I've always been pretty happy with my original FS-i6. I'm significantly happier with it than I am with my TGY-i10 and it's bug riddled firmware. :( . With the 10ch firmware it does everything I need (And almost everything I want). It's also cheap enough to hack about. Mines now sporting a couple of 750mAh 1s Li-pos running as a parallel pair in a lightly Dremeled battery compartment, A micro USB charging port cut into the side, Thumb friendly "Umbrella" stick caps, And a 6 position rotary switch in place of one of the pointless (For quads) original rotary knobs The only down side I've had with it is that I've been unable to add extra 3 position switches, So after seeing your review I suddenly got incredibly itchy fingers....... Thanks a lot for that mate. LOL ! I ordered one of the rebranded i6X's from BangGood. It's labled up as an "iRangeX iRX-i6X" (The "FCC ID" on it's the same as for the FS branded one, So internally it has to be identical), And at the time of purchase it was just under £36 on Pre Order (It's currently at just over £39), So it was the cheapest way for me to get an i6X. I've also ordered some 3 position switches and another 6 position rotary switch. My guess is this one'll be getting the same Li-Po and charging board mod too (Warranties don't tend to last long on my kit. LOL !!). Once I've got this all together I'm feeling it'll be a better TX than my i10 could ever have hoped to be !!! Thanks for the review mate. I've always enjoyed the reviews where people pull the back off to see how their new kit works. You've got a sub and a like from me for this one. ;)
Just a quick update. The iRangeX iRX-i6X is DEFINITELY a rebranded FS-i6X. Mine arived today and after checking it worked properly I popped the back off to have a look. All in there is as FlySky intended. :)
wow! almost bought old non-X transmitter, but after seeing that FS-i6X has STM32 inside (with more precise sticks, 4k yup?) and switches could be easily changed, i'm eager to buy FS-i6X + iA6B... thanks! would be also cool if this setup can bind to MJX Bugs 3 or B2W! we'll see...
I replaced a potentiometer on my Turnigy 9X with a 3 way switch and 2 2.5 k ohm resistors , if I can do the same with the FlySky i6x I have ordered I'm gonna be stoked ............great video , thanks , very very helpful , not to mention motivational , Cheers
It seems unlikely that the i6X is sending "sbus" protocol as such. There are other ways what you are seeing may work. There is a version of the iA6B...the V2 sold by HK that claims to supports SBUS out so it's possible your iA6B had that SBUS feature in its firmware already. If the SBUS feature is enabled from the TX, the older i6 doesn't know about that feature so it can't enable it. It is also possible that the i6X auto updated the firmware on the iA6B. Remotely updating RXs is a FlySky i10 feature and since the i6X has improved computing power it may also have that feature. You do have to upgrade the TX firmware to get new RX features because the TX firmware contains the RX firmware and can update the RX.
The ia6C i mentioned in your other video does work wit the normal i6 as well and as you stated SBUS won't work with the normal i6 and this receiver as well. Flysky also brought out the FS-i6s/Tgy-i6s and the newer TGY Evolution (Not sure if Flysky producing it because it seems to be Hobbyking eclusive atm). They also have that SBUS option in their firmware. However I hope their might be a firmware that supports SBUS for the old i6 in the future.
I saw an Albert Kim youtube video saying that the ibus output has better default centres and endpoints and less jitter than the sbus output. But if you're right about the encoding being done on the radio, it may depend on the radio firmware and maybe they've fixed the sbus output in newer firmware. He was using one of those gamepad radios rather than an i6/i6X.
Thanks for the nice video on Flysky Fs i6 and Fs i6x. Finally, i got mine arrived yesterday Flysky FSi6x and was trying to bind it with Wltoys F959, F949 and F939. i was able to bind it with Wtoys F959 and F949 but despite trying several times i was not able to bind it with Wltoys F939. Would appriciate if you can share any ideas to get my Flysky FSi6x bound with F939. Thanks
1- 2 position switch i.e. 1 ground, 1 vcc(essential). 1- 3 position switch i.e. 1 ground, 1 vcc , 1 vcc/2 . so you can have 1 line for 2position switch and 2 lines for 3 positions (one can give either vcc nad gnd, another can give vcc/2, we need 2 lines because the resistor network is in the pcb) and finally a ground reference... so total 1+2+1 = 4 wires ... it would have been possible with only 3 if they had the resistors were not on the board but on the switches dangling. on second thought ... you can also attach 3 positions on the old one ... just some dangling resistors needed..
Is the i6X still limited to 3 free mixes with no means to enable or disable the mix with a switch? 3 mixes is ok (better than the DX6i fex) but 4 would be better and the ability to enable or disable with a switch would be nice....It was apparently possible on the ancient FS-CT6A so I'm not sure why that got dropped in the i6
Hey since you say that sbus, ibus, ppm or pwm encoding is done on the TX and not on the RX, will the range be the same for all the modes (high freq has lower penetrartion and lower range, etc.)? Great video btw.
Thank you for your videos. They are very informative. I'm thinking of buying a Fs-i6X but the amazon questions on this transmitter say that the X version doesn’t have settings for idle and throttle cut for nitro or diesel engines. Is there a way to do this? Some of us old guys like playing with engines.
To be honest I don't know. You can set endpoints somehow, which I think can be done for throttle channel too. That should allow a lower limit on the throttle signal. I think a mix could then be used to bump the throttle signal down a bit as a 'cut'. This might be helpful th-cam.com/video/xt5IdeLdiug/w-d-xo.html
That STM32 is much more hackable with 128K flash and 20K RAM. It should be possible to Port opentx, assuming it hasn't already been done. I definitely wouldn't try flashing the i6x firmware onto the previous version since it's a completely different architecture. I'm glad I found this video, it makes my purchase a no brainier. One other thing, the max speed of the NXP CPU is 48 MHz, but I believe the STM32 is limited to 32MHz.
Great video, from what you say about the S-bus protocol being generated in the tx and passed through the rx, it makes me wonder how the failsafe works when the tx connection is broken, unless the rx has some buffering smarts, it would be possible, but different again, failsafe set at tx instead of rx. Also, did you notice the 4k hall effect gimbals as well on the X.
