2023. After 7 years out of fpv. I think the Ranger 1600 is for me. Had the Firstar 1600, years ago. Cheers. Looks strong, powerful and practical. The thrust line looks better than the Firstar.
My ranger 1600 is waiting on new wings. I overpowered it an pushed it further than it was ever meant to fly. But I did order the 1600 and the 2000mm wings, and they are gonna get a carbon strip added as soon as they get here. I am convinced every model should be a pylon racer. There are ALOT of files on thingiverse for these planes. I have been debating a twin engine setup...
Had my R1600 for about 2 years, so far broke 2 wing clips (still think magnets and velcro to hold the wings) not broke any black canopy lugs (yet), i fly mine with 3s 4000mah multistar, keeps it light, dont get "the dip" on launch but i tend to throw it near level, it just needs a second to get the lift under its wings. My stock motor was fine, i swapped to a SS 2212 1400 because i preferred the prop to be screwed on rather than collet, but the stock motor lives on with my Ranger 1200 G2
you chucking things on the floor never gets old lol As for the clip on the canopy, the Phoenix 2400 has the same terrible design, it does not catch at all and im going to be bonding a post to the fuse for the canopy to sit on and then a r clip to retain it
Howdy Steve, the change below suggested using a bit of carbon fibre. That should work. Although I do feel it needs more than that to ensure it stays out as Dave had one fall off mid-flight. Matt
Thanks for this review, Matt. Just a note about the Vector which you probably already know: If you are at a point you can trust 2D-hold mode (as well as have in-flight menus enabled), you can go into the in-flight menu while flying (activates 2D hold automatically) and incorporate your servo trims while flying with no need to land. That plus re-setting the AHI while in flight (five toggles of mode switch) usually saves at least a landing/relaunch or two over some other platforms. Looking forward to more content with this model!
BRILLIANT..!! Mat i love this channel and your live Saturday show👌Cant wait for you to do a pan/tilt vid..! i did ask a question on your Satuday live about the Quanum Head tracker from hobby king, I,v had problems trying to flash it, before i can do anything else...So id Avoid that one mate..😡Anyway i,ll bung my runcam split2 in my Bixler 2 for now!! and look forward to your pan/tilt vid Cheers Mat😎
I just maidened one of these at the weekend - seems pretty nice, definitely benefits from some aileron differential - that might stop yours dragging its arse through the turns. what's going on with your Extra in the background - wing on backwards? I have one of those - they're good fun but a bit of a handful if you have too much control surface movement!
Hey Matt, do you have a link where you got the CCW Prop Adaptor from for SunnySky X2216. I'm based in UK also & would like to update my Ranger 2000 with this Motor ?
Hi Matt great review on the Ranger 1600, I'm undecided which one to get, may i ask your views on the Volantex trainstar ascent 1400 or this Ranger 1600, I've read so many reviews on both, I'm still undecided, Cheers Matt'...
@@RagTheNutsOff Even easier, I just drilled a 1 mm hole and ran some small blunt end self tapping screws through from the outside. It's lasted years, the original plastic pips lasted about a day.
Hi Matt! Super good and fair review, certainly getting this one or the 2000 version. Quick question... the servos which you recommend, they have a lot of good reviews but some people are saying they are knock offs from the tower pro, the ones on banggood only have 1 metal gear. Can you confirm if this is true? Or should I still go for the servo's? 2000+ reviews 5 stars still seems good though...
@@RagTheNutsOff Thanks for the reply! I did some search and I found two videos of yours, about the corona 939MG servos (what a name) and one about the MG90s servos. Thanks for including a picture that showed the metal gears and just 1 nylon gear which is still very strong. So I decided to go for the MG90s from banggood, using your link! It will be used on the ranger 2000, no crazy fast actions happening. If they're not good enough I will certainly buy the corona servos from hobbyking. My last flight was ehhhh too fast for the bixler.... 102km/h and later the elevator died mid flight. It was a plastic servo oops :)
8x5 would have more grunt from a standstill. Used the esc from the pnp ranger on a ar wing after swapping the wires for a shorter and thinner gauge ones and fitting an xt30
Just bought this nice pnp! ranger,the only minus i saw out of the box..extremely long power wires that connects lipo and speed control,this dangerous length can kill speed control in the air!Thats my opinion after 20 years of aeromodelling.. My suggestion cut it in half before take off!
