Your Reviewer
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.
NEWS: Fake Spektrum receivers on the market?
ASIAN COUNTERFEITERS CASH IN ON SPEKTRUM BRAND
Dated: 23 May 2010
As if Spektrum didn't have enough problems with reports of "issues" plaguing some DSM-2 users at very popular events such as SEFF and Joe Nall, now it appears that the inevitable has happened...
Reports are surfacing from multiple sources that unauthorised (ie: counterfeit) copies of several popular Spektrum DSM2 receivers have started to trickle onto the market.
To the average RC user, the fact that these are not "genuine" Spektrum products may not be immediately obvious and sometimes the only way to tell is by close inspection of the circuit boards which, by some reports, show sub-standard soldering and components. Of course the other way to tell is by the prices being charged. The fake receivers tend to be significantly cheaper than the genuine product.
While most of these fake product do seem to work, anecdotal reports seem to indicate that many are short on range and there may be issues with reliability.
China's leading online RC retailer, Hobby King, has apparently been approached by a number of small vendors seeking to unload these unauthorized copies of Spektrum's products.
Anthony Hand from HK says "For the past 3 months, Hobbyking.com has been getting samples of these RX's from various suppliers and factories in Indonesia, Thailand and China."
Others have reported what suspect to be "copies" being sold on eBay, although there's no conclusive evidence that the low prices associated with these units aren't simply down to dealers wishing to clear old (and soon to be outdated) stock lines.
There can be little doubt that, should any major Chinese vendor start to sell these unauthorised copies in any volume, Horizon Hobby's lawyers will move swiftly to try and shut them down.
However, as we know from experience in other fields (such as pirate DVDs and CDs), where there's a demand and a supply, it's almost impossible to kill a trade in counterfeit products.
Have you come across any counterfeit or suspicious Spektrum products? If so, or if you just have something to say on the subject then please join others in the RCModelReviews forums to have your say.
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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
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?
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?
The Chinese are now churning out a huge number of very reasonably priced no-name servos. But are they any good?
Baffled by 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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