Failsafe is set at tx on these. So I guess the rx must have a buffer to hold the failsafe values as pre-encoded sbus or ibus... It has hall-effect gimbals? Never noticed. I just flew something with it a few minutes ago, but it was a maiden of a new plane, so it was all new to me... then again I don't think I'd notice to be honest.
Typically remote failsafe values are communicated as part of the bind protocol or are sent in a periodic "configuration" packet. I don't know what AFHDS2A protocol does specifically but if you don't have to re-bind to change the value then it is almost certainly a periodic "configuration" packet. These values are "remembered" by the RX until the next bind or config packet when they are overwritten. They probably survive RX power off. That's what the FrSky D16 protocol apparently does...just for comparison.
Not sure what that "PCB antenna" is for but it looks like the i6X is eminently more hackable than its predecessor. It will be interesting watching what people do with it.
PSA! Bangood now sells *iRangeX iRX-i6X*, which is supposedly exactly the same product under their own brand. I just ordered one for $39.99 promo price!
Thank you for your detailed video. I must to buy one of two models. It's my first radio remote control. From your experience, considering also the software / firmware side now, which one would you recommend?
To be honest they are pretty much the same. I would probably get the i6X, mainly because you don't need to do a firmware change to stop that annoying 1 minute idle alarm :)
iforce2d Is this just the software difference now? I read several people who advise i6 because it has more support behind it and more updated software. It's true?
great little follow up video, have a question about replacing differant knobs in transmitters. im wanting to swap one of the knobs on the i10 transmitter to a self centering knob(mainly for camera gimbals) does anyone know where to source these from?
Can any of these transmitters be uses with a third-party flight simulator program? E.g., X-Plane. What kind of a connecting cable would be needed for this? Can the in stock data cable be used for this? Is the simulator cable set offered actually a hardware simulator?
+iforce2d Can you please make the full res teardown images available to download? I want to prepare for modding while I'm waiting for mine to arrive. :)
Great vid only one I found that shows inside,I have seen people using a usb joystick hooked up to transmitter I want to do this,do you know how to hook it up? If so could you make a vid on it? :)
1. Can the X6B receiver work with the old i6 transmitter? 2. Any update on the 3 position switch on the old i6 transmitter (not the i6X)? Any information about this mod? Thank you!
Gimbles - does the i6x have ball bearings in the gimbels like the Evolution and FS-i6S? My fs-i6 is over two years old and has little slop in the plastic bushing now, I would like to "upgrade" to the x sometime.
Weird question. Could you actually switch the stick pots on a controller? My friend wants to sell me his Irange i6x, but its a right handed throttle... I know I can change the mode to switch the throttle to the other stick... but it would be amazing if you can do that and have the pots be correct to. Would that be a problem with the harnesses on there? Or should I just try moving the spring over? Ever done that?
Hello, I had modded my flyky i6 with external battery and it was lying like that for a long time and now it dosent turn on? The power switch was loose before , could that be a problem
Do you think flashing the i6 with the 10ch firmware increases the latency by a factor of 10/6 (167%)? The reason for sending less channels could be to reduce latency.
The 10ch firmware update only affects ibus output. You still get only 6 channels PWM and 8 channels PPM. So nothing will change regarding PWM and PPM. As for latency increasing for ibus, I didn't measure it before doing the update, but after updating the frame time is 8ms. Apparently ibus runs at 115200 baud so assuming a 2-byte channel that's about 0.14ms per channel, so an extra 0.5ms to add four channels - I don't think you would notice the difference :)
For the records... the i6 works fine with a second 3-position switch. You can actually insert a fifth switch. All you need is the right firmware and a voltage divider (resistor is all you need to do this) for a second 3-position switch. The firmware providing this actually gives you 14 channels, supports rssi transmission and "Switch e". th-cam.com/video/tr5t9soLrDY/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/jtHrl-BXESw/w-d-xo.html Be aware ...the music drives you nutz while trying to build while watching!
Hi I have a flysky i6S (all silvery one) TX and am trying to hook up the Banggood Multiprotocol Chinese TX module but cannot find a good +6-12V pad to solder to. I found the PPM_OUT and a good ground - any idea where the +V_Out would be or be labeled?
Nice videos with the new transmitter! Just some addition you still don't have to buy the new one to get sbus since there is a user made software available which gives you nearly if not all the features of the new TX. At least software wise! Also on Banggood it is stated that the gimbals now have a higher resolution can you like test if they have improved hardware wise? Some people speculated that it might have a hall sensor instead of a potentiometer.
If you are talking about the 10 channel upgrade for the i6 I made a video about that a while ago: th-cam.com/video/eaj0M218HSM/w-d-xo.html It does not give you sbus capability... yet. I really doubt that 4096 steps of resolution vs the original 1024 will be noticeable. The receiver only passes on values from 1000 to 2000 in steps of 1 to the flight controller anyway.
iforce2d good point with the resolution! I just mean because the Turnigy evolution which is a flysky one has very good gimbals so I hoped them to be in the 6x. I recently installed the 10ch firmware on a I6(the timer/rssi one). In the selection page you can select 4 combinations including sbus. I haven't tested the functionality. I just assumed it would work.
iforce2d yeah that firmware but there is a newer branch github.com/benb0jangles/FlySky-i6-Mod-/tree/master/10ch%20Timer%20Mod%20i6%20Updater This has lower version numbers but is newer! I can choose s bus in the menu and it has basic timer function.
That's the same repo. I don't see any mention of sbus in the documentation, I wonder why they would not say anything about it. So you have a menu that looks like this? www.iforce2d.net/tmp/sbusOutput.jpg
i was thinking the Bluetooth would be on a daughter board and any pin out would be ok its the programming that would be an issue. Was it Bojangles or something that does the firmware mod? and it doesn't look like he has been real active lately. But if a guy could make that work this radio Tx would be the most undervalued price to performance device of all time lol I already love it
Im having i6x with TX v1.4 . In my tx just showing 6channels in display but ur tx showing 10ch .how can I change tx to 10ch working(like urs) im in urgent helpme Bro
Chris I want to fit a 433mhz Rx as Tx inside this Tx.......................................... Do you know if the PPM signal can be hacked into and rerouted ?............ Cheers Brett
PPM signal should be coming out of one of those pins of the trainer port on the back. Pic here: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2737267-FSi6-Radio-Upgrade
great thanks for video! also think about 3p switches upgrade, unfortunatelly only after I got transmiter with broken 3p switch ( russian mail such russian) Folks from banggod excuse and told that all 3p are sold out, but I have alot of radiostuff shops nearby (leave in Minsk) so if I'll can install some "non official" 3p switch, I'll write spec here, maybe it will usefull for someone
I think I saw you years ago. Did you do something in the LibGDX and/or Box2d community? Your name would match perfectly. And if it seems that you and I have the exact same interests, lol.