The Ranger 2000 is the same, even on the poor stock motor, climbs like a homesick Angel, even on 3S. One of the most notable features in its handling, is the smooth progressive response from the Ailerons...A lot of moto gliders like this one have mushy response to Aileron, but not this one...I have a Pheonix 2000 and its nowhere near as good, the Rudder is virtually useless in comparison.
... ok, ... you "hit the lens often", as you mentioned, ... but you still mount the camera in the nose of the plane and not e.g. under the, of course, self-made clear canopy, or at least at this position ? ... strange ...
that camera on the model is at an risky vulnerable place, why not putting a guard on it for protection (like on a multirotor) it will save you some lenses. thanks for the video , looking forward for the vector setup one. cheers!
It is, trouble is any reduction in height results in massive speed increase and if you're coming in hot inpatient to get it down the camera is going to feel the full force of the earth. Small price to pay for a good flight though :-)
@@Lawzy they were in there pretty well, I think they used some type of epoxy on my ranger, but a friend of mine had no trouble, they almost fell out of his wings. I ordered replacement wings in both sizes because I folded mine up like a paper bag pulling up from a dive.(I have it a little overpowered ;-) and when they come in, I am gonna do alot of reinforcement, extra carbon, and maybe do the flaps mod to slow it down for landings. There are alot of parts on thingiverse for the ranger, including a twin motor setup that looks interesting.
I went around the exposed edges with a knife to try and cut anythng that might be cutable, but the stuff underneath is gonna have to just pry up. it pulled some small peicesof foam with it, but I pried on the splines of the servo with a plastic prybar and use a piece of plywood to protect the wing. It must not have weakened the wing, when mine folded up, it wasnt close to the servos.
WINGSHIGH Aviation I like mine. I haven’t had any issues with it. The plastic fuse is a nice touch. My setup is- storm osd, 500mw 5.8g, ezuhf, 3s 5400mah, gws winch servo for panning with GoPro session. The stock motor was to weak, I upgraded it to 2836 1800kv with 8x4 prop.
2023. After 7 years out of fpv. I think the Ranger 1600 is for me. Had the Firstar 1600, years ago. Cheers. Looks strong, powerful and practical. The thrust line looks better than the Firstar.
My ranger 1600 is waiting on new wings. I overpowered it an pushed it further than it was ever meant to fly. But I did order the 1600 and the 2000mm wings, and they are gonna get a carbon strip added as soon as they get here. I am convinced every model should be a pylon racer. There are ALOT of files on thingiverse for these planes. I have been debating a twin engine setup...
Great review Matt. Yes, would be interested in some of those camera projects you have planned for it.
Howdy Lawzy, started one this morning. Not very far in yet, will be a few days. Maty
Had my R1600 for about 2 years, so far broke 2 wing clips (still think magnets and velcro to hold the wings) not broke any black canopy lugs (yet), i fly mine with 3s 4000mah multistar, keeps it light, dont get "the dip" on launch but i tend to throw it near level, it just needs a second to get the lift under its wings. My stock motor was fine, i swapped to a SS 2212 1400 because i preferred the prop to be screwed on rather than collet, but the stock motor lives on with my Ranger 1200 G2
@@Elgansayer no not same, the G2 is made from EPO foam, the ranger 1600 fuse is blow molded plastic
you chucking things on the floor never gets old lol
As for the clip on the canopy, the Phoenix 2400 has the same terrible design, it does not catch at all and im going to be bonding a post to the fuse for the canopy to sit on and then a r clip to retain it
Howdy Steve, the change below suggested using a bit of carbon fibre. That should work. Although I do feel it needs more than that to ensure it stays out as Dave had one fall off mid-flight. Matt
Thanks for this review, Matt. Just a note about the Vector which you probably already know: If you are at a point you can trust 2D-hold mode (as well as have in-flight menus enabled), you can go into the in-flight menu while flying (activates 2D hold automatically) and incorporate your servo trims while flying with no need to land. That plus re-setting the AHI while in flight (five toggles of mode switch) usually saves at least a landing/relaunch or two over some other platforms. Looking forward to more content with this model!
