HK Orange Receivers vs Spektrum AR-500- Range testing and servo failures.

[jamesfukndee]

type this into the search bar of youtube and you will see what i mean ....

"Kevin flies his plank 1km with cheap reciever, by phone"

[jamesfukndee]

hey bud great video but i heard the orange receiver works alot better with the satelite attached

[mrdoopz101]

hi mr. nightflyer,,when i turn 0% on my throttle then i turn off my dx6i,,bt then why the motor will work around just like 15% throttle,,SOS here im new at this hobby!!thanks..

[themushas]

So if I don t have much $, would you recommend buying the orange receiver, or should I save up for a better one?

[Migueldeservantes]

Hey Is there any place where I can buy some of those old craft servos! Wen I move out of New York! I loose a box full of them and never again! found them!

[Servoboy]

for hong kong?

[tahoeskiier]

I have the dx6i and i used the hobbyking orange rx for a few weeks and had no problems with them. Until........ I lost connection with my skyfun at less than 200 feet. I picked up the plane and the light was blinking on the rx showing a brownout due to low power. I had never had this happen with the exact same setup before. Since then all of the 10 orange rx that i bought would brownout and lose connection. Its interesting that you said your two radios had different ranges.

[Servoboy]

Hi I found this video really interesting having just bought a load of Orange Rx's for testing. Do you know who makes the Orange receiver. I got mine from HK - havent done any range checks yet. I know HK sell them and so do others? so where so they come from re manufacture. Had the same issues with the servos. Thanks for the video. Interesting. Servoboy

[gewizz2]

@Servoboy u work 4 hk? skumbag

[Servoboy]

@gewizz2 for hong kong? sorry Hobby King? No I dont

[davesofresh84]

@nightflyyer how can I increase the range of my dx6i?

[workonesabs]

A good working video. I was wondering if you could do the same test with the Orange Rx, but with the additional satellite rx in the expansion port. Would the range be better?

[dualarrow]

Hi Dave,

Great info. I have an orange rx but I also have the sattelite rx for it too. I've had a Kinetic 800 up to 280 meters. Just curious... Did you do any testing with the sattelite rx connected as it looks like your tests were done without it.

Thanks,

Andrew

[gmccord1970]

Thanks Dave for the video. Would you use the orange Rx in a .40 size bird?

[somethinextra]

thanks DAVE for the info

[bequinta1]

I saw this on the front page, i clicked it, watched the whole thing, and I don't even know what hes doing or what his channel is about. why did I watch the whole thing. i still don't know...

[francepourmoi]

The comparison of the servos I thought was a bit illogical. It needed to be a comparable servo in most respects and clearly it wasnt. In the days when Kraft servos were built there was just quality but much better than todays rc gear. Todays stuff wull vary significantly and most cannot be judged purely on price.

[fireblade4727]

wow! helps alot

[GiantmanSystems]

Basically confirms my own tests and experience with the Orange RX's. Doesn't mean that I won't use them, but I only install them in foamies and I keep them close!

Thank you for an informative video!

[vizzuleyes]

Unlike the others the numbers arent my main concern, that was answered with the driving test, those I would love to see more of. I have switched my whole fleet over to the orange rx with satilites and now have a box full of unused paperweight spektrum recievers. Very Very good review. But like other mentioned why did you not road test the Speks?

[ddbb1233]

agreed, due to the inconsistency in your numbers, I have to disregard your study. I have 5 receivers on their way in the mail now.

[400chevlc]

2 questions. 1: Why test a parkflyer Rx against a Full Range Rx? and 2: why does 15 ft =793 feet for Rx and 1056 feet for the other?

[studly479]

The orange rx without a satelite isn't full range where the ar500 is full range. Have you tested the orange rx against the ar500 using the satelite?

[roberted51]

Great review! The Orange is not a copy but a compatable receiver,it may not have the range button test feature.  I would have like to seen the bucket test using the Spektrum receiver. Your main point is a very good idea.Test the range on all equipment before using. I'd be very curious to see how the other DX6i tests without the range button feature.

[swedeeepie]

What starts beeping when your RX loses the TX signal?  Is it the UBEC?

S

[theelectronman]

I just bought three of those RX from hobby king for 7.95 each... Wow..

