New Products that are Worth a Closer Look
WINGNUT
TECH NIGHT
RADIAN LED
CONTROLLER
THE E-FLITE NIGHT RADIAN FT 2.0M is a popular model that has introduced many hobbyists to the excitement of night flying. Its bright, multicolor LEDs create a dazzling light show in the sky.
One limitation, however, is that the model’s stock LED controller does not allow you to change the light sequence during flight. That is not the case with Wingnut Tech’s new Night Radian LED Controller. It gives you the freedom to change light sequences on the fly using your transmitter.
Swapping out the stock LED controller for the Wingnut Tech unit is easy. No soldering is required. You only need to plug in the connectors from the Night Radian’s LED strips and route a servo lead to your receiver. This board is designed to be placed under the belly hatch of the Night Radian and it actually frees up some space in the model’s crowded nose compartment.
You will need a spare channel on your radio system to connect the Wingnut Tech LED controller. If you’re flying the BNF version of the Night Radian, be advised that channels 4 through 6 of the included Spektrum AR636B receiver are inactive. You must activate them using the receiver programming software and one of the software interface devices offered by Spektrum. This detour will only take you a few minutes.
While installing the Wingnut Tech device (instructions are online), you will choose whether to control the lights with a knob or a switch on your transmitter. I chose the knob option. I simply turn the knob until I see the light sequence that I want. If you use a two-position or a three-position switch, the Wingnut Tech controller will cycle through the library of light sequences. You flip the switch to halt at your chosen light sequence.
The LED controller comes preprogrammed with a variety of light sequences. Wingnut Tech calls them “shows,” and for good reason. Some are simple solid colors, while others “move” the lights all around the Night Radian. Fans of the TV show Knight Rider will get a kick out of the Cylon sequence. If you really want to grab some attention, try the Strobe show! It will separate your model from the night-flying herd!
One feature that I found particularly useful is the Navigation Light option. When enabled, the LEDs in the left wingtip are red, those in the right wingtip are green, and the tail lights are white. The rest of the lights on the model
perform whatever show you have chosen. I found that having those solid references really helps with in-flight orientation, which can sometimes be a challenge when night flying.
Another interesting feature is the Altitude sequence. It uses the LED controller’s built-in variometer to give you a visual indicator of how high you are flying. As you climb, more lights become illuminated on the wing. Lights in the horizontal stabilizer turn red or green to indicate if you are climbing or descending.
If you’re handy with a keyboard, you can even create your own light sequences. Wingnut Tech allows you to download the controller code. You can then program custom shows and load them onto the controller.
Although the stock Night Radian FT 2.0m is a lot of fun, being able to control the lights during flight adds another level of excitement. Check out the $35 Night Radian LED Controller from Wingnut Tech and see what you’ve been missing.
New Products from the Modeler’s Mall
Mini AeroScout RTF @ $99.99+ S&H from HobbyZone
4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com/hobbyzone
The HobbyZone Mini AeroScout makes learning to fly an RC airplane easy and fun! The perfect trainer, it’s a smaller version of the popular AeroScout S. Featuring the same pusher configuration as the AeroScout S for better propeller and motor protection, the Mini AeroScout is made from sturdy EPP construction, making it the most durable HobbyZone airplane yet.
This RTF aircraft includes the controller, transmitter, and everything else needed to fly—including the AA transmitter batteries, a rechargeable LiPo battery, and a USB charger. The powerful motor offers excellent performance and long flight times of up to 10-plus minutes. Take off from or land on smooth surfaces with the included landing gear and steerable tail wheel or remove the landing gear to easily hand-launch then land on grass or other suitable surfaces. It’s also capable of performing aerobatic maneuvers such as loops and rolls.
The Mini AeroScout is quick and easy to assemble without glue or special tools, and a full line of replacement and spare parts is readily available.
Deluxe Materials Roket UV AD88 and AD89 @ (prices vary with currency conversion) + S&H from Deluxe Materials
Email: sales@deluxematerials.co.uk; website: www.deluxematerials.com
If you want to save time building models, look no further than the Deluxe Materials Roket UV, an ultraviolet- (UV) light-activated adhesive for tasks that require careful positioning and a strong cure on demand.
The adhesive allows parts to be positioned correctly before it cures using the supplied UV light. Drying crystal clear, Roket UV is non-blooming, has a fast, solid cure as short as 1 to 3 seconds, is odorless, can be painted, and can be used as a coating. It bonds most materials, including plastics, metal, wood, and leather, and is ideal for rapid bonding of clear plastics, simulating glass, or holding parts in place while other glues dry.
Roket UV is available in two sizes. The 5-gram AD 88 includes its own UV torch, and the AD 89 is a 20-gram top-up bottle. The product is available through the Deluxe Materials network of distributors. Check the website for more details, as well as for distributor and retail locations near you.
Fusion 480 Smart Power Combo Kit @ $599.99+ S&H from Blade
4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com/blade
Built on years of engineering and development knowledge, the Blade Fusion 480 helicopter packs all of the high-end features into a rugged and durable airframe that is ready to rip up the sky!
Featuring lightweight carbon-fiber material and anodized aluminum construction for rigidity and durability, the Fusion 480’s optimized control system geometry offers efficient and responsive control. The quiet, helical main gear is ready to be powered by a 40 mm to 43 mm brushless motor, and the belt-driven tail assembly is housed in construction that utilizes carbon fiber and aluminum to ensure precise performance with each flight.
The Smart Power combo includes a 4,320 to 1,300 Kv brushless motor and a Spektrum Avian Smart 100-amp ESC that is ready to transmit Smart battery and ESC data straight to a Spektrum battery over a single wire. The Avian ESC provides a one-wire solution to obtain telemetry data, such as current, voltage, cell balance, temperature, and rpm, and its 32-bit M4 processor produces higher-resolution signal input and a more accurate motor output for a locked-in and active throttle response. The ability to set up a fixed rpm governor when programmed with the Spektrum Smart ESC Programmer Box is also offered.
A six-channel DSMX transmitter, high-torque cyclic and tail rotor servos, a 22.2-volt 4,000 mAh 6S 50C Smart battery with IC5 connector, a DSMX flybarless control system, and a DSMX remote receiver are all required.