Hi there. Very much impressed. Please, what is the FPV system used here ???
BRILLIANT..!! Mat i love this channel and your live Saturday show👌Cant wait for you to do a pan/tilt vid..! i did ask a question on your Satuday live about the Quanum Head tracker from hobby king, I,v had problems trying to flash it, before i can do anything else...So id Avoid that one mate..😡Anyway i,ll bung my runcam split2 in my Bixler 2 for now!! and look forward to your pan/tilt vid Cheers Mat😎
I just maidened one of these at the weekend - seems pretty nice, definitely benefits from some aileron differential - that might stop yours dragging its arse through the turns.
what's going on with your Extra in the background - wing on backwards? I have one of those - they're good fun but a bit of a handful if you have too much control surface movement!
I'm building my Ranger 2000. quick Q. The propeller free spins, is this normal?
What transmitter do you use? Is it that which talks when you press a button?
Nice model. It does land fast though. Looked tail happy. Maybe more nose
Howdy Adrian, I thought that too. Came to the conclusion that it was the stabilised mode causing that. Good flyer though. Matt
I got it as well, it glides like a champ plus it will not only fit in a small car it will also fit on a 40l backpack that is how I travel with it
Hey Matt, Are you using a 1.3G ground station with a 5.8 repeater?
Quite possibly ;)
Bixler or this better?
Matt what size Lipo are you using ??
25Amps is a low current draw at full throttle if you are using a 4S Lipo !!!!
Howdy, I'm using the 5200 10C multistar packs. 25A is about right. I can calibrate the sensor, but they're normally pretty close. Matt
Hey Matt are HK extracting the urine ? UK buyers can get it for £68 + £50 postage. As usual not available in the UK or EU warehouses
I was looking as well, HK indicate Stock in UK/EU sometime in September but still £96.
Hey Matt, do you have a link where you got the CCW Prop Adaptor from for SunnySky X2216. I'm based in UK also & would like to update my Ranger 2000 with this Motor ?
Hi Gerry, it comes with adapter. Matt
Hi Matt great review on the Ranger 1600, I'm undecided which one to get, may i ask your views on the Volantex trainstar ascent 1400 or this Ranger 1600, I've read so many reviews on both, I'm still undecided, Cheers Matt'...
Did they stop selling the kit? I can't find it anywhere.
I like the whistle. Kind of sounds like an EFxtra?
Howdy Lauren, yea it has that distinct whoooshyness. Matt
My Ranger 2000 canopy lost its lugs one by one, drill them out and use cut pieces of 1mm CF and super glue, works great.
Thanks! I was wondering how I was going to fix it. Matt
@@RagTheNutsOff Even easier, I just drilled a 1 mm hole and ran some small blunt end self tapping screws through from the outside. It's lasted years, the original plastic pips lasted about a day.
Hi Matt! Super good and fair review, certainly getting this one or the 2000 version. Quick question... the servos which you recommend, they have a lot of good reviews but some people are saying they are knock offs from the tower pro, the ones on banggood only have 1 metal gear. Can you confirm if this is true? Or should I still go for the servo's? 2000+ reviews 5 stars still seems good though...
Hey Lucas, all the ones I got had all metal gears. If you can spend a tad more, look up Corona 939MG servos, they're extremely good. Matt
@@RagTheNutsOff Thanks for the reply! I did some search and I found two videos of yours, about the corona 939MG servos (what a name) and one about the MG90s servos. Thanks for including a picture that showed the metal gears and just 1 nylon gear which is still very strong. So I decided to go for the MG90s from banggood, using your link! It will be used on the ranger 2000, no crazy fast actions happening. If they're not good enough I will certainly buy the corona servos from hobbyking. My last flight was ehhhh too fast for the bixler.... 102km/h and later the elevator died mid flight. It was a plastic servo oops :)
8x5 would have more grunt from a standstill. Used the esc from the pnp ranger on a ar wing after swapping the wires for a shorter and thinner gauge ones and fitting an xt30
Hey, what do you use to get that OSD for your FPV?
