RC Heli Forums - Spektrum debuts Quick Connect to address voltage drop concerns

AaronS

01-14-2008, 10:44 PM

At the AMA Convention here in Ontario last weekend, Spektrum announced they have a new feature called Quick Connect, which will address voltage drop concerns. Current Spektrum systems will take up to several seconds to reconnect after a low voltage spike below 3.5 volts. With Quick Connect, the receiver reconnects virtually instantly as soon as the voltage recovers. This feature can already be found in the JR 921 which comes with the X9303. The new AR 9100 will include Quick Connect, and eventually, all Spektrum DSM2 products will be updated with Quick Connect.

vapochilled

01-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Do "old" 72MHz RXs re-connect as quickly?
Reason I ask is I've never suffered Lo-Vo lockout, and years ago, when I flew MHz it was 35MHz in the UK and I can't remember having to worry about it as I never ever had so much as a glitch.

Dood

01-15-2008, 07:51 AM

eventually, all Spektrum DSM2 products will be updated with Quick Connect.

How do I interpret this?
does this mean, that Future AR7000's, for example, will have a firmware update?
or future models of Spektrum rx's will include this feature?

I run 6V regulated systems, so I am not to worry, but a little peace of mind goes a long way.

AaronS

01-15-2008, 04:30 PM

Yep, I think they will eventually update all Spektrum receivers on the market, new and old, with the Quick Connect feature.

most analog systems are not subject to the same problem. servos will slow with low voltage, but the receivers recovers as soon as there is power. With the new type of aggressive flying and powerful servos, low voltage spikes are a bigger concern.

cbflys

01-21-2008, 06:22 PM

Receivers can be returned to Horizon Hobby for free firmware upgrades. Send your receiver(s) to:

Horizon Service Center
4105 Fieldstone Road
Champaign, IL 61822
Attn: Spektrum Service

Jeff Bulmer

01-22-2008, 05:01 AM

Thanks..winters here , again , and would be a good time to ship my rx out for an update. Does any body know the turnaround time! mid-spring?

cbflys

01-23-2008, 02:06 PM

I just sent some of mine in today. Horizon Tech Support told me they are currently at a 2 - 3 day turnaround time. I'll let you guys know when I get them back.

cbflys

01-23-2008, 02:16 PM

I just sent some of mine in today. Horizon Tech Support told me they are currently at a 2 - 3 day turnaround time. I'll let you guys know when I get them back.

Shawn K

01-23-2008, 03:47 PM

Any reason you posted the same message 10 minutes apart, Chuck? ;)

Ots

01-23-2008, 04:19 PM

........lol!

Jeff Bulmer

01-23-2008, 04:31 PM

I just sent some of mine in today. Horizon Tech Support told me they are currently at a 2 - 3 day turnaround time. I'll let you guys know when I get them back.

Thanks , looks like I'll send mine out Friday.

cbflys

01-23-2008, 05:24 PM

Any reason you posted the same message 10 minutes apart, Chuck? ;)

Yes, It was a brown out :D

tdswan

01-23-2008, 08:16 PM

The forum's gettin' so big that there's an echo. :p

Shawn K

01-23-2008, 08:19 PM

The forum's gettin' so big...

The forum... Chuck's head... to-MAY-to, to-MAH-to... :p

Dood

01-24-2008, 06:29 AM

I spoke to a rep at Horizon Service yesterday.

I asked about the Spektrum rx's.

The only receivers that would need the firmware update are:

AR6100
AR7000
AR9000

The JR921, AR6100E, those are good. you aint gotta worry about them.

My receivers are going into Horizon tomorrow.

Dood

01-24-2008, 09:57 PM

I forgot to ask the guys at Horizon about whether or not the AR6200 and AR6300 need the update. Being that they are newer rx's, I kinda doubt it.

There is a way to check to see if your rx needs the firmware update if you're unsure.

