Xtreme Power Systems

[PBMAXX]

Seems XPS had a great day in Toledo. Sold out everything they had! So much for the naysayers :D Guess it wasn't "vaporware" :dontknow

[Motions]

So did they buy empty cases or were there electronics actually in there? Let's see some videos.

[DavidH]

How many was everything they had?
Lot of vendors at the trade shows sell everything they had.

David

[kgfly]

Info from before the show was:
* First production run was between 2000 and 3000 pieces (various Tx modules and Rx)
* They would be taking 1100 module+Rx sets (mixed Futaba/Hitec and JR, 8ch and 10ch Rx) with them to the show

There is yet to be any confirmation of how many they actually took to the show but it was clearly more than a handful.

Info from the show was:
* You can buy them but there is a show limit of 1 Rx per Tx module
* Sold out in the first day
* Photos on rcgroups of the inside of the module and Rx and yes Scott, there are indeed electronics inside.
* Only manual available so far is a one page set of instructions on how bind the Tx-module to an Rx

Clearly the next eagerly awaited items are feedback from end-users and activation of the "Buy" button on the XPS website.

[Motions]

I was joking Ken. I'm waiting to see some end user reviews and comparisons to other products.

[Racer38]

Yup they still havent updated the shopping cart yet, I hope we get some end user reviews quickly, I would like to hear how they do.

I just bought a new JR 9303 and didnt wait on the X9303 as i couldnt use 2.4 over here in Iraq anyway since its a jammed freq. So I really want a 2.4 module that works when I get home in October, depending on the reviews it will probably be the XPS module.

[Pla]

Jim had kept some and sold more modules on Saturday:
http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/fg107/15036-toledo-first-extreme-link-production-units-2.html#post217648
I guess he didn't want to be empty handed for the weekend.

He also said (on XPS forums) the manual was available online:
http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/data/XtremeLink.doc

[Ciprian]

There is a thread on RCGroups about actual field results.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=671388

Can't wait to get one and test it in my new Bergen Intrepid Gasser EB :D

[Pla]

I just ordered mine today :YeaBaby:

[spork]

Hey Kenneth,

How about giving us the technical skinny on this beast (although maybe you already have elsewhere?). This one is tempting to me. I'm thinking of yanking the Xtal in my 7CHP and running this from my trainer port. Perhaps I can fit the module inside the TX.

Will this work or is my swash a half-bubble off level?

[kgfly]

Spork,

IMO the XPS/XL is on paper the best after-market 2.4GHz solution yet announced for all radios (see note 1).

The summary table on their home page shows the feature comparison quite well:
http://www.helifreak.com/album_mod/upload/298370088a4196e3b32eba75b700867a.jpg

Some highlights are:

* Dedicated Tx modules for current Futaba/Hitec and JR modular Tx that support as many channels as the Tx will deliver in PPM mode.

* Universal Tx module for ANY Tx with a trainer port, even those decades old!

* 6/8/10/16 channel Rx announced (8/10 available already, 6 next month, 16 tbd)

* Fully bidirectional communications including a telemetry downlink (except 6ch ParkFlyer Rx). Telemetry processor and display to be released later this year.

* Much cheaper than the Futaba or Spektrum modular solutions

* Notionally the best link security algorithm of all. Spektrum select two quiet channels (of 79 possible in their scheme) at Tx power-up and Tx on those fixed channels until the power is cycled. Futaba use continuous frequency hopping spending only 2ms on each of the approx 15 channels in their scheme.

XPS select a clear channel at power-up. However the bidirectional communications enables the Tx OR the Rx to initiate an as-needed sychronised channel hop if reception conditions on the current channel are degraded. This hybrid FH/DS solution gives it the advantages of both encoding schemes (better sensitivity of the DS with the better noise avoidance of FH).

If it lives up to its claims it will be by far the best modular system out there and of course the *only* one offering a pathway to 2.4GHz spread spectrum for non-modular legacy Tx. All for way less than the big guys.

Spork I would encourage you to make the move. Freedom from fear of shootdowns (suffering or causing) is a wonderful thing and IMO that alone is worth the $139. When you add all the other benefits I think it's a great deal.

There are going to be a wealth of choices in this new R/C technology soon, certainly by the end of the year. Today you can buy a brand new DX7+AR6100 for about $269. That delivers excellent features and the unmatchable performance of an integrated system. For $139 (roughly half as much) you can add the XPS pkg to your aging 7chp, roughly halve the latency (by replacing PCM with PPM mode in the Tx and FM with 2.4SS RF link) and approximately double your Tx runtime (RF power consumption falls from approx 800mW to 100mW. Only you can decide which is better value but both seem to be good choices and very worthwhile.

If you are prepared to completely remove the RF deck from your 7chp it may be possible to mount the XPS Rx (without its case) inside your Tx. Probably simpler to simply velcro it to the back.

