Difficulties with Reflex interface

[JohnNewman]

Getting into Reflex XTR, loving it but having some difficulties getting running. Each time I want to run it I have to pull the USB interface out and re-insert it a number of times before I stop getting the message 'Interface not working'.

I have tried re-installing the driver, but it is no better. I'm sure there is some Windows XP conflict doing this but I have unplugged all other USB devices without improving things.

(Basically Reflex seems to find the transmitter OK, and lets me set the channels, but on F4 it loses communications...)

Has anyone any suggestions? :confused:

[KurtHübener]

Please try the interface on another computer first. It it brings the same results, send it back for exchange. Dpending on where you live you don't have to send it to your shop again - just contact the local Reflex agent and the will do the exchange.

Please come back here if it works on the other computer. In that case we have to clean-up your XP installation.

[JohnNewman]

Please try the interface on another computer first. It it brings the same results, send it back for exchange.


OK, thanks. I'll organise a test.

[JohnNewman]

Please come back here if it works on the other computer. In that case we have to clean-up your XP installation.

Well, it fails just the same on another machine. I was surprised that the Hitec cable was a JR with an adaptor, but it does work eventually. I just have to keep unplugging the USB and re-inserting it.

So are you suggesting the USB interface may be faulty?

thanks,

[KurtHübener]

If the adapter wouldn't work, the message would be "switch on your radio". If the interface doesn't work, the message is "Can't find the interface".

If "switch on your radio" is your problem, you most probably have a connector problem in the adapter which you can solve with a soldering iron and 5 minutes work including heating-up.

If "Can't find the interface" is your problem, send it back to get a new one. I can't see where you are resident. Go directly to your importer, not through the shop. It safes time and postage.

[JohnNewman]

If the adapter wouldn't work, the message would be "switch on your radio". If the interface doesn't work, the message is "Can't find the interface".

I get 'The Reflex interface is not responding', and then after I select Retry and hit F4 again, 'Switch on your transmitter'.

After doing this, unplugging and re-plugging the interface each time, eventually it works. And I can start, stop, change models etc with no problem.

The cable seems fine (wired to Pin2 and the plug case on the Hitec, if that is correct), and so I guess I'll contact the distributor in Sydney.

Thanks again.

[JohnNewman]

I can't see where you are resident. Go directly to your importer, not through the shop. It safes time and postage.

I've sent the interface back to the distributor, and it works fine there. On all PCs (3) I have tried here it fails, in the same way.

I'm wondering if there is an issue with the old Hitec Laser4 TX I'm using for this. That now seems to be the common point of failure!

At the distributor's suggestion I've checked the trainer socket, which seems OK. Other (serial PIC) interfaces work for FMS and Clearview. Are there any known issues with transmitters?

Thanks.

(To recap, I can use the software, but have to try 3-20 times to start the simulation the first time, unplugging and reinserting the interface each time. Once running I can stop and start the sim, change planes and scenery, all OK)

[Malc C]

There were rhumors that XTR had a "bug" when used with a basic 4 channel TX, however it way well just be "gossip on the grape vine", my money is a problem with your PC's USB ports.

I have 6 ports on my PC, 2 built into the mainboard, the other four on headers for additional front ports. A friend gave me a set of USB headphones, and no matter what port I use they failed to work properly. However plugging them in to my sons PC they worked fine. The strange thing is all the other USB devices (mouse etc) work fine on my PC.

In order to resolve this, check your PC spec to see if there are ant free USB headers on the motherboard, and if so then simply buy a USB header lead (ie sockets on a back plane with a short lead that plugs on thes pins on the motherboard) or a dedicated PCI card with a few USB sockets on and try that.

[JohnNewman]

my money is a problem with your PC's USB ports.

I'll have a further look, but I've tried all 3 ports on the motherboard, and two other machines, with the same results.

Thanks,

[Malc C]

Uhmmm... strange. I noticed that you sent the interface back to the retailer and thus were not present when they tested it and claim it works on their PCs. I'm not saying that they are trying to pull the wool over your eyes, but it has been known that some retailers have a different approach to after sales service than others ;)

It might be worth taking the interface, complete with your TX back to the retailer armed with receipt in hand, and actually see it working. You will then be in a better position to either get a replacement that works or refund / credit against other goods if a working sollution can not be obtained.

