Not too much information, but Spartan is working on their new governor, incorporating a mixture control, and a collective management features all into one box. The collective management feature works as the following, “The iGV will use the target rpm to manage the throttle as you would expect. Once the engine has reached it’s maximum output and HS is still sagging, the system will then reduce collective to maintain the targeted rpm setting. All indicators are that you are better off maintaining HS vs having a lot of pitch in the blades and lower HS.”

Looks interesting, and waiting for more information to become available.

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Looks like it’s on between old-timers Mikado of Germany and Vancouver-based newcomer Skookum Robotics when it comes to the pricing or their Digital / Virtual flybar systems. Mikado has been the major player in this area for a long time, but their device has historically had a pretty high price tag. More recently, Skookum has come on the scene with their own product, which has only a 2-axis internal gyro, allowing Skookum [ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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If the DX6i was not cheap enough, spektrum has stepped up the game again and has released the Spektrum DX5e! It comes with the radio, an AR500 reciever, and 4 AA batteries, all at a whopping $99 price point.

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About two weeks ago, I did a “Box opening” post on the 10C. I have spent quite a bit of time with it, playing with the menu and exploring the new features(not that there are that many…). Since I got this as a replacement for my old 9C, I will be comparing it to the 9C in this review. Because I don’t fly any plane that requires complex mixing, I will only be covering the heli functions of the TX.

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Whether you have an Eagle Tree data logger or not, now you can add the ability to measure your maximum airspeed and altitude to your model.

The new standalone Altimeter and Airspeed sensor modules [ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Got a Futaba 10C set this weekend. I got the 2.4 version, there is also a PCM version which comes with the 149DP rx that. This thing does not work with G3 PCM. To use pcm1024 on a 2.4 set, a PCM module from the 9C is required. I tried the pcm module off my old 9C and it works flawlessly.  Initial feel is great. Smooth gimbals although they are not quad bearing ones. Menu is the same as the old 9C and 9C super, except for a few changes(good ones), so it is still very easy to use and program. Only complaint is that the antenna for the 2.4g module goes behind the tx handle. Review to follow. Some photos for now.

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Now showing on the Horizon Hobby site, is the Spektrum AR7100R Rev Limit RPM sensor and bracket assembly available separately. Currently not in stock (which is Horizon’s way of saying “not yet available”), the site shows availability by mid-September 2008.

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Spektrum has issued a product support bulletin for owners of their AR7100 and AR7100R  DSM2 receivers. They’ve apparently gotten a few reports of antenna wires becoming detached from the main receiver body. [ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Surfacing just as IRCHA 2008 was wrapping up, an issue was discovered with the aileron wiring on the JR X9303 transmitter. Apparently, the wiring for the aileron gimbal is routed in such a way that it rubs on a chip on the 2.4GHz frequency module. After a short time, the insulation on the wires is worn through, exposing the wire inside. If left unchecked, the wires themselves can short, or be worn completely through, leading to a loss of aileron control and a crash. The good news is that this issue is easily fixed.

JR has issued a support statement as well as do it yourself instructions for re-routing the wiring to fix the problem on your X9303. The issue is reported to only affect the 2.4GHz version of the 9303 series of JR transmitters as the module rubbing the wires is the 2.4GHz module. The 72 MHz models of the 9303 do not have this chip. Don’t wait! If you have an X9303, check this issue out ASAP! 

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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A while back, one of the local hobby shops in my area started carrying these Ino-Lab servos from Korea. While they are neither very fast nor really torquey(like those JR 8717 on 7.4v), they are still pretty decent and at the very least, still compares well to the current “decent” digital servos like the Futaba BLS451/BLS252 servos and the Hi-tec 69XX/79XX series. The best part is that it only cost half of what the Futaba BLS series and JR8715/8915, the 8717 for non-US market, are going for.

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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The RCE G600 Governor comes standard with the 700N kit. It is also available as an option for a budget governor.

