Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
DYNAMITE PASSPORT DUO 400-WATT DUAL AC/DC TOUCH CHARGER
Tony Stillman reviewed the Dynamite Passport Duo 400-Watt Dual AC/DC Touch Charger from Horizon Hobby. Here is what he had to say:
The Dynamite Passport Ultra Force Duo charger arrived in a full-color box with the contents well protected in a nice foam container. In the box were the following:
- Passport Ultra Force Duo charger
- Instruction manual in English, French, Italian, and German
- AC power cord
- Dynamite LiPo charge protection bag
- Two banana plug-to-EC3 battery connector (DYNC0066)
- Two banana-plug-to-XT60 battery connector
- One banana-plug-to-Futaba J connector
- One banana-plug-to-male Deans connector
- Two JST-XH balance adaptors (DYN5032)
The charger itself looks well made. It is housed in a nice aluminum case with two large LCD displays for easy readout of information. A nice feature is the five-year warranty prominently displayed on the box! In today’s world of battery chargers, this is a welcome feature.
I have always recommended that modelers purchase quality equipment from a reputable dealer who can support the item in the future. With this great warranty, you can be assured that you have spent your money well.
The front panel includes connections for each of the charger ports, balance ports, temperature sensors (not included), and USB 2.1-amp charger port. The side panel has the input for DC power, AC power, and the main power switch, as well as fans to cool the unit.
This versatile charger has the ability to charge, discharge, and balance all major types of batteries used in RC today.
For testing purposes, I chose a 3S 1,300 mAh E-flite LiPo battery. I installed the proper EC3 battery connector to one of the charger outputs. I then connected the JST XH balance adaptor to the charger. After turning on the unit, I connected my battery pack power lead and balance lead.
The intuitive touch-screen display is easy to use. The main screen helps you select the battery type and what you want to do to the battery. Using the left or right arrows on the screen, you can scroll between LiPo, LiFe, Li-Ion, NiMH, NiCd, and Pb. This is also where you access the charger’s setup, balance, and memory portions.
SPECIFICATIONS
AC Input: 100 to 240 volts AC
DC Input: 11 to 18 volts DC
Battery balance connector: JST XH
Battery temperature monitoring: Temperature sensor (not included)
Battery types: LiPo, LiFe, Li-Ion, NiMH, NiCd, and Pb
Display: Monochrome touch screen, 400 x 240
Input connector: AC cord
Maximum continuous discharge rate: .01 to 5.0 amps/25 watts per channel
Model memory: 20 battery settings
Output connector: Banana to EC3; Banana to Deans Compatible; Banana to receiver
PC connectivity: USB, external adapter required
Price: $249.99
Info: horizonhobby.com
FEATURES
- Intuitive touch-screen display
- 500-watt internal power supply
- 200-watt charge power per output
- 25-watt discharge power per output
After selecting the LiPo option, I pushed charge on the screen, which moved me to my specific battery setup to charge. This LiPo charge submenu screen displays the following information: pack voltage, capacity, current, and end cell voltage.
To set up the unit for my battery pack, I used the arrow up or arrow down buttons to scroll to the item I wanted to adjust. First, I set it to the top line and pressed enter. This highlighted the menu to allow me to use the up and down arrows to choose the number of cells and voltage. I set it to 11.1 volts for 3S.
Next I pressed select and the down arrow to move to capacity. I pressed select again to highlight it and again use the up and down arrows to adjust the capacity to fit my battery—in this case a 1,300 mAh LiPo. The adjustment is in 50 mAh increments.
Next, I moved to the current settings to adjust the charge rate. It defaults at a 1C charge rate, which is what I use for all of my batteries, so I didn’t change it. The end cell voltage is preset and for LiPo batteries, it defaults at 4.2 volts.
When the charger was programmed for my battery, I slipped the battery pack inside the provided charge sack for additional safety. After closing the bag, press and hold the word charge on the bottom line for roughly 2 seconds, and the unit will begin charging.
If you use the balance board, you will be balance charging the battery, which is always the best option. The display changes to give you information about the current battery status, including elapsed time, capacity that the charger has put into the battery so far, current going into the battery, battery voltage, resistance in micro ohms, and peak temperature (if the temperature sensor is installed and attached to the battery). You can go to a second page to view individual cell voltages, the cell resistance screen, and the battery voltage graph.