Not too long ago I was ranting and raving about attmail chips being inferior to STM electronics chips finally the software libraries have made it possible for STM microelectronics to replace basically every Arduino IC
Hi, I just got FlySky I6x transmitter with x6b receiver, and it seem that if not configured the x6b keeps last proper values when transmitter go out. I checked out the failsafe configuration between i6x and x6b (on rx side) but it doesn't seem to be able to output "wrong" (885) value to flight controller - I can either choose to output 'some' value when failsafe kicks in (but in proper 1000 - 2000 range) or turn the failsafe on RX off - effectively it's not a no-signal, but keep-last signal.... Therefore it seem that it's not possible to configured cleanflight failsafe 'clean' way, am I right? I though about something else. How about if I would sacrifice some switch, or channel range and set it (let say AUX6 value 2000) to enable failsafe mode in cleanflight? Then I could configure receiver to turn off all failsafes, but turn on failsafe on AUX6, max output. Would that work, is that a good idea? Or maybe there would be better workaround?
No, I don't think you can make the receiver output an "invalid" value for a channel, eg. 885 like you want. But you can make it put the switches to any desired position which is just as good isn't it? I set my receiver to put the switches to return-to-home mode if it loses signal.
All-too often I see someone on y/t making assertions as if they were authoritative statements of fact. Good on ya for owning up to having said/done something that was somewhat misleading, and clarifying it.
Yep. Once EVERYBODY had free, unlimited access to worldwide broadcasting, old-fashioned TV/newspaper-style journalistic rigour and fact-checking went straight out of the window. No more angry Editors ripping up copy and scribbling notes in blue ink; no Sub-Editors spiking tripe; no Legal Department wagging fingers and muttering about copyright issues; not even any fact-checking or referring to the in-house style book, just lots of self-proclaimed 'experts' aged 6 to 96 talking nonsense. Worse still, we have egomaniacal imbeciles using Twitter like a sawn-off shotgun to spread their poisonous bilge. (Shut up, Donald. Just... shut up.) So yes, it's most refreshing to hear a chap who's not afraid to say, "Er, I don't know." Maybe it'll start a trend. ;-)
Did you guys know if the input power pass through some voltage regulator? i plan to do some battery mod for the fs-i6x, put 2s 7.4v gps battery. is just 1.4v more than 4 AA with 6V total.
I have the FS-i6 TX flashed with the 10 channels firmware. With iA6B RX i get only 6 channels on PPM, will i get 8 PPM channels with X6B RX and my FS-i6 TX ?
I've watched this video multiple time, and still worrying if I buy this transmitter only for build an OpenTX OpenAVRc Anyone successfully porting this transmitter in to opentx?
Hello. Please help me. In the FS-i6X model, USB signals are already output to the connector, not UART. This means that a UART converter is not needed and you can connect directly to USB. I understand that you can update the firmware via USB. But I need to know how to link 2 remotes to train a student and how to connect it to a computer for the trainer. Questions: 1.Can I use the USB connection for simulator training? 2. Will it be possible to connect a computer directly to the PPM output of the Tranier connector through the sound input of the card? So how do they do it in the FS-i6? 3.How to connect the remote control to another remote control. Should I connect the pin bus to USB or take the PPM In and PPM Out pins?
I don't know what you mean with the references to "USB" and "UART", the radio knows nothing about either of those. If you're talking about the trainer port on the back, it outputs (and reads) a simple PPM signal. There is an adaptor you can buy that converts the PPM to something your computer can recognize, like a gamepad input I think. To connect two radios together for training, is just passing the PPM from one to the other. So a much simpler plain connection is used, you could make your own with three pieces of wire.
@@iforce2d The FS-i6 models use UART, while the FS-i6X models already have USB. Bottom contacts of the trainer. The PPM can be connected directly to the microphone line input on your computer. looks like it should work
Who told you that? I have never heard any such thing. There is a lot of information about this topic if you do a quick search. th-cam.com/video/rpwwvue_Jsw/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Kw7VNmcLKZw/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/Ptn6RfUcIv4/w-d-xo.html drones.stackexchange.com/questions/1276/how-to-build-a-buddy-box-cable-for-flysky-fs-i6x-rc-transmitters
What sort of benefit is there to using s.bus over I.bus? If I got the x6b and bind it to my regular i6 radio, ran it on ibus, what am I missing out on? I am still trying to figure out how to upgrade what I currently have. Thanks!
I don't know much about sbus. As far as ibus and sbus both being serial protocols with around 8ms frame time, they should be the same. I think most sbus systems give more telemetry info, eg. RSSI, but that's a feature of the tx/rx and not really sbus specifically.
SBUS has nothing to do with telemetry. It is only a control signal. I think FlySky does use IBUS for telemetry because I think it can be bi-directional and FlySky uses it to communicate with their sensors. FrSky use S.PORT for that. Speed wise they are similar.
Its wierd, but judging from the position of the pins on the "bluetooth module" place, an HC-05 wouldn't actually fit in the default layout, the pins would not match. however it would line up quite well with an ESP8266 if you look at the pinout and the position of the RX`D and TXD Pins! Maybe they were thinking about adding wifi?!
Thanks! Just dropped my radio down the steps.... 3 position switch seems to be the only casualty. Dropped the radio a few months ago once too and lost a few lines in the LCD display. Swapped the screen out a while back and now this happens....
