Multiwii and Megapirate AIO Flight Controller w/FTDI (ATmega 2560)

[Ross]

Anybody using this board found the problem with the incorrect component on the board (from Hobbyking)... that  will not allow the extended board and GPS  to operate  (wrong voltage  extended voltage reg on board...3.3v instead of 5v?).
Board operates on USB but not on correct Ubec source? 
Lot of complaints on US forum....(wish I had seen them before purchase!!)
See here       http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1790506

Would appreciate info before I jump on Hobbyking
Thanks.

[Gaza07]

Some one mentioned this in chat earlier not good ews if you have just purchased on 

[teslahed]

There appear to be a number of work arounds in the rcgroups thread involving using UBECs and bipassing the voltage regulator by doing a little bit of soldering.

It';s really bad that you should have to resort to such methods on new hardware you';ve just purchased - but if you are handy with a soldering iron you should be able to get it all working.

Anyone thinking of buying one of these boards though - just don';t. Get the rctimer one instead - worth paying a few quid more for something you know will work without being ';fixed'; first.

It';s pretty bad the way hobbyking are still selling it the way they are - it should be reduced in price by 50% and plastered with warning labels to let people know it wont just work.

[Ross]

Well I raised the complaint with Hobbyking on their warranty page on their webstite and they gave me a return address and returns  number.   You have to state your country before the form pops up.  UK address is  a place in Ipswitch (their UK warehouse).

LuckStuff Limited,
19. ELMSETT AIRFIELD,
IP7 6LN
IPSWITCH. Suffolk

  I told them that all boards of this type are affected.  They offered to replace it....with a new one...same type..Doh!!!.
Requested rebate of monies paid.
So there you are..if you have a duff order...tackle them as they seem pretty indifferent to their customers complaints.....mentioning Paypal seems to get a bit of action.  However...now they operate in the UK they come under the Trading Standards people...

RCTIMER  will receive my next order.

LATE EDIT. (9.1.13)
FORGET SENDING ANYTHING TO THE UK WAREHOUSE IF YOU BOUGHT IT FROM HOBBYKING HONG KONG.

[Ross]

There appear to be a number of work arounds in the rcgroups thread involving using UBECs and bipassing the voltage regulator by doing a little bit of soldering.

It';s really bad that you should have to resort to such methods on new hardware you';ve just purchased - but if you are handy with a soldering iron you should be able to get it all working.

Anyone thinking of buying one of these boards though - just don';t. Get the rctimer one instead - worth paying a few quid more for something you know will work without being ';fixed'; first.

It';s pretty bad the way hobbyking are still selling it the way they are - it should be reduced in price by 50% and plastered with warning labels to let people know it wont just work.

I had a good magnified look at the board and though I solder microchip sockets etc.. no way am I going to tackle a surface mount job!!
Suppose the lesson learned is ---  cheapness is never the best option particularly when most cheap stuff is a knock off of the real thing.
It seems RCTimer boards are the  genuine types.

[Ross]

Well, treated myself at RCTimer to a new original board..
Multiwii and Megapirate AIO Flight Controller w/FTDI (ATmega 2560) V2.0.   GPS and extended board....Broke but happy.....
Price goes up on 28th....so just made it.

[Gaza07]

Hi Ross have you bought this one http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=765&productname= if you have its the latest version of the APM with 16mb data flash 

[teslahed]

That';s the new V2.0 of the crius all in one pro - i wonder how it compares with the APM2.5?

It says you can run arducopter on it as well as megapirate and multiwii - if that';s true it might be a good rival for the apm 2.5 if it has the same features, same hardware, is a standard square size and can run more different firmware options than the apm.

I';ll be very interested to read the reports once it';s released and tested.

[Ross]

Hi Ross have you bought this one http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=765&productname= if you have its the latest version of the APM with 16mb data flash 

Yup..Thats the one.  I was after the same as the bummer I had from Hobbyking but yesterday it was not available.  Blow me, this one showed up when I logged on to RCTimer today..so...in for a penny...  Could be interesting.
  Now I shall have to start reading up things all over again........

Anyway.... 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

[Ross]

The sage of the duff  MUltiwii and Megapirate AIO board continues.....Sent the board to the UK warehouse of Hobbyking..No reply and had a heck of a job getting them to send it back. 
So..it appears..if you bought from HK in Honkers then it should be sent back to Honkers (despite filling in the form and saying you are in the UK and they give you a returns number to send to UK warehouse)
Good job I now have the "official"  board(s) from RCTimer...

Oh well, another day another dollar as they say.

(To be contined)

[QuadBod]

So..it appears..if you bought from HK in Honkers then it should be sent back to Honkers (

Hang on, they specifically say on the website (in one of the popups that occasionally appears where the "you';ve been looking at this product for a while" offers appear) that (paraphrasing) "unlike other companies, we don';t make you send faulty goods back to Hong Kong"...

[Gaza07]

I wouldn';t let these get away with this they have sold defective goods and are trying to get away with out giving people their money back, I read over on Rcg that one bloke wouldn';t drop it and they gave him HK credits for the value, I know its not cash back but most people need some thing so it shouldn';t be hard to use the credits up 

[Ross]

Hang on, they specifically say on the website (in one of the popups that occasionally appears where the "you';ve been looking at this product for a while" offers appear) that (paraphrasing) "unlike other companies, we don';t make you send faulty goods back to Hong Kong"...

You do not want to believe that. They told me to send it to the UK warehouse knowing I bought it in Hong Kong!!
They appear to be masters of obfuscation.