MULTIPLEX ROYAL EVO 9 RADIO

Model Airplane News, Jun 2004 by Reid, John

You can store up to 20 (36 on the Evo 12-channel) models in memory, and you can program up to four modes for each. These modes allow the pilot to assign a set of parameters, such as servo travel and other trim settings, to a particular widget on the transmitter. These assignments permit the pilot to select a particular flying setup with a simple flick or push of a widget; you can go into a 3D-flying mode with higher throw rates or into a landing mode with a mix that couples the throttle control with flaps and elevator. Setting up various flight modes greatly reduces a pilot's workload so he can concentrate on flying the plane.

The Royal Evo 9 offers 14 freely definable mixers that you can create depending on your flying needs and model type. Each mixer can have five different mixer inputs (controls) assigned to it. These freely definable mixers allow the pilot to choose from a vast array of mixing options.

The Digi-Adjusters are, in my opinion, among the coolest controls on the Royal Evo. These two knobs on the upper right and left of the transmitter body can be used to alter just about any numeric value that's input. Let's say, for example, that you want to adjust the high end of the dual rates. One Digi-Adjuster is set to the elevator while the other is set to the ailerons (or rudder). Fly your plane and switch to high rates; dial in as much throw as your plane needs by turning the Digi-Adjuster without ever taking your eyes off the plane. When you are satisfied with the feel of the high rates, press down the Digi-Adjuster to lock in the values. After you've landed the plane, just erase the Digi-Adjuster assignment for the parameter, and that's it. You now have your dual rates set just the way you want them, and you made all the adjustments during a single flight.

The Royal Evo 9 has three timing modes, and each fulfills a different need. The sum timer allows the pilot to start and stop the timer with an assigned widget. The timer continuously sums up how long the widget has been on. This mode is great for monitoring how much running time has accumulated on the engine-an excellent piece of information when you develop an engine-maintenance schedule. The slot timer can be used to set off an alarm after a certain amount of time; it can be activated by the throttle control to warn of low fuel, e.g., after 10 minutes of flight. The interval timer sounds an alarm at intervals and continues to do so for as long as you like.

The Royal Evo 9 can calibrate each servo so you can center and align them at different points. This means that you can match two servos on the same control surface to operate in sync and eliminate the excessive battery drain caused by servo-stalling.

The only drawback I found in the Royal Evo's programming was in setting each servo's exponential. Expo can be set from 100 to -100 percent, and this range gives the pilot complete control of how the plane feels while it's flying. Once the expo is set for a particular channel, however, it stays that way throughout all four flight modes. A pilot might want 10-percent expo for normal flight mode and 30-percent expo for 3D, but you can't do this with the Royal Evo's basic programming structure. The good news is that a PC interface cable (available for $40) allows you to download the Royal Evo DataManager and install any future program patches.