I'm assuming the use of the SBUS signal is negotiated during bind? Is there any perceived benefit to using SBUS over IBUS with these transmitters/receivers? ... Thanks! :)
SBUS is supported by more flight controllers and other devices than IBUS. SBUS is from Futaba and also used by FrSky and has been around for a while. IBUS is proprietary to FlySky and is much newer. Practically it is more a matter of what your gear has available to use. The RX configuration (SBUS vs IBUS) may be set at bind but it is also possible it is controlled by a "configuration" packet that is sent periodically that updates things like this (eg failsafe settings).
press all the knobs thanks for the response. I understand all of that and the possibilities, I was more enquiring whether there is a measurable difference. I'm doubting it's worth the effort to move to sbus if you already have ibus available.
Almost certainly no noticeable difference just based on IBUS vs SBUS. The implementation or use may make a difference if poorly done but given the same source it's unlikely.
I unsoldered the existing one, soldered in the new one. Maybe I'm missing something in your question, but I don't see how there could be anything else to it.
iforce2d No, I meant with the old receiver. But I suppose not, unless the receiver also just pushes the signal out it receives and the transmitter can understand it. I doubt it though.
Do you know which antenna is for the telemetry? ANT 1 or ANT 2? I have 2.4ghz boosters, and want to try to boost the output antenna on the i6x and i6s for my ground station. Thanks!
Haha from your videos, it's highly unlikely! Further research proves that both antennas are send antennas (ant 1 ant 2) and the telemetry is actually a different radio system all together. I've asked, "Why wouldn't we always just use telemetry radio to fly/drive then?" and answer is it updates very slowly in comparison to rc control and apparently it's even illegal to fly without rc control! So .. to BOOST my dual antenna radio I suppose I would have to boost both wires, else only have one that's boosted and the other sits normally. Boo! Building a ground pounder FPV setup so I need as much oomf as possible to get range on the ground. *cheers thx for the reply =)
So they changed cpu vendor from freescale to ST, a bit cheaper I guess... But downgrade from cortex m0+ to cortex m0, that is concerning. Maybe we could write custom esp8266 firmware for wifi buddy box and wireless firmware upgrades.
Yes, as long as you buy the QX95 in Flysky varient! THe fs-i6x has both AFHDS and the newer AFHDS2A protocols - like the older FS-i6 The qx95 receiver uses the older AFHDS - so you need to go into the menu (on your radio) and turn AFHDS2A "OFF", then you can bind to the QX90, QX75, QX95 etc with the FLYSKY receivers (obviously... but as they can be bought with DSM and Frsky receivers it needs to be said)
Great info again. Looking forward to see the range tests with different antennas!
Nice video. Looking forward to the range test 👍
I told you, different hardware. ;)
Very nice detailed review, thats a interesting new MCU on the i6X, maybe we could see some opentx to this one. :D
Intersting reviews mate .... keep the good work going on.
I've always been pretty happy with my original FS-i6. I'm significantly happier with it than I am with my TGY-i10 and it's bug riddled firmware. :( .
With the 10ch firmware it does everything I need (And almost everything I want).
It's also cheap enough to hack about. Mines now sporting a couple of 750mAh 1s Li-pos running as a parallel pair in a lightly Dremeled battery compartment, A micro USB charging port cut into the side, Thumb friendly "Umbrella" stick caps, And a 6 position rotary switch in place of one of the pointless (For quads) original rotary knobs The only down side I've had with it is that I've been unable to add extra 3 position switches, So after seeing your review I suddenly got incredibly itchy fingers....... Thanks a lot for that mate. LOL !
I ordered one of the rebranded i6X's from BangGood. It's labled up as an "iRangeX iRX-i6X" (The "FCC ID" on it's the same as for the FS branded one, So internally it has to be identical), And at the time of purchase it was just under £36 on Pre Order (It's currently at just over £39), So it was the cheapest way for me to get an i6X. I've also ordered some 3 position switches and another 6 position rotary switch. My guess is this one'll be getting the same Li-Po and charging board mod too (Warranties don't tend to last long on my kit. LOL !!). Once I've got this all together I'm feeling it'll be a better TX than my i10 could ever have hoped to be !!!
Thanks for the review mate. I've always enjoyed the reviews where people pull the back off to see how their new kit works. You've got a sub and a like from me for this one. ;)
Just a quick update. The iRangeX iRX-i6X is DEFINITELY a rebranded FS-i6X. Mine arived today and after checking it worked properly I popped the back off to have a look. All in there is as FlySky intended. :)
wow! almost bought old non-X transmitter, but after seeing that FS-i6X has STM32 inside (with more precise sticks, 4k yup?) and switches could be easily changed, i'm eager to buy FS-i6X + iA6B... thanks!
would be also cool if this setup can bind to MJX Bugs 3 or B2W! we'll see...
I replaced a potentiometer on my Turnigy 9X with a 3 way switch and 2 2.5 k ohm resistors , if I can do the same with the FlySky i6x I have ordered I'm gonna be stoked ............great video , thanks , very very helpful , not to mention motivational , Cheers
It seems unlikely that the i6X is sending "sbus" protocol as such. There are other ways what you are seeing may work. There is a version of the iA6B...the V2 sold by HK that claims to supports SBUS out so it's possible your iA6B had that SBUS feature in its firmware already. If the SBUS feature is enabled from the TX, the older i6 doesn't know about that feature so it can't enable it.
It is also possible that the i6X auto updated the firmware on the iA6B. Remotely updating RXs is a FlySky i10 feature and since the i6X has improved computing power it may also have that feature. You do have to upgrade the TX firmware to get new RX features because the TX firmware contains the RX firmware and can update the RX.
ST32! OMG then i6x has waaaay more potential then!
Damn I thought both were the same!
The ia6C i mentioned in your other video does work wit the normal i6 as well and as you stated SBUS won't work with the normal i6 and this receiver as well. Flysky also brought out the FS-i6s/Tgy-i6s and the newer TGY Evolution (Not sure if Flysky producing it because it seems to be Hobbyking eclusive atm). They also have that SBUS option in their firmware. However I hope their might be a firmware that supports SBUS for the old i6 in the future.
Good video thanks.
How many mixes can you programme on the i6s and i6x?
Thanks.
6:50 That looks like it is for the popular HC-06 Wireless Bluetooth Module. This has a lot of potential. Easy way to connect to Android.
