raptor 50 se / spektrum

[wcc963]

is anyone using the spekrum dx6 on there raptor 50. how do u like it?

[bgjames111]

While it would probably work, I think most people feel along with the manufacturers recommendation, that this radio is meant for park flyers only. I work at a hobby store, and would never recommend this radio for nitro helis, if only for the reason the manufacturer states that it's a park flyer radio.

Take a look at JR's new 7202, it's really nice!

[wcc963]

the manufacturer states that it's a park flyer radio.


yes but i have seen it personally in many airplanes and helis. i have seen it in sailplanes. the range on this radio is around 4000 ft, yes 4000 ft. there is plenty of range, i was just wondering if anyone can notice the delay and how it has performed with the 3-point thottle and pitch curves.

[bgjames111]

while I agree that it will probably do it with no problem, there is a reason why Horizon Hobby insists that it is a park flyer radio. I think they must have encountered some problem somewhere. Yes the 3 point pitch curve is a limiting factor as well, depending on how skilled of a pilot you are. If you are new you won't notice, but if you wanted to fine tune your pitch curve ("s" curve) you couldn't.

[redgiki]

(Note: My Spektrum experience is with a T-Rex, not a Raptor. But as I am about to buy a Raptor which I intend to Spektrumize, here are my thoughts.)

The reasons it's a park flyer receiver:
1. A couple of inches of metal or many liquids stop a 2.4GHz signal cold. Full stop, no signal at all in the shadow of the metal or water.
2. The antennas are 1/4 wavelength long (I think; maybe 1/2?), and both of them are very short. It's longer than an average park flyer battery or motor is wide, though, which is important.
3. A large metal engine can block both of the antennas from receiving a signal from the transmitter, as can a full tank of hobby fuel.

Having two receivers inside the single Rx case, and two separate antennas at 90 degrees to each other mitigates most of these factors for small electric motors and batteries, but very large battery packs or very large motors will probably cast a shadow on the receiver in certain orientations. And when they do, the Rx hesitates, and then goes into fail-safe mode until the signal is regained.

You're almost certainly safe using a Spektrum for anything which uses up to about a .25 or .30 motor, because they're too small to shadow the entire Rx and antennas. I know some people who fly them in .40 and .46-sized birds, but that's getting marginal.

Here's a useful rule of thumb with the Spektrum: If there's any orientation in which the motor could cast the Rx and both antennas completely into shadow, it's unsafe to use with this system.

As far as range goes, yeah, it has great range. And since there's no big motor blocking the signal in most sailplanes, it's becoming very popular for soaring, even in larger models.

As far as your question regarding delay: the delay some people have experienced is only noticeable when using CCPM mixing on the Tx. Some people mitigate it by going to 100% mix in their CCPM setup, and just setting EPAs on the individual servos.

If you're using the standard 90-degree swashplate in your Raptor, there is no discernable delay. It's a CCPM phenomenon only, and apparently only clearly visible to those who have used very low-latency systems like the Futaba 14Mz. (EDIT: Just realized you're writing about the SE, so the CCPM thing might be a legit issue for you.)

The 3-point throttle curves are slightly annoying at around 80% on positive and negative. I get a substantial amount of "rev" before the motor bogs at extreme collective. You an easily compensate for it, but it's a little unnerving to feel both the pitch and the RPMs increase together through certain bands on the throttle stick.

[wcc963]

The 3-point throttle curves are slightly annoying at around 80% on positive and negative.


well yes 80% could be a problem but i'll set mine to 100% across the board, using the rev max limmiter. this way im always controling the pitch not the throttle and pitch. with the rev max i can set it and only really worry about collective management.

[kgfly]

If you can wait until Nov you can find out whether the new XtremeLink system works, it's a 2.4GHz solution designed for all those applications that Spektrum isn't.

http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/

[wcc963]

If you can wait until Nov you can find out whether the new XtremeLink system works, it's a 2.4GHz solution designed for all those applications that Spektrum isn't.

an 8 ch spektrumized (almost) sytem that would rock. none of this 6 ch 3 point T & P curve BullS***

[kgfly]

Take a look at this thread, post #603: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566018&page=41#post6165802
I use my DX6102 on my Raptor and 600 with about 60 flights together, have not had a problem at all.

Use of Spektrum on a Raptor is not recommended by Spektrum primarily for the RF shadowing risk mentioned previously, but has been done successfully. I would think that if you are careful about where you locate the Rx and getting the two short antennas properly spread and at right angles, your risk of shadowing would be very small. YMMV.

If the ExtremeLink system proves to work even close to as promised, it will be a dream solution and a revolution in the hobby. Can't wait to hear feedback from their public demos around mid-October and hopefully they will get some systems out for review in Nov.

[wcc963]

Use of Spektrum on a Raptor is not recommended by Spektrum primarily for the RF shadowing risk mentioned previously, but has been done successfully. I would think that if you are careful about where you locate the Rx and getting the two short antennas properly spread and at right angles, your risk of shadowing would be very small. YMMV.


actually i have decided to get the new JRP7642 7202 Synthesized PCM radio. this will be better right?

[kgfly]

Take a look at this thread: http://www.helifreak.com/viewtopic.php?t=21030&highlight=spektrum+600

There are plenty of people flying 50-size helis with Spektrum quite happily.

actually i have decided to get the new JRP7642 7202 Synthesized PCM radio. this will be better right?

Depends what "better" means. That is a very good radio and should work very well. I am a huge fan of the benefits of 2.4GHz so personally I would either wait a month or two to see what happens with XtremeLink and the rumoured new products from JR/Spektrum (actually, I am delaying my own Tx upgrade for this reason) or else get a modular Tx (9303) so that I could upgrade later.

[ClayK]

Sure, the Spektrum has some nice features to it.

However, I'm the group that says "they said only park flyers for a reason". I don't think that reason was to be meanies, there are legitimate concerns with the basic functionality of that system in certain models.

I'd say to wait until the XFS system has been proven out. I wouldn't want to put a $1000+ (or $3000 in some cases) model up with the risk of losing it or the risk of injuring/killing someone. But, that's just me being picky about my model.

[kgfly]

Quite right Clay :cool:

Safety is vitally important and we each have to decide what makes the most sense for ourselves. That's one reason I prefer 2.4G, it's inherently safer than FM (either PPM or PCM). Greater noise rejection, greater signal integrity, almost zero risk of shootdown, greatly reduced risk of human error etc.

The reasons for the "park flyer only" recommendation are well understood and discussed above (primarily RF shadowing). Lots of empirical real-world testing has shown that the system works reliably in a wide range of models oustide the "park flyer" category and that the Mfr was being conservative in their recommendation to ease the entry of a significant new technology into a highly conservative market. Some of us are "early adopters" and others are "wait and see". That's cool.

If XFS and the new Spektrum products indeed come to market this year then I think these debates will be over within a year as more and more experience is gained with the new technology. :)

[wcc963]

I am a huge fan of the benefits of 2.4GHz so personally I would either wait a month or two to see what happens with XtremeLink and the rumoured new products from JR/Spektrum (actually, I am delaying my own Tx upgrade for this reason) or else get a modular Tx (9303) so that I could upgrade later.


oh yes i am gonna wait. im 16 and dont have the money so im really looking forward to XMAS. ohhhh cant wait. but yeah if XtremeLink does come through i will definetly upgrade to a 9303.