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Mercuriell · 07-23-2010, 03:19 AM

Gotten a bit tired of cheap glow-sticks that fall to bits after a few outings and also not knowing whether the glowe plug is ignited when the darned engine fails to start. This device out of San JOse caught my eye and I had to have one. Ruggedly made it contains 5200mAh of LiIon cells that are claimed to provide a year of trouble free glowing - anyway first impressions are good - I'll give it some hard use and report back

Review - RCATS Smart Lithium Glow Driver - wmv 23MB

flymustangs · 07-23-2010, 08:16 AM

I've been using one of these for about a year now on helis and planks. I love it. I think I've charged it once since I've had it!

rcfrey · 08-01-2010, 01:02 PM

I,ve had mine for a year also. Great glow driver!

fsusmithc2 · 08-08-2010, 07:04 PM

I've had mine for about 3 years now since back when Ready Heli sold them. Best driver I've ever used. You realy do only have to charge it at most once a year. LED display shows your current draw and it has soft start. Great driver.

Radiokai · 08-09-2010, 11:43 PM

Great video review. I'm guessing the carpet contributed to the difficulty activating the device.
Also, a feature that many do not talk about is that pushing (depressing) the "on" switch actually turns the unit off, allowing the needle setting to be checked without having to remove the glow plug clip, releasing the on switch is what turns on the device and starts the timer. Only the timer running out turns the unit off. If it is not hooked up to a glow plug, only a small amount of current is being consumed.

rcnut · 08-26-2010, 11:17 AM

I bought mine 2 weeks before IRCHA, so it will take some time to see how long the battery lasts. I really like the style (smaller size than my Radio South) and the soft start function. I think by slowly bringing up the voltage on our glow plugs, versus slamming the voltage on, will extend the life of the plugs.

pinoy · 08-26-2010, 11:31 AM

Can you buy it with longer driver so I don't have to take the canopy off.? Thanks, Pinoy

Mercuriell · 08-29-2010, 08:41 AM

THey seem to have standardised on a medium length glowstick but you can easily install a glow extension lead and use that to hook up the RCAT

JJMAN · 08-30-2010, 10:18 PM

I have had one of these for about 2 years, it works great, the only negative is the plastic case tends to crack from pushing on it to turn it on.

Mercuriell · 08-31-2010, 04:33 AM

I see you can order the case separately as a replacement - pretty cool

edhall · 09-01-2010, 01:54 PM

Well, I got the RCATS, and love it. I have had a wet engine, and it still starts, but with most of the LED's lit.

esmoglo · 09-16-2010, 09:01 AM

This is best Glow driver in the market for sure!

Angelo

MolokaiBoy · 10-31-2011, 08:43 PM

I did notice the case breaks from pushing on it to turn it on. However since I only need to charge it once a year, I seem to have lost my original one, their is a replacement one available but it is the newer version so the center pin is of a different size. Nayone have an idea about using another PS with the 5v in, instead of buying a replacement?
I believe the charge is actually built into the glo driver so I assume the the cord to charge it is basicallu just a power supply got yhr built in charger.

Aloha,
Les

FlyawayClyde · 12-12-2011, 09:44 PM

Has anybody on here made there own, because at over 100.00 dollars for this unit. I find that hard to swallow.

07-23-2010, 03:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mercuriell HF Support Join Date: Sep 2006	Review - RCATS Smart Lithium Glow Driver Gotten a bit tired of cheap glow-sticks that fall to bits after a few outings and also not knowing whether the glowe plug is ignited when the darned engine fails to start. This device out of San JOse caught my eye and I had to have one. Ruggedly made it contains 5200mAh of LiIon cells that are claimed to provide a year of trouble free glowing - anyway first impressions are good - I'll give it some hard use and report back Review - RCATS Smart Lithium Glow Driver - wmv 23MB Attached Thumbnails __________________ John Last edited by Skiddz; 01-22-2019 at 06:15 PM.. Reason: "Fixed" video links

08-08-2010, 07:04 PM	#4 (permalink)
fsusmithc2 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Feb 2007	I've had mine for about 3 years now since back when Ready Heli sold them. Best driver I've ever used. You realy do only have to charge it at most once a year. LED display shows your current draw and it has soft start. Great driver. __________________ AMA 879592 - IRCHA 3241

08-26-2010, 11:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
rcnut Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2006	I bought mine 2 weeks before IRCHA, so it will take some time to see how long the battery lasts. I really like the style (smaller size than my Radio South) and the soft start function. I think by slowly bringing up the voltage on our glow plugs, versus slamming the voltage on, will extend the life of the plugs. __________________ "I love the smell of Nitro/Gas in the morning!" Citizen 654

08-29-2010, 08:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mercuriell HF Support Thread Starter Join Date: Sep 2006	THey seem to have standardised on a medium length glowstick but you can easily install a glow extension lead and use that to hook up the RCAT __________________ John

08-30-2010, 10:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
JJMAN Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2006	I have had one of these for about 2 years, it works great, the only negative is the plastic case tends to crack from pushing on it to turn it on. __________________ Jay Higgs I LIKE JET NOISE!

07-23-2010, 08:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
flymustangs Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2007	I've been using one of these for about a year now on helis and planks. I love it. I think I've charged it once since I've had it!

08-01-2010, 01:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
rcfrey Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2009	I,ve had mine for a year also. Great glow driver!

08-09-2010, 11:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Radiokai Registered Users Join Date: Apr 2007	Great video review. I'm guessing the carpet contributed to the difficulty activating the device. Also, a feature that many do not talk about is that pushing (depressing) the "on" switch actually turns the unit off, allowing the needle setting to be checked without having to remove the glow plug clip, releasing the on switch is what turns on the device and starts the timer. Only the timer running out turns the unit off. If it is not hooked up to a glow plug, only a small amount of current is being consumed.

08-26-2010, 11:31 AM	#7 (permalink)
pinoy Registered Users Join Date: Sep 2006	Can you buy it with longer driver so I don't have to take the canopy off.? Thanks, Pinoy

08-31-2010, 04:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mercuriell HF Support Thread Starter Join Date: Sep 2006	I see you can order the case separately as a replacement - pretty cool __________________ John

09-01-2010, 01:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
edhall Registered Users Join Date: Feb 2009	Well, I got the RCATS, and love it. I have had a wet engine, and it still starts, but with most of the LED's lit. __________________ New Toys, Logo 600SE, Futaba 18MZ Align 450 Pro V2, Mini-v Pantera 55, Pantera XE Elec Trex 600 ESP, Gaui 425

09-16-2010, 09:01 AM	#12 (permalink)
esmoglo Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2008	This is best Glow driver in the market for sure! Angelo __________________ Angelo Last edited by esmoglo; 09-16-2010 at 02:05 PM..

10-31-2011, 08:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
MolokaiBoy Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2007	I did notice the case breaks from pushing on it to turn it on. However since I only need to charge it once a year, I seem to have lost my original one, their is a replacement one available but it is the newer version so the center pin is of a different size. Nayone have an idea about using another PS with the 5v in, instead of buying a replacement? I believe the charge is actually built into the glo driver so I assume the the cord to charge it is basicallu just a power supply got yhr built in charger. Aloha, Les __________________ AMA# 873325 MAUI RC MODELER'S MauiRC is now on Facebook!!! https://www.helifreak.com/vbgooglema...efined&zoom=12

12-12-2011, 09:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
FlyawayClyde Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Sep 2007	Has anybody on here made there own, because at over 100.00 dollars for this unit. I find that hard to swallow. __________________ AMA# 893656 Field of Screams Heli Club.

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