With your tx and rx powered up and bound,
Shut off the power going to the RX, and immediately turn it back on.

If your rx has the "quick connect" capability, you will see that the lights on the rx are continuously flashing. Flashing is good.
You should see that you instantly have full control of the servo's.

If the rx is NOT flashing, that means you dont have the "quick connect" feature.

Jeff Bulmer

01-25-2008, 04:44 AM

nope , not flashing..guess they're gonna have to see the maytag man!!

This might be the only time I'm glad its winter :D

cbflys

01-31-2008, 08:20 PM

Well, a week later and I thought I'd give Horizon a call. They have no record of having received the package yet, but they said that doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't arrived. I'll check in a again next week.

Good news is that not only will my AR7000 be upgraded with the 'Quick Connect' feature, it will also be upgraded to support the Spektrum 'Flight Log' device. :D

Jeff Bulmer

02-01-2008, 04:59 AM

Thats reassuring..that it hasn't been recieved. Hope mine finds its way home safe!!! That could put a real dampener on a season!! :(

tdswan

02-01-2008, 12:03 PM

That's why delivery confirmation is worth the money.

Dood

02-01-2008, 04:45 PM

I sent both my radio and a handful of rx's to Horizon last week.
They DID receive the package (Someone had to sign for it)

I havent heard anything back from Horizon either.
From what I've been told, that when dealing with Horizon Service,
they dont bother contacting the customer, unless they have an issue with the warrenty claim.

If they DO contact the customer, it means they want money.

Basically, with Horizon, no news is good news.

Dood

02-01-2008, 07:18 PM

YAY!!

my radio came back

and so did all the receivers.
That was quick. I love my JR/ Spektrum and Horizon service!

cbflys

02-02-2008, 07:31 PM

Mine are back as well. Guess they upgraded it and never knew they had it :confused:

I can now try out the 'Flight Log' with my AR7000!

tdswan

02-02-2008, 10:53 PM

One thing that worries me, when you do the forementioned test to make sure it's updated, it doesn't work with my supposedly newly updated receiver. Anyone have any input on this? :confused:

cbflys

02-02-2008, 11:22 PM

Troy,

I sent in an AR6100 and an AR7000. I just finished testing both of them.

I did the bind procedure and made sure they worked. Then while moving the sticks I turned the receiver switch off and back on again. The servos immediately resumed working and the light on the receiver was blinking (both lights on the AR7000).

They definately didn't work this way before I sent them in. It took well over 5 seconds for the AR7000 to start working again before the upgrade.

I'm a happy customer :D

Chuck

cbflys

02-02-2008, 11:31 PM

One thing that worries me, when you do the forementioned test to make sure it's updated, it doesn't work with my supposedly newly updated receiver. Anyone have any input on this? :confused:

There have been reports of 'Quick Connect' working but the lights not blinking. To test if you have the feature, work your servos and cycle the receiver power switch real quick. The servos should immediately begin moving again. If they do, you have Quick Connect.

Jeff Bulmer

02-11-2008, 08:17 PM

Well mine made it home safe..stillin the same zip loc bag they were sent in!!!

Got a shock when opening the package, and found a note telling me they needed the remotes to complete the update. Now that sucks..EXCEPT they sent me a pair with the update to replace the ones I forgot!!! Awesome service.. only waited aweek! :p

helijack

03-06-2008, 10:11 PM

[QUOTE=Dood]I spoke to a rep at Horizon Service yesterday.

I asked about the Spektrum rx's.

The only receivers that would need the firmware update are:

AR6100
AR7000
AR9000

My AR6100 has a 1.06 sticker on it. Is that the updated QuickConnect version? Or do I have to send it in to get updated?

Dood

03-06-2008, 10:24 PM

[
My AR6100 has a 1.06 sticker on it. Is that the updated QuickConnect version? Or do I have to send it in to get updated?

You must have just gotten that receiver.

as far as I know, 1.06 is the latest version.
you should be good to go.