WALKERA DEVO 12 TRANSMITTER.

Walkera DEVO 12 Transmitter.

http://www.rcecho.com/Walkera-Devention-DEVO-8-2.4GHz-8ch-Micro-Computer-Transmitter-and-Receiver-TS870.html

http://www.rcecho.com/images/walkeradevention8chtransmitter01.jpg

Due to a minor illness that as kept me from flying for a few weeks, I decided I needed some therapy, what better than a new transmitter to “play” with. I decided on the new “super” Tx. The Walkera 12 ch.DEVO12. As I can find very little info on this set, this article is of observations and completely non-technical.
The tx.was purchased from China, cost around $500.00 including ESM freight, arrived in perfect condition in 4 days from order. It consisted of a 12 ch. 2.4 Tx, transmitter battery pack, 120-240 v. Lipo battery charger, 12 ch receiver, quality neckstrap and lockable aluminium case. Seems expensive but cheap as compared with top JR and Futaba. No instruction book at all. However I am familiar with 10 ch.JR and recently converted to the fantastic Hitec Aurora so really no problem.
Visually the tx. shape has been copied from the latest JR, you either hate it or love it, it’s OK, quite light, perfectly balanced and exterior quality a par with JR. No Chinese junk in appearance.
This is NOT a computer radio, this is a transmitter built around a LARGE computer window screen. I read somewhere you can bring up 800 different “windows” on the screen. The screen is both touch operated but unlike the buttons on other tx. these buttons operate similar to either a mouse or a keyboard. ENTER EXIT RIGHT LEFT UP DOWN. They move icons and cursor on the screen ah la computer. The screen is backlite with numerous adjustments for light and timing, plus different backgrounds. You can download a series of window photos from the deVention website, but this is not necessary as the screen show full details, photos .graphs, no abbreviations, just very simple.
Some of the gimmicky features. Auxilary controls go though the set and can be operated from either the front or rear, a flush mounted, spring loaded neck strap attachment, well concealed touch screen probe and the tx.battery. At last someone has come up with a great set up. Firstlty the battery lid is sprung loaded and is not need to support the battery, a monster 3000 mah. Single cell 3.7 v. hard case lipo,branded DEVO similar to mobile phone or laptop batteries. The charger is 120-240 volt with both cut outs for fully charged and minimum charge. It HAS to be charged in the set due to the connectors although you could crudely use alligator clips.
The sets come in Mode 1,2,3 or 4 and to change the stick assemblies on the back is the hardest I have ever done. Mainly because there are no visible screws or bolts on the Tx. all are hidden , nearly 20 of them. The spring changeover takes a little thought and is quite crude but effective. Quite a drama.
It is obvious this set is designed around helis but still has more than most for both aircraft and gliders. 4 different set ups, 12 mixes. I have no idea if this set is technical first class , but knowing of the quality of Walkera helis, I could not understand them going any other way.
Now it has a couple of odd things, that not being technical minded, I cannot understand. Firstly the receiver battery voltage is stated a 5 volt. no less. no more so at this time I have not connected it just in case. I’m just working around info shown on the monitor. At a guess it would probably be OK from 4.8 to 6.6v. I have written to deVention and will be interested if I get a reply. We all know Chinese of support. Secondly there is no mention of binding the rx. to the tx. and as stated I am still “playing” and awaiting a reply. Additional rx’s are available for around $60.00. Also no mention or buttons to range check the system. However amongst the numerous ICONS there is “POWER AMPLIFER” with both a graph and adjustments from -5dBm to +20dBm. Anyone know about dBm’s ? and what would be the nominal range.

All in all this looks like a great set up, certainly a great “toy”. There is a lot of good stuff coming out of China now and we can no longer assume the being “cheap” is inferior. If anyone is interested, I will follow up with info received from deVention (fingures crossed) and follow up with flight tests and look forward to receiving notes from anyone else with this system.