Horizon Hobby Behind The Innovation: Spektrum Smart G2 Technology

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Horizon Hobby Behind The Innovation: Spektrum Smart G2 Technology

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In our latest Behind the Innovation video we explore Spektrum Smart G2 Technology. Specifically, what's new, why these advancements were made, and how this technology makes the hobby more accessible, safer, and Smarter!

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Pilots and bashers enjoy even more Smart advantages when using Spektrum™ Smart G2 LiPo batteries to power their aircraft or truck. New “Generation 2” features make these powerful LiPo packs even simpler and safer to use together with your Smart charger.

For example, Spektrum™ Smart G2 technology makes it much easier to balance charge your LiPo flight batteries. Balancing information travels through the unique data wire of each Smart G2 battery’s innovative IC3® or IC5® connector. As a result, only a single connection is needed — no separate balance lead is required.

Smart G2 batteries come from the factory programmed to discharge automatically to a safe storage voltage of 3.90V after 72 hours of inactivity. The benefits include longer battery life, better performance over the life of the pack, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing your Smart battery is maintenance-free. You can change the battery's Auto Storage settings based on your own preferences. G2 batteries also offer a storage discharge rate that’s three times faster than the previous G1 Smart batteries.

Smart G2 30C soft-case LiPo packs also include thicker internal metal side plates. These plates improve heat dissipation and provide more protection for the cells against punctures during rough landings or in similar impact-prone situations.

As with other Smart batteries, you'll never have to set your own charging preferences for a Spektrum™ Smart G2 battery until you want to. When a Smart G2 LiPo battery is connected to a Spektrum™ Smart charger, its unique charging parameters and health information upload to the charger from the battery’s integrated memory microchip. Through the charger, you can view and set preferences such as charge rates, so all that’s required to charge the pack is connecting it to your Smart charger. Smart technology takes care of the rest.

The 2-channel S2200 Smart G2 AC Charger — from the new “Generation 2” of Spektrum™ Smart electronics — brings today’s most advanced and user-friendly charging technology to RC pilots and drivers of all skill levels.

With up to 200W power per channel or 380W on one channel for fast charging, plus the ability to charge batteries on either the IC3® or IC5® integrated output ports, the S2200 charger delivers a versatile and truly hassle-free charging experience. The S2200 charger works with virtually any RC battery and is backward compatible with EC3™ and EC5™ connectors. Use it together with Smart G1 or G2 batteries and you’ll be amazed by its incredible functionality and performance.

The S2200 Smart G2 AC Charger makes battery charging the easiest it has ever been. Its Auto Charge feature recognizes your Smart battery’s parameters, such as chemistry type and charge rate, and begins safe, correct charging automatically when the charge lead is connected. A clock on the charger’s screen counts down the time until your Smart battery is fully charged and ready to use.

Balancing Smart G2 batteries is just as simple. The S2200 charger will balance your Smart G2 LiPo packs through the same, single IC connection used for charging. No separate, confusing balance leads are required.

The S2200 Smart G2 AC Charger’s updated, improved user interface features fresh, intuitive menus, icons, and navigation tools. Its clear, easily understandable indicators of Smart battery history and performance provide the information you need to make the best decisions about your batteries when putting gear together for a day at the field or track.

USB input and output ports enable you to charge secondary devices and to update the charger’s firmware so you always have the latest version. The S2200 Smart G2 AC Charger also includes an ON/OFF switch, cooling fan, detachable power cord, and sleek case with rubber grips that fit perfectly on your workbench and in your pit or field bag.

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[pea]

what we really need is a smart charger that has just 2 buttons (charge & storage) but it can charge all batteries, not just Spektrum batteries (some of us cant afford designer batteries).

[williamhoodtn]

G1 and now G2 are excellent! Keep up the good work guys! As a HW guy, I know this stuff ain't easy.

[CoeShow]

All I know is you all are a great group of people and I am blessed to be part of it too. 5:49, I’m looking pretty serious in that discussion. Heheh. Horizon Hobby for life!

[ModelAVRChannel]

I've been a HH customer for a long time...been flying Spektrum TX/RX for over 10 years now. I understand the reasoning behind this and the tech is great. Some of this is concerning though.

