Hi all,
Please respond here with the type of transponders that you currently own, and how many of each. There are the four types:
RC3 (Original Personal Transponder with three thin legs)
RC4 Hybrid (Newer Personal that comes with the separate black clip)
RC4 (Brand new. No one at IROCC has one of these yet. I've never even seen one in person)
MRT/Clone (Non AMB clone-type transponder)
I need to get a sense of our membership's transponders so we can act appropriately on the new Decoder issue.
Thanks,
Blake
I will start us off.
Blake Bell
4x RC3
2x RC4 Hybrid
Blake
1-RC3
2-RC4 hybrid
1-RC3
2-RC4 Hybrid
Neil
Don has 1 RC3 and 1 hybred
GERRY 7-MRT/CLONE
1- RC3/Amb
3- MRT Clones (of the above AMB)
Shawn
3x AMBRC3
gonna pick up a pair of rc4h before they get disco too.
2 rc3's
1 x RC3
5 x RC4 Hybrid
1 RC3
1 RC4 Hybrid
None. Club transponder only so far.
Colin
RC3 x 1 RC4 Hybrid x 4
1 x AMB RC3
2 x MRT/clones
(all the same #)
Are you planing on getting the free firmware upgrade I have seen talked about on other sites?
(http://www.mylaps.com/var/storage/images/media/images/rc4_compatibility2/176017-1-eng/rc4_compatibility2.jpg)
We are going to look at it because it is only available till the end of March at the reduced rate. It will cost $3000 after March 30.
this only really affects people running mrt i guess? seems like a safe upgrade if we wont have a continued supply of hybrids in the near future. for the cost of these cars, a new transponder that will likely outlast any of them is chump.
What would the "upgrade" let us do that we can't do now?
Remember that decoder capabilities are one thing, and what the lap counting software does with it is another.
Quote from: Tom on March 16, 2013, 02:25:43 AM
What would the "upgrade" let us do that we can't do now?
Answer: Host a race that allows racers to use their newly purchased AMB RC4 transponders.
AMB is playing nasty and will soon sell only the new RC4 transponder which does not work on the current RC3 decoder. This means big races will have to support the new transponder or lose entries. That in turn means that small races will have to support it, or lose entries. The club level is next.... AMB has everyone in a tough place. If they didn't have such huge market penetration, we could call their bluff and ALL races/tracks/club could ignore the update. That won't happen though. The official turning point will probably be at this year's first big carpet race in Las Vegas in Sept/Oct. If that race uses RC4, that will be the end of MRT's current units. I'm sure MRT is probably in the lab as we speak trying to clone the new RC4, and I'm sure they'll offer an upgrade price from the current MRT units at a price equal to AMB's upgrade price of $35.
Blake
Aah. This is AMB's response to MRT. Planned obsolescence.
Something tells me that AMB has put quite a bit more effort into encrypting the RC4 than their previous version.
I have 1 rc4
1 amb
Just put in for the upgrade to RC4's (from MRT's). Says the process could take upto 2 months. (2 weeks for the MRT's to arrive, 1 month for processing?, and 2 weeks for delivery.) So if you plan on upgrading I would recommend it soon. For people who do not want RC4's, then they offer a discount to the hybrid as well.
1 x Amb/RC
2 x RC4's
Shawn.
jeez.. with computers running absolutely everything in our world, how the hell can they possibly thing of getting away with timelines like that? thats retarded.....
Id probably get hybrids if it was me. if you ever wanted to sell them, im sure their value will go up quite alot when they stop making them.
Quote from: valk on March 17, 2013, 06:49:19 PM
Id probably get hybrids if it was me. if you ever wanted to sell them, im sure their value will go up quite alot when they stop making them.
Not much goes up in value in this hobby.. Turns out RC gear is a bad investment.... I'll save $100, which will buy me another transponder. (Hybrid)
Shawn
From RC Tech (You know, if its on the internet then it must be true)
" Our local track personnel talked to some folks at MyLaps the other day on the phone and they're claiming that the plan is to have the entire system limited to the 3-wire MyLaps RC4 transponders ONLY by 2017. House Transponders, AMBRC Personals, and even the RC4 Hybrid apparently are going to be phased out over time and the compatibility will be eliminated via automatic software updates when you connect the box to upload peoples' laps online. "
http://www.rctech.net/forum/11943019-post204.html
Also, the RC4 transponders will not operate if pluged into the BIND port on your RX'er.. Causes the RX'er to try and bind when you turn your car on.
Shawn.
1 RC3
1 RC4H
Just an update: I shipped my transponders back to AMB on 21-Mar-13, which they arrived at their office on the 27th march. New AMB's were shipped to me on the 28th, and they are already on the way back to Canada (They are in Washington state right now).. Unfortunately they shipped them UPS. So, hopefully there will not be any surprise fees. They have shipped them to other canadians as "Repaired/Replaced", so they didn't have to pay duty on them.
Shawn.