Lets take a look at the governor…
It comes with a very small sensor mount that is a perfect fit for a 700N. It should work well for other helicopters that are using clutch bell mounted magnets. With a small mod of changing the connector, the sensor can work with other governors like Throttle Jockey series and ATG.

Size comparison with ATG V3

Not too long ago, Chance on the Align forum did a Governor gain vs actual rpm for the G600 on JR PCM, Futaba 1024 and Futaba G3 tx/rx. I have done a tiny bit of translation from the original chinese version to english. [ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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YES! You didn’t read the headline incorrectly. It seems that the only thing R/C that Align hasn’t release is nitro fuel (ok..TX & RX too..). I Hope they get the first release of these servos right.

It was posted on the Taiwan Align Forum. No ETA, no estimated price yet.

Hitec 7975HB- Probably just a rebadged servo…Align might not even rebadge it.

Not sure why, but they look like savox servos to me. The spec seems to be the same too, but I am not certain if they really are, so don’t quote me on that

• Coreless, low consumption motors.
• 12Bit processor
• Metal gears
• Voltage:DC 4.8-6V
• Operating Temp:-20°C to +60°C
• Dimension:40.3 x 20.1 x 36mm
• Weight: 52.2g (No typo here, on the Align forum, the dimension and weight of the DS610 & DS620 are the same) 

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Airtronics has been around a long time.  They are definitely one of the pioneers in the RC industry.  They have finally entered the 2.4Ghz revolution with their 8 channel entry level radio.  Read all about it here.

$229.99 for radio & receiver.

The RDS8000 is a full-featured 8-channel system, packed with capabilities for all types of aircraft. A top-quality digital radio, the RDS8000 is noted for its ease-of-operation and programming. Helicopter, fixed wing aircraft and sailplane pilots will all benefit when using the standard features of the RDS8000. 

Whether flying a basic model or one that requires advanced features, the RDS8000 can do it all! One of the key features of the RDS8000 is the ability to use both basic or advanced program menu. 

The RDS8000 makes programming easier by allowing you to turn off any programming screen not required. Because it uses Airtronics’ FHSS 2.4GHz communications technology you never have to worry about an ‘open frequency’. Fly any time with confidence.

The new 92824 8ch 2.4 GHz Receiver is a perfect match for the RDS8000 transmitter. Once binding is complete, it is almost impossible to interrupt the communication between them.
Does not include servos or receiver battery.

[ click here to see videos, photos & rest of story ]

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Over the last two years Spektrum has risen from stranger to stardom in the RC Helicopter arena. Previously a big name in RC Cars with their synthesized radios for mostly surface that have now revolutionized the RC Radio as we know it. Their latest arrivals to the market in the last few months have been the AR7100 & AR7100R. The “R” designation meaning “Rev Limit” onboard. Thats right! The AR7100R has a built in regulator AND rev limiter/governor. The 7100 has the regulator but no rev limit feature. This kind of combination technology is definately going to push the limit of the electronics manufacturers to come up with some better “Black Boxes.” What would be a hot combo would be a combination receiver, regulator, gyro, limiter, igniter topped off with DC charging circuit for the flight battery. That would be a hot offering……..I like that name “The Black Box, ” or even an Align version called the “All-In-One.” What about a V-Bar version of the same unit. Nice. What’s next GPS and Wi-Fi programming?!

If you want to find out more about the AR7100 ($149 MAP) & AT7100R ($219.00 MAP) click the link below to enlighten yourself.

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Well I am sure that many of you may have been waiting for the 10C. I was surely looking to get one but I wasn’t to keen on the 72mhz/2.4ghz intergration.

To me, it just seemed like Futaba just added on 2.4ghz to an exsisting platform instead of designing one from the ground up. Maybe thats not the case but that my perception. I did get a chance to put my hands on one this weekend here in L.A. and it is an impressive looking radio for the price point of $599 MAP.

Looks like most of the shops that did get the first batch. A quick look I found shows they had some at Tower Hobbies but seem to be all out now.

Find out where to get them and see video overview…….

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