Yes you can Flash the firmware on the sky Fly FS i6 it gives it 10 Channel capabilities
I saw an Albert Kim youtube video saying that the ibus output has better default centres and endpoints and less jitter than the sbus output. But if you're right about the encoding being done on the radio, it may depend on the radio firmware and maybe they've fixed the sbus output in newer firmware. He was using one of those gamepad radios rather than an i6/i6X.
Thanks for the nice video on Flysky Fs i6 and Fs i6x. Finally, i got mine arrived yesterday Flysky FSi6x and was trying to bind it with Wltoys F959, F949 and F939. i was able to bind it with Wtoys F959 and F949 but despite trying several times i was not able to bind it with Wltoys F939. Would appriciate if you can share any ideas to get my Flysky FSi6x bound with F939. Thanks
1- 2 position switch i.e. 1 ground, 1 vcc(essential).
1- 3 position switch i.e. 1 ground, 1 vcc , 1 vcc/2 .
so you can have 1 line for 2position switch and 2 lines for 3 positions (one can give either vcc nad gnd, another can give vcc/2, we need 2 lines because the resistor network is in the pcb)
and finally a ground reference... so total 1+2+1 = 4 wires ... it would have been possible with only 3 if they had the resistors were not on the board but on the switches dangling.
on second thought ... you can also attach 3 positions on the old one ... just some dangling resistors needed..
Nice video, bought one after see this.
Is the i6X still limited to 3 free mixes with no means to enable or disable the mix with a switch? 3 mixes is ok (better than the DX6i fex) but 4 would be better and the ability to enable or disable with a switch would be nice....It was apparently possible on the ancient FS-CT6A so I'm not sure why that got dropped in the i6
Hey since you say that sbus, ibus, ppm or pwm encoding is done on the TX and not on the RX, will the range be the same for all the modes (high freq has lower penetrartion and lower range, etc.)? Great video btw.
Yes, I already answered in your other question.
@@iforce2d Hey sorry for bugging you! But your videos have cleared my doubts. Thanks, mate.
all three positions switch can be used individually for saparate purpose
Thank you for your videos. They are very informative. I'm thinking of buying a Fs-i6X but the amazon questions on this transmitter say that the X version doesn’t have settings for idle and throttle cut for nitro or diesel engines. Is there a way to do this?
Some of us old guys like playing with engines.
To be honest I don't know. You can set endpoints somehow, which I think can be done for throttle channel too. That should allow a lower limit on the throttle signal. I think a mix could then be used to bump the throttle signal down a bit as a 'cut'.
This might be helpful
th-cam.com/video/xt5IdeLdiug/w-d-xo.html
That STM32 is much more hackable with 128K flash and 20K RAM. It should be possible to Port opentx, assuming it hasn't already been done. I definitely wouldn't try flashing the i6x firmware onto the previous version since it's a completely different architecture. I'm glad I found this video, it makes my purchase a no brainier. One other thing, the max speed of the NXP CPU is 48 MHz, but I believe the STM32 is limited to 32MHz.
Great video, from what you say about the S-bus protocol being generated in the tx and passed through the rx, it makes me wonder how the failsafe works when the tx connection is broken, unless the rx has some buffering smarts, it would be possible, but different again, failsafe set at tx instead of rx. Also, did you notice the 4k hall effect gimbals as well on the X.
Failsafe is set at tx on these. So I guess the rx must have a buffer to hold the failsafe values as pre-encoded sbus or ibus...
It has hall-effect gimbals? Never noticed. I just flew something with it a few minutes ago, but it was a maiden of a new plane, so it was all new to me... then again I don't think I'd notice to be honest.
Typically remote failsafe values are communicated as part of the bind
protocol or are sent in a periodic "configuration" packet. I don't know
what AFHDS2A protocol does specifically but if you don't have to
re-bind to change the value then it is almost certainly a periodic
"configuration" packet. These values are "remembered" by the RX until the next bind or config packet when they are overwritten. They probably survive RX power off. That's what the FrSky D16 protocol apparently does...just for comparison.
Not sure what that "PCB antenna" is for but it looks like the i6X is eminently more hackable than its predecessor. It will be interesting watching what people do with it.
maybe not Bluetooth, it could be a multiple protocol module that they are planning for future product?
PSA! Bangood now sells *iRangeX iRX-i6X*, which is supposedly exactly the same product under their own brand. I just ordered one for $39.99 promo price!
Thank you for your detailed video. I must to buy one of two models. It's my first radio remote control. From your experience, considering also the software / firmware side now, which one would you recommend?
To be honest they are pretty much the same. I would probably get the i6X, mainly because you don't need to do a firmware change to stop that annoying 1 minute idle alarm :)
iforce2d Is this just the software difference now? I read several people who advise i6 because it has more support behind it and more updated software. It's true?
Hello man, did you see in the "secret menu" of I6X that you can enable a DIY switch. Any idea on how to add a diy switch?
Would you by any chance happen to know how many ohm's those potentiometers are?
Cheers!
Keep those awesome videos coming! 👍
They say B5K on the back.
iforce2d
Awesome! Thanks 👍
Hmmm...I wonder when a FS-i6x motherboards will be available at BG. You can get one for the FS-i6.
At 6:45, the FS-i6 bebug pins resemble those of stm32s therefore the FS-i6X might just be using a bigger stm32
great little follow up video, have a question about replacing differant knobs in transmitters. im wanting to swap one of the knobs on the i10 transmitter to a self centering knob(mainly for camera gimbals) does anyone know where to source these from?
can I use those 4 top switches to control 4 servos to give independent control. looking for a transmitter to use for rc car with hydraulics (servo)
What is the stock DBI of the antenna?
Any suggestion on what receiver should I get? There are 3: A8S, X6B, iA6B
Can any of these transmitters be uses with a third-party flight simulator program? E.g., X-Plane. What kind of a connecting cable would be needed for this? Can the in stock data cable be used for this? Is the simulator cable set offered actually a hardware simulator?
hello. flysky sell as spare parts, the i6x mainboard. is possible change the i6 board with the i6x board?