Charging continues until the battery is fully charged or the user cancels the process. When the charge is complete, the unit will emit a tone. Just unplug the battery and your pack is ready to use.
I have lots of batteries, so another nice aspect of the Passport is the memory feature. This allows you to preprogram charge parameters for several types of batteries, making your setup much quicker. The handy charge ports on the front allow you to charge your phone or iPad at the field as well! Horizon Hobby thought of everything!
In addition to charging your batteries, you can also use the Passport Ultra Force Duo to discharge all types of batteries. You can select Lithium Storage charging to prepare your batteries for storage.
With dual outputs, this charger can quickly get all of your packs charged and ready for a day at the flying field. It can be used at the field with the handy DC input to handle your charging needs at the field. Additionally, it can be a great diagnostic tool to check your packs and see how they are holding up.
One of the very best purchases you can make in this hobby is that of a quality charger that has the features to handle virtually any and all battery packs. The Passport Ultra Force Duo fills this bill! Knowing the condition of your batteries and knowing they won’t let you down goes a long way toward enjoying your day at the field. The Passport Ultra Force Duo is a charger that won’t let you down!
Horizon Hobby: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com
VQ Focke-Wulf Fw-190 D9 .46 EP/GP Warbird @ $219.95 + S&H from VQ Warbirds, Box 3512, Bryan TX 77805; email: info@vqwarbirds.com; website: www.vqwarbirds.com
The Focke-Wulf Fw-190 was considered one of Germany’s best fighters during World War II. Germany produced more than 20,000 of these formidable fighters. The VQ Warbirds Fw-190 D9 captures the beauty and grace of this icon in a .46-size warbird that is suitable for intermediate to experienced RC pilots.
The 59-inch wingspan aircraft is ready for electric or glow power. Made from laser-cut balsa and plywood, it is fully covered with weathered details and includes a hand-painted pilot, fiberglass cowling, prehinged and installed control surfaces, and a top hatch for battery access. Optional electric retracts and struts are available.
A five-channel radio with four servos for electric power and five servos for glow power are needed. A .46 to .50 two-stroke engine or electric 3S or 4S setups are recommended. The Fw-190 includes the tail gear assembly and main wheels, servo trays, engine mounts, fuel tank, spinner, decals, hardware, and assembly instructions with photos.
Torrent 110 FPV PNP Racing Drone @ $179.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
Blade’s Torrent 110 FPV Racing Drone is great for both beginners and advanced racers. This powerful 110mm FPV racer can be flown indoors and out—and it fits inside your pocket!
Propeller guards make it safe to fly indoors, while high-torque brushless motors give it enough authority to handle outside elements. The 2mm carbon-fiber frame adds durability, while a 150-milliwatt VTX provides clean and powerful video in any environment. The 600 TVL camera, with a 120° field of view, allows pilots to see clearly.
The Torrent 110 is equipped with a Betaflight-configured F3 flight controller, allowing PID tuning via a micro USB, while coming out of the box professionally tuned. The power system is designed to be both 3S and 2S capable, while the BLHeli ESC offers simplicity, power, and adjustability.
A six-channel transmitter, suitable serial receiver, FPV monitor or headset, 450 mAh 3S or 800 mAh 2S LiPo battery with JST connector, battery charger, and JST charge adapter are required.
Futaba 6K V2 2.4 GHz Computer Radio System @ $199.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (217) 398-8970; website: www.futaba-rc.com
Futaba has increased the versatility of the Futaba 6K radio system with the new Version 2 firmware that offers two more control channels. The included R3006SB receiver’s S.Bus/S.Bus2 port enables the new 6K to accept additional accessories. The firmware update builds in compatibility with optional SBS-01C and SBS-01V sensors to gather real-time telemetry data for the motor current, battery voltage, and capacity.
Multicopter flight modes are expanded with five Priority types to provide greater flexibility with flight conditions, and nine Matrix types to allow the pilot to control camera gimble operations with the 6K’s on/off switches. Throttle Integrate has been added to the timer system to link the timer speed to the throttle position, as well as vibration alerts with the timer functions.
Current owners of the original 6K can update their systems with free V2 firmware, available on the Futaba website.
KDEXF-DMA Device Manager Adapter for UAS Electronic Speed Controller Series @ $17.95 + S&H from KDE Direct, 20760 Carmen Loop, Ste. 140, Bend OR 97702; Tel.: (360) 818-4215; website: www.kdedirect.com
The new KDE Direct Device Manager Adapter provides the ability to update KDE Direct UAS ESCs to the latest production firmware releases and to customize advanced options for multiple applications.
