ElMod vs HL

[wibblywobbly]

Right, just so that people understand what the Elmod sound system is all about I have posted up another video that I was in the process of making. The tank is running on 4 channels, not 6, and everything you hear is coming from the tank, nowhere else. This is something that you simply cannot do with a Tamiya. It is why I went down the Elmod route.

You will see towards the end that the Tiger stops coming out of a dip, I gave it more throttle and it wouldn't move. I tried it again and it struggled out of the dip, and then one of the esc's melted, which is why it suddenly took a left turn and stopped! It is also why the video was never finished!

If Elmod can fix my boards to resolve this problem I will be happy, the Tiger will be far better than a Tamiya, on top of which I have completely concealed all of the IR sensors and LED's. It 'should' be a great 1/16 Tiger, but at the moment it is now an expensive ornament running on an RX14!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIskBo6C514
Rob G

[grompix]

Sadly it looks like Elmod have knocked themselves out of the running for a high-quality tank radio control system at the moment. I use a variety of systems on my tanks and I must say on balance (even when Elmod works with no problems) that I marginally prefer the Tamiya DMD/MFU combination.

Sure, Elmod theoretically gives you extras over and above Tamiya. Recording your own sounds, better configuration of IR combat etc. But it is expensive and it doesn't do some things like Tamiya does. No 'damage' tank noises, no recoil 'blip' on the motors and it uses a lower voltage so it lacks the 'ooomph' of a Tamiya DMD. It's also harder to connect everything up with Elmod (even when it works!). Having said that, I'm still happy with the two tanks I have with the older Elmod boards fitted.

I have HL RX18 + Darkith's DBU/DBC system in one of my tanks and that combination really gives you a lot of bang for your bucks. It's a very cost-effective way of improving a HL tank and it's compatible with the Tamiya IR combat system too. Of course, as Matt points out, you still have the naff quality Sherman sounds and the shooting and hit sounds are pretty basic.

Strangely enough, my biggest gripe with HL/Darkith setup is the lack of a time delay between firing shots. So you can happily fire again and again without pause. Sure, only shots that fall within Darkiths time delay will be 'IR effective' but it really does look bad when an 88mm has the rate of fire of a 20mm autocannon! But I suppose nothing is perfect and for the price HL/Darkith combination wins hands down.

I agree with Alan though. If you are in the market for a more expensive solution like Elmod, at the moment you could get a better (more reliable) system by buying a Tamiya DMD and MFU as spare parts. Welsh Dragon stocks them and I've even seen them on TankZone for £109 each - and post free I think. You can use the Darkih DBU with a Tamiya MFU and at $15 for the kit that brings the total price to below that of an Elmod system. You could probably get an even better deal by shopping around. I've seen them on e-bay at lower prices. Easy to connect, very reliable and Tamiya can take heavy metal upgrades with ease. But of course you can't use the HL tansmitter and receiver boards with Tamiya. You have to go with hobby-class RC.

I was considering using Elmod for a future HL PzIV project I have in mind. But instead I've aquired a Tamiya Tiger/Panther DMD and a Tamiya PzIV MFU (with correct engine sounds) for £210. I just need to fit a Darkith DBU and I'm good to go. With competition like that (and more new stuff coming out) I think Elmod needs to get its act together very quickly.

Cheers
Chris               

[tankman]

Now that is a must for a build thread Chris ( just want to nick all the good bits of build info from you  ) On a more serious note though it would be usefull thread to see the best method of fitting a Tam system to a HL tank. Also a question for the Tamiya buffs out there what are all the " spare " electrical connections on the MFU unit for, as not all of them are used on my Tiger 1 any info would be welcome. All the best for now
Alan   

[The Blitz]

I have not been able to surf the boards much,, but I am the North American distributor of EM MOD! I did not receive the new units until about 2 months ago,, so it had been out for a while! It is possible that they had early production run problems, but I have full confidence that theses guys will get their product up to the High Quality that it had before! I sold about 25 units of the old Boosters, I had one go bad and I replaced it! I now have 3 out and 5 more set to go of the new EL MOD and some just came in the mail, yesterday! Theses will be a good test to see if EL MOD has corrected any problems or perceived problems that may have occurred! So I would hope that you guys would keep an opened mind and I did read that in all situations that EL MOD either refunded or replaced the units. I will be tracking the new units that I have in the field and give you feedback of the results!

