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[tugmad]

Hi to all,  has anybody had any dealings with or heard of a new  2.4 radio set on the market called the Planet 5.  it is a 5 channel set costing about £35 and spare recievers are about £10 each  any info or feedback welcome.

[exvtop]

There's a review in the current (December 2009) issue of Marine Modelling International magazine.
They seem to think it's very good value for the price and easy to use.

Mike.

[tigertiger]

From the Sussex Model Centre Website
"Please note instructions state the range is only 150 metres..." Not the 800m as found in some sets.

I have on occasion sailed my larger boat this far, not often, but it could be a problem if you do sail away. Low batteries is another thought.

For many boaters this is not a problem.

[dodgy geezer]

I've handled a Planet in my local model shop. It's got a nicer finish than the Giant Cod radios.

[BarryM]

From the Sussex Model Centre Website
"Please note instructions state the range is only 150 metres..." Not the 800m as found in some sets.

I have on occasion sailed my larger boat this far, not often, but it could be a problem if you do sail away. Low batteries is another thought.

For many boaters this is not a problem.

The author of the review in the MMI magazine performed a range test which still gave reliable results at 300m. Battery life was not reported as a problem.

If you are serious about buying the set it would be worth getting hold of the mag to read the review.

Barry M

[tigertiger]

... Battery life was not reported as a problem.

Hi Barry,
My comment about low batts was about the performance and range, not about battery life.
I know when my RX batts are getting low I get irratic control if I stray too far. And so if the range was 150m this would be an issue for me.

If as you say they got stable results at 300m then no problems. I can't see that far 

[FullLeatherJacket]

I've handled one of these and I can only endorse what's been said about the quality - it's fine. The binding operation is a doddle, too. As for range, TT has it about right!
FLJ

[Nordsee]

Hello, this sounds very interesting! The range doesn't bother me as with my small boats I rarely sail that far away!! Who are selling this Outfit? I cannot get the December Issue, too late as I live in Germany! Info would be good!

[Martin (Admin)]

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=29064

http://www.jperkinsdistribution.co.uk/list.php?subcat=147&cat=Planet%20R/C%202.4GHz&Navmain=R/C%20equipment

http://www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&category=24

[DickyD]

OK I give up, I'm going to have to ask. What is the difference between mode 1 and mode 2 ?

Simple answer please.

[dodgy geezer]

This is the first url you get if you google 'mode 1 radio control'

http://www.flyingsites.co.uk/newcomers/controls/radiomode.htm

[DickyD]

Great but my boats dont fly though I grant you they might pitch and roll a bit.

Which mode for boats ?

[Faraday's Cage]

Which mode for boats ?

Dicky, Mode 1 Tx's have throttle (with ratchet) on the right hand stick, mode 2 have throttle  and ratchet on the left hand stick. It doesn't really matter for us boaters but you could have a personal preference or depends on what you are used to with any existing gear you've got.

FC

[Faraday's Cage]

Looking at the information on the Cornwall Model Boats site http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/planet-5.html,
the modes are interchangeable on the tx anyway.

FC

[DickyD]

Cheers FC that was the simple answer I was looking for.

[dodgy geezer]

Which mode for boats ?

'Which mode is better?' is a much discussed question amongst the flying community.

I think the issue started in the 1970s, when people moved over from reed systems (which used two separate toggle switches for each control - one pushed a servo in one direction, the other reversed it). This might still cause confusion - old reed sets needed two 'channels' per control (and more if you wanted trims), while nowadays we use digital proportional sets, and talk of one control being 'one channel'.

When the first digital proportional sets came in, like the first cars, there was no standard control configuration, and each manufacturer did his own thing. In the US, manufacturers settled on having the main flying controls (elevator and aileron) on the same right-hand stick, while in Europe, people stuck with the main controls on different sticks, like the reed systems had. That meant turning (aileron) on the right, pitch (elevator) on the left, throttle on the right and rudder (least used) on the left.

None of this mattered at first, because each user had their own radio, learned to fly themselves, and if they wanted one stick on the back of the set and the other on the side that was fine. Gradually, as clubs became common, and being trained to fly many different aircraft became the norm, which sticks you used for what controls became more important. But by then the two different main approachs had become entrenched, and here they remain.

