I don't like where this is headed. Not what I imagined when I purchased the R9 system.

I won't send my module to china and expect a great deal in no time and still have some questions regarding what I can and can't do.
If I buy new receivers can I flash them with the old ACCST protocol and use with my current gear? That's my main doubt.

(25-Sep-2019, 11:35 AM)brnmd Wrote: If I buy new receivers can I flash them with the old ACCST protocol and use with my current gear? That's my main doubt.

Yes you can. Both the original and FLEX firmware is available for the R9M "2019" version of the module so it's still backward compatible with old transmitters as long as you don't flash it with the new ACCESS firmware. It's unlikely though that you will see any further innovation or developments to the original and FLEX firmwares, so you are probably now stuck with the February 2019 non-ACCESS firmware release forever more on your current transmitter. New R9 related features will most likely only get added to the ACCESS firmware for the R9M 2019 which will require you to have one of the newer ACCESS equipped transmitters in order to benefit from those new features.

(25-Sep-2019, 12:18 PM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote:  it's still backward compatible with old transmitters as long as you don't flash it with the new ACCESS firmware.

So I have an old non-2019 R9m, with the old ACCST Firmware. If I purchase a current R9 Compatible receiver, but it ships with ACCESS firmware (as they all seem to do) can I, or can't I flash it with the older firmware and use it with my older R9M?

Undoubtedly if FRsky don't change their minds then someone in the community will devise some sort of workaround solution/custom firmware.

(25-Sep-2019, 11:46 PM)bffigjam Wrote: So I have an old non-2019 R9m, with the old ACCST Firmware. If I purchase a current R9 Compatible receiver, but it ships with ACCESS firmware (as they all seem to do) can I, or can't I flash it with the older firmware and use it with my older R9M?

Undoubtedly if FRsky don't change their minds then someone in the community will devise some sort of workaround solution/custom firmware.

OK, so here is where FrSky have made an even bigger mess of things. There are now "OTA" versions of some of the the R9 receivers and it seems that these only support the ACCESS firmware.

As an example...

1. The original R9MM can have either the original or FLEX (both non-ACCESS) firmware flashed to it, or it can have the new ACCESS firmware flashed to it.
   
2. The new R9MM-OTA can seemingly only have the new ACCESS firmware flashed to it. It does not appear to support the original or FLEX (non-ACCESS) firmware.
   

The original R9MM still appears to be available for purchase but I don't know if FrSky are planning to discontinue that in favour of the new R9MM-OTA. If they are, you will then only be able to buy the ACCESS receiver that won't work with your old R9M module or your non-ACCESS equipped transmitter. What a complete shambles.

This is exactly why I'm giving up with the R9 system and am jumping ship to TBS Crossfire.

(25-Sep-2019, 11:56 PM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: OK, so here is where FrSky have made an even bigger mess of things. There are now "OTA" versions of some of the the R9 receivers and it seems that these only support the ACCESS firmware.

As an example...

1. The original R9MM can have either the original or FLEX (both non-ACCESS) firmware flashed to it, or it can have the new ACCESS firmware flashed to it.
   
2. The new R9MM-OTA can seemingly only have the new ACCESS firmware flashed to it. It does not appear to support the original or FLEX (non-ACCESS) firmware.
   

The original R9MM still appears to be available for purchase but I don't know if FrSky are planning to discontinue that in favour of the new R9MM-OTA. If they are, you will then only be able to buy the ACCESS receiver that won't work with your old R9M module or your non-ACCESS equipped transmitter. What a complete shambles.

This is exactly why I'm giving up with the R9 system and am jumping ship to TBS Crossfire.

That really sucks, so technically if I get an r9m like this one which doesn't specifically say "OTA" I should still be able to use it? If that's the case I'll just buy all of them lol....

(26-Sep-2019, 12:05 AM)bffigjam Wrote: That really sucks, so technically if I get an r9m like this one which doesn't specifically say "OTA" I should still be able to use it? If that's the case I'll just buy all of them lol....

Yes, that link is to an original (non OTA) R9MM receiver which you can flash non-ACCESS firmware to.

The OTA version of the same is HERE.

Looking through HorusRC listing, it is interesting to see R9MM OTA and R9M Mini OTA. What is the difference aside from a single soldering pad?

(26-Sep-2019, 12:21 AM)voodoo614 Wrote: Looking through HorusRC listing, it is interesting to see R9MM OTA and R9M Mini OTA. What is the difference aside from a single soldering pad?

The R9M Mini OTA supports connection of an additional redundant receiver (like the R-XSR does) but doesn't have the inverted S.Port pad, and the R9MM OTA has the inverted S.Port pad but doesn't support connection of an additional redundant receiver.

I see, that makes sense.

(26-Sep-2019, 12:27 AM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: The R9M Mini OTA supports connection of an additional redundant receiver (like the R-XSR does) but doesn't have the inverted S.Port pad, and the R9MM OTA has the inverted S.Port pad but doesn't support connection of an additional redundant receiver.

