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  • Admin
    Morli June 6, 2010 at 2:19pm
    Yep , if that is true( it isn't clone) renegotiate or buy direct from HK / factory instead of wasting time negotiating( unless there is exclusive distribution clause somewhere).
    And yes, it is shame when someone's hard work is shamelessly stolen and sold cheaper thereby undermining such development in future :( . It is double sided sword.
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer June 6, 2010 at 2:07pm
    No your right, it looks like the real deal, maybe Dean can re negotiate what he pays FMA if they have dropped the cost to suppliers so much. Other people are cloning the sensors and under cutting Dean as well, its a shame really. He is just doing the right thing.
  • Admin
    Morli June 6, 2010 at 1:59pm
    Gary, with all due respect , is that possible if they are buying it from same source like TCIII mentioned?. It does not look like a clone and I doubt HK will go for outright piracy/ royalty violation. HK is known for buying out production line just to keep good product in stock and smooth supply chain( not to mention the cost down too). May be it is time for FMA to revise their price. Having said that may be you are right. :)
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer June 6, 2010 at 1:51pm
    They are not paying a licence fee, like Dean and Chris are
  • Admin
    Morli June 6, 2010 at 1:48pm
    thanks TC , I understand now. But without the programmer , how do they expect any one to use it?!! And what stops them from selling that too? I searched but could not find the programmer for it in HK!. May be a clone for it too might come out soon.

    Chris M , I understand and agree with you. But how do they( ?) undercut you? Higher over heads?
  • Chris McNair June 6, 2010 at 1:40pm
    I still think its a clone. Dean had to deal with and continues to deal with FMA due to royalties. There is no way they would make enough off that alone. This product directly undercuts them and does it with their name. I have 3 aircraft I worked on in the hobby world that are covered with patents in US, UK and AU. This still does not stop them from somehow selling a direct clone with our patent numbers and aircraft name of our hard work and undercutting us. Its a sad deal but reality. I am surprised we have not seen an Atto clone yet...... It will never be the same thing.

    Maybe you are right Chris.

    Chris McNair
  • Admin
    Thomas J Coyle III June 6, 2010 at 12:37pm
    Morli,

    The Z sensor is called the Vertical Sensor in the group of four Copilot II modules shown above. There is no Z sensor for the Copilot I which has to be manuallly calibrated at the field by tilting the aircraft to a vertical nose down position.

    Regards,
    TCIII
  • Admin
    Morli June 6, 2010 at 10:18am
    TC/Chris,
    thanks for the info. can't see if Z sensor is included or not. Is it part of/built into one sensor package shown above? thanks
  • Moderator
    Gary Mortimer June 6, 2010 at 10:03am
    I was wondering if it was without sensors, its a heck of a bargain for a very handy system.
  • Admin
    Thomas J Coyle III June 6, 2010 at 10:01am
    Hi all,

    I have both the Copilot I and II and like them very much. I believe that the Copilot II is better for beginners as it includes the Z senor for auto calibration.

    However, before anyone gets too excited over the price of the Copilot II, be aware that the Hobby King Copilot II combo does not include the IRNet Programmer which FMA direct sells for $54.95. You cannot program the Copilot II without the IRNet Programmer. Also, if you want to update the Copilot II, you will need the FMA P.C. USB interface module #3 which FMA sells for $24.95.

    Also, the Copilot is made by Revoelectric in Indonesia thereby making FMA Direct just a front end seller like Hobby King.

    Just a thought.

    Regards,
    TCIII
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