In-Depth Review of the Flysky Paladin EV Transmitter: The Choice for Value

Description: In the world of RC modeling, the German ScaleART SA-5000 is renowned for its craftsmanship and capabilities, but its price tag keeps many enthusiasts at bay. The Flysky Paladin EV transmitter offers an affordable alternative with excellent performance, providing a new experience for modelers.

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I. Design and Functionality

The German ScaleART SA-5000 transmitter is known for its superior craftsmanship and powerful features, but its price range of 1500-3000 euros makes it inaccessible for many hobbyists. The Flysky Paladin EV transmitter, an upgrade from the flagship PL18, introduces a native five-axis joystick and offers an affordable yet high-performance experience for RC enthusiasts.

II. Innovation of the Five-Axis Joystick

The five-axis joystick of the PL18 EV, designed by Flysky, boasts a precision of up to 0.07 degrees using hall sensors and CNC-machined metal construction, offering a more accurate and reliable control experience. This addition simplifies the operation of complex models, especially when multiple actions need to be controlled simultaneously.

III. Hardware Configuration and Expansion

The PL18 EV comes in two editions: the standard and the flagship. The standard edition includes an FGr12B 12-channel receiver at a price of $528.90, while the flagship edition adds an FGr8B receiver and additional accessories, priced at $799. Both versions support the combination of receivers for expanded physical channels to meet various model requirements.

IV. Software Settings and User Experience

The PL18 EV features a 3.5-inch capacitive touch color LCD screen offering an intuitive interface in both Chinese and English. The transmitter supports up to 20 customizable linear mixing settings, providing a wealth of control options for models. Moreover, the PL18 EV also offers a "track mixing" function, simplifying the operation of tracked models.

V. Applicability and Endurance

The PL18 EV is not only suitable for engineering vehicle models but also for rock crawlers, boats, tanks, and more. Its built-in 4300mAh lithium battery provides long-lasting endurance, and in special application scenarios, it can be continuously powered via a USB port.

VI. Detail Design

The two main joysticks of the PL18 EV are equipped with flexible dust covers to keep out dust and grease. The soft texture of the cover does not add noticeable resistance to the control sticks. Another commendable feature is the gentle default spring tension of the PL18 EV joysticks, suitable for long play sessions without hand fatigue. The joysticks also feature ring-shaped RGB breathing lights, adding aesthetic appeal and fun to the experience.

VII. Powerful Hardware Expansion Features

The standard edition of the PL18EV comes with an FGr12B 12-channel receiver priced at $528.90, while the flagship edition includes both an FGr12B and an FGr8B receiver, priced at $799. Both editions use the same PL18EV host, and the main difference is the number and model of the receivers included. The flagship edition also comes with a wireless charging pad, a tray, a strap, and an aluminum case. The difference between the two is $900, and the price for an additional FGr8B receiver is just over $200, making the choice between the two editions a matter of personal preference.

VIII. Combining Receivers for More Physical Channels

The PL18EV is a 2.4G transmitter with 18 proportional channels, but Flysky does not produce an 18-channel receiver. Flysky's receivers are designed to minimize size while maximizing the number of ports, whether it's the common FTr10, FGr12B, or FGr8B.

IX. Dual Model (Dual Receiver) Control

In addition to the application modes introduced above, the PL18EV also supports "one-click switching" for control up to 36 channels. This feature fits two scenarios:

1. When you have two models that you want to control with the same transmitter, you can use the "model combination" function to switch between them with one click. For example, a dump truck and an excavator can be easily and quickly switched using the same transmitter, which is very practical when you are flying alone.

2. When your model has complex functions, such as a carrier crane model, you can assign the functions of the two receivers to the basic functions of the vehicle and the crane. Then use the "one-click switching" function provided by the PL18EV to switch between them. For example, in "driving mode," receiver A works, and the main joystick controls the vehicle's forward, backward, and steering, etc. When switching to "operation mode," receiver B works, and the main joystick corresponds to the operation of the hydraulic crane.

X. Dual-Mode One-Click Switching

The PL18EV also supports "dual-mode" one-click switching, offering "mobile mode" and "operation mode." In different modes, you can customize the "controls" used to operate the functions. For example, in mobile mode, left stick front and back are for forward and backward movement; when switching to operation mode, forward and backward movement can be defined to use other sticks.

XI. Sensor Integration

The receiver paired with the PL18EV also supports sensor integration. Flysky offers up to five different sensors for the receiver, most of which are designed for aircraft models, such as the FS-CPD01 magnetic rotation speed sensor, the FS-CPD02 optical steering sensor, and the FS-CAT01 air pressure altitude sensor. The FS-CTM01 temperature sensor and the FS-CVT01 voltage sensor are suitable for engineering machinery models.

After installing these sensors on the receiver, the telemetry data can be displayed in real-time on the LCD screen of the transmitter, and corresponding alarm thresholds can be set for additional prompts.

XII. Software Setup Features

The human-machine interface of the PL18EV transmitter is a 3.5-inch capacitive touch color LCD screen, offering menu languages in both Chinese and English.

Mixing control is crucial for engineering machinery models, mainly reflected in the mixing relationship between the valve and the pump; the mixing relationship between the action and the sound. The former determines the feel of the hydraulic system control, and the latter determines whether all actions correspond with the matching sound effects. Traditional RC transmitters usually have only eight mixing channels, which is sufficient for aircraft models. However, for complex engineering machinery models, it is not enough.

Because engineering machinery models not only have many valves (a fully hydraulic excavator may have up to nine directional valves), but also each action needs to match the corresponding simulated sound effect. If the actions of the nine valves all need to match the sound effects, a total of at least 18 mixing parameters are required.

The PL18EV also offers a "track mixing" function. If you do not want to use the double center return levers on both sides to control the two tracks of the excavator or tank (although this control method is very intuitive), but want to control the travel of the tracked model in the manner of driving a truck, then this function must be used. In the past, we relied on manual setting of mixing to achieve these functions, but now the PL18EV has taken this function out for separate setting, making the method more convenient and worth a try.

XIII. Other Features

The Flysky PL18EV engineering machinery model-specific transmitter is not only suitable for engineering machinery models but also for rock climbers, boats, tanks, and even drones.

Its hardware comes from the PL18 universal transmitter and is recommended for players who play with cars and engineering machinery models.

The PL18EV comes with a built-in 4300mAh large-capacity lithium battery, offering long battery life and eliminating range anxiety under normal usage.

For special application scenarios that require unlimited battery life, you can continuously power the transmitter via a USB port using a power bank.

Conclusion

The Flysky PL18 EV transmitter, with its high cost-performance ratio and powerful features, provides an ideal choice for model enthusiasts. Whether it's control complexity or user experience, the PL18 EV performs excellently and is undoubtedly an ideal partner for engineering vehicle model enthusiasts.
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Keywords: Flysky Paladin EV, Engineering Vehicle Model Transmitter, Five-Axis Joystick, Cost-Effective, Transmitter, Hydraulic Model Control