I've always wondered how their redundancy thing works with F-Port, if possible how do you hook it up? or is it a Sbus only thing.

(26-Sep-2019, 02:29 AM)bffigjam Wrote: I've always wondered how their redundancy thing works with F-Port, if possible how do you hook it up? or is it a Sbus only thing.

Only one of the receivers (deemed the primary receiver) is connected to the FC. This can be connected to the FC using either SBUS & S.Port or F.PORT. The other (secondary) receiver is just connected to the primary receiver from its SBUS OUT pad to the S.BUS IN pad of the primary receiver. So all communication to the FC always goes via the primary FC.

Both receivers need to be bound to the transmitter but only the primary receiver should be bound with telemetry. You can also daisy chain a 3rd receiver to the secondary receiver from its SBUS OUT to the secondary receiver's SBUS IN pad...and so on with as many receivers as you want.

(26-Sep-2019, 02:46 AM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: Only one of the receivers (deemed the primary receiver) is connected to the FC. This can be connected to the FC using either SBUS & S.Port or F.PORT. The other (secondary) receiver is just connected to the primary receiver from its SBUS OUT pad to the S.BUS IN pad of the primary receiver. So all communication to the FC always goes via the primary FC.

Both receivers need to be bound to the transmitter but only the primary receiver should be bound with telemetry. You can also daisy chain a 3rd receiver to the secondary receiver from its SBUS OUT to the secondary receiver's SBUS IN pad...and so on with as many receivers as you want.

That makes sense, unlike their more recent decisions.... Thanks Snow.

Well...
I won't buy anything else from them until all of this mess is cleared of and in favour of us consumers, if not them as most are planning to. To invest in decent TBS hardware, as long as they don't take advantage of it too meanwhile.

Many thanks Snow for all the clarification

Okay got a copy n paste answer from Frsky:

Dear customer,
Thanks for contacting us.
If you have the R9M (in good condition),we can give a $20 discount for a new R9M 2019 ACCESS version( R9M LITE/ R9M LITE PRO).
Please let us know your order number of R9M.

Here is the procedure:
1.Could you please send your R9M to this USA/China address?
Here is the address:
FrSky RC, Inc.
451 W Lambert Rd. Suite #214
Brea, CA 92821
United States
Phone: 714-987-3100

OR China warehouse:
Name:jialing qian
Add：F-4, Building C, Zhongxiu Technology Park, No.3 Yuanxi Road, Wuxi, 214125, Jiangsu, China
phone: +86 15161552338

2.Please let us know your tracking code once you get it.
3.Then we will check your R9M, if it is in the normal status.
4.Then we will give your a 20$ discount for you, you can use it for R9M 2019 ACCESS version/ R9M LITE/ R9M LITE PRO.

If you have any inconvenience( like high shipping cost),please feel free to let us know. We will try to find another solution

(24-Sep-2019, 11:35 AM)Oscar Wrote: I found this image on Facebook, allegedly from an email that Frsky sent out. I can't find any info on Horus/Frsky's website, but I have messaged them for clarification.

(26-Sep-2019, 10:18 AM)Oscar Wrote: Here is the procedure:
1.Could you please send your R9M to this USA/China address?
Here is the address:
FrSky RC, Inc.
451 W Lambert Rd. Suite #214
Brea,  CA  92821
United States
Phone: 714-987-3100

OR China warehouse:
Name:jialing qian
Add：F-4, Building C, Zhongxiu Technology Park, No.3 Yuanxi Road, Wuxi, 214125, Jiangsu, China
phone: +86 15161552338

2.Please let us know your tracking code once you get it.
3.Then we will check your R9M, if it is in the normal status.
4.Then we will give your a 20$ discount for you, you can use it for R9M 2019 ACCESS version/ R9M LITE/ R9M LITE PRO.

If you have any inconvenience( like high shipping cost),please feel free to let us know. We will try to find another solution

Hmmm. Lets take a look at that in more detail and break down the figures...

1. The weight of the R9M module is 35 grams.
   
   
2. With suitable packaging (jiffy bag & bubble wrap) it comes in at just under 60 grams in total.
   
   
3. The cheapest price I can find to send it to either China or the USA from the UK with tracking is 10 GBP (~$12.50), and I guess when you buy a new replacement you are going to have to have to pay at least a few dollars in shipping fees on top of the cost of the module itself.
   

So after you get $20 back from FrSky (by way of some kind of discount code I guess), the real saving is only going to be around $5 which is effectively what they are buying the old module back off you for, and one that you probably paid $30+ for in the first place. That sounds like the deal of the century

I can't honestly see who in their right mind would take up that offer. You may as well try and sell your old R9M to someone who doesn't care about the new stuff, because I'm sure you would get more than $5 for it. As for me, for the sake of $5, it would be more valuable to me to just keep hold of it and use it for experimental purposes.