Do you know that problem? You want to have ONE transmitter for all of your models and you've got planes, cars, helis and boats? Or you need more than 6 channels for your boat without having the TXs channels fixed to mixers like aileron, v-tail or swashplate? There is a solution...
What is it all about?First of all there's the FlySky TH9X (also sold under iMax, Eurgle or Turnigy label) transmitter which is a heli/plane/glider TX but turns into a swiss kife with an alternative firmware (er9x). The channels can be assigned freely to any stick, pot or switch and mixed in any imaginable way. You can assign curves to each channel, limit the servo movement, slow the servo movement down and much more.
There can be up to 16 models in the TXs memory (depending on their complexity). In addition to the er9x firmware there's a windows based model editor you can use to programm, simulate and store as many models as you like. With this you have virtually memory for an infinate number of models.
What about more than 8 channels?When you buy the TH9X set you'll get an 8ch 2.4GHz HF module and an 8ch receiver. If you need more than this you can buy the TH9X without HF module and receiver and buy a JETI DUPLEX 2.4GHz module and receiver and you'll get up to 16 channels. But forget about a cheap solution when choosing this way.
What do you need?-the TH9X TX with a HF module and receiver
-the free er9x firmware and the eepe model editor
-an AVR ISP programmer to connect the TX to the pc and change/edit firmware and model memory
-a soldering iron, solder, some cables and a 6/10-pin connector
or instead of the last two points:
-a solderless add-on board (incl. programmer and EL backlight)
What do you have to do?Open the TX and solder the cables to the pcb and to the 6/10-pin connector (or mount the add-on board). Connect the isp programmer to your pc and to your TX. Install drivers for the programmer (if needed). Start the eepe software, choose the right isp programmer in the settings and flash the new firmware into the tx. Well, that's it! Congratulations to your new cheap and versatile TX. Read the er9x manual and enjoy.
What does it cost?-the FlySky TH9X with 8ch HF modul and receiver costs about 65€ incl. shipping from china (it isn't really cheaper without HF module and receiver)
-for more than 8 channels you'll need the JETI DUPLEX TG2 HF module which is about 120€ and from 100€ to 190€ for a 10 up to 16 channel receiver.
-a simple AVR ISP programmer is about 20€ (or about 40€ for the solderless add-on board)
Information about the FS TH9X:
http://www.flysky-cn.com/eShowProducts.asp?id=43Detailed information about the er9x firmware:
http://code.google.com/p/er9x/Detailed information about soldering the programmer interface to the TX:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uploads/1030097943X238731X30.pdfDetails about using the solderless add-on board:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1338412I got my TH9X last thursday from china after 7 weeks of waiting (due to xmas and the european snow chaos there was a delay of several weeks). Fortunately everything else was here and ready to install: the FrSky V8JT HF module (because I already use the FrSky 2.4GHz system), an EL backlight with inverter plus a FET for switching, some wires and a 10-pin connector and a simple selfmade parallel AVR ISP programmer which I've used for several projects before. I did a quick test with the original software to ensure that the hardware is ok. With the instructions it's really easy to solder the 10-pin connector to the pcb. Making a hole for the connector into the TX housing shouldn't be a problem for a modeller. Installing the EL backlight was a little more difficult because it's cable easily collides with the menu/exit keys. A detailed instruction for installing the backlight can be found on the er9x homepage.
Flashing the new firmware was easy and done in a minute, calibrating the TX is simple too but I tried without the manual first and needed a little longer.
Conclusion:Ok, hacking a brand new TX feels a little wrong, but when ordering from china there isn't a real warranty which could be lost anyway. The modified TH9X seems to be all I need for all of my models of all different kinds. In addition I'm happy with the possibilities the windows based editor provides. It's also great to know that the firmware still will be improved with features suggested by the community of er9x users. I love it!
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Topic: Cheap 2.4GHz Set with 8 or more channels (Read 4815 times)