Flytrex Live 3G Released - Review

[milspecjsc]

Hi guys,

My name is Amit Regev and I'm part of the Flytrex team.

Unfortunately during testing we found that part of our last CAN BUS batch was defective (more than the usual faulty devices we usually see during QA) and therefore ran out of stock of CAN BUS adapters about two weeks earlier than originally expected.

Since then we've been working closely with our factory to speed up manufacturing of new CAN BUS stock so we could get back on CAN BUS shipments as quickly as possible. The good news is that we already finished manufacturing of the new CAN BUS stock and it is now in transit to our offices. We are expected to receive the new stock this Wednesday or Thursday.

Once received, we will start catching up with all CAN-BUS pending orders and expect to finish catching up with all pending orders within 3-4 days, so it shouldn't take much longer.

We're very sorry about this delay and inconvenience! We do our best to estimate stock and ship as quickly as possible.

I hope this helps and will post some good updates in the next few days.

Amit, Thank you for your update. Keep up the good work.

 

[bergenfelter]

I just ordered my Flytrex 3G Live with the can bus adapter a couple of days ago for my P2V+. Ordered off their web store - any idea on lead time to Midwest US? Have not heard anything since placing my order.

Hi bergenfelter

Please see my post above this for a bit more details about current shipment status.

Overall we are in full stock, expect for the CAN-BUS adapters that should be here this Wednesday/Thursday as well. You can expect to have your order shipped towards the end of this week or start of upcoming week. We'll do our best to ship as quickly as possible.

I'm very sorry for this delay! :/

Amit - Thanks for the communications and shipping a quality product. Really looking forward to trying your technology.

John.

 

[Brent10]

Hi guys,

My name is Amit Regev and I'm part of the Flytrex team.

The good news is that we already finished manufacturing of the new CAN BUS stock and it is now in transit to our offices. We are expected to receive the new stock this Wednesday or Thursday.

Once received, we will start catching up with all CAN-BUS pending orders and expect to finish catching up with all pending orders within 3-4 days, so it shouldn't take much longer.

We do our best to estimate stock and ship as quickly as possible.

I hope this helps and will post some good updates in the next few days.

That's good news. I appreciate Flytrex's QA standards. Thanks for the update, Amit.

 

[terrylowe]

Amit,

Are you moving the CAN-BUS orders yet? Trying to be patient.

 

[bbfpv]

Amit,

Are you moving the CAN-BUS orders yet? Trying to be patient.

Just spoke to him. They're shipping.

 

[gbello23]

I received a shipping notification over the weekend. Can't wait!

Just curious, any Canadian Flytrex owners here? I'd like to hear which SIM card carriers are being used up here.

 

[jasonnelson007]

I received a shipping notification over the weekend. Can't wait!

Just curious, any Canadian Flytrex owners here? I'd like to hear which SIM card carriers are being used up here.

Ya I'm from alberta and was asking the same thing but with very little response. I use bell @$10/month and it shares my data plan. Telus also works.

 

[gbello23]

I received a shipping notification over the weekend. Can't wait!

Just curious, any Canadian Flytrex owners here? I'd like to hear which SIM card carriers are being used up here.

Ya I'm from alberta and was asking the same thing but with very little response. I use bell @$10/month and it shares my data plan. Telus also works.

I'm curious if the 7-11 speakout sim card would work. $25 and lasts a year.
Bell is my cell provider, thanks for the info

 

[jasonnelson007]

I'm not sure if they would. I live in a small town and stopped in at my one 7-11 to try to buy one of these but they never had them in stock. I'm sure it would. Anything you can put into an unlocked phone and it works you can put into the flytrex so this is a good way of testing. That's what I did.

 

[terrylowe]

I received a shipping notification over the weekend. Can't wait!

When did you order yours? Did you get the can-bus cable?

 

[gbello23]

I'm not sure if they would. I live in a small town and stopped in at my one 7-11 to try to buy one of these but they never had them in stock. I'm sure it would. Anything you can put into an unlocked phone and it works you can put into the flytrex so this is a good way of testing. That's what I did.

You can order online with free shipping... I'll try it out.

 

[gbello23]

I received a shipping notification over the weekend. Can't wait!

When did you order yours? Did you get the can-bus cable?

I ordered February 12th. Yes canbus

 

[bergenfelter]

What is the usual time for express shipping from Flytrex Israel to the US - Midwest? Does it usually get handed off to the local US postal service?

Thanks!