So i guess it is better to just get the FS- i6X for someone starting with custom quads ?
the stick of i6X is better than i6 ? (more resolution, servo moves smoother ?) thanks
Where did you get the flat, long toggle 3 position switch? I can't seem to find them online. Only 2 position or round toggle switches.
This one: goo.gl/H5SJHl
I don't recall paying that much for it though... you can likely find it cheaper elsewhere.
New MCU has twice the RAM as the old one. 128KB vs 64KB. There's a lot of space for new features !
+iforce2d Can you please make the full res teardown images available to download? I want to prepare for modding while I'm waiting for mine to arrive. :)
Great vid only one I found that shows inside,I have seen people using a usb joystick hooked up to transmitter I want to do this,do you know how to hook it up? If so could you make a vid on it? :)
1. Can the X6B receiver work with the old i6 transmitter?
2. Any update on the 3 position switch on the old i6 transmitter (not the i6X)? Any information about this mod?
Thank you!
Gimbles - does the i6x have ball bearings in the gimbels like the Evolution and FS-i6S?
My fs-i6 is over two years old and has little slop in the plastic bushing now, I would like to "upgrade" to the x sometime.
I can't find any ball bearings in the i6X.
Weird question. Could you actually switch the stick pots on a controller? My friend wants to sell me his Irange i6x, but its a right handed throttle... I know I can change the mode to switch the throttle to the other stick... but it would be amazing if you can do that and have the pots be correct to. Would that be a problem with the harnesses on there? Or should I just try moving the spring over? Ever done that?
Pretty sure you can just move the spring over. When uncle Bruce borrowed mine for a while I set it up as Mode1 for him, and it was no big deal.
any 3 pos switch cold be changed to an analog pot ... and i guess also the 2 pos ones could be replaced
Now that the fs-i6x uses STM32 microcontroller there may be a greater chance for porting OpenTX.
Hello, I had modded my flyky i6 with external battery and it was lying like that for a long time and now it dosent turn on? The power switch was loose before , could that be a problem
Do you think flashing the i6 with the 10ch firmware increases the latency by a factor of 10/6 (167%)? The reason for sending less channels could be to reduce latency.
The 10ch firmware update only affects ibus output. You still get only 6 channels PWM and 8 channels PPM. So nothing will change regarding PWM and PPM. As for latency increasing for ibus, I didn't measure it before doing the update, but after updating the frame time is 8ms. Apparently ibus runs at 115200 baud so assuming a 2-byte channel that's about 0.14ms per channel, so an extra 0.5ms to add four channels - I don't think you would notice the difference :)
I'd like know what the camera utilized for to film?
logitech B910 webcam
For the records... the i6 works fine with a second 3-position switch. You can actually insert a fifth switch. All you need is the right firmware and a voltage divider (resistor is all you need to do this) for a second 3-position switch. The firmware providing this actually gives you 14 channels, supports rssi transmission and "Switch e".
th-cam.com/video/tr5t9soLrDY/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/jtHrl-BXESw/w-d-xo.html
Be aware ...the music drives you nutz while trying to build while watching!
Hi I have a flysky i6S (all silvery one) TX and am trying to hook up the Banggood Multiprotocol Chinese TX module but cannot find a good +6-12V pad to solder to. I found the PPM_OUT and a good ground - any idea where the +V_Out would be or be labeled?
uhmm.... maybe the battery terminal? :)
I think these radios run at 3.3v internally.
Nice videos with the new transmitter!
Just some addition you still don't have to buy the new one to get sbus since there is a user made software available which gives you nearly if not all the features of the new TX. At least software wise!
Also on Banggood it is stated that the gimbals now have a higher resolution can you like test if they have improved hardware wise? Some people speculated that it might have a hall sensor instead of a potentiometer.
If you are talking about the 10 channel upgrade for the i6 I made a video about that a while ago: th-cam.com/video/eaj0M218HSM/w-d-xo.html
It does not give you sbus capability... yet.
I really doubt that 4096 steps of resolution vs the original 1024 will be noticeable. The receiver only passes on values from 1000 to 2000 in steps of 1 to the flight controller anyway.
iforce2d good point with the resolution! I just mean because the Turnigy evolution which is a flysky one has very good gimbals so I hoped them to be in the 6x.
I recently installed the 10ch firmware on a I6(the timer/rssi one). In the selection page you can select 4 combinations including sbus.
I haven't tested the functionality. I just assumed it would work.
You mean this firmware? github.com/benb0jangles/FlySky-i6-Mod-
I don't see that menu anywhere, maybe they added it recently...?
iforce2d yeah that firmware but there is a newer branch
github.com/benb0jangles/FlySky-i6-Mod-/tree/master/10ch%20Timer%20Mod%20i6%20Updater
This has lower version numbers but is newer!
I can choose s bus in the menu and it has basic timer function.
That's the same repo. I don't see any mention of sbus in the documentation, I wonder why they would not say anything about it. So you have a menu that looks like this? www.iforce2d.net/tmp/sbusOutput.jpg
i was thinking the Bluetooth would be on a daughter board and any pin out would be ok its the programming that would be an issue. Was it Bojangles or something that does the firmware mod? and it doesn't look like he has been real active lately. But if a guy could make that work this radio Tx would be the most undervalued price to performance device of all time lol I already love it
Im having i6x with TX v1.4 . In my tx just showing 6channels in display but ur tx showing 10ch .how can I change tx to 10ch working(like urs) im in urgent helpme Bro
My i6x arrived with a broken toggle switch. So the new switches may not be that great
Chris I want to fit a 433mhz Rx as Tx inside this Tx..........................................
Do you know if the PPM signal can be hacked into and rerouted ?............
Cheers Brett
PPM signal should be coming out of one of those pins of the trainer port on the back. Pic here: www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?2737267-FSi6-Radio-Upgrade
My question is answered here!
great thanks for video! also think about 3p switches upgrade, unfortunatelly only after I got transmiter with broken 3p switch ( russian mail such russian) Folks from banggod excuse and told that all 3p are sold out, but I have alot of radiostuff shops nearby (leave in Minsk) so if I'll can install some "non official" 3p switch, I'll write spec here, maybe it will usefull for someone
nice
I think I saw you years ago. Did you do something in the LibGDX and/or Box2d community? Your name would match perfectly.
