Spektrum Support?

[HPI_freak]

ok so my question is: do you think Spektrums Warrenty will cover this?

My Story:

today i was at my local track ( www.xrcsports.com ) to help finish it and then we all ran on it. i have my spektrum installed on my Jammin CRT and ran about 1 1/2 tanks threw it when it just started SCREAMING down the back strait and right before it smacked the wall, the fail safe kicked in. although it still hit the wall pretty hard. Anyway, i took it back to my car and noticed that my transmitter voltage was at 9.1 so i bought some new batteries and fired up my car again. when i started to drive off the fail safe kept kicking in. so i though " ok, this cant really be that big of a deal. maybe it just needs to be re-binded." so when i took off the reciever case, the antenna wasnt attached!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it came clean off. i am wondering if its from falty soldering? i never wrecked wile on the track. will spektrum replace it? or am i at fault for pulling the antenna off?

i looked at their website and couldnt find an email address and the only phone number they gave was for support on installing the equipment. they said you can send stuff in for repair WITH the purchase recipt, but my parents bought it for me for my birthday online so we dont have a recipt.

[rezenclowd3]

I lost my antenna too, mainly cause of my sloppy wiring when I was in a hurry, so I just opened up the case and soldered a new one on, making sure it was the correct length.

[HPI_freak]

so should i just open it up and resolder?

[brc358]

DONT!!! resolder it.
Send it back to Horrizon hobbies.
My Spektrum system failed three times, causing major damage, <chassis,front arms,knuckles,pins,bumper, complete front end.>
I sent it back to Horrizon, and they upgraded the system.
They will not charge you.
Just write out a short note of what happened.
I finally gave up on mine, and went back to crystals.
But dont try to repair it yourself, you will void the warranty

[rs4 rally boi]

is it normal for spectrums to fail like this? i was looking into getting a dx2 but after hearing all these stories im thinking about sticking to my am system.

[Grizzbob]

No, it is NOT normal, I've had my Spektrum module & 2 receivers for over a year & a half, & it hasn't has a SINGLE problem the entire time, in either car I've been running it in, & a number of my friends also use it & have also had NO problems. Right now, it's actually rare for anyone here to have to worry about what frequency they're on, because so many of us are using Spektrum..... :cool:

[rs4 rally boi]

do you still have to run a fail safe with your spectrum or is this just added protection.

[Ball Racing]

It's not soldered on, it "snaps" on , in a button -rivet like manner.

Unless the joint came loose off of the button connector.

[Saboteur]

No, the spektrum has a built in failsafe system. No need for a failsafe or throttle return spring.

[Philster]

Isn't a throttle return spring really needed in case the linkage comes off? That's the only reason I have throttle return springs on my vehicles. If the servo strips or the linkage pops or breaks, the return spring is your only friend.

A failsafe can't help if there is a complete loss of power or the linkage is gone.

[rs4 rally boi]

that seems like pretty solid reasoning. its like im just waiting for a dissaster to happen. rite now im running no failsafe of any kind, meaning electroninc or spring type, but now getting a spring is top priority on my list.

[HPI_freak]

well having an electronic failsafe with a spekrum is useless. like using a Venom fail safe will actually delay the time it takes. since the failsafe in the spektrum is built into the reciever, when the "cut off" signal is sent, it has to go threw the venom fail safe before it gets to the servo. the venom one is instant by its self, but with the spektrum, its still has that 1-2 second delay.

[GramdeGixxer]

I have not had a single glitch with my Spektrum. I am completely happy with it.

[Philster]

Guess I forgot to mention that I have never had a problem w/ my Spektrum. Just yesterday I got so tied up breaking in a new engine that I forgot to charge my receiver pack. The car's brakes went on several times and it was driving me nuts...I was getting pissed. Doh! That was the failsafe reacting to low current. I set the failsafe conditions to about 3/4 brakes and a slight turn.

What we do know about some Spektrums is that early models had some issues, like a bad solder on the antennae connection and some others needed software updates. Later versions have been pretty bullet proof.

I am sure some hobby shops had older versions even after newer ones were around.

[HPI_freak]

dont get me wrong, my spektrum is great. i have NEVER had any glitching or ANY problems at all. its just that this antenna came off some how. thats the only problem i have ever had

[Saboteur]

Isn't a throttle return spring really needed in case the linkage comes off? That's the only reason I have throttle return springs on my vehicles. If the servo strips or the linkage pops or breaks, the return spring is your only friend.

A failsafe can't help if there is a complete loss of power or the linkage is gone.

If the linkage or horns come off the return spring won't work. It's very unlikely for your linkage to break or pop unless it's hanging way over the chassis and someone hits you dead on the side. I still don't use one nor does a lot of other racers. Remember the TRS only works if the servo isn't active. If the servo is stuck with power on, the TRS won't bring it back to neutral. The easiest thing to do for any situation is to properly take care and check your vehicles. I always charge at the track or before I go to the track for practice and do radio tests. Drag brake is run on my cars as well so they'd slow down a lot faster if when off throttle.

[Philster]

Saboteur, I see your point. I just don't think the spring costs me anything for performance and it's there 'just in case' of a rare event. I just ran my Inferno all over the place w/out one when my Spektrum buil-in failsafe caught the low current.

I use drag braking, too. Makes a more reaistic 'engine braking' effect when off the throttle. Also, since brake drag can be precisely set, there is no way your finger could imitate it every time you lift throttle.

I guess the short story in all this is: use some type of failsafe.

[HPI_freak]

whats drag braking? is that where the brakes are applies just a little bit in the neutral position?

[rs4 rally boi]

exactly

[Saboteur]

Right. Just adjust the stopper on the brake linkage.