Almost made the Jump to Jeti !!! ( ACCST v2.1.0 Frustration)

[Konrad]

Dunning-Kruger Paradox
Sorry I can't get this link to post.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect

I'm trying to follow the documentation as it is presented by FrSky. I have to thank Kilrah and MikeB for their insight. But I still don't see a clear path on how to upgrade the firmware in FrSky's READ ME files.

All the best,

Konrad

 

[Scott Page]

Here is a web page on updating firmware. https://fpv-flightclub.com/update-frsky-receivers-firmware/

Here is an old video. I know it's your favorite way to learn.

This one might even be better -- it's newer.

 

[Konrad]

I know some folks love videos. I appreciate all the work you did.

Did I not mention that with the second X9D+ the upgrade to ACCST v2.1.0 went as smooth as silk? Also all other RX upgrades, other than those with file extensions ".frsk", went as expected when not using a corrupted SD Card.

I'm looking to see where FrSky calls out the need to use OpenTX past a certain version to upgrade the stabilized RX to ACCST v.2.1.1 .frsk. Both Wayne and Kilrah mention the need to update OpenTX past 2.2.4. I'm sure they are both correct. But I'm looking for this guidance documentation from the OEM. Am I looking in the wrong place (the READ ME file) for where FrSky lists the system requirements to manage the stabilized RX*? Also it isn't clear to me with what is posted in the READ ME about the Airlink S and STK devices, do I need these two add on devices to maintain my Stabilized RX?

To be clear, the purpose of the rant in this thread is to show that the TX reported it successfully loaded ACCST v.2.1.0 when it didn't. And to mention the very high failure rate with the SD Cards supplied by FrSky in their radios. A secondary complaint was that there is no mention of how to manage the FrSky files with the extension .frsk. I see in this forum a lot of problems with the upgrade to ACCST v.2.1.X that just shouldn't be there with proper documentation from FrSky and the use of quality SD Cards. I suspect that 30% of the failed safety upgrades to ACCST v.2.1.0 can be traced to a corrupted SD card. Ok, I have a very small sample size of six FrSky TXs and I have over 50% failure rate with the SD Card as supplied by FrSky.

* I need to read the small owners pamphlet that came with the Stabilized RX. But as my RXs are 4 to 5 years old I'm sure there is no mention as to what version of OpenTX is needed to upload the latest and greatest firmware. I'll need to look at the latest pamphlet on line. To be fair the READ ME file does mention that the upgrade to ACCST v2.1.1 for the Stabilized RX with the file extension ".frsk" is to correct errors and speed issues with the X20 TX. But as I understand it the X20 is a non OpenTX radio. I didn't read that the upgrade v2.1.1 is for the X20 TX only. I'm still at a loss as to the recommendation that there is a need to upgrade OpenTX. Wayne (the OEM Frsky dealer and premier service center) Kilrah (an OpenTX developer) have both mentioned the need to upgrade. I'm sure that these gentlemen as correct. But I'm looking for some official documentation from FrSky that states this. Wayne and Kilrah are not the OEM. And If I did know who these gentlemen are, they could be for all intensive purposes be just internet experts (Like myself, and we all know how dangerous that is). I'm looking for a solid document trail, as I don't know a thing about FrSky that isn't documented by FrSky. I don't have any secret decoder ring. All I have is access to FrSky's web site and the pamphlet that comes with their products.

All the best,
Konrad

 

[Landru]

Re: Data corruption on SD cards

After years of using SD cards in cameras and phones for literally tens of thousands of file operations, I had no clue that data corruption on a card was a realistic possibility. Then I discovered a corrupted audio file on the SD card in my X10S. The problem was obvious: the first few moments of the audio track were missing. The original source file on my PC was intact.

That experience rang a bell with the numerous reports I'd read on RCG of SD card problems in FrSky and FrSky-clone radios. In such reports, counterfeit or cheapo cards were often mentioned as a possible cause. That may well be so. In my case, the card was a brand name card purchased at a reliable bricks 'n' mortar retailer. I suppose that's still no guarantee that it was genuine. And of course anything can break.

Being curious, I tried purposefully corrupting model data files on the card. My vague worry was that a mission critical function might be affected. Try as I might, I couldn't provoke a failure that might affect a model in flight. If I recall correctly, the worst that happened was that the radio booted to emergency mode. That's an appropriate and reassuring safeguard, I think. Thank you, OpenTx.