[OTTOFLYS]

Great video Dave, very informative. I was wondering about the orange rx's as I run futaba and just bought a couple orange rx but havent had the time to range test.

I do have one question though Why is the orange rx 1056 at 20 ft and only 793 at 15 ft? when the specturm is 1056 at 15 ft? Isn't range "Range" so to speak? or did I miss something? I did watch this video 3 or 4 times LOL any how Great test.

-OTTO-

[tom2bell]

Very nice dave good work

[santatigerclaus]

sometimes when im in Spain i say " the rain in Spain falls mainly on my plane" -jk

[lewandlo]

Great stuff.Very informative as always.Thanks for posting. I have a problem too. I ordered some Dynam motor combos.The first two were bad .They sent me 2 to replace them.They do the same.Have you ever had this problem with an electric motor? When I give full power from idle,the motors just vibrate and an alarm ring goes on? If I give power slow it will not vibrate .props are balanced.The shafts are new?Any suggestions?Thanks for any help. It seems like a cheap toy car wheel with lots of play.

[catamaranman333]

Hey Dave, have you heard that the orange rx apparently have a second antenna pad that can be used to attach a longer antenna. Seems like it would level the playing field a bit since the Spektrum RX has 2 long antennas. I'm also curious about the orange satellite rx and how they improve performance.

[googl1]

Dave, Great job.

Problem, Antenna wires are very sensitive to positioning. Therefore if you did not keep wires exact per each test the test is not valid...

[hakank1]

Great work, thanks from Sweden!

[h2oreactor]

Thanks!!!!

[andresb4]

Nice job, Dave!!!

Thanks for bringing some light about the original and the copy. We say in Spain "Nadie da duros a peseta" (Nobody gives you a five cents coin for a cent) wich more or less means "things worth what they are worth". Someday i'm going to improve my English skills. Sorry for the poor language.

Five stars!!!

[gripchion]

Thanks for the info Dave!!!!

[bakerrv]

Great job Dave, I was planning on purchasing a few of the orange Rx myself and now with your information I think I will try a few of them myself and you can be assured that I will test then to make sure they will be safe to fly! Thank you for your videos, they are always fun and educational!! 2 THUMBS UP! jb

[PHeMoX]

Good video as always and great to finally see someone do a ground range test with these receivers.

But I'd say the actual flying range should be about 1,5 times the range on the ground or so, right?

The difference between both transmitters on the other hand is surprising.

[windsock777]

I wonder how these receivers stack up to the orange receivers: oomodel.com/spektrum-dx6i-dx7-­ar6100e-24ghz-6channel-dsm2-re­ceiver-p-185.html

[RCRedBaron]

Very Informative Dave! Quick Question, Whats the main difference between the 2 Dx6i's? Other than of course your green and red lights! LOL. Just curious. I dont use Dx6i, but I have many new pilots Im training and they have DX6i's. I only have issue with what batteries they use and what voltage is left in the Tx.  Thanks DAVE!

[ZdenekJindra]

@NightFlyyer The different range of the two DX6i's caught my attention. I have been experimenting with the range of WiFi cards which use the same antenna plugs and the same band as the DX6i. Their differences were substantial too. But seeing that you are rather handy, you might try to improve your weaker transmitter's power by utilizing some WiFi antenna hardware. See the brass plug going to the antenna? That's called "U.FL". Lots of hardware exists for it. A $2 pigtail is all you need.

[SlyDawg951]

awesome video and very helpful, those companies better come to you for testing what is that old saying buyer beware, right?

[gooniac33]

I have lost a total of 4 planes to Lock out on AR500's and AR6110E'S. I am selling off all of my spektrum receivers and replacing them with the Orange with UBEC's. No issues with the Orange at all! And for $8 its a pure no brainer... thanx for the vid though! Good info!

[a100nick]

be happy in the back ground love it lol

[sparky0308]

When building a EXI 450, I had to remove my Spectrum AR6110 because in declining battery charge the motor would cut out on me. I erplaced it with one of the HK orange rx's and have had no problems since. I give them a thumbs up for being 80% cheaper and having good performance. Of course I can't fly my 450 near as far as an Airplane anyway.

[PHeMoX]

@sparky0308 I think reliability should be a better argument than range, especially when even 792 feet is a pretty good distance for most airplanes. I tend to fly 2m span planes not much further away than about 200 meters which is approx. 650 feet.

