Model Matching Update

[Max-U52]

Just to be clear, model matching works with any board, not just the Asp. I chose this system and these boards because the 9XR Pro is specially set up for the Asp, so I took advantage of that to add a second tank with the same board. If I later decide to add any of the soft skinned vehicles to this radio they'll also have model matching capabilities, but will run on something other than the Asp. The only thing I have to keep the same from vehicle to vehicle is the FrSky RX units.

phpBB [video]

Now I'm really torn as to which radio I like better, the 9XR Pro or the FlySky i10. Both are very cool, but the i10 is much easier to program and just feels better in your hands (IMO). However, the 9XR has model matching, a feature I'm not sure the i10 has, or if I'll be able to figure out how to use it if it does. If I can't figure it out it may as well not be there, right?

As for the board itself, I have to say i think I like the IBU better. The IBU definitely drives better, and it's also much easier to install. The Asp requires quite a bit of rewiring to get maximum performance, and that's why i'm about to re-wire the entire asiatam recoil/elevation unit, a hassle I don't have with the IBU.

[Max-U52]

Have you done a review of the IBU3, Paul? I'd really love to see a side by side with the IBU2 that goes over all the changes and improvements, and since you have both I'd say you're uniquely qualified, eh, what?

I'm very interested in the IR capabilities and the ease of IR programming on that board (IBU3). I plan to build a special battle tank just for the field at Danville, and right now I'm trying to decide between the Asp and the IBU3. I have the Asp and IBU2 and should have test capabilities soon. The IR tank with Asp is almost ready, and the IR tank with IBU2 has long been battle ready. For Danville only the very best will do, so it's time to separate the men from the boys. Can ya dig it?

[Rad_Schuhart]

I dont have an ASP yet (Im waiting until they restock) the ASP has many many more features than the IBU2. A lot of soundbanks with many sounds to play, a compatible IR system with all brands, wich you even can configure the ammo magazine, HP or AP shot, 4 sounds for starting the tank, another 4 for shutting down and many many more functions that I can remember right now.

The only rewiring you need to do I think is with the barrel elevation and with that recoil unit... But airsoft with the ibu2 is a pain in the ass and you need to rewire some things to make it work better too.

But what really worries me about the ASP is what you said about the control. That is, for obvious reasons, the most important part of the board... With the IBU2 is perfect and I love how my tanks run. Why do you say the ASP ist not as good as the ibu? Could you please explain us or make one of your videos?

[jarndice]

Rad, Some time back I needed a pair of "Viper" sound controllers and RCTA was the source but its site showed it as out of stock,
I left a green tick in the box and waited. finally after many weeks I gave up and came on the Forum to ask if there were any vipers for sale and "Michael C told me he had 2 for sale,
I PMed him and within an hour a deal was struck and paid for with "Pay-Pal", When a week later a parcel from Canada arrived it had THREE Vipers, Michael had put in an old one for free, what a class act,
Kevin of RCTA shortly after made it known that he had "FOUND" some Vipers in a draw and if I had asked him he would have delivered,
I had done what his site said to do, I had ticked the box !!
If I had known that there was another way of getting Kevin to look in his desk drawer I would have done it.
I think that the electrical products of RCTA are innovative and desirable and I am the proud owner of an "ASP" control board BUT as a Businessman, Kevin to use an Americanism SUCKS
Rad if you want something from RCTA that is shown to be out of stock then my advise is to keep on E-MAILING them until they give you a positive answer and who knows Kevin might just find one in his desk drawer ?
Shaun.

[Rad_Schuhart]

Lol thanks for the story mate. I actually wrote him asking for an ASP and he told me that he is working in a revision of it, so I guess Id preffer to wait a bit and grab one of the new ones, that would be better than if he finds one old model ASP in his desk.

Anyway, could you please tell us how does it drives? Is the control good? Are you happy with it? Maybe now is the time for asking him some improvements...

[jarndice]

I am pleased that my tale amused you, I was not laughing at the time,
Now about the "ASP", my first attraction to it was that at the time it was the only board that had a socket for both a Hull mg and a Turret one as well and as just about all Tanks have both I could not work out why not, and it is the only Control board that really is Plug & Play even though both "CLARK" and "IBU2/PRO" tell you theirs are, you do have to do more work to get them to full strength,
For a good explanation of the merits of the "ASP" I would recommend you read everything that Gary aka MAX-U52 Also to be found on RCU as Cruis has put into words and pictures, His experience of the "ASP" and the "CLARK" and the "IBU" board and his video's give a unique view on the advantages and disadvantages of each board and does a better job than I can.
Shaun.

[Max-U52]

Hi guys, thought I'd get caught up here.