[jdbercic]

I had the same problem... I had to uninstall Service pack 2 then install reflex, then reinstall service pack two after reflex. Was that ever painful but it worked.

This is for Windows XP

Jeff

[JohnNewman]

It might be worth taking the interface, complete with your TX back to the retailer armed with receipt in hand, and actually see it working. You will then be in a better position to either get a replacement that works or refund / credit against other goods if a working sollution can not be obtained.

Mmmm, problem is the distributor and retailer are 600km away! I have been trying to get hold of another Hitec TX to test with, but keep missing the appropriate people!

I may just ask the distributor to swap the interface...

thanks.

[JohnNewman]

I had the same problem... I had to uninstall Service pack 2 then install reflex, then reinstall service pack two after reflex. Was that ever painful but it worked.

This is for Windows XP

Jeff

Oh dear, this was the sort of thing I originally suspected. I'll keep this process in mind as a last resort. I guess you have to re-install everything you have installed over SP2 after the uninstall??

Thanks Jeff

[Malc C]

Jeff, the only way you'll really find out if its a SP2 issue is to either remove SP2 and try, or try the interface on a fresh install of raw XP. If it was me I would try two things

1) - Back up your data first, either to another PC or re-writeable CD/DVD's
2) - Obtain a copy of norton Ghost and install that on the PC
3) - Run Ghost and make in image of your C drive
4) - Set a restore point (programs - accessories - system tools - restore point)
5) - Un-install SP2
6) - Re-boot the PC and cross everthing :)
7) - If it confirmed that SP2 was removed from the system try installing XTR
8) - if you still get the same issues then wipe the hard drive, and install just XP
9) - having just the base XP on your system install the sound, graphics drivers and direct X to the minimum for XTR
10) - install XTR and test - if you still have issues then it must be hardware related (either your PC's or the dongle, and as you have tried 4 PC's it must be the dongle)
11) - Now restore the ghost image you took to put your PC back to the way it was before un-installing SP2.

At least this will of proved the fact that the dongle is faulty and should stand you in good failth when the distributors ask what you've done to try and resolve this.

The alternative is to send it direct back to Reflex under their no quibble dongle exchange -

[JohnNewman]

Well now I have tried everything, and the only time I had got rid of the problem is with a better transmitter. Mine is a Laser4. With an alternate Laser4 it still fails, and with an Eclipse 7 it works fine.

As the distributor said, "Perhaps it was never intended to be used with the cheapest possible Tx". Well, fine, but I would like to know if that is the case, so I can return the product...

Can anyone shed light on this? I might even be prepared to keep Reflex until I upgrade my Tx, but can I be sure any given Tx will work? Or maybe there is a workaround???

[HankF]

Your problem may have something to do with the battery. If the Lazer 4 has a buddy port you might try powering it through the port with the power switch off, using an auxiliary supply (9v wall wart). It may be worth a try. You'll have to figure out which pin on the port takes the power from the master transmitter when operating as a trainer.

Hank

[Malc C]

I was told of a "bug" within XTR when using some basic 4 ch transmitters, but that was around 18 months ago so if it was true, you would of thought that Reflex would of resolved this by now.

That said, the quote from the Reflex web site is

You may use any standard 4-channel transmitter.

And the laser 4 is a standard 4 CH TX, which, given your tests with a different TX doesn't make their statement hold up, and therefore you should be entitled to a refund should you want to. However the alternative is to upgrade your TX which would appear to resolve the issue and give you more options for the models you may end up flying in the future

[JohnNewman]

Your problem may have something to do with the battery

I've wondered about that, but the problem is still there straight after a long charge, and once the simulation starts once all works just fine until the program is exited. I'm thinking the issue may be timing...

Thanks for the thought, though. I may end up making a fancy plug!

[JohnNewman]

However the alternative is to upgrade your TX which would appear to resolve the issue and give you more options for the models you may end up flying in the future

...and of course I'd thought the 'old' Tx would be useful as a Sim controller once it was replaced... Ah well, the plans of mice and men :rolleyes:

[FredericG]

Did you remove the crystal? I had some issues with that before. I suppose that the emitted signal can be so strong that it disturbs the interface…

Frederic

[JohnNewman]

Did you remove the crystal?