Receivers will be more reliable when they have double the range though and Spektrum can't quite deal that well with interference from what I've experienced.

[slashbashin]

what is the song at the very end of this video. And do you think that the switch that you changed could have affected the radio at all.

[rcjoseb]

Dave, this is an awesome video as so are your others. You are very informative, insightful and a great asset to the RC world. Keep up the great work!!

P.S. I have three OrangeRX receivers and use them on my park flyers with no issues. Of course, I am not flying them as far out as you tested. :-)

[ncmcgoverns]

Dave, Thanks so much, I have just purchased two HK Orange receivers and I put one in a Stryker and removed the AR500 that was in there to use in my Super Sportster EP that I am currently building and this video helped to let me know that I made the right choice in switching them. I have flown the Stryker several flights now with the Orange HK Rx with no problems, but still trust AR500's range a little better for a balsa plane and you confirmed my gut feeling.

[photobart1]

I would only use these receivers on cheap foamies. I like the price but I would not risk them in bigger planes. I have had great luck with Hobby King servos and I have had a ton of problems with the HS-55 servos.

[spyda2002]

would be great if you could test the turnergy 9c control maybe we could all donate funds to test 

[Trainboy64]

I always range test every new TX and RX.. by fitting it to the model and Walking until range is lost.. on full power... All my 2.4Ghz Futaba and various Spektrums, DX6is and DX8 get well over 3 Kilometers.. rotating the aircraft / helicopter in all orientations.. I never fly until I have full confidence in the radio.. I have two DX6is and they are identical in range.. But your video proves why I do my own checks.. inconsistencies can and do occure even in new products... Great Work Dave..

[WildBobsRC]

I only use the orange rx with the satelite rx with it, had no problems, never used it by itself.Nice easy way to test the range Dave.

[Sorrow1994]

I really injoyed this one! and even tough the range is worse, i thinnk im getting few of those RX's for my DX7 i think the range is, especially for foamies and stuff like that, MORE than enough! great job dude!

[AxsFin]

Thank you for the video! I have 2 of these Oranges and they work great for the purpose. Though for the peace of mind I use genuine Spektrums for the more precious planes, even though AR5000 is the only RX that has ever failed me midflight... huh, you never know for sure.

[jomo35davas]

Do a review for the airfield 800mm warbirds, plz

[mrfourtysevenman]

thank you so much for making this vidya dave!

[nickmac1984]

Great vid, would love to see the results with the new OrangeRX satellite reciever add on.

[RcHelpDotCom]

Another great video Dave. I was just about to do the same test on my channel but with the AR6200 with satellite vs the OrangeRx. I'm even more interested to see how the ar6200 compares to the full range ar500. I just need to acquire the ar500 now hahaha.

[vfrvtec]

the ar500 is a full range receiver,and the orange ones are classed as short range parkflyers are they not.unless you put the extra satellite receiver to it then its full range.

[DoNotuseEbid]

was the voltage the same in both tx?

[thechoosendude]

Better Rx's*** not Tx's, sorry.

[thechoosendude]

Because the FCC limits the amount of power output from the Tx, usually the only way manufacturers have to improve range is developing better Tx's. It's too bad those chinchy Exceed Rx's with the satellite receivers aren't DSM2, because I'd like to know how they perform.

[Pono421]

@thechoosendude

[tohardd]

I just bought a KDS 2.4 Gzh 450 vs heli it us a six ch with and 7 ch controller I was wondering if you heard any thing about this bird i got it at thinkrc .com thank you

[HBFPV2]

Great job Sir!

[coggins9]

awesome

[rcsailer]

my hobby shop sellr the sprectrum dx5e but without the recever and it ia alot cheeper could i buy the orange one insted or the sprectrum one

[beastlybob36]

FLYING SHARK FTW!!!!

[RcAndries]

Wow, a Spektrum sure takes it sweet time to reconnect!

[MrJasperDaniel]

So it's a good recommendation?? The orange RX?

