Since i am doing changes to the design of both, software as well as hardware aspects of the system, i thought it would be nice to hear suggestions from others on what else could be added to the control before i finalize the production files for the release. Although i can't promise that all features requested, shall be implemented since i must have in mind my budget and time constrains, i can say for sure that if the suggestions are worth the effort and time, i shall most definitely try and fit them into my schedule.

Before making suggestions, please read the capabilities listed in the Products as well Blog sections since it may already be that your idea is something the current software or hardware can do.

I welcome everyone to pitch in and make the already cool control system even better. If someone can help out with some of the development to save me time and perhaps do it even better (i tend to overlook the most obvious some times when have lots on my mind) than i would ever be able to, then please contact me or just post about it in a different thread/forum category, related to the device you are comfortable helping out with (to keep the development of each system component separate from the main suggestion topic).

In any case, i thought to get the ball rolling and hopefully begin a great topic for others to participate in

To get things rolling here are the things that shall be redesigned for the 3D printed production and also for lowering the costs down:

1. The Model Controller Mark2 for the time being shall not be developed (No need for now i think)
2. RF Module mechanism will be redesigned for less PCB's and simpler assembly/disasssembly
3. Shoulder switches shall be modified to be more "Module Like" with no wires and just connectors
4. The main Monochrome LCD i am experimenting with a new one which should look really cool and have lots more contrast in the sunlight.
5. Actuated gimbals are being redesigned for cheaper production and better reliability.
6. FPVC Basic & Advanced boards are being altered a bit to be more user friendly, especially the Headphone jack for the Video Goggles needs some signal rearrangement.
7. FPVC module locking mechanism is modified (since we are using a 3D printer, more options are available)
8. 3rd Antenna. I don't really know if i should leave it or remove it from the design for now, it seems too much although could become useful for custom mods.
9. The Neck Strap is going to look a bit different due to the 3D printed production. The old one was the same as on all controls but it takes some extra steps to make them with Stainless Steel so i have few ideas to make it look original as well as simpler to integrate.
10. Since the 3D printer i am using can do Rubber-like materials i shall go a bit crazy with the grips and other parts of the main enclosure to make it stick to your grip
11. Battery compartment i am redesigning to make the battery slide in and have a smaller latch for closing it. Should be simpler to change the batteries and add different kinds if someone wants.
12. Flexible PCB's shall replace the internal wiring to make things neater since there are too many wires in the prototypes right now.
13. Back connectors position are to be moved to the side for practicality reasons. (Tnx Slatye for suggesting it)
14. Soft Power management of the system for sleep and wake up to conserve battery life. (Again tnx goes to Slatye for this idea)

Well these are the main things on my mind right now. I am sure that more small things shall get into the design as i go along but for now the above are the main priority. If anyone has any suggestions while i am working on this then feel free to add your idea to the mix.

I think you should keep all of the antennas. Actually, I think you should add MORE antennas for, say, Bluetooth and WiFi, for robotics applications and other applications that might need them.

I was thinking of adding the WiFi functionality to FPVC Advanced which already has internal GSM and RF antennas. It all comes down to how much the final price of the device will be since having GSM, WiFi, RF, GPS & Bluetooth would be quite expensive. But the antennas for these units already are internally available.

Tnx for posting this, shall definitely see if it is possible to have all these options.

I'd be happy if it just had a couple of holes in the casing (with rubber covers by default) where additional antennas could be attached. That makes it much easier to upgrade (compared to breaking out the drill and putting new holes in the case) but should cost virtually nothing.


A few other minor things:

1. The picture on the products page shows the trainer port on the back of the unit. I'm not sure about others, but for me this is a serious pain in the neck. All too often the TX gets put down with a trainer cord plugged in, resulting in damage to the cord and/or the TX. Ideally the trainer port would be on the top or one side to eliminate this problem. The same idea applies to other connectors, of course.
2. Handle positioning could be an issue with some modules (if the antenna collides with the handle). Could you make the handle easily removable? If not, it might be worth copying the measurements from a standard unit (eg. HobbyKing's Turnigy 9X) since most modules will avoid hitting the handles on those.
3. Neck strap position. Far too many modern transmitters have the neck strap attachment point positioned so that the TX will be perfectly balanced when the big 35MHz antenna is extended. Of course, no modern TX actually has a 35MHz antenna, so they're all off-balance. It's trivial to fix this (just move the attachment point) but worth checking on the final design.
4. Soft-power support would be nice. If the TX hasn't been moved for an hour, it might as well turn itself off, especially when you're using LiPo batteries. Presumably the LiPo protection system will turn it off when the battery goes flat, but that could take days and then it'll take hours to charge again.
5. Sliders on the side of the case. I've never used them, but in the HobbyKing thread about the new 9X-R (link) there are a few people saying that they're really, really useful.
6. Finally, anti-glare coatings for the displays! A display that doesn't work in sunlight is not a useful display.

Tnx for the feedback Slatye,

Definitely shall work on the connector position and Soft Power. The Handle has been tested with 3 major brands and no antenna problems occur. Mechanically the position of the handle and the handle it self however is ideally placed there for many reasons, internal as well as external. No worries about the neck strap, it is well positioned and the control balances quite nicely. I don't know about slider for now, really haven't used them ever in my life since they seem to be more annoying as you move them by mistake each time you grip the control, however they could be added to the shoulder modules.

The anti-glare isn't really an issue and really is out of my hands since this is something made on the screen it self or on the touch sensor, not to mention the additional costs.

I shall add these features to the list, so thank you for your feedback.