And if it seems that you and I have the exact same interests, lol.
Yes, that would be me :)
Gotcha! :)
I guess you can use the BLE module to update firmware.
Could you please upload a video of how to change 2 position switch into 3 position switch
I would love to see a video as well
Not too long ago I was ranting and raving about attmail chips being inferior to STM electronics chips finally the software libraries have made it possible for STM microelectronics to replace basically every Arduino IC
Hi, I just got FlySky I6x transmitter with x6b receiver, and it seem that if not configured the x6b keeps last proper values when transmitter go out. I checked out the failsafe configuration between i6x and x6b (on rx side) but it doesn't seem to be able to output "wrong" (885) value to flight controller - I can either choose to output 'some' value when failsafe kicks in (but in proper 1000 - 2000 range) or turn the failsafe on RX off - effectively it's not a no-signal, but keep-last signal....
Therefore it seem that it's not possible to configured cleanflight failsafe 'clean' way, am I right?
I though about something else. How about if I would sacrifice some switch, or channel range and set it (let say AUX6 value 2000) to enable failsafe mode in cleanflight? Then I could configure receiver to turn off all failsafes, but turn on failsafe on AUX6, max output.
Would that work, is that a good idea?
Or maybe there would be better workaround?
No, I don't think you can make the receiver output an "invalid" value for a channel, eg. 885 like you want. But you can make it put the switches to any desired position which is just as good isn't it? I set my receiver to put the switches to return-to-home mode if it loses signal.
Can you please tell me how to hook up the FS-i6X to pc? The included usb cable does nothing when hooked up to my computer
You need to buy a simulator cable for it.
Hi, could you please write step by step how you managed to connect i6X to CleanFlight?
Take a look at part 16 of this series, about halfway through the video, might be helpful.
th-cam.com/play/PLzidsatoEzejIpdla6_ggPcDCPJ9u4WHj.html
All-too often I see someone on y/t making assertions as if they were authoritative statements of fact. Good on ya for owning up to having said/done something that was somewhat misleading, and clarifying it.
Yep. Once EVERYBODY had free, unlimited access to worldwide broadcasting, old-fashioned TV/newspaper-style journalistic rigour and fact-checking went straight out of the window. No more angry Editors ripping up copy and scribbling notes in blue ink; no Sub-Editors spiking tripe; no Legal Department wagging fingers and muttering about copyright issues; not even any fact-checking or referring to the in-house style book, just lots of self-proclaimed 'experts' aged 6 to 96 talking nonsense.
Worse still, we have egomaniacal imbeciles using Twitter like a sawn-off shotgun to spread their poisonous bilge. (Shut up, Donald. Just... shut up.)
So yes, it's most refreshing to hear a chap who's not afraid to say, "Er, I don't know." Maybe it'll start a trend. ;-)
thanks for your video, does the firmware upgrade to get 10ch for the fs-i6 work for FS-i6X as well??
The i6X already lets you use 10 channels. This video might be helpful: th-cam.com/video/tS1NmV8nHr8/w-d-xo.html
iforce2d thanks for your quick reply.
is that for ppm, pwm and ibus? i am a noob 🤔
No, it's only for ibus. Just watch the video... :)
Did you guys know if the input power pass through some voltage regulator? i plan to do some battery mod for the fs-i6x, put 2s 7.4v gps battery. is just 1.4v more than 4 AA with 6V total.
I recommend to just buy some NiMH rechargeable AA batteries, they last for a long time and don't have any of the high-maintenance hassles of a lipo.
can i change the motherboard of i6 to i6x?
I have the FS-i6 TX flashed with the 10 channels firmware.
With iA6B RX i get only 6 channels on PPM, will i get 8 PPM channels with X6B RX and my FS-i6 TX ?
Yes, the x6b used with the upgraded fs-i6 gives 8 channel PPM.
I've watched this video multiple time, and still worrying if I buy this transmitter only for build an OpenTX OpenAVRc
Anyone successfully porting this transmitter in to opentx?
Hello. Please help me. In the FS-i6X model, USB signals are already output to the connector, not UART. This means that a UART converter is not needed and you can connect directly to USB. I understand that you can update the firmware via USB. But I need to know how to link 2 remotes to train a student and how to connect it to a computer for the trainer.
Questions:
1.Can I use the USB connection for simulator training?
2. Will it be possible to connect a computer directly to the PPM output of the Tranier connector through the sound input of the card? So how do they do it in the FS-i6?
3.How to connect the remote control to another remote control. Should I connect the pin bus to USB or take the PPM In and PPM Out pins?
I don't know what you mean with the references to "USB" and "UART", the radio knows nothing about either of those. If you're talking about the trainer port on the back, it outputs (and reads) a simple PPM signal. There is an adaptor you can buy that converts the PPM to something your computer can recognize, like a gamepad input I think. To connect two radios together for training, is just passing the PPM from one to the other. So a much simpler plain connection is used, you could make your own with three pieces of wire.
@@iforce2d The FS-i6 models use UART, while the FS-i6X models already have USB. Bottom contacts of the trainer.
The PPM can be connected directly to the microphone line input on your computer. looks like it should work
Who told you that? I have never heard any such thing. There is a lot of information about this topic if you do a quick search.
th-cam.com/video/rpwwvue_Jsw/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Kw7VNmcLKZw/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/Ptn6RfUcIv4/w-d-xo.html
drones.stackexchange.com/questions/1276/how-to-build-a-buddy-box-cable-for-flysky-fs-i6x-rc-transmitters
the logo on the i6 mcu is a freescale logo
What sort of benefit is there to using s.bus over I.bus? If I got the x6b and bind it to my regular i6 radio, ran it on ibus, what am I missing out on? I am still trying to figure out how to upgrade what I currently have. Thanks!
I don't know much about sbus. As far as ibus and sbus both being serial protocols with around 8ms frame time, they should be the same. I think most sbus systems give more telemetry info, eg. RSSI, but that's a feature of the tx/rx and not really sbus specifically.
SBUS has nothing to do with telemetry. It is only a control signal.