[26nosscire]

Very good information what a great way to test never dreamed was would be so much differences especially in the dx6i great stuff dave :-)

[beverke7]

hi Dave, great job testing both RX's, thx for this ! I have 3 HK orange RX but recently bought HK orange satellites too. Maidened my PZ P51D a couple of weeks ago (3 Flightmax HK lipo batteries 11.1 V 3s 1300 maH 20C and 2 Rhino 1350 maH 25 C used in 5 succesfull consecutive flights) with orange RX and satellite and it worked perfectly. Range was no problem and could fly as far as I can see and feel comfortable with, yesterday I did another 3 flights and all is fine. So far so good ! lol

[antsp1]

What I find most surprising is that 2 different DX6i transmitters have differing ranges.

[kangsterizer]

@antsp1 i always had diff ranges between my various receivers and tx, although they usually don't change too-too much, there's still a good difference. I guess they could be measured precisely with expensive radio equipment. range checking manually is ok to get a good feeling if its going to be enough.

[FangarJim]

Another great video Dave. I know your pain with the Hobby King and damaged goods that are DOA. I recently bought (3) of the HK Spektrum AR6110 knockoffs. All (3) of them work, but will not hold a bind.  HK says I have to pay to send them back. Like you said, not worth the return shipping. I have also noted, they are no longer selling them at this time! Have fun my friend ~ James

[MaxxPainII]

Great video Dave. Ton of good info. Thanks.

[bear3103]

Dave have you tried these receivers with the the satellites on them? Just wondering if that will improve there range.

[lkuczy]

Great vid Dave. I bought 6 of them and was only able to get 1 to work properly. I'll stick with the Spektrum. Would have been nice if they worked though because $8 is better than $50+.

[Skydive4ever]

The orange receivers are not like the AR500 so it's not really a good comparison .I believe those orange receivers are not full range until you add the satellite receivers, they are more like the Spektrum AR6200 without the satellite receivers.

[ramis182]

great video mr. herbert,, its too bad the quality of stuff these days isnt like what it used to be. I never knew that you could use a pot to test range....but i guess you learn something new everyday, anyways nice job!

-Ramis182

[bowser197]

Awesome Video...! I just bought 2 orange receivers (6 channel without the heat shrink) from Hobby King and neither would bind with my DX6i... On one, it appeared to bind but when I disconnected it does nothing. The 2nd one appeared to bind once or twice then stop the flashing led stopped all together. It just heats up when try to bind now. Very disappointed. After this video, I might try an orange receiver but wont get my hopes up...

[ricansurf]

This was a godsent! Thank you for this review of the receivers range, I just got me two of those HK and was aprenhensive to use them cause the range issues. Great video Mr Herbert!

[mmmbcn]

Another great vid! Thanks! I wonder how the range changes by adding a satellite receiver... you should test that too!

[crazyRCplane]

So these receivers shouldn't be used on big and expensive planes, but foamies are ok.

[garrrbo]

I know your red TX has more range than your green one in “range test mode” but do you know if it has more range in “normal mode?

[suvyMan2007]

You may have your green dx6i on the EU setting, this is less power than the US setting try changing it.

please thumb this comment up so dave can see it.

[NightFlyyer]

@suvyMan2007 Yes, I looked at that first thing. The power settings are the same on both TX's.

[mauromassari]

Hi, I really like your test and I did have problens with the orange reciever too. What I did and its still cheapper then the original DSM2 reciever is to buy a satellite for the orange receiver, this will cost around $14 at Hobby King, and after that I did not have a problem at all, even fly at the place that I have cracked my planes, because of lost o f signal. That will be great if you can add a satellite and make the same test, you would not be desaponted. Regards, Mauro from Ceara/Brazil.

[TheSPilot]

@NightFlyyer they sell Satellite receivers for those orange receivers

[96sunvalley]

Great info Dave. Now I need to find a turkey baster can large enough to fit my helicopter into since my RX and servos are already installed. Haha, just kidding.

[reynolds26n]

Really very nice vids sir dave this is really good way of range checking

[bamabaxter]

The satellites add a lot more range to these. I know that it should only add diversity, but I checked mine with and without, and could actually get 30-35 paces away with the satellite connected vs. only about 15 without

[flyvertigo]

An excellent test criteria except you didn't test multiple Spektrum receivers.

At this time we have an equal number of HK and Spektrum receivers in planes flying at our field. I have witnessed planes crashing unexpectedly over the past few months.

None of them were flying with the HK receivers. I don't know if the receivers were the reason for the crashes. I would like to see the results from more samples from both manufactuers. Would you test a sampling of receivers that I sent you?

