Why not a USB to Dongle Adaptor?

[Kozmyk]

While I fully understand the makers of Phoenix RC wanting to protect their copyright, what I CAN'T see is why they don't make a USB Adaptor (USB-in Jack plug-out) that would plug into their protection dongle.
People would have to buy it to use USB controllers and Phoenix wouldn't compromise their security.

I'm at the beginning of my RC Heli adventures and I would like to be able to "try before I buy" various aircraft using their much acclaimed software.
However it seems one has to buy a Transmitter first, THEN use their simulator.

This NOT just another of those "How do I use my pirated software posts".
I have already got a legit copy of Phoenix WITH a dongle BUT I can't use it till I get a Transmitter.

I reckon they're shooting themselves in the foot here, they could be selling USB adaptors all over ...

And I could be using their software while I choose which way to go after I move on from my little Blade mCX.

I notice that here on this forum, xygaz is making an adaptor for use with wireless receivers that feeds into a Phoenix dongle for those with TX's that won't plug in via wire.

If HE can do it, why don't THEY?

[unwind-protect]

But, even with xygax's adapter, you still need a transmitter... what are you planning on using, if you don't have a transmitter?

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about comparing helicopters on Phoenix. It seems to me the variability in setup in the real world far exceeds the variability from model to model on the sim.

[Kozmyk]

I take your point on comparisons but I'd like to test myself against the "next step" models I will be, hopefully, contemplating as I become more proficient on the Blade mCX (with E-Flite Tx) that I'm flying now.

I realise xygax's unit requires a Rx but my point is that if an enthusiast can make a unit of this type, why don't Phoenix offer one for beginners like me?

Surely beginners would benefit from superior flight models as well as experts.

Also, the ability to compare one's own real heli with the same model inside the simulator would allow one to judge how near to reality the sim gets and therefore be able to apply that experience when trying another model that one has not yet flown.

[challis349]

I see what you are saying, but if you are seriously contemplating stepping up and getting a larger model, then ultimately you are going to need a programable tx anyway, whatever heli you buy, as a beginner I feel you need a programable tx to dial the setting down a bit just like I've done, so buying a tx now to use on the sim is an investment for the future.

Also the whole point of a sim is to make it as real as possible, you are never going to go and fly a trex 600 nitro with an e flight tx!!

[pgkevet]

The real answer here is to ask Phoenix :-)... They are excellent at answering queries although i expect the answer will simply be volume economics.
One solution to your problem may be to try and source something like an old esky 6-channel tx. Secondhand they ought to cost less than the USB you want and still give a more realstic experience.

I gave both mine away last year but there's gotta be some members here with the odd one lurking..

[3Dheliflyer]

i have boguth phonix recently and installed it on both my pc's .is it possible if i wanted...to sell the cd for a good price and get my money back?

[challis349]

Bit of a thread jacked going on here lol

[GravityKills]

Can't answer your (OP) question, business decision of the manufacturer.
My recommendation to newcomers is, buy a halfway decent radio (DX6i or DX7) and Phoenix. Many people realize after an hour or ten that it's not for them, but if so, you'll be able to sell both with relative ease.

[Chippy]

i have boguth phonix recently and installed it on both my pc's .is it possible if i wanted...to sell the cd for a good price and get my money back?

The CD is worthless without the dongle and if you sold that you wouldnt be able to run Phoenix at all!

[Kozmyk]

Thanks for the responses, well most of them ... and for your advice, all of it.

I guess what I wanted was to be able to use Phoenix to help me develop a bit further BEFORE I invested more in a new hobby instead of the other way around.

Still, it's early days yet.

challis349 wrote
I see what you are saying, but if you are seriously contemplating stepping up and getting a larger model, then ultimately you are going to need a programable tx anyway, whatever heli you buy, as a beginner I feel you need a programable tx to dial the setting down a bit just like I've done, so buying a tx now to use on the sim is an investment for the future.

A very good point regarding programming response curves.
Unless they're programmable from inside the software, a computerised Tx would be essential wouldn't it.

I guess I'll just have to get down to some bullet biting earlier than I'd planned and get myself a Tx.
While a new Esky is advertised at £26 on the Interweb it seems pointless to get anything less than a DX6i.
At least that'll be fully compatible with my mCX.

So the next question will be whether to get Tx only or pick up an Rx at the same time. considering the likelihood of my getting an ARTF kit or a BNF sometime in the future.
Getting the spanners out could be fun but do you think that'd be wise at my stage ?
As an old sound engineer and biker, I know my foofooo valve from my left-hand flanging plush bar but there's so much to get wrong between a servo and a blade grip isn't there?

[challis349]

i only started a few months ago and started with the spanners straight away lol, you could always have a look around on here, as i got a dx6i used for £50, bringing the initial fee down a substantial amount, then you could always pich up an rx at a later date

[Kozmyk]

Ooookay ....

I've shopped around and found a DX6i with AR6200 Rx for 114.99 OR DX6i Tx Only for £84.60.
While I'm doing this "looking into the future" lark I think it's quite likely that I'm going to come to a stage where I'll be wanting to put a Receiver into something and I can't find an AR6200 for anything like the difference (£28.40) so I guess it's the combo for me.
Sorry if I'm doing my thinking out loud here.

[Steve]

I've (we've) just shelled out £22k on some software at work which has nothing to do with simulators, but it does require a dongle. The software is basically readily available direct from the supplier, but without the dongle, it doesn't work. So, when you pay your money for the licence, you're actually paying for the dongle.

This is an interesting position commercially. Normally, no insurance company will insure a piece of software. However, they will insure a physical item - i.e. the dongle. Now since the dongle is your licence to use the software, you can therefore insure the software against loss or theft or damage etc.

If you damage the dongle, the company will supply a new one (at a small cost of course), but if you loose your dongle, you have to buy a complete new licence at full cost....

Off topic a bit I know, but it's a kinda interesting way for the suppliers to protect their own interests, and I'm sure in its own way also applies to Phoenix.

[Kozmyk]

Oh, I see the need for dongles alright.
Inasmuch as they work.
Once hackers get to work on the software though the dongle is soon bypassed.

My moan at Phoenix was that they could have kept the dongle if it makes them feel more secure but at the same time offer a further adaptor so that USB controllers could be used through their dongle to operate their sim.

Anyway, I'm now past all that thanks to the members here.
I've now been persuaded that I will need to get a DX# sooner or later so it's just a question of :-
1) Buy now in case they go up
2) Hang on in case the price comes down

I'm sooo bad at hanging on once I'm in retail mode ...

[andylinney]

Koz, you're so much better just getting it over and done with and getting the tx you want. You'll only end up spending more in the long run so you're as well biting the bullet. Equally, if it's not for you it'll sell in no time at all and at a decent price so you've nothing to fear there.

Using the sim with a decent tx will give you a better feel of what to expect but as it's already been said, I wouldn't go and buy a model on the strength of how it flew in the sim. Sim-land is a perfect world where things don't vibrate / get hot / need balancing / fall off / need setting up and the models are 'modelled' at the best possible spec level. This means you're effectively flying a perfect machine which in real terms is either mechanically impossible or financially prohibitive.

Good luck on finding the right Tx for you (I'd recommend going into somewhere and actually having a feel of them before buying) as they're all quite different and you might find that Tx1 is totally wrong for you but Tx2 feels perfect. Most of us here use or have used the DX7 which is an excellent bit of kit, albeit quite expensive, it'll keep you right into your flying career regardless of what you end up going for.