Faith in the R7003SB and the 'dot of faith'

[AndrewJHawes]

I have an R7008SB in my current Logo500se with the bavarianDEMON BD3SX, and telemetry in use, configured using SBus and SBus2.
I am soon to put a new bigger and greater (hopefully) heli into the sky in a week or two.
My question, is where I currently have an R7003SB with the yellow/gold 'dot of faith' between the antennae, is everybody confident and convinced that this receiver is safe to use on a big bird?
The logic would suggest swapping the receivers, and putting the R7003SB on the Logo, and use the 'proven' R7008SB on the new bigger bird.
Do people have faith now that the R7003SB with the 'dot of faith' is just as good now as the R7008SB, notwithstanding the significant hike in price between the two?
Do we all just con ourselves when we buy the most expensive version believing it to be the best?
Much appreciate your views.
Andy

[flyfishsick]

just sent my first run R7003SB back to Futaba today for the the update along with my BLS servos. will see what they say?

[AndrewJHawes]

The R7003SB has supposedly been revamped by Futaba with a new version including a design amendment to correct an SBus anomaly, causing problems noticed especially by Vbar users.
The new 'corrected' copies of this receiver have an identification dot painted between the antennae, which I have termed the 'dot of faith'.
Are people using this receiver now without noticeable problems on large birds, or are people still reticent about trusting them.
Are people even aware of the potential problems associated with them?
I have one, but am cautious about trusting it on a major new build. What do other people think, in comparison with the R7008SB for example? I have reposted from the Futaba area because I have had very little traffic there.
Regards,
Andy

[Phil777]

I have faith :-) ordered 3 of them.
If u look in the futaba forum there is a bit more info available on the new version

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

[AndrewJHawes]

I have posted there, and there is deadly silence!
Either very few people using the 7003 or total indifference maybe?
With all due respect there is not too much being discussed or re-evaluated on this subject at the moment, especially even in the Futaba forum.
Regards,
Andy

[Phil777]

-------------
Futaba's distributor Robbe is selling now a modified R7003 marked with a "Gold Point". They say that now a transistor with an integrated pulldown is used (no need for change of the PCB layout).
Robbe's support also sends on request a cable with an adapter (like an Y cable as I understand) containing the pulldown, so externally for all unmodified receivers.

Quoted from Tom
Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk 2

[AndrewJHawes]

Phil777,
You sound almost as if you are on the Futaba payroll.
I know you have just received several of the modified units, but are you using them yet with the Vbar and telemetry, or the HC3SX, or something similar?
Have you been using the R7003SB and gold dot yet on a major sized bird.
Regards,
Andy

[ZyBeR]

I've been flying one in my HD500 with telemetry sensors without any issues, with the old R7003SB I couldn't even see the sensors so they have fixed something

I've sold all my old R7003SB and R7008SB receivers now and replaced them with the new R7003SB.

[Phil777]

Haha, I'm not :-) as mentioned above before telemetry sensors didn't work, with the gold dot they do.

I have one on a raptor e700 (vbar) stingray 500 (Curtis young blood) and a goblin 500 (vbar) with efuelgauges on them

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[AndrewJHawes]

Sorry Phil777, that was a tad rude of me to put it that way! I apologise. Just stirring people up a bit.
I'm glad to hear some real world, tangible benefit of the revised version. If the telemetry works now this is probably a very positive sign, however, it is hard to fathom why it is, that in such a relatively modern unit, many of which probably destined for high-end model helicopters, that the designers did not test adequately in real situations (with fbl units).
I have one in hand, bought quite recently (a few months ago), that would save me $168 if it will work solidly.
Regards, and thank you again for your comments.
Andy

[AndrewJHawes]

Flyfishsick, Hi. I wasn't aware that they were offering an exchange programme. I would be very interested to hear how you get on with this, and whether they just swap the unit for a new one or if they upgrade it?
Regards,
Andy

[manygreatthings]

Removed

[Gregor99]

FYI, Skookum confirmed its an issue for their units as well. Likely any FBL that uses SBUS could be affected unless the FBL unit adds a pull down resistor. I would check with Bavarian Demon support before putting the model into the air.

Also, adding an external pull down resistor is not difficult and addresses the issue until Futaba provides a factory solution.

FWIW, I have sent several emails to Futaba support starting on 3/13/2014. I did receive a reply that a ticket number was assigned. But I have not received any additional replies.

[dpelletier]

I am using a 7003 on my Skookum 540... am I supposed to be having problems?

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

[Gregor99]

As I said, Skookum confirmed the issue exists with their FBL units, the 540 included. If you don't have anything connected to the SBUS2 port you are less likely to encounter issues. But the potential for the issues still exist.

Since the Skookums are currently not compatible with FASSTest 14CH mode (required for additional telemetry), likely don't have any thing connected to the SBUS2 port anyway. I would still add the resistor. Skookum is recommending a 3k resistor.

[dpelletier]

You are correct, nothing in the sBus2... running FastTest 12 ch.
Where do I put the 3k resistor?

[Gregor99]

The resistor goes on SBUS cable between the Rx and the FBL controller. It connects to the signal line and the ground.

[AndrewJHawes]

If indeed the R7003SB with the dot is ok now, why does Futaba Australia no longer list this particular receiver?
I see that Futaba America still list this one.
Why is there a discrepancy? What does Futaba Australia know that Futaba America does not? Or the other way around of course, depending on whether you are a pessimist or an optimist.
This sort of thing does not fill one with boundless confidence, and rather spoils that warm fuzzy feeling inside, which you pay for when you buy Futaba stuff? They should be offering us discounts for misrepresentation?
Andy

[ZyBeR]

It could be as simple as a human error while updating the site.

[flyfishsick]

got my R7003SB and servos back from Futaba today.

first i get a work order saying that the receiver past all checks and they where sending it back? i sent a e-mail that i needed the updated receiver with the gold dot that works with v-bar and they charged me $60 to swap out to the up graded receiver

I have been a long time Spektrum / JR user and there customer service is far superior. i think it is wrong for Futaba to charge for there mistake. I am very disappointed with Futaba customer service.