Best Regards,

Phil Pflueger

RCTankwars.com

[Matdragon]

Strangely enough, my biggest gripe with HL/Darkith setup is the lack of a time delay between firing shots. So you can happily fire again and again without pause. Sure, only shots that fall within Darkiths time delay will be 'IR effective' but it really does look bad when an 88mm has the rate of fire of a 20mm autocannon! But I suppose nothing is perfect and for the price HL/Darkith combination wins hands down.

hmm mabe this is a glitch with running the darkith system with the rx-18 as i have the same system running with my rx-13 (s) (i have 2 ) and i can only fire again when the system lets me after the time delay ? hmmm

thanks,

matt

[The Blitz]

Strangely enough, my biggest gripe with HL/Darkith setup is the lack of a time delay between firing shots. So you can happily fire again and again without pause. Sure, only shots that fall within Darkiths time delay will be 'IR effective' but it really does look bad when an 88mm has the rate of fire of a 20mm autocannon! But I suppose nothing is perfect and for the price HL/Darkith combination wins hands down.

hmm mabe this is a glitch with running the darkith system with the rx-18 as i have the same system running with my rx-13 (s) (i have 2 ) and i can only fire again when the system lets me after the time delay ? hmmm

thanks,

matt

Matt,

With the DBCRC2 , it will do this as far as I know there is nothing you can do. Maybe shoot D an email

The Bltiz

[grompix]

With the DBCRC2 , it will do this as far as I know there is nothing you can do. Maybe shoot D an email
The Bltiz

Yeah, it's the DBCRC2 I have. I didn't know the HL DBC was different though.

Chris

[wibblywobbly]

It must be the be the DBRC2, I have the HL DBC, and it won't fire again until the required seconds have elapsed. Putting it in light tank mode, and getting a reload every 3 seconds means that I can shoot the hell out of a Tamiya, and run away before they get a shot in! 

[971wright]

Hi Guys Another thing that let Darkiths system the original one down was the lack of channels ,there were only four now Heng Long have pulled there finger out we have ten channels plus there are a couple more that work I have a total of twelve channels .This was a big drawback with the original system but now it no longer is so,It makes fitting a darkith system alot cheaper not only to buy but there is no additional cost of buying a 4 channel radio set So for a total cost of $75 +post (£51.08 +post)and a few bits needed to build its posible to battle with any Tamiya compatable tank .So for about £150 you can battle with little worry ,at this price you an have 3 for the price of 1 Tamiya .O.K.the sounds not good but with the sound card you do get a Bang when you fire it and a bigger bang when you get hit and you dont have the recoil and do get momentum,also with the early system you dont have to worry about reload time it wont fire till its allowed .Granted its not the same as Tamiya or El-mod but you do get alot of bangs for your bucks.
    It is the best value for money and it does allow New Guys to join in without breaking the bank.All in all if you are starting its the best for the old hands it will never be good enough Tamiya is the best .If you only want one tank buy a Tamiya, If like most of us you want lots of tanks so you can change them and battle with different tanks and have a limited budget it has to be Heng Long with a battle system.


    regards pete

[mickyb]

Have I opened a can of worms or what?

I have not been building tanks for very long, but in that time I have had just as much enjoyment reading your messages on here and joining in with the discussions as I have assembling a Tiger or Panzer.

I posted this teasing question out of devilishness...if there is such a word....I wondered if we built tanks in a certain manner because it seemed to be the done thing, rather than express ourselves freely in our hobby.

It is plainly obvious that there are many ways to put together a working tank.... and also obvious that the reason this site is so special is that there is such free flowing discussion on the subject. This is a truly absorbing hobby for the "anorak", specialist  and the novice alike, so the growing option of electronics enriches it still further.

I hope that we continue to chose to "do our own thing" and look for ways to cobble together some amazing "big boys toys", to show off and challenge each other to build even more amazing models.

All this is cobblers really cos it is all down to the management whether we can get the Tammy or HL isn't it?

Damn....and I thought we were having a SERIOUS discussion....bummer ::)

Now where's that that Peroni....cheers guys, have a great weekend.......Mike