1. Most of the simple "plug and charge" tools you are comparing these to are NIMH or Lithium Ion batteries...not lithium polymer, and that makes a world of difference. LiPos are far more volatile requiring specific care to insure you don't start a fire and possibly burn your house down. The Smart Tech is great, but it is a mass produced electronic...which means it could fail. In my opinion relying on Smart to totally do your job as a modeler for you is reckless. Some skills in modeling are very necessary, and that isn't a bad thing...it is just the way it is. We will never be able to "ignorant or careless proof" possibly dangerous things when misused like guns, lipos or fast cars to the point of rendering skill and knowledge not necessary.

2. In your search for easy...you are absolutely creating a proprietary system. Just because other have done it...doesn't make it right. With the V2 you have already rendered your customers existing chargers useless with your batteries. At this price point...that is bold. In my opinion not a good direction to go. Again...been a customer for a long time...hangar full of E flite and Hangar 9 planes. You guys made your business successful giving people choices and making products that are compatible with what they have or prefer...and you made your products good enough and backed them up with the best customer service in the business...which made a ton of us choose you. With AS3X...use it or buy the pnp if you don't prefer a gyro, with safe turn it on or leave it off. I really hope you don't start making planes that REQUIRE a smart battery. If that is your plan...you will loose a lot of customers. Yeah you will get nubies that don't know anything and never will, but we got you here, and there is a way to keep us all with options we want...I hope you do that. Can't you make the batteries ignorant proof and compatible with a different charger? V1 was perfect...you could embrace all the features...or just buy a great battery and use your existing charger and some knowledge.

I will say this as far as the price point. Yes...if a person chooses to use all of the available features it is a fair price. Absolutely.

I mean these criticisms as constructive...coming from an experienced modeler to a company he loves and respects. I hope you guys don't take "easy" and "automatic" too far. Our society has quickly become more and more entitled, and more and more lazy. Products that require people actually learn a new skill and do something for themselves isn't necessarily a bad thing...

[trainsplanesandautomobiles]

What do you guys think about a UMX fw190

[rcpete]

Yes but it costs a fortune.. People cannot even afford v1 yet..
All my friends can't buy Smart lipo's because they are the price of a new model plane, train, boat or truck ect..
So many RC Enthusiasts are on a budget especially now with Covid..

[marc_s]

This video made me wanna have those new pieces of technology in and around my planes. I'm still hoping that chargers, batteries and ESCs will be available soon in France and that HH will pull down the price tags in the meantime.
You guys are doing a great job, keep going!

[gordonsmith]

The Smart chargers are not yet good enough to justify buying them and adding extra space at your charging station. What is completely overlooked by this team are 1S, 2S, and other battery plug types. Most people own planes with more than just EC3 and EC5 connectors, so this completely ignores them.

[bneil]

The upside of the Balance Lead is universal compatibility. I’m onboard with the G2, .

[boomerak]

Will this charge non spektrum smart batteries that have balance connector effectively?

[kelnewman]

Spectrum are fantastic but so expensive

[damonwoodall]

Make one that CHARGES 4 AT ONE TIME and I’ll buy 2! Not until then.

[Daniel_SWE]

I do hope G1 batteries will stay. They are perfect!

[paige]

So dose the new charger charge old batterys with balance connectors?

[mitsmillman]

If the programmed time for discharging is hit will the battery continue to discharge while it’s being used in the car or airplane?

[richardclayton]

Can you manually change the charge rate?

[pieceinthejuice]

Hey Horizon how about shipping these out already? I pre-ordered g2 charger and batteries weeks ago and hasn't shipped yet. Yes it was a pre-order but it said shipping late January and still hasn't shipped.

[moraesmarcobsb]

Please... bring back the Vaterra line up models!!!

[richardoneill]

The only way I can get into this new technology is if you make it affordable. I do this for fun, i think it's great technology but I'm not spending that much on a battery or charger. My friend has spent a fortune changing to your new stuff but he still fly's the same amount of time as me. It's not that hard to look after your batteries, i can get 3/4 batteries for the price of 1of yours, truly you need to take care you don't price your self's out. Not everyone in this hobby has that kind of money. All my stuff is horizon, but you are forcing me to look elsewhere

[Cmafia-]

I know some people don't like the direction this is going but I like this. Sometimes change is good but takes a minute to adapt to. I would like to see a 4 port smart charger though. Is this something we may see in the future HH?