I think FlySky does use IBUS for telemetry because I think it can be bi-directional and FlySky uses it to communicate with their sensors. FrSky use S.PORT for that.
Speed wise they are similar.
That is for a bluetooth adapter for remote telemetry.
Which is better??
So it can run ibus and sbus!?
Its wierd, but judging from the position of the pins on the "bluetooth module" place, an HC-05 wouldn't actually fit in the default layout, the pins would not match. however it would line up quite well with an ESP8266 if you look at the pinout and the position of the RX`D and TXD Pins! Maybe they were thinking about adding wifi?!
yeah think in this diraction too but an esp in the configurations i know wont fit ant one of this 868 mhz wont fit too
ok i take it back an esp8266 wont fit but a esp32 woud fit in my opinien
esp32.de/ESP32_Pinout_a1.png if you look there you can see that it woud fit
muh1h1 some kind of BLE HM-11 like this goo.gl/725umS
Which Flysky receiver gets the best range for FPV planes?
ia6b
goo.gl/y5HYBr
th-cam.com/video/hKKerQDq19I/w-d-xo.html
Where did yoy buy the switch?
Im looking for one that looks like the original, but can only find the ones with a round "handle"
I'd also like some more info on the 3 position switch mod please.
This one: goo.gl/H5SJHl
I don't recall paying that much for it though... you can likely find it cheaper elsewhere.
Thanks! Just dropped my radio down the steps.... 3 position switch seems to be the only casualty. Dropped the radio a few months ago once too and lost a few lines in the LCD display. Swapped the screen out a while back and now this happens....
I'm assuming the use of the SBUS signal is negotiated during bind? Is there any perceived benefit to using SBUS over IBUS with these transmitters/receivers? ... Thanks! :)
SBUS is supported by more flight controllers and other devices than IBUS. SBUS is from Futaba and also used by FrSky and has been around for a while. IBUS is proprietary to FlySky and is much newer. Practically it is more a matter of what your gear has available to use.
The RX configuration (SBUS vs IBUS) may be set at bind but it is also possible it is controlled by a "configuration" packet that is sent periodically that updates things like this (eg failsafe settings).
press all the knobs thanks for the response. I understand all of that and the possibilities, I was more enquiring whether there is a measurable difference. I'm doubting it's worth the effort to move to sbus if you already have ibus available.
Almost certainly no noticeable difference just based on IBUS vs SBUS. The implementation or use may make a difference if poorly done but given the same source it's unlikely.
based on other comments I'm reading FlySky's SBUS support is a bit dubious so even less reason to switch
Yeah I've been pretty happy with the fs-i6 10ch with ibus. May as well stick with what 'they' know ;)
can you make video about 18650 li-ion batteries for quadcopters
Hi, I know this is a dumb question but how did you install the extra three way switches?
I unsoldered the existing one, soldered in the new one. Maybe I'm missing something in your question, but I don't see how there could be anything else to it.
i am planning the same mod, did you de-solder the switch from the board, or the board from the wire?
I de-soldered the switch from the board. Not something I would attempt without a solder-sucker though.
was the longer antenna for the x6b better?
You mean longer active section right? No, it wasn't.
Ok, so sbus output works, but how about sbus Input? Will sbus sensor/telemetry work?
No, as I mentioned yesterday there are no inputs for telemetry, so you can't even use FlySky's own ibus telemetry, let alone sbus.
iforce2d No, I meant with the old receiver. But I suppose not, unless the receiver also just pushes the signal out it receives and the transmitter can understand it. I doubt it though.
Do you know which antenna is for the telemetry? ANT 1 or ANT 2? I have 2.4ghz boosters, and want to try to boost the output antenna on the i6x and i6s for my ground station. Thanks!
I didn't know only one antenna does telemetry, maybe you already know more about this than me.
Haha from your videos, it's highly unlikely! Further research proves that both antennas are send antennas (ant 1 ant 2) and the telemetry is actually a different radio system all together. I've asked, "Why wouldn't we always just use telemetry radio to fly/drive then?" and answer is it updates very slowly in comparison to rc control and apparently it's even illegal to fly without rc control! So .. to BOOST my dual antenna radio I suppose I would have to boost both wires, else only have one that's boosted and the other sits normally. Boo! Building a ground pounder FPV setup so I need as much oomf as possible to get range on the ground. *cheers thx for the reply =)
Telemetry (meaning 'remote measurement') is the info sent back to the transmitter, so you never "use telemetry" to fly.
Hi anybody got software for flysky i6x for auto pilot for bait boat. Would like to see speed and distance and direction.
How many range will it cover
I have many range test videos of this on my channel, look around
What do you think about FS-i6S transmitter, improved version with FS-iA10B receiver?¿
I've never tried those to know, but I would expect it to be very very similar to these two.
I want to buy one of them but I do not know which would be better option: FS-i6X or FS-i6S ?...
It is possible, that FS-i6X has more range?...
Which remote control is better FS-i6 or FS-i6X, which should I buy ??
The X is a little better, not much in it though. Mainly if you want to use sbus output from your receiver.
Does anybody know the values of those variable resistor? Or a link to where I could get one?
I think they are usually 5k
So they changed cpu vendor from freescale to ST, a bit cheaper I guess... But downgrade from cortex m0+ to cortex m0, that is concerning. Maybe we could write custom esp8266 firmware for wifi buddy box and wireless firmware upgrades.
It's probably cheaper, but outside of the slower max CPU speed, it's a good change. Double the flash and more than double the RAM.
Will the Flysky FS-i6X be able to bind to the qx95?
I don't know, never heard of it.
Yes, as long as you buy the QX95 in Flysky varient!
THe fs-i6x has both AFHDS and the newer AFHDS2A protocols - like the older FS-i6
The qx95 receiver uses the older AFHDS - so you need to go into the menu (on your radio) and turn AFHDS2A "OFF", then you can bind to the QX90, QX75, QX95 etc with the FLYSKY receivers (obviously... but as they can be bought with DSM and Frsky receivers it needs to be said)
which one is better ???
Short answer is, the i6X is better.
My reciver not conected whay
that's possibly a Mediatech chip on the i6
who best fsi6 or fsi6x .......give me answer
6x is better, much more hackable.