Frsky - Taranis

Hi all

I've been after a taranis for a few months and have checked a few sites regularly without any joy until now. As rare as rocking horse do do. Ginatcod had them and they sold out in 2 days.

Not sure if anyone else is after one but they are currently in stock from BRC Hobbies in the UK on the web. From experience, they won't be there for long.

By all accounts they seem to be a bit of a beast in terms of functionality and programming and to date, I can't find a negative report them, would be interested to know if anyone else has taken the plunge on one of these as would be good to talk to another owner ? Mine should be here by mid week.

Tom

Mike Blandford, a WMAC member of many years, wrote some of the open source code for the Teranis. He had one of the early pre-production models and also has one of the early production models. He is giving a talk about it at Holt Parish Hall on our January club night (10th January) I believe.

I have been using FrSky modules and receivers for a few years and would highly recommend them. If I was in the market for a new transmitter I would be very tempted by the Teranis, but being a 'tray' radio user would hope that FrSky have developed their 'European' radio by the time my p4000 dies.

BTW, to put things into context, the p4000 was way ahead of its time in terms of programming and it took Futaba over ten years to produce anything as versatile. And, in my biased opinion, JR and Spektrum still do not have a radio that matches the p4000 or the high-end Futabas. FrSky, on the other hand, have a transmitter that compares more than favourably for a fraction of the price.

Mike

Hi Mike

Yes, I spoke to Mike Blandford about it a few months back on a few occassions. I spent ages deliberating over Aurora 9 or Taranis. Mike sealed it for me. It truly is remarkable what it can do. The speech synthesis with telemetary alone looks great. It was about time I upgraded from my trusty Optic 6. My son will be ready to take to the sticks soon and you can buddy the Optic up. You can even feed the channels in on buddy 1 by 1 so give him just elevator to begin with or whatever combo you want. It even tells you via speech when your about to go out of range !!! The list is endless, a truly top bit of kit.

It just needs a bit of programming to get it going and I quite enjoy all that stuff. Will certainly make sure I'm in town for that meeting on 10th. Let me know if you hear of anyone else picking one up.

Tom

Tom - Looks like Christmas has arrived early.

Look forward to hearing how you get on with the programming.

I'm currently using a Futaba FF9 Super with a FrSky 2.4 module
and FrSky 8 channel receivers and after 18 months use the FrSky
bit has been faultless.

Worth asking Mike if the Teranis tx warns you when in "Range Check " mode.
This is a downside to the FrSky 2.4 tx module,a lesson I learned the hard way !!

Regards
Colin.A.

4Pedalsfly wrote: Worth asking Mike if the Teranis tx warns you when in "Range Check " mode. This is a downside to the FrSky 2.4 tx module,a lesson I learned the hard way !!

Do you have the one-way module (non-telemetry)? I've got the FrSky 2-way module and it beeps constantly when in range-check mode. If Mike doesn't chip in here, I'm sure he can demonstrate that the Teranis makes a noise in range-check mode...it must do?

Mike

Hi

It has a FrSky XJT 2.4Ghz module inside which is 2 way telemetry enabled.

Tom

Can't believe how cheap this TX is....and the receivers too. :ohmy: The wonders of Open Source Software I suppose. JR case and mechanicals though?

Maybe I am a "stick in mud" but couldn't envisage me putting something treasured and expensive in the air on FrSky. May be one day someone will prove otherwise!

Mike - That's very interesting, I'm using non - telemetry rx's but the tx module has
telemetry function by switch selection. Switch 1 & 2 off for tel, 1 off & 2 on for non-tel.

With the tx module in tel mode it does not produce an audiable warning when in range check.

Guess the audiable warning must come from the telemetry receiver bit which I don't have.

Phil - Oh ye of little faith - loads of FrSky in use with positive reports.
Mike's talk on Jan 10th will be worth listening to since he has also had input on the mechanical side.

Regards

Colin.A

4Pedalsfly wrote: Mike - That's very interesting, I'm using non - telemetry rx's but the tx module has
telemetry function by switch selection. Switch 1 & 2 off for tel, 1 off & 2 on for non-tel.

With the tx module in tel mode it does not produce an audiable warning when in range check.

Guess the audiable warning must come from the telemetry receiver bit which I don't have.

I have the toggle switch module which came out after the dip switch module. The toggle switch has three positions, 0ne-way, two-way and firmware update. Much easier than the dip switches.

I guess they changed the firmware to include an audible warning when in range check mode when they went from dip to toggle. On mine, you go into range check mode by holding down the push button for 4 seconds and the red LED turns green and the module makes a noise. To get out of range check mode press the button again for a second.

PhilF51 wrote: Can't believe how cheap this TX is....and the receivers too. :ohmy: The wonders of Open Source Software I suppose. JR case and mechanicals though?

Maybe I am a "stick in mud" but couldn't envisage me putting something treasured and expensive in the air on FrSky. May be one day someone will prove otherwise!

No need to wait until "one day". FrSky has been around for several years and is already proven.

Regarding the JR case and mechanicals...Mike can tell us more with his talk, but I believe the mechanicals are not the same.

Mike