2.4GHZ Teething Troubles Bite Many Users

CAN ANYONE MAKE A 2.4GHZ SYSTEM THAT WORKS PROPERLY?

It's now been well over a year since the first 2.4GHz RC systems began appearing on the market and now they're rapidly overtaking our older FM and PCM systems.

However, like all new technology, the spread spectrum systems have not been without their fair share of problems.

Check on the current state of affairs - compare the problems that manufacturers have encountered and how they've fixed them up (or in some cases have just ignored them).

Find out more...

Corona-RC 2.4GHz, a First Look

BUT THE ONE I BOUGHT DOESN'T EVEN WORK

I've been waiting eagerly for the new Corona 2.4GHz system to ship since (at least on paper anyway) it doesn't look half bad.

Well yesterday I got my hands on one to test and review.

And guess what -- it's faulty, straight out of the box.

Other reports (from those lucky enough to get one that actually works) also indicate some vexing and unexplained problems.

It would appear that since their original crystal-controlled dual and single conversion receivers, nothing Corona-RC has made seems to work properly.

Their synthesized receivers are very hit-and-miss (the first version also having absolutely awful resolution) and their brief flirtation with digital servos was also a disaster.

Returning the 2.4GHz system for replacement is just not economically worthwhile from this part of the world and I'm not about to waste good money after bad in the hope that I'll get one that works next time.

I'm in an email dialog with Corona-RC right now and I hope they'll stand behind the product rather than just use their standard "return it for replacement" policy. It's not like I'm asking for free product, just something that works for the money that's been paid.

Tina Huang from Corona-RC has advised that the first batch of these systems (which are still on dealers shelves) are known to be faulty. This means anyone ordering a system today may well be forced to spend even more in order to return it and wait for a replacement. There appears to be no intention for Corona-RC to recall those units prior to sale.

So for now, Corona-RC's 2.4GHz system still has a big fat question mark over it and gets an "at your own risk" rating from RCModelReviews.com

If I ever manage to get my hands on a unit that works, I'll publish a full technical and hands-on review here.

At Last, a use for those TowerPro MG995 servos

MAKE YOUR OWN DIGITAL SERVO

Do you have some of those absolutely awful TowerPro MG995 servos laying around? Do you want to put them to good use?

Well here's a DIY project that will show you how to transplant the heart of the MG995 into almost any other standard-sized servo with remarkable results.

The MG995 digital servo amp isn't too bad and it can really pep-up an otherwise pretty ordinary standard servo. What's more, the resulting digital servo will have cost you less than almost any other digital servo on the market today.

Find out more...

Are nitro supplies drying up?

THE LOOMING NITRO FUEL CRISIS

Check out the latest news on rumors that a world nitromethane shortage may push the price of model fuel through the roof or even make some hi-nitro blends unobtainable.

Find out more...

Want to build your own 2.4GHz RC system?

AN RCMODELREVIEWS.COM DIY PROJECT

Have you ever wanted to build your own radio control system for model aircraft, boats or cars?

Well RCModelReviews.com is planning a project that you might be very interested in. Here's a chance to learn more about how modern RC systems work while enjoying the satisfaction of using equipment you built yourself.

Find out more...

Welcome

WHAT'S THIS SITE ALL ABOUT?

Welcome to RCModelReviews, a site that I hope will bring a breath of fresh air to the whole subject of finding what's good and what's not so good in the radio controlled model marketplace.

Of course there are plenty of magazines and other websites that review the latest and greatest products on the market but you may have already noticed that they seldom have a bad thing to say. Just why is that?

One of the problems is that these other review sources often rely on advertisers to pay the bills and more often than not, those who are given "free stuff" to play with find it very hard to voice their real criticisms, out of some sense of gratefullness or obligation.

Well that's not the way it works here.

On review pages, Google chooses the ads and places them, I exercise no control over who advertises here and so am under no pressure to say nice things about any product or supplier because I don't know who'll be appearing in a related ad-spot.

What's more, virtually all of the stuff I test has been bought and paid for with my own hard-earned cash and if it's not, I'll declare that fact in the review.

I call a spade a spade and am beholding to nobody. If something's good then I'll say so but if it sucks, I'll say that too.

And now for some news and reviews...

How it works: The Good Oil

MODEL GLOW/NITRO ENGINE OILS EXPLAINED

The oil you (or your fuel maker) uses is critical to the long-life and performance of your engines. But do you know the difference between castor and synthetic? And which is best for your engine?

This feature will tell you all you ever wanted to know about model engine oils and a lot more. If you don't know your PAG from your ester then you really need to read this.

Special Offer: 2.4GHz Spectrum Analyzer

THE NEXT BATCH OF THESE DEVICES IS COMING SOON

I've already made one batch of these spectrum analyzers which are specifically designed for use by RC model fliers and now I'm preparing to make more. This is done pretty much on a cost-recovery basis so the pricing is dependent on how many people are interested.

If you're worried about how much 2.4GHz interference there is at your field or if you want to find out why you're getting unexplained lockouts/crashes on 2.4GHz then this device can be invaluable.

Review: The $80 Radar Speed Gun

HOW WELL DOES IT WORK ON MODELS?

Model fliers can often be heard arguing over just how fast their planes are but unless you've got some way of accurately reading the spead, it's probably just vague guess-work.

But now there are cheap radar guns coming on the market, can these be put to use checking the speeds of regular model airplanes?

Over what range will they work? Are they accurate? Are they worth the money?. Read the review and find out.

News: Hobby City's pricing stuff-up upsets customers

A 400% price hike in just a couple of hours?

Just why did Hobby City hike the price of its wireless video kit from US$65 to US$259, and why are some customers really annoyed by this hike?

Review: iMax 9X 2.4GHz RC system

CAN A CHEAP CHINESE 2.4GHZ RADIO REALLY WORK?

Big-name 2.4GHz radios can cost a fortune so how does this upstart out of China compare to systems costing two or three times as much?

An exclusive "world-first" review of the iMax 9X 2.4GHz radio.

Why Are Some XPS Users So Hopping Mad?

NEWS: XPS SAYS IT WILL HOP, OTHERS SAY IT WON'T

From the news department... it seems that some users of the XPS 2.4GHz module-based RC system are seeing red after claims regarding the system's ability to hop away from interference are challenged in a number of independent tests.

Just what's going on and does it really matter?

Futaba FASST Goes Fubar

NEWS: FULL RECALL IN EUROPE BUT HOBBICO PLAYS WAIT AND SEE

There seems to be a pretty major problem with Futaba's FASST 2.4GHz RC system that have left many customers wondering just what's going on.

Battery Indicators

REVIEW: CHEAP INSURANCE OR FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY?

They're cheap, they're pretty and they are supposed to make it easy to see when your batteries are getting low. But do they really work as well as claimed?

Or can they lul you into a false sense of security by saying your battery is still good when it's almost exhausted?

I put the Hextronic battery indicator to the test.