Replies to This Discussion

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on April 27, 2010 at 6:23pm

Photos go well with review :))

• ▶ Reply

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on April 27, 2010 at 6:33pm

I think they sent you the wrong one. I've got a Nitroplanes Hawk Sky (this one), and it came with a four channel RC (which worked), 4 servos and a working rudder. The battery was indeed the promised 1800 MhA.

Brushless ESCs don't have "positive" and "negative" wires, so color is arbitrary. It doesn't matter what orders the wires are plugged in--if the motor goes the wrong way, you just switch two.

Also the EasyStar that you can get for $75 has a terrible brushed motor, unlike the brushless motor of the Hawk Sky. Not comparable.

• ▶ Reply

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on April 27, 2010 at 6:51pm

They also sell a three-channel version for $99. Perhaps that's the one they sent you?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by sergeibot on April 27, 2010 at 8:42pm

You were sent the wrong version.

The controller actually takes 8 batteries. Take the battery holder out and you will see that 4 more batteries go on the other side.

I can't speak for how it compares to an easystar, but I am pleased with my hawk sky. It is clear that it is cheaply made but it seems pretty hard to beat for the price.

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on April 28, 2010 at 12:07am

Joel,
Now we know why the TX won't power up :)). I was wondering what Tx takes 4 batteries !! but who knows what comes out of china these days

• ▶ Reply

AdminPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on April 28, 2010 at 4:21am

Morli,

The Spektrum DX5e Transmtter uses four NMHi batteries or four alkaline batteries.

Just a thought.

Regards,
TCIII

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Morli on April 28, 2010 at 4:38am

Thanks Tom, didn't know that , never seen one with 4 batteries ,even those toy RC , car rc that I have seen had 8 or 10 batteries.
But in this case it seems Joel's radio needs 4 more ( must have been trick battery case)
I have modified mine for LiPo so I charge once a month or two so far.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bob Kirkpatrick on July 9, 2011 at 11:02pm

I too bought a Hawk Sky from Nitroplanes. It arrived with more things wrong that I could have ever expected. I had to add on my own control horns, get my own landing gear, and supply the rudder control cable. Once all parts were together, I found that all worked except the motor. I wrote to Nitroplanes 3 different times asking for help --no reply. So I went to BP Hobbies and bought a new ESC, having read on different forums that people were getting new Hawk Sky planes with DOA ESCs. Replacing the ESC didn't help. So, I bought a new 2.4gHz receiver for it. Still no go. Finally I bought a new outrunner motor. That finally got the plane to work. In testing the equipment I replaced, I found that on arrival the motor, ESC and receiver were all defective in addition to the missing parts. I wrote to Dynam about it and got the same response I did from the vendor: none. It took me 4 months and $72 to get the plane, priced at $119 to work. I thought I would save a few bucks over the Easy Star and ended up paying more for the Hawk Sky.

 

I bought an Easy Star and had it in the air within an hour and a half, including charging the battery for the first time. I strongly recommend that anyone who thinks of buying one of these planes just go buy an Easy Star and avoid the Hawk Sky --unless someone gives you one for free. That's exactly what they're worth in my book. Apparently, according to forums, my experience with the plane is pretty common. I'm pretty disappointed in Dynam and Nitroplanes, both companies I just won't deal with anymore.

 

However, I built an ardupilot system and installed it in the Easy Star, and while I haven't flown it yet --I still have a lot more to do, the plane reacts on the ground as I hold it in different attitudes, showing that it works. When I finally get it flying, I'll post about it.

 

There are two different versions of the Hawk Sky out there. One with 72mhz radio and another with 2,4ghz. The 2.4ghz comes with a brushless motor, the 72 with a brushed one --that's what I found anyway. I'm glad that some of you had good luck with the Hawk Sky, I sure didn't and it looks like I'm not alone.

• ▶ Reply