Another "can you help me decide" thread

[Quadcopter102]

"my readers" will know the sage being played out with my purchases online from China.
I used credits to purchase a Walkera Devo 10 and and after some irritating problems getting it to connect to a computer - it finally accepted my iMac.... its been OK for two weeks!
Today... its throwing a tantrum and not connecting to PC or iMac. Changed the firmware to Deviation same day it arrived.
I cannot go on waiting for it to play nice..so I am needing to get a reliable radio before the last of the parts arrive to start my 450 frame build!

EDIT: removed - its confusing people!
So can ask one and all to tell me and everybody else... what Radio do you use and what do you think about it?

 

[ringolong]

I use the Taranis, and I love it. I was in your boat when I decided that the Flysky was not going to work for me. I read that you can do more with the Taranis than radios that cost 3 times as much so it was a no brainer for me.

Some guys think it is difficult, but it is not too bad, and there are many videos on Youtube that help setup any functionality you need.

 

[Quadcopter102]

I use the Taranis, and I love it. I was in your boat when I decided that the Flysky was not going to work for me. I read that you can do more with the Taranis than radios that cost 3 times as much so it was a no brainer for me.
Some guys think it is difficult, but it is not too bad, and there are many videos on Youtube that help setup any functionality you need.

Thanks R - for that advice. I have contacted a three stores in Aussie - 2 being run by racing teams who have "gone into business" - both mirror your advice.
Apart from any other issues with the Devo, I only purchased to use up a credit from an online store... then having problems from it arriving and eventually finding the Deviations website...and finding that Walkera have disowned any form of upgrades from their website or supporting the products - and that they have stopped selling tx other than the 7e and 12 series, maybe new models in their pipeline. To my tired out brain it just seems strange that the whole Devo range depends on a none profit support website set up by a few enthusiasts - for decent software!
Frankly being new to DIY / kit building - I doubted my ability/desire to get into heavy expense gear like the Taranis or even the genuine DJI 450/550 kits or cope with the technical site. Then to add confusion to myself, I hate buying the items with the lowest cost - and then buying others more expensive and better facilities - as my range of DSLRs can attest!
Not to put off any others from joining in withe their gear and suggestions.... I am open minded at this time and not wanting to rush into a buy.

 

[Mike H.]

I think turnigy is more the clone of flysky..flysky is known as a protocol...Alot of toy quads have been using it for sometime now.

Once you install deviation software into the devo you can just about fly any quad with it with the proper module and program.

I think most all programmable radios have a degree of difficulty to get right.

The devo 7E is a very popular transmitter to use with deviation and the 10 is even better features wise.

You can go to the devo forums and get all the help you need setting it up.

 

[Quadcopter102]

I think turnigy is more the clone of flysky..flysky is known as a protocol...Alot of toy quads have been using it for sometime now.

Once you install deviation software into the devo you can just about fly any quad with it with the proper module and program.

I think most all programmable radios have a degree of difficulty to get right.

The devo 7E is a very popular transmitter to use with deviation and the 10 is even better features wise.

You can go to the devo forums and get all the help you need setting it up.

Hi Mike,
Put Deviation 4.01 on it first day, its not the Devo 10 as a - fully functional - radio that is the problem.
Its that this one I have seems to have an intermittent fault which prevents it being accessible on computers.
If a new version of Deviation was released today... holding EXT and turning it on... does not open it to computer access. At least not these past couple of days. It was like this on day one... then whatever I did in 9 hours messing about with drivers, software - promising to take it to the seaside for a day out, extra pressies at Christmas and a new car when it became 21...did nothing - then suddenly I tried again..and it was OK!
USB Fault? Loose connection? Bad solder joint? tried to check everything. Changed USB cables etc,.
Today I have put it in a dark cupboard, so maybe it will not like that and work 100% when I released it!
Or just maybe whatever got sorted first day.. has packed in, but there are only so many times I can go through this before it - hits the trash bin!
If you have followed my post about online stores in China - you will know its origin and that the factory seal was broken on arrival - which indicates to me - it was either a customer defective product return - and if it was like teh Original purchase of a Syma X8 - sent out without any attempt to fully repair it. Also take into account that Walkera now do not offer the Devo's 6,7, 8 and 10 on their website, only the 7e and 12 series. So maybe they junked out all there old stock and returns to the cheap and not so cheerful online stores - just guessing on my part.

 

[GJH105775]

I think turnigy is more the clone of flysky..flysky is known as a protocol...Alot of toy quads have been using it for sometime now.

Once you install deviation software into the devo you can just about fly any quad with it with the proper module and program.

I think most all programmable radios have a degree of difficulty to get right.

The devo 7E is a very popular transmitter to use with deviation and the 10 is even better features wise.

