Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Radio Equipment => Topic started by: davidsg1a on March 31, 2010, 01:50:48 pm
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Hello everyone, I'm looking for a 2.4 ghz 5 channel rc system, just wondering if anyone knows where to get one at a good price and what models are good, I would be most great full for your help.
Cheers David
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Hy David,
Check out Giant Cod, I have two of there TX and about 8 Rx, very cheap and very good. A lot of the guys on here have them.
Bosun
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I think Howes models do both Planet and Giantcod. Other alternative, do a Google Search. Pete
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Hi.
The six channel RadioLink from Giant Cod is first class, had no trouble at all and with receivers so cheap you can set up a whole fleet. The service from Giant Cod is also great, all arrived next day.
Richard.
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yep, definitely giant cod! :-)) :-))
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Giant Cod
http://www.giantcod.co.uk/gianitcod-24ghz-4channel-mode2-transmitter-p-403779.html
Planet
http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/planet-5-rc-systems.html
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Just in case you were wondering, the switch on the top right of the planet system is the channel 5 on/off switch. Switch it on and channel 5 soft starts up to full power and the same in reverse when you switch it off.
The reciever on the planet system does not look as robust as the giant cod, but to date i've had no problems at all.
The reciever binding procedure is just about the same for both models.
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Trim is nicer on the Planet system - the Giant Cod has tatty trim, and if they are still like the two I have, needs a 100k resistor added to the stick pots to get the last 10% of throw to work.
But the GC kit is solid, good feel, and the 4-channel system is cheap as chips at £25. If you really have to have 5 channel, GC do a 6-channel set for £52, but I think that may be more than a Planet....
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Thanks for all your help gents, am i right in saying that on the 4 channel gc it's two four way sticks, also do you think at the show in south sheilds on the 10th april that there might be dealers there and better deal?
David
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1 - yup, two 4 way sticks
2 - I think that Giant Cod cut prices to the bone, so there probably won't be any further discounting...
3 - I suspect that GC get these low prices by lowering quality control, so it's worth checking the kit over. If there's anything wrong GC will certainly replace or refund - they do good service, but with those low prices I would be cautious. That said, I'm really happy with the two £25 GC systems I have...
4 - Interestingly, on the PCB inside, there are several connector positions which are unconnected to any controls. GC have an electronics specialist on their forum who says that the basic electronics in the box are 6-channel, and so it may be possible just to connect a switch or a pot to these connect positions and get extra channels. The £10 GC receiver is 6-channel....
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Hey gents, thanks for the advice, iv orderd the giant cod 4 channel, hopefully give it a run this weekend and i'll let you know how it goes.
Cheers David
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Does anyone know if the guy at giant cod is still in china?
David
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Excuse me for jumping in on the thread, but can anyone please explain to a newbie the "binding" the transmitters? {:-{
Chers, Tony.
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Binding is setting the receiver to only react to your transmitter
With Giant Cod power up receiver turn on transmitter
Press 'bind' button on receiver momentarily and away you go!
Yours Aye
Ned
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http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19330.msg188075#msg188075 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=19330.msg188075#msg188075)
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I notice nobody has recommended Spektrum so I will it's first class gear and an after sales that cannot be beaten. :-))
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Thanks, Ned.
Tony.
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Oops Sorry Martin, just spotted your link, thanks to you also,
Tony.
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"Excuse me for jumping in on the thread, but can anyone please explain to a newbie the "binding" the transmitters? ..."
With a 'normal' Transmitter/Receiver pair, you work on a 'spot' frequency, and nobody else can use that frequency while you are using it. So you usually buy several frequency crystals, and change them round to make sure that you do not clash with any other pond user.
2.4Ghz is different. Everybody transmits on the same frequency, but they send packets of information with an address attached to each, any your receiver only responds to packets with your address on. This is set up when you first buy the radio - you turn the transmitter and receiver on together, then press a button to link them. Thereafter, that receiver only responds to that transmitter (until you re-bind to a different transmitter, should you ever want to...)
So, no more worrying about frequency clashes....
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I notice nobody has recommended Spektrum so I will it's first class gear and an after sales that cannot be beaten. :-))
Spektrum is great gear...... but it's 5 times the price!
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Thanks for the info D.D. - you must have been reading my thoughts either that or you heard the old cogs turning!
Cheers, Tony.
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Sorry dodgy geezer last reply was for you (D.D.?) doh!
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That's all right - I'll answer to anything....
Other points about 2.4Ghz - good at rejecting radio interference - can suffer from difficulties in getting a signal at some aerial attitudes, so the receivers often have two aerials to minimise this problem - signal won't go through water, so no good for submarines. Apart from that - treat as 27Mhz....
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Thanks Dodgy - learning something everyday :-)) If I'm not careful I'll soon have an idea of what I'm doing!
Cheers, Tony.
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Just something to bear in mind - as previously stated, 2.4gHz doesn't like water, so be very wary of using it in foggy, misty, damp or very rainy conditions - it will still work, but range will be greatly reduced.
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Just something to bear in mind - as previously stated, 2.4gHz doesn't like water, so be very wary of using it in foggy, misty, damp or very rainy conditions - it will still work, but range will be greatly reduced.
I think I must respond to this above....
With Futaba FASST, Assan, and FrSky, in my experience, if you can safely see it, you can control it - I'll qualify this further, at 500 yards it's difficult to tell which way a 1meter is pointing - left or right, or going away or coming towards.....
I've experienced no reduction in range whilst sailing with the Gwynedd Model Group in some VERY wintry conditions.
Your mileage may indeed vary, but when I go out for the day sailing, I go for the DAY, and don't let weather deter me.
On the other hand the clubhouse at Gresford near Wrexham is side on to the lake, with large windows facing out over 300yds+ of water, so when it rains we can retire inside, whence the signal is now attenuated by glass and heavy downpour, and I can still sail around the 'No Fishing' sign on the far side of the lake.
So moisture in the air 'may' reduce the range, but being as I have yet to determine what the effective range actually is (far, far, away...) I'd say that unless your actually standing under water, and your boat is below the surface of said, you'll be alright - with the previously mentioned qualification regarding sailing a submarine of course, you've got more to worry about if your boat is under water, than range issues.
-Rob
ps With care applied to antenna placement, I'll add Spektrum, and Giantcod/FlySky to the extreme range list - those two just seem a little more fussy than the earlier mentioned three.
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Just something to bear in mind - as previously stated, 2.4gHz doesn't like water, so be very wary of using it in foggy, misty, damp or very rainy conditions - it will still work, but range will be greatly reduced.
I've heard this claimed a few times now and can't find anyone that actually had the problem... that could be traced to other issues.
2.4G and submarines will that is a known issue.
Having said all that.....! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ick_-9g_b4Y
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Just something to bear in mind - as previously stated, 2.4gHz doesn't like water, so be very wary of using it in foggy, misty, damp or very rainy conditions - it will still work, but range will be greatly reduced.
So thats anyone in the UK Scuppered :} Had No problem the other Day at Kirklees , Mind you the weather there I think was imported or they pay more rates than us as it was a tad Hot... :-))
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I've heard this claimed a few times now and can't find anyone that actually had the problem...
It's one of them urban myth thingies
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I notice nobody has recommended Spektrum so I will it's first class gear and an after sales that cannot be beaten. :-))
100% agree... :-))
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Either Planet 5 or Giant Cod. I personally prefer the "feel" or the Planet 5 but they are much alike.
No more walking around the lake saying "what freq. you on?" Heaven!
Alex