New Plantraco R/C Transmitter with FMS interface - We are releasing a Tx with FMS Interface

[Plantraco]

Dear FMS Users,

Our company will soon release a new Blimp R/C product.

The new included R/C Transmitter will have a serial output that can function with the FMS Flight Simulator. Sort of like our Telecommander interface found on our (non proportional) Desktop Rover Transmitter at:



Our New Transmitter is full proportional - completely different Transmitter.

We added the FMS interactivity because it was very easy and inexpensive for our company to do so, and we hope to be able to make FMS models of our own R/C aircraft and then we would be able to recommend the FMS flight simulator to our customers and allow them to download our FMS models for learning to fly on the simulator before flying the real model aircraft. You get the picture. We think that our customers will appreciate that we have given them a really great transmitter that can be used with FMS as a bonus... They can learn to fly on the computer before taking their plane for it's first flight. (just think how much money I could have saved if I had learned to fly that way instead of trial and error eh?) : )

ALSO - What do you think an FMS user would be willing to pay for a "stand alone" transmitter box that will interface by RS-232 for FMS interface? We could remove all the transmitter circuitry and build a fairly cheap "hollowed out" Tx case with only the FMS function. We can do this very very easily, but will it be a waste of time and a burden on our customer service department? ie: can it be profitable? The only thing that will make it profitable is the fact that we already have complete injection plastics tooling.

What is your ideal price - For instance would it be a good deal at $25.00 USD? Would you still be interested at $40.00?

Is it worthwhile for our company to support FMS interface for our new transmitter? ( loaded question here, I hope I get some responses)


Regards

Bud

[ggunners]

Plantraco,

If your transmitter shell looks and feels like a real transmitter then it would be a step up from a dual analog joystick which we're all paying $10 to $20 for.

A brand new 4 channel transmitter from GWS costs $50 and they sell an FMS cable for $5 that only works with the parallel port so only compatible with Win9x,ME.

Something that'd work with all versions of Windows and sell for $25 or $30 would be well received. Getting up to $40 and you're pushing the real transmitter prices.

Something else to think of is a mini-transmitter for those that like to take a real transmitter on the road while they travel. We have some planes like the Carbon Falcom or IFO that'll pack in our bags but then we need room for a full size transmitter. A smaller one that's fully capable would be too cool.

All the best.

-- ggunners

[monzie]

Plantraco,

I think this is a great idea. I know I learned how to fly on FMS but had to make my own PC-FMS interface. Will your transmitter work with all PCs?

[Plantraco]