 

[AmosMoses]

What is the usual time for express shipping from Flytrex Israel to the US - Midwest? Does it usually get handed off to the local US postal service?

Thanks!

I received tracking information for my order on the 21st. It's supposed to be 4days but the tracking shows it's last scan was in TEL AVIV YAFO, Israel on the 24th.
It does show it transferred over to the usps at some point though.

 

[Brent10]

I received tracking information for my order on the 21st. It's supposed to be 4days but the tracking shows it's last scan was in TEL AVIV YAFO, Israel on the 24th.
It does show it transferred over to the usps at some point though.

My tracking information is exactly the same. In all likelihood we should have them early in the week.

 

[flyNfrank]

That quality issue really hit them hard. I have order on Sunday before from them and it was in my mailbox on weds. I live in Indiana. I about flipped when I opened the box and there it was. This also in the same week that big jetliner was shot down.

 

[bergenfelter]

Last one I had was "The EMS item was sent to the US" on Feb 24.

 

[DrJoe]

Report on my Flytrex Live 3G experience:

Installation:
I purchased the Flytrex Live in November during its first release. It took about 3 weeks for me to receive it. I installed it on December 3, 2014. My model needed to be soldered into power. I elected to solder directly to the main power distribution board (this was not difficult for me, as I had already swapped my WiFi unit and was comfortable monkeying around in that area). I ran the wires as recommended. I used 3M industrial velcro to attach the unit to the bottom of the Phantom. The Flytrex lit right up, connected to the cellular network, and started transmitting data (it uses the same SIM card as an iPhone 4, I added it to my AT&T plan for $10/mo.).

Performance:
On my first flight attempt, I notice a longer than usual aquistition of satellites. The Phantom could not receive more than 4. I re-opened the Phantom and placed sheilding tape around the GPS pigtail and the lead out to the Flytrex unit. The satellite count jumped right up and I have had no further issues with satellite count. The unit transmitted data live to the website without issue. I downloaded the iPhone app and that worked flawlessly. I was even able to use the app to track and fly the Phantom without the use of the DJI Vision App (though obviously without video), and I was pleased I had this "backup" in case of a WiFi connection failure. The data recorded by the Flytrex goes right to my profile on their website. I have not yet had to attach the Flytrex to my computer, as I don't use the raw data.

Concerns:
Wire lead:
The power lead connection going into the Flytrex unit. It is a small gauge wire/plastic connector and I had a wire pull out. With a little work, I was able to reconnect, but I'd like to purchase a spare connector and wire lead in case of issues in the field.

Flytrex financial health:
I don't like being tied to a small company. If Flytrex becomes insolvent or stops operations, the unit becomes useless except as performance monitor (flytrex core). While this information is useful and the company sold many units of just the Flytrex core, I love the Live ability to put flight data right up to the web and track the unit. Hopefully, many in the R/C community see the advantages of such a fantastic unit and continue to support this wonderful company.

Conclusions:
Wouldn't want to fly without it. Get one. Now.

 

[Brent10]

Last one I had was "The EMS item was sent to the US" on Feb 24.

If you paste the EMS tracking number into the USPS website you should see updated status.

 

[Kev the Frog]

Report on my Flytrex Live 3G experience:

Performance:
On my first flight attempt, I notice a longer than usual aquistition of satellites. The Phantom could not receive more than 4. I re-opened the Phantom and placed sheilding tape around the GPS pigtail and the lead out to the Flytrex unit. The satellite count jumped right up and I have had no further issues with satellite count. The unit transmitted data live to the website without issue.

Exactly the same problem I have. I had a stage 3 antenna mod done at the same time as a Flytrex 2G (not the 3G) by an experienced and trusted specialist company here in the UK (Horizon Antennas).

I had already previously upgraded with the shield mod and repositioned and shielded the lead to the original connection point.

My Sat count on the 3 flights I have completed since, varied between 4 and 10 (in every flight). I subsequently had 3 flyaways:-

Flyaway 1 and 2 where easily recoverable by using the switch to toggle up/down and up to re-establish GPS mode.

I then upgraded the stock antenna with the recommended 4mm one (in other threads).

Flight / Flyaway 3 ended with an DGI automated landing, over 1000 ft from home, but recovered by using the Flytrex Data and "Last Seen" to find it (100% on the money with the location).

However, I haven't flown since, as I am afraid of a "not so lucky next time" situation.

I am going to try your mod to wrap the cables and joints to shield, and try again......

Kev