Yes, I did. It doesn't seem to make a difference.

Thanks.

[ScaleBrad]

My USB dongle was bad right out of the box. Returned it to the LHS for another, works great every time. Apparently there were a bad batch of them manufactured

[JohnNewman]

My USB dongle was bad right out of the box. Returned it to the LHS for another, works great every time. Apparently there were a bad batch of them manufactured

I have changed the dongle once. What Tx were you using?

Thanks.

[JohnNewman]

After trying everything reasonable, I have concluded that the Reflex interface is not reliable with the Hitec Laser4. It is a low end Tx, and I guess I will be upgrading, so I will wait until then and hope all goes well.

Is anyone using Reflex with an Optic 6?

[Gerry Markgraf]

I bought Reflex XTR at the AMA show and am having exactly the same problem. I am using an Airtronics Vanguard 4 channel. I keep getting the "Interface missing" message or a screen asking me to "Switch on my transmitter" Turning on the transmitter has no effect. Every once in awhile, for no apparent reason, the simulation will start working. All is well until I turn it off. Then it may be another hour of fruitless effort before I can make it work again. The connection seems to be intermittent somwhere between the transmitter and the computer. I tried it on 2 different Dell computers with XP. Strangely, the simulator works (when it works) with the low end computor and not at all with the higher capabiity computer. I am searching for a distributor where I can purchase a Hitec adaptor so I can try my Eclipse 7 radio. This is a beautiful simulator with stunning graphics and a great flight model, but so far, I am not enjoying the process very much.
Gerry

[SlowRider]

Well I have received the Graupner stereo cable which was the specified cable on the Reflex website for the JR Quattro radio. Wolfgang also recommended it. Plugged it in and no joy. The program asks me to turn on the radio. I ordered the cable from Germany; I'll be contacting Reflex to see what they suggest.

I will say that my Multiplex Royal Evo 9 Synthesized works great, after I soldered up a new connector as the cable (Reflex mfg) had the wrong pinouts.


Andy

[Malc C]

You could always do one thing to prove the interface is at fault and not the cable. Take the back off the TX, take the connector plug of the end of the interface lead and solder the signal and ground wires direct to the wires on the inside back of the buddy port. This will then make a direct connection between the TX and XTR interface. If you still get problems then its the interface that is faulty and should be returned.

Drastic I know, but worth a try !

[JohnNewman]

I bought Reflex XTR at the AMA show and am having exactly the same problem. I am using an Airtronics Vanguard 4 channel. I keep getting the "Interface missing" message or a screen asking me to "Switch on my transmitter" Turning on the transmitter has no effect. Every once in awhile, for no apparent reason, the simulation will start working. All is well until I turn it off. Then it may be another hour of fruitless effort before I can make it work again. The connection seems to be intermittent somwhere between the transmitter and the computer. I tried it on 2 different Dell computers with XP. Strangely, the simulator works (when it works) with the low end computor and not at all with the higher capabiity computer. I am searching for a distributor where I can purchase a Hitec adaptor so I can try my Eclipse 7 radio. This is a beautiful simulator with stunning graphics and a great flight model, but so far, I am not enjoying the process very much.
Gerry

That sure sounds like my problem. And with the Eclipse 7 a friend of mine has it worked fine.

This weekend I may try MalcCs suggestion with the wires. The curious thing is that I have the problem with both Laser4 Tx I have tried, but one much less than the other (mine, which is almost unusable!).

I still feel there is more of a timing, rather than wiring problem, but without Reflex feedback it will be hard to be sure. Also, my distributor tested on a Laser6 without problems, which presumably would be electronically and in wiring terms very similar to the Laser4...?

[Malc C]

John,

Re-reading the thread I too think that this is more of a communication issue rather than connectivity issue. I did hear that there were originally problems with some basic 4ch TX's, mainly down to the sync pulse timing. Trying my suggestion will illiminate the jack plug as being the problem once and for all. If you still have the same problem after this modification then the issue is due to comaptibility between the laser4 and XTR dongle.

You then have the choice to make, keep the sim and upgrade your TX, or sell your copy of XTR and opt for G3 or AFPD.