What is the news on the software for ProgUNIT?

[Trexwilly]

I ordered a ProgUNIT, I was wondering if anyone has heard of, or knows of the expected date for the windows software? I also wonder if this will work with the last generation of Jive ESCs like the heli jive and my Jive 80HVs?

[Magneto]

The ProgUnit will support the everything current and past just like the ProgDisc does, Kontronik is shooting for the end of this month with the software release the last I heard please be patient they are working hard to finish it.

[Trexwilly]

OK cool... I was just a bit unsure after reading the manual that came with it, it was easy to interpret that it only worked on the online update-able units...

[prototype3a]

I have to say that I'm slightly surprised the ProgUNIT is $72. We're talking about something that can't possibly be more complicated than a CastleLink and Castle literally gives those away.

[Wh1teAfr1can]

Originally Posted by prototype3a

I have to say that I'm slightly surprised the ProgUNIT is $72. We're talking about something that can't possibly be more complicated than a CastleLink and Castle literally gives those away.

castle does all its pcb manufacturing in mexico. I worked in PCB manufacturing as a manufacturing engineer as one of my first jobs. Mexico is the new China as far as price goes. The same board we would prototype and do small runs of a few hundred would cost exponentially more than the larger runs done in mexico once it went to full production.

That is one thing Kontronik will never do they strive to keep as much of the manufacturing in house as possible and even the materials they source for the motors are bought locally in Germany to ensure the highest quality materials.

This does however come with a cost. But if all electronics made by american companies were produced in the US the prices would be very similar. for example apple. it costs less than 100 dollars to make the iphone in china then they sell them here for 650

Castle more than likely has the cost of the unit built into the ESC price so that its a win win for them. It is a smart business strategy because they make money either way and you feel like you got something for free.

Please don't take this the wrong way i am trying to discuss facts and compare things logically in order to explain the differences.

[prototype3a]

Well, along that line of thinking, how do you explain the price of the ProgDisc? The ProgDisc is far more complex and only cost a little bit more. Personally, I don't think you can explain the completely mad pricing on this device. The ProgUnit can not be much more complex than the old ProgCard and it was about $30.

[dl7uae]

ProgDisc hardware is the STM32 Primer1 from Raisonance. $39 USD if you buy a single unit. How many did they purchase, how much was a single unit for them? No cost for hardware development.

The real effort is always the software, before in the Disc, now under a native OS.

I'm afraid you will not belief me.. The R/C market is not that big as one may think. It is "too colorful". The effort to develop a more complex software will never meet the income by units sold, at least if sold at market prices.
The normal buyer on top is also oriented toward prices of HK&Co, low-wage products. ...apples compared to oranges.

[smsodhi]

Sometimes a buyer gets put off by things and then after a while, starts looking at alternatives. In my case this has happened after buying one P700 two P800 two helijive 120 four Kosmik 160 one progdisk and one Bluetooth module.

I had problems with the P700 (winding was cut in manufacture resulting in a crash), with one of the P800 (lose magnet) one of the helijives was faulty ( just stopped working) and the progdisk was faulty with the screen wonky from new. Quality stuff I may take my chances with "inferior products"

[dl7uae]

Well, there is a tendency but no forced relation between location of design/manufacturing, costs, modern/innovative design and manufacturing quality.

Look: We (R2) design and manufacture some products which do not appear under our brand than that of our clients.Guess why.
Development in Germany and Switzerland, manufacturing in Switzerland (Did you ever get the bill in a Swiss restaurant?), - and it still works better for our clients than to produce anywhere and take crap into account.
The R/C market is too small that everyone can muddle for themselves but still can expect a good price/performance ratio. This is a cognitive process that has unfortunately only just begun...

[Trexwilly]

The end of October has come, and now it's gone? Anyone have an ear to the ground on our software?

[Excalibur3]

That's why I'm holding off on the prog unit. With all the delays it worries me. I don't want to spend the extra money unless it's gonna worth it. As it is it still blows my mind after spending $920 I still need to buy another device to really be able to use it to its full potential. Kontronik should at the very least give it with the purchase of their flagship esc. Jmho

Trex700ProDFCHV,Goblin 770,Goblin 570, 14SGH

[nuroo]

Originally Posted by Excalibur3

That's why I'm holding off on the prog unit. With all the delays it worries me. I don't want to spend the extra money unless it's gonna worth it. As it is it still blows my mind after spending $920 I still need to buy another device to really be able to use it to its full potential. Kontronik should at the very least give it with the purchase of their flagship esc. Jmho

Trex700ProDFCHV,Goblin 770,Goblin 570, 14SGH

+1
I have two kosmik 200 hv, luv them. Best esc. Great support here, luv the loaner program........but this pay to program scheme sucks

[kpod]

I bit the bullet and got a prog unit just to update firmware on my jive pro to get mode 10 bec voltage settings. It sucked paying $72 just to be able to use HV bec but the jive pro felt incomplete without being able to change this.

[TeroS]

Software is available. Gotta figure out how to get it in english...

[TeroS]

Looks like german only. I guess Kontronik don't wanna support anyone outside GER

[dl7uae]

$10,000 USD and a beer.



Visio file

[TeroS]

Thanks!! I really liked the e's with smileys

Despite Your great work I still don't understand Kontronik's lack of english support. I can understand I'm not getting the SW in finnish but the lack of english is something between dismissing a large group of users and not caring about customers.

Especially since there really is not that much to translate

[dl7uae]

[Excalibur3]

That is a bit obnoxious after the long wait.

Trex700ProDFCHV,Goblin 770,Goblin 570, 14SGH

[DCflyer]

Originally Posted by Excalibur3

That is a bit obnoxious after the long wait.

Trex700ProDFCHV,Goblin 770,Goblin 570, 14SGH

No kidding. $70 for a progunit and THEN they release this.......

I hope they have a professional english version coming. My Kosmik Cool 200 is in the mail....