HL Electronics old and new.

[whjohnson]

Gents,
My old 2nd hand Panther G looks to have a very old version of the original Heng Long electronics.
Comparing it with my newer Tiger 1, (which has smoke and sound too) the main difference is that the Panther has all-soldered wiring connections to the main and receiver boards, no plugs at all.

As much as I would like to go to a IBU or Clark set-up, the money bag says no!

So, is it worth going for a newer RX18 set up similar to the Tiger 1. which is still the older 27mhz set-up and not the 2.4 GHz digital.
The Panther doesn't have smoke/sound either, so i guess that upgrading would give me both of these to get it on a par with the Tiger 1.

What are the principle advantages/disadvantages of the H-L 27mhz and 2.4GHZ systems and which is the better system?

Is the change over hard to do? And what other items might I need along with a new main board and receiver board?
I guess I'll need a speaker to give the sound, but I'm not too bothered about the smoke.


Thanks for any replies.

[jarndice]

WHJ, Hi, If you go to Welsh Dragon Models website, scroll down the main page and you will see he is selling a complete 2.4 GHz upgrade comprising of control board, full replacement wiring, plugs fitted, and a new speaker, all instructions and of course a new transmitter, cost £55, bargain, you can get a smoker from Dave Forgebear amongst others. good luck. shaun
www.welshdragonmodels.com

[ALPHA]

Hello whjohnson... Pros and Cons to both... I still have several HENG LONGs with the old electronics... They still work well.. so I have no reason to change them out
the change to the RX18 isn't complicated... but I believe in the old Idiom... "if it ain't broke ...don't fix it "

The advantage to the Rx18 is the plug in capability... it is used in both of HENG LONG type of control... the 27mhz and the 2.4 gig... the major advantage of the 2.4 being range of transmission and no need for an antenna ...the downside to the 2.4 is the controller doesn't have trims ... though even without them they work very well... better than the 27 mhz without

As far as performance between the two 27mhz... I would say it's marginal... reason I haven't changed mine out yet ....not to mention I have successfully mounted different styles of hidden antennas in my tanks... so as far as appearance ... they look the same as a 2.4

Another thing you might think about is... that many modellers are changing to 2.4... so that frees up air space for the older crystal style of control...making the use of the older style defined by the antenna coming out of your tank and transmitter

Bottom line is it is up to you if you want to change it out... personally I would leave it alone if it isn't giving you any problems...even installing new gearboxes is still easy ... as all you would do is unscrew the motors and remount them in the new ones

Good Luck .. and Welcome ... the adventure is fun.. and just beginning for you

ALPHA

[scalawag]

I would definitely upgrade to one of these 2 systems, as once done if you do ever change to an IBU2 it will be plug and play, and almost so for the clark. Looking at the two systems you have mentioned then I would go to the 2.4Ghz as this will give a slightly better performance to the new RX18. The 2.4Ghz deal at welshdragon is a good one.

[[ICE]monkey]

I am guessing with the old type electrics is it a pantiger ?

[whjohnson]

Guys,
Thanks for the input thus far.
BTW - The tank I wish to upgrade is a Panther G and not the old Pantiger.

The WD 2.4GHZ package looks attractive.I take it that the TX &RX functions are combined into one unit rather than two seperate boards?

One thing I will say about the old electronics is that when it comes to slow turns, the old stuff seems to control in a more realistic
fashion on the Panther G than the newer stuff on my Tiger 1. This may be down to the fact that because of less weight due to plastic tracks, it takes less current to drive the motors and thus the tank will turn with less input from the control levers.

Next stop payday!

[ALPHA]

Guys,
Thanks for the input thus far.
BTW - The tank I wish to upgrade is a Panther G and not the old Pantiger.

The WD 2.4GHZ package looks attractive.I take it that the TX &RX functions are combined into one unit rather than two seperate boards?

One thing I will say about the old electronics is that when it comes to slow turns, the old stuff seems to control in a more realistic
fashion on the Panther G than the newer stuff on my Tiger 1. This may be down to the fact that because of less weight due to plastic tracks, it takes less current to drive the motors and thus the tank will turn with less input from the control levers.

Next stop payday!

Hello Johnson... It actually sounds like you have a good board on your hands... Personally I wouldn't change it... and spend your money on the metal upgrades... IE; metal tracks...black gear "steel" gearboxes a speaker (really cheap for a stock one)... and a smoker.... both the speaker and smoker are plug ins on the old boards ...just unscrew it from the Hull turn it over and there should be two sockets underneath

ALPHA

[cannedheat]

if one can run to the cost of a 2.4 unit then do so old chap wot wot ..........

[ALPHA]

if one can run to the cost of a 2.4 unit then do so old chap wot wot ..........

I agree... but mostly if you are somewhere where you might enter competition... as the usual is that other systems don't communicate with Heng Long IR units

ALPHA