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My Credentials
So who's doing this reviewing then?

Well I've been building and flying or driving radio controlled models for over 40 years and during that time I like to think I've built up a reasonable amount of knowledge.

I'm also a qualified electronics engineer who has worked in radio frequency, analog, digital systems and software for more than three decades. In fact I designed and built my first RC set back in 1969.

For the past nine years I've also been involved in the design and manufacture of some rather sophisticated engine technology and UAV flight control systems.

So, chances are I've been there, done that and have a huge pile of tee shirts to prove it.

Right now I'm heavily into 3D flying and enjoy all aspects of the RC hobby. I may be old but I don't feel it.

In the Pipeline

Here's just a little bit of what's to come on this site...

RC explained: Demystifying terms such as PCM, PPM dual conversion, single conversion, full-range etc., this feature will explain it all.

Cheap Chinese Engines: Just how good are those cheap Chinese glow and gas engines that sell for half the price of their "brand-name" equivalent? I put several to the test.

Build your own radio gear?: Back in the old days, building your own RC gear was not uncommon and now the arrival of 2.4GHz has made it practical again.

 

RESOLVED: HobbyKing backtracks on shipping price-hikes

MASSIVE MARGINS ADDED TO EMS FOR SOME COUNTRIES

Updated: 19 Aug 2010
HobbyKing have slashed their new EMS prices back to former levels. Whether this was a result of a strong public backlash or whether the problem was simply a mistake remains unclear.

Original report Dated: 17 Aug 2010

HobbyKing has recently hiked its prices for shipping goods to a number of countries using EMS.

Initially it was thought that this was simply a case of passing on price-rises created by EMS themselves but a bit of sleuthing by RCModelReviews indicates that this is not the case at all.

Take the example of Mexico for instance...

According to HobbyKing's own "Live Postage cost table" (screenshot), the freight charges associated with delivering a 0.9Kg package via EMS are US$62.75

However, according to the Hong Kong Post website, the actual cost is HK$227 which (according to Google's Forex) is a mere US$29.20.

The price disparity for a Mexico-bound package weighing 1.1Kg is even worse when you choose HobbyKing's EMS shipping: the HKPost site quoting a figure of just US$35.25 while HobbyKing charge the customer an incredible US$93.48.

Customers want to know where the difference (some US$58.23) is going.

Strangely enough, EMS rates to the USA seem unaffected by HobbyKing's massive new "surcharge".

If you're interested in checking the disparity between what HobbyKing pays for EMS shipping and what they're charging you, use the HKPost EMS (aka "SpeedPost") pricing calculator and compare it to the figures quoted on HobbyKing's Live Postage cost table.

New Zealand and Australian customers are similarly (but not quite so severely) affected by these surcharges.

So far it's been 24 hours since RCModelReviews raised this issue on HobbyKing's own discussion forums and surprisingly, there has been absolutely no official response. I'd prefer to put this down to a clerical stuff-up but only time will tell what (if any) explanation is forthcoming.

In the meantime, caveat emptor.

If HobbyKing's EMS charges your country are also affected, please share your concerns in the RCModelReviews forums.

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The Blog

Updated: 20 Sep 2012
Here's a blog that will keep you informed just what's going on behind the scenes at RC Model Reviews and also tells you a little more about myself.

How compatible are 2.4GHz RC systems?

23 Mar 2010
How come there's no compatibility between different brands of transmitters and receivers? Why can't you use a cheap Chinese receiver with your Futaba FASST radio?

How to get a product reviewed here

4 Mar 2010
Since this has become a very frequently asked question, I've posted this simple guide to getting your product, or a product you're thinking of buying reviewed here at RCModelReviews

How servos work

Useful information on what's inside your servos and how they work.

The Good Oil

Important facts you should know about the oils that are used in our model engine fuels.

Heads-Up: 2.4GHz RC systems tested

How well do five different 2.4GHz systems stack up when hit by interference? The answers are here, with more to come.

Review: Bushnell's $80 Speed Gun

Yes it does work on model airplanes but there are some limitations involved with this bargain-basement radar speed gun.

Review: TowerPro MG995 servo

These are possibly the world's worst servos, find out exactly why you should avoid these boat-anchors at any cost.

Review: SK90

2.4GHz

It's cheap but can it really stack up against other glow engines in the .90 market? Find out in this review.

Review: iMax 9X 2.4GHz radio

How does this cheap 9-channel 2.4GHz radio system perform when compared to big-name systems that can cost two or three times as much? Have the Chinese finally developed a real contender with the iMax 9X?

2.4GHz Explained

Does all this 2.4GHz stuff have your head spinning? 2.4GHz

I've done my best to demystify the whole subject so if you feel like a bit of learning, this is the stuff for you!

Fix That Engine!

How can you tell when your engine needs new bearings? Who has the best prices and service on replacements? Just how do you change them? Get all that information and watch a great video tutorial anyone can follow.

Chinese Servos - How do they stack up?

Servos

The Chinese are now churning out a huge number of very reasonably priced no-name servos. But are they any good?

Baffled by batteries?

Batteries Nicad, NiMH, Li-Ion, LiPoly, LiFePO4, A123... the range of different battery types has never been greater. So how do they differ and what type should you be using?

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