Hi Doug, it's the eagle tree vector. I have covered it in other episodes on this channel. Matt
Just bought this nice pnp! ranger,the only minus i saw out of the box..extremely long power wires that connects lipo and speed control,this dangerous length can kill speed control in the air!Thats my opinion after 20 years of aeromodelling..
My suggestion cut it in half before take off!
Hadmine for a year now only thing I found was the little platic tab were the wings snap in broke
How many climbs (to 200-220metres) can I do with a 3000mah battery?
Hey Nik, no idea! Matt
Nice build well done.😎
Thank you :)
The Ranger 2000 is the same, even on the poor stock motor, climbs like a homesick Angel, even on 3S.
One of the most notable features in its handling, is the smooth progressive response from the Ailerons...A lot of moto gliders like this one have mushy response to Aileron, but not this one...I have a Pheonix 2000 and its nowhere near as good, the Rudder is virtually useless in comparison.
I would love to see your opinion on the volantex 757-3
... ok, ... you "hit the lens often", as you mentioned, ... but you still mount the camera in the nose of the plane and not e.g. under the, of course, self-made clear canopy, or at least at this position ?
... strange ...
Great honest review 👍 p.s I want your dog 😋
hehehehe @ 11:23 - he means the dambusters :P
Yea that's the one!
that camera on the model is at an risky vulnerable place, why not putting a guard on it for protection (like on a multirotor) it will save you some lenses. thanks for the video , looking forward for the vector setup one. cheers!
It is, trouble is any reduction in height results in massive speed increase and if you're coming in hot inpatient to get it down the camera is going to feel the full force of the earth. Small price to pay for a good flight though :-)
Is it dragging its tail on turns?
Sam S looks like it is. My Ranger does same. Plus the purposing up and down.
I wait
LUNA!!!!
DEFINATELY buy the kit version. when my PNP came, it had a bad servo and the motor woulnt even turn.
How hard was it to remove the servos from the wings, Jack?
@@Lawzy they were in there pretty well, I think they used some type of epoxy on my ranger, but a friend of mine had no trouble, they almost fell out of his wings. I ordered replacement wings in both sizes because I folded mine up like a paper bag pulling up from a dive.(I have it a little overpowered ;-) and when they come in, I am gonna do alot of reinforcement, extra carbon, and maybe do the flaps mod to slow it down for landings. There are alot of parts on thingiverse for the ranger, including a twin motor setup that looks interesting.
Sorry, I get a little long winded and my mind wanders sometimes. But the servos on mine were pretty tough to get out.
Thanks Jack. I have to remove my wing servos. How in the end did you do it? Any guidance welcomed.
I went around the exposed edges with a knife to try and cut anythng that might be cutable, but the stuff underneath is gonna have to just pry up. it pulled some small peicesof foam with it, but I pried on the splines of the servo with a plastic prybar and use a piece of plywood to protect the wing. It must not have weakened the wing, when mine folded up, it wasnt close to the servos.
Not a fan of these rangers. Any version of them!
Evening, yep I get that. They're not for everyone. Matt
RagTheNutsOff looks like you got yours flying well though. I never could even with Arduplane and inav. Vector saved the day in this one maybe.
WINGSHIGH Aviation I like mine. I haven’t had any issues with it. The plastic fuse is a nice touch.
My setup is- storm osd, 500mw 5.8g, ezuhf, 3s 5400mah, gws winch servo for panning with GoPro session.
The stock motor was to weak, I upgraded it to 2836 1800kv with 8x4 prop.
Yea I'd agree the Vector install has helped massively. Matt
RagTheNutsOff I’m still on fence with dropping $237.00 vector. I love the system but on my budget it’s just not doable. 🥴