Quote from: Shawn68z on March 29, 2013, 11:18:54 PM
Just an update: I shipped my transponders back to AMB on 21-Mar-13, which they arrived at their office on the 27th march. New AMB's were shipped to me on the 28th, and they are already on the way back to Canada (They are in Washington state right now).. Unfortunately they shipped them UPS. So, hopefully there will not be any surprise fees. They have shipped them to other canadians as "Repaired/Replaced", so they didn't have to pay duty on them.
Shawn.
I had to pay the fees on mine
Quote from: Gorden on March 29, 2013, 11:53:43 PM
Quote from: Shawn68z on March 29, 2013, 11:18:54 PM
Just an update: I shipped my transponders back to AMB on 21-Mar-13, which they arrived at their office on the 27th march. New AMB's were shipped to me on the 28th, and they are already on the way back to Canada (They are in Washington state right now).. Unfortunately they shipped them UPS. So, hopefully there will not be any surprise fees. They have shipped them to other canadians as "Repaired/Replaced", so they didn't have to pay duty on them.
Shawn.
I had to pay the fees on mine
I have heard that from one other person too.. Bastards eh? If they don't want to ship USPS, then they shouldn't have the option on their site! Well, we shall see what happens. No matter what the upgrade(?) fee is reasonable, esp since my transponders were clones. they could have just left everyone with a MRT in the cold completely.
Shawn.
Every time I have had anything shipped from them, they always ship UPS. That is the only way they ship is what I was told. I can't complain, since the club was greatly rewarded when they replaced the same shipment twice when it was reported lost and later found.
Well, my RC4's arrived today. And to my delight, no extra fees, customs, or duty brokerage charges.
Shawn.
Very nice. We usually get zapped.
I here that NRC has upgraded to the rc4, how is that going to affect next years speed weekend? if the race is in naniamo are we going to use our system or theres. I believe RC4 it will not work with my transponders or other club members? or will it still work with the mrt transponders?
Quote from: gotnitro on April 07, 2013, 01:35:07 AM
I here that NRC has upgraded to the rc4, how is that going to affect next years speed weekend? if the race is in naniamo are we going to use our system or theres. I believe RC4 it will not work with my transponders or other club members? or will it still work with the mrt transponders?
MRT's dont work properly with the RC4. RC4's (non hybrid) will not work with RC3. IFMAR & ROAR have stated all of their races will use RC4 decoders, and it looks like most clubs are following their lead.
AMB has offered an "upgrade" for to RC4 transponders. $35ea plus the older transponder including MRT's.
http://www.mylaps.com/index.php/us_eng/Websites/B2C/rc/shop2/upgrade_to_rc4
or
http://www.mylaps.com/index.php/us_eng/Websites/B2C/rc/shop2/upgrade_to_rc4_hybrid
Reports have come in the MRT's will _sometimes_ count laps, but are not reliable. RCTech has acouple of threads if you want to know more).
Shawn.
Gerry, if you haven't been following this thread, I would suggest you try and get in on the deal AMB has been offering to upgrade from MRT to the new transponders like Shawn has. We will likely be switching to the new firmware shortly, as well. Blake has the new firmware already and we are just trying to figure when the best time will be to make the switch.
So just so I am clear on this from what I have read here and at mylaps. I was thinking of keeping my AMBrc DP PT cause it says it will work and trading in my two mrt ones for the new ones, is that right. Or is it just best to trade in all three now and be done with it. I presume they are gonna run out soon and it will be full pop each soon. Thanks guys.
if you have the amb dp's you could probably keep them. in case you go race at a club that hasn't upgraded to rc4. they will still work. just upgrade your mrt's
If Glenn And Gerry are thinking about sending there's in, I would like to sen my RC3 in to trade up tp an RC4. If we can get a few more people togeather and send them in all at once we would save on freight and the possible brokerage fees. What do you guy's think?
Neil.
I am not positive if the original transponders will work with the new RC4 firmware, Blake knows more than me. For sure the MRT's will not work. AMB, basically has a monopoly on the world transponder market and one would think that this new firmware is to hurry up the demise of the clone manufacturers. Furthermore, the ideal tansponder to get would be the RC4 hybrid because the new RC4 will not work on the current firmware we are using, whereas the hybrid will. Members who got their transponders when we brought in the last shipment will be alright with the new firmware and should not need to update there PT's.
Blake, if you can chime in on this discussion, please do. I know you are more knowledgeable on this issue than I am.
As far as I know the RC3's will work but I would lik to upgrade to the smaller rc4.
Neil.
Quote from: BCbud on April 07, 2013, 11:11:59 PM
If Glenn And Gerry are thinking about sending there's in, I would like to sen my RC3 in to trade up tp an RC4. If we can get a few more people togeather and send them in all at once we would save on freight and the possible brokerage fees. What do you guy's think?
Neil.
I have three to send in.
I need to send in 4 or 5 is anyone sending a package or do I need to do it ??????
I'm a little chocked because it's just another cost for the people that can't afford it and love the hobby.
Quote from: Falcon on April 08, 2013, 06:06:37 PM
I need to send in 4 or 5 is anyone sending a package or do I need to do it ??????
you have that many clones?