A wide range of new control algorithm technologies, such as brushless motor startup power, drive frequency, synchronous rectification, temperature-controlled regeneration braking, voltage cutoffs, and many more can be programmed. Optimized settings are automatically applied after firmware updates, with no additional changes needed for correct operation of KDE Direct UAS Multi-Rotor Brushless Motors for most UAS and multirotor applications. Advanced programming options are available for fixed-wing, single-rotor, and custom flight applications.
The KDEXF-DMA Device Manager Adapter is compatible with Windows 2000, Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. For compatibility with Apple systems, emulation software such as Boot Camp or Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac is required.
Folding Propeller Adapter Assembly 5/38mm with Blade Stopper @ $18 + S&H from Esprit Tech/Model, Box 360815, Melbourne FL 32936; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
The Folding Propeller Adapter Assembly 5/38mm with Blade Stopper was specifically developed for UAV, FPV, or scale/sport airplane electric pusher applications, where crossing the blades on startup could be catastrophic.
The blade stopper uses a yoke for support and securely locks onto the 5mm motor shaft. The combination comes with the fiberglass blade stopper, a 5/8mm (M8) propeller shaft adapter, and the 38mm/8mm aluminum yoke.
RISE House Racer FPV Race Gate System @ $39.99 + S&H Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (217) 398-8970; website: www.explore-rise.com
Transform your home into a high-octane, high-adrenaline FPV obstacle course with the RISE House Racer FPV Race Gate System. Easily have a new adventure in every room—master every twist and turn, take the system apart,
The gate system is ideal for the Vision House Racer and drones up to 125mm diagonal. The system includes 1,600mm ring gates, arrows, a checkered flag gate, pylon gate, and 3M Command strips. Expand the layout by purchasing an elevated race gate, an arch race gate with flags, or even a ring race gate with LEDs. All are sold separately from the gate system.
Carbon-Z Cessna 150 2.1-meter BNF Basic @ $399.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.e-fliterc.com
The Cessna 150 is one of Cessna’s most popular personal airplanes. E-flite has reproduced it with a sport scale BNF model that can do it all.
The BNF Basic version of the Cessna 150 includes a powerful brushless motor with a 60-amp ESC. Four 26-gram MG mini servos and two 13-gram micro servos are installed, as well as an AS3X receiver with optional SAFE Select technology.
The Carbon-Z Cessna 310 measures 84 inches from wingtip to wingtip and comes with scale details such as preinstalled LED lighting, a shock-absorbing nose strut, fully functional flaps, wheel pants, molded panel lines, and corrugated control surfaces like those on the full-scale aircraft. It features a two-piece wing, large battery hatch, and an innovative, hands-free servo connection system.
A full-range six-plus-channel DSMX/DSM2 transmitter, 4S to 6S 4,000 to 7,000 mAh LiPo battery, and compatible LiPo charger are needed to complete this must-have RC aircraft. Optional floats with a working water rudder are also available.
Freewing Yak-130 Red Super Scale Ultra Performance 8S 90mm EDF Jet @ $529 + S&H from Motion RC, 320 Gary Point Dr., Unit B, Cary IL 60013; Tel.: (224) 633-9090; website: www.motionrc.com
Motion RC has partnered with Freewing to offer the Yakovlev Yak-130 Super Scale Ultra Performance 8S 90mm EDF Jet. The full-scale Yak-130 was designed as a trainer/light attack aircraft and is the most advanced trainer utilized by the Russian Air Force.
The Red 02 trainer scheme is easy to orient in the sky. High-end electronics and hardware are abundant on this model, from the bright 3W navigation and landing lights, to the retractable, shock-absorbing, aluminum electric landing gear and metal gear servos.
This 8S version is powered by a 1,250 Kv motor and Hobbywing 150-amp ESC. The EDF features 12 composite blades with a metal housing and produces a “whoosh” that sounds like a turbine jet. Flaps are fully functional.
The motor, servos, ESC, and EDF are all installed; a minimum seven-channel radio, seven- to eight-channel receiver, two four-cell 14.8-volt 5,000 mAh LiPo batteries with EC5 connector, EC5 2-to-1 series adapter, and a compatible battery charger are required.