Jim

[mikem1959]

Dave, I have learn so much from you. Can you give us more info on how you made the RX beep when out of range? Maybe a schematic?

[slyfoxflyer66]

what is a pot?

[shockflyyer3d]

@slyfoxflyer66 potentiometer

[slyfoxflyer66]

HXT900s are the best HK servos period.

[B4its2L8guy]

@slyfoxflyer66 Hey, I use 900's too in foamies. But use them in a nitro and you'll be sorry....and looking for a new bird, period.

HK is like a cheap whore. Might seem fine in the moment, but you'll regret it in the long run.

[TheLipRipp3r]

Thanks for the vid, Dave!!  ...curious to know if the red DX6i had the same setting for country/ transmitter power options..??..

Semper Fi

[hotblume]

yea i use hobby king orange rxs only for fomies and other park fliers i dont use them on any of my larger planes

[protusx]

Thanks Dave.

[PcandTech]

so there are like 500m. of range aprox ? i though there was way more range in a stock radio

[NightFlyyer]

@PcandTech A 10TH of a mile is 528 feet. That is an impossible distance to safely see your plane even if 1/4 size. These orange receivers are basically Park Flyer Receivers, so not a problem since most planes are small.

The transmitter however has typically a 2400 foot range.

[PcandTech]

@NightFlyyer i know is very hard too see a plane but if you do fpv is when it comes handy i was thinking on the 2400 foot range on the transmitter , thats why the 1 000 f felt like too short to me thanks awsome videos i hopefully will buy my first plane next week , i took a look at the airfield sky trainer (cessna ) that nitroplanes has for $ 169 i think is a good deal

[jp00000420]

I use the cheap HK RXs in small planes I dont fly out far away and they work great for that.

[Didgeman80]

Thanks Dave. I have soem of these in my drawer, nice to know they're ok. How about a review on the 'MX Microlite park receiver' ?

[marhar2]

Great video! I wonder if Hobby King is following the trajectory outlined in "The Inventors Dilemma", where companies start out with low-end or lower-quality products, and then move up the food chain. I love those Kraft servos! I hope you keep adding some of this interesting historical context to your videos, it's so interesting to those of us new to the field!

[NightFlyyer]

@marhar2 Thanks very kindly for your comments. I truely appreciate them.

[dietcoke1996]

Thank you for this informational vid, Dave. THe comparison was an eye opener. I thought all Orange RXs were made equal. I use them on my scratch-built foamies and my clone 450 heli; on my scratch-built AP, I use the Spektrum RX. Make more of these vids, Dave. You are definitely doing great with your contributions to the hobby!

[NightFlyyer]

@dietcoke1996 Thanks very kindly. I do really appreciate your kind words and motivational comments.

[mrfourtysevenman]

@dietcoke1996

i concur. you are very informative, your videos are practical, and we, the hobbyists need somebody who can say "alright, heres the right way to do it and how we did it back in the day"

in my opinion you are a good role model for kids like me who are in the hobby.

thanks.

[rollafatonedude]

the tx with more range is not by any chance on a different power out put setting i.e EU

[NightFlyyer]

@rollafatonedude NO sir. They are both the same... First thing I checked.

[boldger13]

Are you still a teacher at a school? If so, what do you teach? I enjoy and look forward to your well thought out informational RC videos. I thank you for your time, Max.

[NightFlyyer]

@boldger13 Occasionally I teach the science class a few times on helicopter aerodynamics, but basically am teaching all the stuff I learned in the past, so you newer pilots have a better chance of enjoying this RC hobby with the least amount of problems. Thanks kindly for your comments.

[flyingchimp99]

what is the function of a 'BEC' and a 'UBEC' ?

[p3x197]

@flyingchimp99 It takes power from the lipo and takes the volatage down to a safe voltage to power the rx and servos. Most esc has them built in but you can use an external one for saftey

[NightFlyyer]

@flyingchimp99 It's to eliminate the RX battery mostly on electric planes. It regulates and runs the receiver and servos. Many ESCs (Electronic Speed Controls) have them built in, but they are not typically able to handle big servos or loads, so a higher amperage BEC or UNIVERSAL BEC (UBEC) is a good choice. Thanks for your comment.

[jasona380]

awesome man

[rcplaneguy1]

nice!