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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.

 

Good News: DSM starts hopping!

HORIZON CATCHES UP

Dated: 3 Feb 2010

Horizon have bowed to growing unrest from customers and finally updated DSM2 to offer a constantly agile 2.4GHz RF link. (read their announcement)

This is surely good news for all those Spektrum and JR users who had been stuck with one of the few non-agile DSSS systems left on the market today.

Regular RCModelReviews readers will be well aware that I have been a strong critic of the limitations of DSM2 for quite some time and I have repeatedly said that sooner or later, DSM2 would have to be upgraded to a constantly-agile (hopping) system if it was to deliver the levels of performance needed in today's increasingly noisy 2.4GHz environment.

Well it would appear that I was right, and now I'm pleased to see that Horizon has finally agreed with me.

Also, as regular readers will know, Horizon have refused to engage in any dialog with RCModelReviews, for reasons known only to themselves. I certainly hope that now they've come to their senses in respect to the product, they'll also revisit their attitude towards me and this publication. My inbox is always open guys!

As you'll read in my review of DSMJ, I could not figure out why Horizon hadn't offered DSMJ to its US market, since the constantly-agile system is just so much better at handling a hostile 2.4GHz environment.

Without seeing the new system I am purely speculating but it certainly does look as if the new DSMX is a close variant of DSMJ. If that's the case then it's a big thumbs-up and a round of applause for commonsense.

Of course what remains to be seen is whether Horizon have also built in some clever little routines that will ensure the upgraded transmitters no longer work with some of those Chinese DSM2-compatible receivers. This could be a case of killing two birds with one stone.

Hats-off to Horizon and Spektrum for finally admitting (after years of denials) that DSM2 does have issues with hostile 2.4GHz environments and hats-off for them finally delivering a better product.

Share your opinions and thoughts on this matter 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

2.4GHz

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? 2.4GHz

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?

Servos

The Chinese are now churning out a huge number of very reasonably priced no-name servos. But are they any good?

Baffled by batteries?

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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