IBU3

[Tankbear]

For the sound effects

Similar to the IBU2 Pro but a few extra.

Traverse (engine on)
Traverse (engine off)
Elevation (engine on)
Elevation (engine off)
And five random mechanical or track squeaks
Main gun
Machine gun 1
Machine gun 2
User sound 1
User sound 2
User sound 3
User sound 4

The IBU3 works with 6, 7, 8 channel radios so if using a 6 channel radio and depending on how you setup you may not have all the featured sounds. Although for the 4 user sounds and volume these need assigning to a rotary knob on the controller.

On the IR side again more sounds

Hit 1
Hit 2
These are randomly played upon taking a hit
Destroyed
Rebirth
Repair (via IBU Berg mode)

Additional sounds for system alerts

System ready – played when you power on the IBU3 and it’s done it’s checks and happy. (only takes about 1 second, nothing like waiting for a mobile phone start up)
Battery warning
Battery cut off

Manual doesn’t detail these but assume battery warning is advanced notification battery is getting low. And battery cut off, battery exhausted change batteries.

On the playback of the sounds, it plays multiply effects at the same time. So I’ve had engine idling, user sound effect playing, fired gun and whilst main gun still playing clip of shell ejection managed to also play machine gun, elevation and traverse effects. Admittedly loudest sound is heard as drowns out the quieter ones but all there.

Having read the manual the on board sound amplifier is rated at 10w at 8ohm or 15w at 4ohm. In the tanks I tried I had a Visaton FRWS5 4 ohm (4w rated 10w max) and found the sound to be good although the speaker struggled with too much cone movement at higher volumes. Next I tested Visaton FRS7 4 ohm (10w rated 15w max) this speaker has always been awesome in my IBU2 & TPA tanks, and again is great in the IBU3 but again found the cone moving too much at higher volumes. Don’t get me wrong these speakers are probably fine for users if not running at full volume all the time. If you want your tank to shake the house down then I think a larger speaker might be required, maybe a car stereo dual cone if it can be fitted inside the tank.

[Tankbear]

King Tiger sounds



KV1 sounds

[Big N00b]

Ian.

Good sound(s) review.

Based on earlier info, I picked up a Visaton FRS8 (30w (50w max) 4 ohm) to handle the sounds.

I think it will be much better than the FRS7 at about the same form factor (slightly larger).

have you tried one out while messing with the sounds?

Thanks.

Terry

[Tankbear]

Hi Terry,

I haven’t tried the FRS8 speaker as don’t have one available. I was thinking of maybe a car stereo coax speaker but these probably start at 4” or 5” which is too big for 1/16 tanks so the FRS8 might be the best compromise between performance vs space.

At some point in next few weeks I get one and try.

Ian

[atcttge]

I'm very interested in the gun stabilization. If it really works with the tank at high speed over bumpy terrain... damn, I'm gonna sell my kidney for the IBU3+GSU package.

The Challenger 2 is definitely going to wait. I want my M1A2SEPv2 to pack the IBU3 and GSU.

[Tankbear]

I'm very interested in the gun stabilization. If it really works with the tank at high speed over bumpy terrain... damn, I'm gonna sell my kidney for the IBU3+GSU package.

The Challenger 2 is definitely going to wait. I want my M1A2SEPv2 to pack the IBU3 and GSU.

Got to agree, I’m really looking forward to the GSU. I think it will be awesome to see in action.

[Tankbear]

Hi Terry,

I haven’t tried the FRS8 speaker as don’t have one available. I was thinking of maybe a car stereo coax speaker but these probably start at 4” or 5” which is too big for 1/16 tanks so the FRS8 might be the best compromise between performance vs space.

At some point in next few weeks I get one and try.

Ian

Right yesterday I tried a few car speakers whilst at a tank meeting, one was a 5 inch the other a 6x9 inch. And to be fair looking at the size of the speakers next to the tank I’m thinking the IBU3 isn’t going to power these speakers very well, and with some of the guys laughing when I said I’m going to try the speakers didn’t help.

Well how wrong I was, easily powered the 5 inch it was crackling a little at higher volumes but think this is more the speaker which was a little abused and a new one would be okay. Next the 6x9 inch I honestly thought the IBU3 wouldn’t power this but again I was wrong even at highest volume the speaker produced a vast amount of bass and no distortion. At one point we had speaker on floor and Gary held the tank off the ground so I could give engine full throttle and we could feel the bass rumble through the floor.

I did forget to take a video but anyone there could tell you how loud the Leopard (pretend Maus) was.

Now ordered the FRS8 speaker to test out.

Ian.

[Big N00b]

Hi Terry,

I haven’t tried the FRS8 speaker as don’t have one available. I was thinking of maybe a car stereo coax speaker but these probably start at 4” or 5” which is too big for 1/16 tanks so the FRS8 might be the best compromise between performance vs space.

At some point in next few weeks I get one and try.

Ian

Right yesterday I tried a few car speakers whilst at a tank meeting, one was a 5 inch the other a 6x9 inch. And to be fair looking at the size of the speakers next to the tank I’m thinking the IBU3 isn’t going to power these speakers very well, and with some of the guys laughing when I said I’m going to try the speakers didn’t help.

Well how wrong I was, easily powered the 5 inch it was crackling a little at higher volumes but think this is more the speaker which was a little abused and a new one would be okay. Next the 6x9 inch I honestly thought the IBU3 wouldn’t power this but again I was wrong even at highest volume the speaker produced a vast amount of bass and no distortion. At one point we had speaker on floor and Gary held the tank off the ground so I could give engine full throttle and we could feel the bass rumble through the floor.

I did forget to take a video but anyone there could tell you how loud the Leopard (pretend Maus) was.

Now ordered the FRS8 speaker to test out.

Ian.

Hi Ian.

Based on what you've said here, I don't believe (based on the specs) that the FRS8 will be over-powered a bit - you'll see once you pick one up.

Thanks for the update - time to build a cabinetbox for the FRS-8 now

[The Tank Man]

Hi guys i have to say seeing and driving the ibu3 testbored was a great opotunaty! Seeing it power an 12 volt carcspeaker with ease was inpressive
Im awainting the release of the new boared asap!!!
Fantsatic in electronic Engerering.

[atcttge]

I'll wait to get the IBU3 and GSU before finally finishing my M1A2SEPv2 build. By then it might be upgraded to v3 at the rate things are going hehehe!

I've already got a video in mind when the thing is done. One highlight would be to show off the GSU in action.

Any idea when the IBU3 and GSU will be available?