some confidence- building flying in my SM Hawk.

Regards,

David Gladwin,

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

well i also just became a dealer and as a good patriot and to be selling products instead of air.
i purchased everything they had.
but what i really hope is that they will only sell to certain people for a minium amount at least for the first time.
this way one can avoid a price war for crazy prices.

i think the most sold one will be the B series small price difference , but more options.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Sorry but I don't get it, why spend 800$ for a two rx unit if the 2 rx works on the same frequency ? If it would be 2-frequencies operation proof then it would justify the invest. Until then normal DPSI stuff or Power box is fine if you have them already, no plus investing in the Weatronic unit. I you have nothing then why not a Weatronic unit I agree. For 2 freq operations I will go soon with ACT DSL RX'x along with the ACT Twin HF TX module giving a real 2 freq-1 TX operation. Good thing about this twin HF TX Module from ACT is that it will work with any standard RX, and in particular with other twin RX systems like the DPSI-TWIN.

Bottom line is that if you are ready to invest some $$$ in equipment why not choose the ones that really brings added safety like 2 freq-2 RX's-1tx operation instead of just 1 frequency 2 RX's ?? You will still be at the mercy of anyone switching his TX in the same channel than you despite your fancy weatronic stuff

(IMHO)

Sk

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

If you re-read my post, particularly lines 4/5, you will see your question already answered !

Yes, the Holy Grail will be a unit that works on dual frequencies and I think that will come in time but does, of course, need a new tx module. However this unit does select the rx with the strongest rf strength and that is, to a large degree, a function of antenna orientation, and the DR has two of these.

Regards,

David Gladwin.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

I re-read your 4/5 lines, and don't see how all this nice stuff justify the price tag. Subjective judgement I agree. You second paragraph shows me that you don't know about the ACT-Europe and DPSI products don't you ? The Holy Grail is there for quite some time now. You can find dual freq HF modules from both Emcotec and ACT, working on existing TX for both of them. You can find also dual freq. rx's systems from these two manufacturers. So again my point is why go for Weatronic (single freq.unit) instead of DPSI or ACT (2 freq units) All the goodies from the Weatronic unit you mention are NOT compensating, and by far, the lack of the 2 freq. operation ability.

[link=http://www.acteurope.de/html/2-frequenzmodul.html]ACT HF module[/link]
[link=http://www.rc-electronic.com/html/englisch/englisch.html]Emcotec twin HF module[/link]

Regards
Sk

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

well you can suit in only on a mc-24 for the rest there is no option to do so.
i also believe that my crash with a noisy smokepump had the same impact with all products.

as for the purchase:

2 x synth recievers from graupner/jr costs 350 euro
1 emcotec 20 servo output cost 250 euro
and 20 magix boxes to set every channel to whatever you want for direction and syncro cost 50 euro each.

so the weatronic looks like the way to go even if you check the price

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Sandor is almost correct but not quite :

Twin HF module from ACT is offered for MC-24 AND FC-28 TX's (Not quite the all new tx needed thema that David did talk about sorry)
Twin HF module from Emcotec is only for MC-24 OK (for the moment ??)

Your point about the price is WRONG as the ACT DSL system let you program all what you would need (or almost) for the 2*10 servos outputs. (No magic box needed here so you can cut your cost)

And AGAIN hey if the ACT or DPSI is a little bit more expensive than the Weatronic who care ? Apple vs Orange you know ? Weatronic = 1 freq op's / DPSI or ACT 2 freq's op's even if 2 freq can not save all planes all the times (re : you crash) it is a HUGE benefit. You mention the ACT servo's but did you check if you needed them ? Answer is NO so again you can cost your costs.

The only downside is that the modules are only offered for MC-24 and FC-28 TX's but I'm pretty sure it could expend to other TX's soon (MX22 etc.)

Sk

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Your opinion, which I respect, but I don't agree with it ! At last, with the Weatronic I can find out EXACTLY what is going on inside my aircraft' s R/C system and that, to me, makes the whole thing worth every single penny/ cent/centime , no more guessing.

As for all the systems you mention why haven't I heard about them in detail before ? I read both RCJI and Jet Power from cover to cover and frequent RCU BUT I am STILL not familar with their systems ! Poor marketing or what ?

Regards,

David Gladwin.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

David, no offense on my part, just trying to assess the different options out there now. I guess the Emcotec/DPSI and the ACT-Europe stuff is quite new. (I mean about the twin HF-module) because for the 2 receiver's system there are out there for a while (DPSI-TWIN and DDS-10 DSL receiver's) It is right that we never heard much about them and I'm certainly in no position to answer your question about the reason for this. I respect also your opinion about the recording fonction's of the Weatronic etc. If you find this overall important then why not ? In this matter, the DPSI-TWIN is also a kind of black box and record many things from the last 20 switches on's and off's. You can read later with a palmtop or pc, even with a mobile phone. I'm only thinking, and of course that reflect my personal opinion, that 2 freq's operations IS THE MOST WANTED feature of any RX system right now. And I was assuming that this would be a rather largely accepted and shared opinion but I may be wrong.

And David I would encourage you, with your experience and knowledge, to assess also thoses other systems and let us all know the details of your finding, cause there are plenty of things to study/compare try etc...

Regards
Sk

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Hi guys!

I think the Weatronic is good value and a perfect system as it all comes in one box.

As to ACT and Emcotec: The ACT dual-frequency-module would be cool, if it was available. I haven't heard of anyone who owns one. As all aexperts state, it is almost impossible to put to modules in one case and use the same frequency band and the same antenna. A reason why Emcotec uses 35 MHz and 40 MHz for the back-up-module.

The module for the MC-24 is the same as for JR PCM10X and PCM9X so it could e a solution even for the JR guys.

David Büsken

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

That's certainly what I was hoping for when I first heard about the dual RX Weatronics system.

The current system sounds pretty handy, but so far the components from it that I currently care about and want in my jets can be bought individually for a bit less than the cost of the Weatronics unit. If it had had the provision of two RXs on separate freq's, I'd have bought 2 or 3 already ; instead I'll stick with my tried & tested equipment choices that deliver what I need more cost effectively, but I'll keep monitoring these systems to see how they are progressing.

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Don't forget that the single-box solution may have one or two disadvantages too, not just advantages. Having it all in one box probably means there's no compatability issues, cleaner installation etc .. but it presumably also means that if one component goes down, everything goes down. No more swapping out a suspect matchbox at the field etc ... instead you are much closer to the point of having your entire airborne electronics package be binary - the whole thing works, or the whole thing doesn't.

This is kinda like how it's great to be able to save floorspace at the office by having the printer, scanner, photocopier, fax machine and coffee maker all in one, until that single point of failure strikes home and you find out that one part going wrong takes down everything.

I'm not suggesting that the components in either the Weatronics or the more traditional instalations fail with great frequency, so maybe having less choices for working around the very occasional failure is no big deal to most people .. just pointing out a facet that some of you may not have considered.

Gordon

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Todd,

If I were to purchase such a unit, it would likely be A2.

Jeff

RE: Weatronic RX - What Model?
 

Hey Todd sorry about your thread. If I were you, I wouldn't purchase too many of those anyway co'z if the ACT twin modul finally comes out in a couple of time, it will be a winner for sure. That module combine with twin RX's system's able to switch from one RX to another in case one RX goes down or interference will be a must.

(I heard from one of it's distributor that it will be launched soon for the EU market and US market some time later)

Sk