Paul, I'm really glad to hear you're going to review differences between IBU2 and 3. So far I'm not sure I like the lack of dip switches. Sounds like more of the kind of programming I suck so bad at. A detailed comparison from an accomplished RC Tanker is just what we need, and you're definitely the man for the job (IMO).

(Side note: Due to the comments of one of our members I got to thinking about terminology and had to agree that I am not a "True Tanker" and I don't want to detract from the service and contributions of those who actually were "Real Tankers" because those guys deserve our respect so I've been trying to always use "RC Tanker" to describe myself and others like me. While I did serve it was in aviation and not tanks, so I think the distinction is important.)

Rad, when I say I think the IBU drives better it's not because the Asp doesn't drive well, I just think it's those very fine areas of control where the IBU has the edge. But remember that I'm a real tough customer when it comes to being satisfied with performance. It's also something that's difficult to explain so as soon as the weather permits I'll take a couple asp tanks and a couple IBU2 tanks out and make a comprehensive video showing driving characteristics of both boards. When it comes to features the Asp has it hands down. The sound effects and the IR battle options are phenomenal, and unlike anything we've really seen in this hobby, but it does require a certain skill level to get the very most out of it, a skill level I'm not sure I'll ever attain. As for plug and play like the IBU, forget it. While Kevin does have set ups that are pretty much plug and play, for optimum performance he highly recommends that you basically re-wire the whole turret, elevation, recoil and rotation. The IBU is the easiest board to install that we have now (always keeping in mind that i haven't tried the elmod). And while the IR features of the Asp are great and unique, where will you use them? As Paul said, most clubs use standard tammy without all the bells and whistles like limited ammo and AP rounds. Another problem is just trying to decide which I like better. Both have very fine qualities and unique features that I really like. If you could morph the two together and take the best of both you'd really have something!

Shaun, I hear what you're saying about Kevin and RCTA. Kevin is not the best businessman in the world. However, he's not really a business man at all, or even an RC Tanker. He's first and foremost a diver and marine biologist and from what i hear he's very, very well respected in his chosen field. I've had a lot of personal conversations via email with Kevin and I really like him. I think he's very cool, much smarter than I am, and basically a decent human being. Like all of us, he's not perfect and he can be quite the smart ass at times, but I'm still very glad I know him. As with any friend, I put up with his little quirks, just as I hope the guys here all put up with and are tolerant of the plethora of faults I happen to be in possession of myself. I do my best (most of the time) but I know I still have a very long way to go before I think I'm a truly decent human being. It's the tolerance and friendship and camaraderie I've found here at this forum that help to make this the greatest hobby in the universe.

But back on topic, I agree with Shaun that the dual MG feature is very, very cool. I just did that in the S33 and I love having separate switches for the MG34s. One thing I need to figure out is how to assign that unused 8th channel to the unused pot on the TX. That could be used for a movable MG or to make the TCs head turn, and I want to do something with it. And that brings up the radio difference again - I still can't figure out how to assign that pot on the 9X, but the i10 actually taught me how to do it! Why don't they make an "RC Radio for Dummies"?

[Max-U52]

Almost forgot, for vipers and asp boards and all things RCTA, another source is RC Tanks of OKC. Nathan carries a lot of Kevin's products and if you're in the US it means much faster shipping times and I think Nathan gives free shipping on small stuff like vipers and even the TK22 boards.

And I figured out how to describe how I feel about how the Asp and IBU drive. The Asp is like driving Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s NASCAR, and the IBU is like getting behind the wheel of Sebastian Vettel's F1 Ferrari. Both are very, very good race cars, but one is more suited to me and I like it better.

[jarndice]

Gary,If I have given you or anyone else the impression that Kevin is a bad person then I apologise first to Kevin and then to you and whoever else thinks so, I am glad to acknowledge that he is an extraordinarily clever person, As I have never met him I have no idea if he is kind to animals and helps little old ladies to cross the road but anyone with experience of any or all of his products could say nothing else but how intellectually gifted he is BUT I wish he would allow someone else to oversee the sales and marketing of his products, for hands on in this case comes too close to fumbling in my estimation.
Pointing out how poor a businessman someone is perceived to be would in many circles be taken as a compliment, certainly Albert Einstein was rated as close to stupid when it came to marketing his intellectual wares and he was apparently apart from being "quite" bright a very nice man.
Having been humbled by my peers I wish that I were.
Shaun.

[Max-U52]

Shaun, I never thought you meant Kevin is a bad guy, he just needs some help with the retail end, and I agree. I'm just saying that I'm OK with it how it is, since I know it's not his main business. I really do wish he'd make some more Komodo boards, though. I think he might farm that out to the right guy, but I'm really not that guy.