It's not that critical in practice - most sets have a small switch which lets you swap between mode 1 and mode 2, and you could always just plug the servos in different sockets anyway. It's safety-critical to know which mode you're flying for aircraft, but boats don't really have the same control issues, and often use the pistol-grip/steering wheel Scalectric-influenced sets that cars use.

For boats I tend to use rudder on the right, speed on the left, which might count as mode2 if I also had trim tabs on the right....

There was actually some research done which suggested that mode1 was a better way to fly, but I'm not sure if I believe it...

[Peter Fitness]

The main argument in favour of Mode 2 for flying is that it's more realistic having the primary flight controls, elevator and ailerons, on one stick as in full size practice. I learned to fly on Mode 1, and have stayed with it ever since. My radios are quite old, the oldest was bought in Singapore in 1990, and don't have the ability to change modes so, unless I buy new ones, I'm stuck with Mode 1. I don't believe that either mode is necessarily "right", it's really a matter of personal choice.

Peter.

[DickyD]

Just ordered a mode 2  from GiantCod with an extra receiver.

[dodgy geezer]

Just ordered a mode 2  from GiantCod with an extra receiver.

DickyD,

Good luck with the radio! It will not come with instructions - you will find you have to 'bind' each receiver to the transmitter by pressing a little button on the receiver when everything is powered up before it will work - you only have to do this once when you get the radio, and you can bind receivers to other transmitters later if you need to.

Otherwise they're quite simple. There is a 'mixer' switch which will mix two channels inside - you can just see it on the PCB if you take the battery cover off. There is also a 'mode' switch on the PCB, but you have to take the whole back off the radio to get at this. The makers assume you won't need to change this very often!

I think it's a good idea to take the back off and have a little look - the price is so low that quality control can suffer - I have had one set with very poor soldering on the sticks which needed redoing, and you may find that you can't straighten the aerial without taking the back off anyway....

[DickyD]

Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on.

[FullLeatherJacket]

There is a 'mixer' switch which will mix two channels inside - you can just see it on the PCB if you take the battery cover off.
I think it's a good idea to take the back off and have a little look

Do you KNOW  who you're talking to here? Dicky would cheerfully tell you that he is to electronics what Richard Hammond is to jet dragsters.....................
Richard - if you're tempted, just ring us 24/7.
FLJ

[DickyD]

  Didn't know I was that good Dave. Wait for the call.

As long as it doesn't muck up my P94.

[John W E]

Do you KNOW  who you're talking to here? Dicky would cheerfully tell you that he is to electronics what Richard Hammond is to jet dragsters.....................
Richard - if you're tempted, just ring us 24/7.
FLJ

I hope your phone is by  your side of the bed            mine is  unplugged from know  

[Nordsee]

Hello again, regarding Mode1 and 2. Lots depends on where you are, here in Dunkle Deutschland nearly all seem to fly on Mode 1, and being German, refuse to admit that 2 could be better or as good. I learnt to fly back in the early 70s with a Club that all flew 2, mainly because that is how the Japanese radios ( Futaba etc) were set up. I later flew Gliders and sailplanes mode1, no real problem there. Boats are whatever comes out, but I use Winch on the left and rudder right, if possible. Today you could use anything you liked!
  I never take the back off a new Radio, doing so invalidates the Guarantee, or so I am told.

[Vintage]

it's a good idea to take the back off and have a little look - the price is so low that quality control can suffer - I have had one set with very poor soldering on the sticks which needed redoing, and you may find that you can't straighten the aerial without taking the back off anyway....

Am I the only one concerned to see a company flooding the market with cheap radio gear??

At £35- for a 5 channel set something's wrong - it's completely unsustainable to expect a company to produce, ship around the world & then allow a retailer to add a fair markup on such a product. Quality / service has to suffer & I can't help thinking it'll be another nail in the coffin of the traditional model shop.

I guess it'll lead to the death of quality sets as the likes of Futaba, etc. will no longer deem it viable to offer the huge range of servos / accessories, at the high end of the market, as they have in the past....