Recently, I came across some interesting advice on RCG that seems relevant:

For what it's worth, a quality industrial-grade MLC micro SD card from a good supplier that won't deliver fakes (Digikey, Mouser, etc) will run about $15 for a 4GB. I use them in Raspberry Pi based and similar projects that often get shut down without a normal "safe" power down process. Consumer grade TLC cards (from Sandisk, etc) will corrupt in that application in no time. Not only are the memory cells more reliable in an industrial card, but the internal controller is also much better designed and tested. I don't think industrial grade cards are necessary for a transmitter application, but I had one lying around so it's what I put into the X20.

I haven't started using industrial cards in my radios yet. However, I did buy one to try in a data logger. (It's working fine.) Otherwise, I now take the following steps when working with any SD card in a radio:

1. Format the card with the official SD Card Association formatting app.
2. Use Clean Eject when ejecting an SD card from my Mac.

 

[Konrad]

I too have had no issues with the SD card in other consumer products. It is just that the SD cards supplied by FrSky are very very prone to failure, corruption.

Your mention of fakes now has me thinking it best that I replace all my FrSky supplied SD cards with others from reputable vendors. They really aren't expensive. I think I've had 4 out of 6 FrSky supplied cards fail.

Seeing how many SD cards there are in a large FrSky supplied bag at the service center this looks like a known very high failure component for FrSky.

The extra dollars spent on SD Cards from legitimate suppliers is well worth the saved time and frustration chasing this kind of failure. I don't have the data to support this, but it might be long over due for FrSky to change their supplier of SD cards. This is a quality issue with FrSky!!! They need to monitor their suppliers. Not just buy from the lowest bidder. Again I wish there was another more reputable firm that ran the OpenTX OS. FrSky is so close to being a great radio, it pains me to see such quality issues tarnish an otherwise great experience with OpenTX.

All the best,

Konrad

 

[HENNY]

All FRsky radios I have purchased have never include an SD card (X9D+ and X10 and X10S. ) Was this SD card supplied by the seller and not FRsky. ???

 

[Landru]

I guess so. None of the three I bought from various retailers included an SD card.

 

[Konrad]

All FRsky radios I have purchased have never include an SD card (X9D+ and X10 and X10S. ) Was this SD card supplied by the seller and not FRsky. ???

I said FrSky supplied SD Cards! Where is the ambiguity in that!

I don't know what FrSky did to build the Horus line to a price point. But all my Taranis TX have come with SD Cards.
I broke the seal on 4 of the six FrSky transmitters. (I have 4 X9D+ with one going as far back as having the Amber screen, I saw Jarron break the seal on my X-Lite S, This leave the X9E as the only TX where the provenance of the SD might be in question as this was a customer returned radio). So if we drop the X9E from the population that means I've had 3 failed FrSky supplied SD cards out of 5 supplied. This only improves the quality matrix by about 10% (60% verses 66% failure rate).

By the way all my Taranis radios were purchased at and through Aloft Hobbies. If your vendor didn't order the radios with SD Cards it might be time to look closely at your vendor. Again I didn't get tangled in the debacle that was/is the Horus radio.

All the best,

Konrad

 

[HENNY]

I didn't get tangled in the debacle that was/is the Horus radio.

No debacle with my X10S Express. It does everything I need and more.

 

[Konrad]

I'm thinking the X12 and the FROS. Where are they today? I agree the X10S Express did show that there might be a spark of hope at FrSky.
Here is hoping that the X20 can place FrSky back on track. But I'm not going to be one of the customer beta testers.

But the issue of this thread is in part the corrupted SD card as supplied by FrSky. If folks are having issues with getting ACCST v2.1.0 to upload properly please give the SD card a close look early in the troubleshooting process.

If you want to be a fan boy of the X10S Express please start another thread. I'm looking to give guidance as to what might be a possible explanation as to why so many are having problems upgrading to ACCST v2.1.0. And in case you missed it, it is the corrupted SD cards supplied by FrSky with their radios. Well, it was for me.

All the best,

Konrad

 

[Konrad]

Closing the loop, a bit. The X20 and X18 have passed the test of time. They are at a whole new level of integration, both the OS and hardware are done in house. The software is solid and has a stable interface with the end customer's computer. The power of the software is on par with OpenTX. The hardware is a step up on quality from the much loved X9D+.

Unlike Jeti you get all the programing power of the OS (Ethos) with the purchase of the radio. No hidden add on costs!