You can go to the devo forums and get all the help you need setting it up.

They are both really clones, flysky used their name in a pretty effective attempt to get people confuse them with the much better brand of frysky.

 

[RGJameson]

They are both really clones, flysky used their name in a pretty effective attempt to get people confuse them with the much better brand of frysky

FlySky (FLY SKY Remote Control Model Technology Co) was founded first and their domain was also registered first.

I also don't understand all this 'clone' talk either. Many Turnigy radios are made by Flysky, there is no cloning involved.

 

[Quadcopter102]

FlySky (FLY SKY Remote Control Model Technology Co) was founded first and their domain was also registered first.

I also don't understand all this 'clone' talk either. Many Turnigy radios are made by Flysky, there is no cloning involved.

OK.. I have removed it! I asked about radios - never having used one yet. The thread is about radios not the makers or who copied who... so I removed my - obviously - lacking knowledge , misunderstood thoughts - in order to concentrate on choice of radios.

 

[HDtallrider]

I feel for you. I initially bought a "copy", not a "clone", of a JR radio. It was so cheap I thought I hit the lottery! All it would do is turn on. Not one function worked. The commies I bought it from called me a liar and refused to help. I threw it away and bought a Futaba 10JA. Great radio. Feels right and works flawlessly. I also have a Spektrum DX8. Another fine radio. Neither one requires much effort to program and both are easy to upgrade. Folks who read my posts know that computers and programming and I don't mix well. I chose these because I don't have to be a computer engineer to use them.
Try asking your local Hobby Shop to help you with the Devo. They may charge you a nominal fee. If you still have no luck and China refuses to help then make a video of you tossing it in a wood chipper and send them the video.
You Aussies have a tougher supply problem than the rest of us. This might be the time to go to the Hobby Shop, try different radios. Pick the one that is best for you and just expect to pay retail for the help and peace of mind.
My very first post on this forum was about how much it cost me on my first build because I bought cheap crap. Put this behind you. Chalk it up as a life lesson and vow, from now on, to save up and buy only quality materials from quality vendors. You will smile more and will spend less in the long term. It can be cathartic doing this. I would be willing to wager that if you do this, all your subsequent posts will be about how great everything is coming together and how your build worked perfectly right from the start.
We all seem to learn "the hard way"!!!

 

[Quadcopter102]

I cannot fault anything in your post. As for moving on, just now I have one lost in post waiting for $9.22 refund and a one small pack showing as in transit from China using the OzPost tracker. That may be factual, but I found a few on a "complaints" type website where a tracking is followed until until it suddenly vanishes. Inquires say the tracking number is valid - but not linked with any package! I dont know if that is valid - but I have found dealing with China anything is possible. When I ordered teh Devo - after sending them some "earthy" comments and opinions of their ethics in trading - I stated that I did not believe they would ship a NEW - fully functional radio - or that if anything was stated to be in transit - would simply go missing mysteriously and mentioned the post I had read about such things.
back came a reply that they would make sure item is new unused! I know I ticked and paid for tracking. I did for a $12 order so why would I not for a $145 order. later I contacted them and asked why teh shipment had no tracking. None ordered they said, Oh yes I did, I replied. ( sounds like a pantomime!) Suddenly they send me a tracking number. The tracking websites are always changing with the Chinese!
The website implies they are a mega storage and customs approved. I traced the address in Google maps. It was a small unit - I guessed around a 500 - 600 square feet unit on an industrial trading area.
I thought this is where the package goers missing. In fact it was delivered just 10 days after being ( notified as ) shipped.
I have sinse started another ticket of defective item and they started the usual replies. of the three standard option they give I had decided what you suggest, trash it and buy a new one from a reputable store and some real warranty... but to be perverse I opted to take a $45 refund! I will add the $9.22 to that when they get around to it - then order a couple of lipos or a mini quad - just to get them to send it out and pay the shipping!
There are no local hobby shops as such within 100klm of me - that deal in DIY quad building. A few sell boxed up quads - which are selling quite fast according to one store I use ( JayCar in aussie)
HobbyKing have a depot in Sydney.... but a couple of cables I ordered came from Singapore!
I have been thinking of joining the local RC model club - of which a few play with quads. Their blurb say "most of us use Spektrum radio's - so consider a purchase because we can " buddy up" on trainer flights.
Most seem to go for the Taranis.
The Deviationtx website/forum seem to be 7e, 10 and 12. But Walkera have stopped offering firmware updates. The Deviation"hack" seems to be the new"official" firmware and is 18 months old so far.
I seems if the guy who owns the forum and wrote the firmware decides to take up a new hobby...Devo radios are out in the cold!

Thanks HD for your reply - you make a lot of sense and dealing with China and getting solutions has just been listed as the 8th Labour of Hercules.. or is the 10th!