Notes
1) The Universal module can be used with the Futaba 12/14mz but since they must be operated in PPM mode, will only deliver as many channels as the Tx delivers to the trainer port, which is less than the full 12/14 for those Tx when in PPM mode. The announced but not released Spektrum module for 12/14mz has the same issue (although it is fixed at 8ch whereas the XPS module will automatically detect and transmit as many channels are present in the PPM frame). The Futaba modules have the distinction of not requiring a connection to the trainer port and allowing the 12/14mz to be run in their native 2048PCM mode and will deliver all 12/14ch to the Rx.

2) XPS 6ch ParkFlyer Rx is notionally limited to 1,000ft range and does not support the telemetry features. It has *no* external antenna at all and uses end-pins, which all together makes it a very nice pkg when mounting in small models.

[spork]

Thanks Kenneth. I knew I could count on you for the hard data. I looked in the 7CHP last night and considered removing the RF deck, but realized I want to keep it around for my non-SS models.

By the way, my "aging 7CHP" is like brand spanking new technology to me. :mrgreen: It was tough to let go of my trusty Super 7 after all those years. If it supported CCPM I'd definitely still be using it.

[kgfly]

You know all the Futaba 6, 7 and 9ch Tx have crappy CCPM performance and almost anything else would be better, righ t? Look at the table and chart here:
http://runryder.com/helicopter/t172571p1/

Of course thousand (including you) have flown CCPM helis with these Tx and been very happy anyway. But if you are going to let the moths out of your wallet then this might be something to consider. Given that a 9303+XPS is probably way over your limit, a DX7 is still the cheapest way to transition to a high performance 2.4GHz solution.

[spork]

You know all the Futaba 6, 7 and 9ch Tx have crappy CCPM performance and almost anything else would be better, righ t?

I need that crappy TX performance to explain why I'm not winning all the national comps after all these years. Heck, I'd pay extra for that crappy performance.


But if you are going to let the moths out of your wallet then this might be something to consider.

It's not that I don't want to buy the new stuff. Heck, I bought HUNDREDS of these setups for the US Gov this year. I just don't feel I deserve one myself.

[wingtip]

I flew the xps system last weekend in one of our electric apaches we're testing.. This was with an 8U at the time. No problems at all and there were several other dx7's in use at the time as well as regular 72mhz radios...
I did see one dx7 having lockout issues from the helitronix mixing unit he had installed..once he removed it everything was aok...

[flymo]

Has anyone had a delivery materialise yet from an online oder with Xtreme yet?
I ordered a combo set 6 days ago (parts were in stock) and they can't tell me if it was even shipped.

[rotrap]

Has anyone had a delivery materialise yet from an online oder with Xtreme yet?
I ordered a combo set 6 days ago (parts were in stock) and they can't tell me if it was even shipped.

Same here! i am wondering if i did put my money on the wrong horse :dontknow
time will tell.

/Henrik

[WillJames]

I saw MANY 2.4 systems at SEFF this weekend, including at least 3 XPS sysems flying beside the Spektrum and Futaba units. I am not sure how many total in the air at one time, but it looked like a whole lot, and no issues that I saw with anything.

[capebob]

Has anyone who ordered a module and receiver from XPS on 4/20/07 (the first day they were available online) received their system? It has been ten days.

Bob

[Motions]

Looks like the scam worked. Tease everyone by giving a few out in Toledo and then take 1000's of online orders and pack up shop. :mrgreen:

[Jermo]

:arggg: Ken, please post the info here so those of us loyal to Helifreak don't have to goto mark rumpryder's site.. tnx.

[Motions]

Anyone that ordered an XPS system before they listed out of stock, will most likely have to return them. I was just informed they have been shipping units with the wrong antenna and to return the units for modification.

Guess that's what happens when you rush to be the first module on the market.

[kgfly]

Jermo it is not just a single post but an entire thread with detailed discussion. There is a graph and table summary in the first post which the author keeps updating with new information. Quite apart from any copyright issues, the best plan is to link to the thread so that the latest info will always be found. It costs nothing to go and view the site.

[Jermo]

Thanks for the update sir.

[rstacy]

You know all the Futaba 6, 7 and 9ch Tx have crappy CCPM performance and almost anything else would be better, righ t? Look at the table and chart here:
http://runryder.com/helicopter/t172571p1/

Of course thousand (including you) have flown CCPM helis with these Tx and been very happy anyway. But if you are going to let the moths out of your wallet then this might be something to consider. Given that a 9303+XPS is probably way over your limit, a DX7 is still the cheapest way to transition to a high performance 2.4GHz solution.

Ken,
If I understand that chart correctly, the XPS system did not fare very well against other systems.
Am I missing something?

I would expect a chart created by XPS to show XPS to be superior. The same goes for others. Are there any independent charts around?