4 my laps and an old amb
Aren't the mylaps rc4h?
what would that mean ??
Quote from: Falcon on April 08, 2013, 06:16:13 PM
4 my laps and an old amb
If they ar the transponders that we bought in our club buy then they should be fine. The RC3 will work but i want to up grade mine for the smaller size.
Neil.
So the my laps that Darryl purchased for us are OK ??
Yes, I have 2 and for now they are OK.
how many out there with the mylaps are keeping them and taking a chance and whos sending them in.
Quote from: Falcon on April 08, 2013, 07:05:57 PM
how many out there with the mylaps are keeping them.
I have 4 of the RC4 hybrid transponders and I'm keeping them for this season at least as they work with the RC4 decoder
Gorden
Anything made by AMB or MyLaps and is red in colour will work with the new firmware. But for those of you who are getting the new RC4, don't forget that they will not work until the new firmware is installed in the MyLaps decoder box. We have the new firmware already but I am not sure when Blake wants to install it.
I had an idea for those members that are rushing to trade in their RC3(RC4H) transponders for the new RC4's, why don't you offer them for sale to members in the club that don't have transponders? I am sure that somebody would love to buy a personal transponder for, say $55-60, rather than the full price for a new one. If the RC3 PT was sold locally for that price, the new RC4 would still only cost you about the $35 that MyLaps is asking for with a trade. You would not have to pay any shipping back to MyLaps, saving you a further $5-10. Heck, I might even be interested in getting another one at that price.
Just a thought.
Another thing you might think of is that in the past dealings I have had with AMB-MyLaps, is that if the order is 10 or more they used to give a bulk purchase discount of roughly 10% I think. So try and line up as many people as you can.
thats actually a really good idea daryl. I could sell two of mine and get two new ones. but only after i get my engine business sorted out =(
Agree with Daryl
According to the graphic above, only ones that don't seem to work are the very old black transponders and tge clone/knockoff ones..
So why is everyone panicing and making a big deal to rush and upgrade to the latest and greatest when the current ones still work? Or am I missing something?
I have two mrt that I am sending in and keeping my older amb one I figure. So is anyone putting something together cause I don't know how many my credit card would hold but I think we should do this sooner rather than later in case they run out and we have to pay full pop.
From RCTech
QuoteI have not heard that the RC4 Hybrid will be phased out; but under personal assumption, just as we are no longer manufacturing the older AMBrc DP's or Rechargeables, we will no longer make the Hybrids either after most tracks have upgraded their systems to the new RC4 b/c the new RC4 transponder will work on the new system AND all of the existing transponders will continue to work on the new RC4 system too.
I don't know who is spreading this rumor. Why would Mylaps make any of their older transponders just not work? That doesn't make any sense. We came out with the new RC4 system but all of the old transponders still work on it...
So to answer your question more briefly; yes that is a rumor.
Regards,
Kelly Chase
Sales Consultant
Thanks Gord, it is Kelly Chase that I have dealt with in the past.
SIMPLE VERSION
Sorry for the late reply, but you guys are already on the right track.
All red coloured AMB or MyLaps transponders (personal and handout) will continue to work for the foreseeable future.
The black MRT transponders will stop working at IROCC this summer near the start of the season. So, if you have some black MRTs, I would send those in to MyLaps and trade them up for the brand new RC4 unit for $36 or whatever it is. You have 1.5 months to get this done before I upgrade our decoder box with the new firmware. I figure I will do the upgrade in late May so that we can test it properly before Speed Weekend.
(Read the next post for the FULL STORY)
Blake
FULL STORY VERSION
All red coloured AMB or MyLaps transponders (personal and handout) will continue to work until somewhere around 2017. There is a *rumour* that ONLY the brand new three-wire RC4 transponder (none of us have this, and I have never even seen one in person) will work after 2017. No idea if this is true or not.... If it is true, all our existing transponders (original RC3 personal, newer smaller hybrid with separate legs, and handouts) may stop working in 2017.... Again, no idea if this is true or not. I hope it's not.
The black MRT transponders will stop working at IROCC this summer, near the start of the season. So, if you have some black MRTs, I would send those in to MyLaps and trade them up for the brand new RC4 unit for $36 or whatever it is. You have about 1.5 months to get this done before I upgrade our decoder box with the new firmware. I figure I will do the upgrade in late May so that we can test it properly before Speed Weekend.
If you are an MRT owner, and you do the $36 upgrade to the brand new three-wire RC4 transponder, and you find yourself at a track that has not upgraded their decoder, your brand new transponder will not work. As I said above, IROCC will be performing the upgrade near the start of outdoor racing so you will be fine here.
If you don't own ANY transponders and are wondering which ones to buy, there are two good options:
1) Buy the brand new three-wire RC4 transponder from MyLaps for $89. This is the most future proof option.
2) Buy a current RC3 (original personal or newer smaller hybrid with separate legs) from an IROCC member as Daryl suggests, and hope it works past 2017.
Blake