Cheap Windows Tablet For ESC Programming

[JatoTheRipper]

I have become a big fan of the Castle Mamba X series of ESCs. I also love the adjustability with the Castle Link PC software. This adjustability via Windows has become pretty common among ESCs these days. I only have a desktop computer so I do not like dragging my RCs in the computer room in order to program them. I have no interest in purchasing the $50 B-Link Bluetooth adapters from Castle.

Have any of you found a budget Windows tablet that runs Castle Link and other Windows ESC software?

 

[spoo76]

I scored one just to play with for $50 and there are plenty of others just a little more, but these days I think the Android and IOS app is working well for a lot of people. I don't recall if the app requires the new Bluetooth adapter or will work with usb OTG.


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[soze]

I can't help you with budget, but I have a Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4 that I used as my desktop replacement for a while.

Dell Venue 8 Pro was a tablet that ran full windows, but It's probably discontinued. Not sure if the Surface GO runs full windows, but it's probably not budget either.

 

[spoo76]

There's a few on Amazon under $100 if you do a search. Just make sure that if it doesn't come with the full version of Windows it can at least run the full version of Windows. You might get lucky with the smartphone app so that may be worth looking into first

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[JatoTheRipper]

There's a few on Amazon under $100 if you do a search. Just make sure that if it doesn't come with the full version of Windows it can at least run the full version of Windows. You might get lucky with the smartphone app so that may be worth looking into first

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The app is for the B-Link which I'm not interested in purchasing.

 

[HumboldtEF]

USB extension cord to run a cable to the computer room to where ever you'd prefer to program?

Just a thought.

Never mind I just remembered you actually need a screen in front of you

 

[kincer]

I like Castle stuff but this is one reason I don't have any of it, I moved away from Windows about 5 years ago and went with a Chromebook because I don't need all that other crap running in the background, I don't do anything complicated with my laptop other than surf the net, I got tired of Windows always nagging me to update this and that. The only disadvantage to a Chromebook is you can't program your Castle stuff lol. I know there are a lot of other things that you can't do with a Chromebook but it isn't anything I do anyhow, all I know is I open it up and within 2 seconds I'm surfin. Sorry to get off topic.
Until Castle comes up with something like a Hobbywing program box I'll keep my 1080 esc's.

 

[JatoTheRipper]

I like Castle stuff but this is one reason I don't have any of it, I moved away from Windows about 5 years ago and went with a Chromebook because I don't need all that other crap running in the background, I don't do anything complicated with my laptop other than surf the net, I got tired of Windows always nagging me to update this and that. The only disadvantage to a Chromebook is you can't program your Castle stuff lol. I know there are a lot of other things that you can't do with a Chromebook but it isn't anything I do anyhow, all I know is I open it up and within 2 seconds I'm surfin. Sorry to get off topic.
Until Castle comes up with something like a Hobbywing program box I'll keep my 1080 esc's.

I have one of the older Chromebooks and I freaking loved it. They are awesome. If Castle supported Chromebooks I'd be in Heaven.

 

[kincer]

I have one of the older Chromebooks and I freaking loved it. They are awesome. If Castle supported Chromebooks I'd be in Heaven.

Who knows maybe someday they will support it but I'm not holding my breath lol

 

[spoo76]

The app is for the B-Link which I'm not interested in purchasing.

The app I'm talking about is USB, I just checked. I'll test it when I get home within the hour.
I wonder what the cost of the b-link is anyway

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[Browneye]

I have a MS Surface with Win10 loaded that a buddy gave me. Works pretty cool. Sits on the dining room table. "thumbsup"

Did a quick ebay search and found a few for >$100.

Mine has the magnetic keyboard cover thingy. Maybe I could get you one? He buys and sells a lot of hardware as a tech. Usually gets them free and then fixes them, so a little in parts and labor to get them running again.

 

[BashNSlash]

If they came out with support for Android already then this wouldn't be an issue for many. I literally have a windows laptop dedicated only to castle link! I'd be usihg my chromebook any other time.

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[spoo76]

This is the Castle Link App that works with a USB OTG cable.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=synergy.android.esclink

I still use my $50 7" HP stream mate 7.
I even have steam loaded to play LFD haha.
If for some reason the USB otg doesn't work on your phone or tablet one of those $100 windows tablets on Amazon should work well.

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[spoo76]

If they came out with support for Android already then this wouldn't be an issue for many. I literally have a windows laptop dedicated only to castle link! I'd be usihg my chromebook any other time.

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They announced the proof of concept a while ago. I posted the link.

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[BashNSlash]

They announced the proof of concept a while ago. I posted the link.

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The link above isn't a Castle app, though. I was hoping that they'd have a working app (to use via BT) after all this time.

When I'm on a trail I actually use my IPad to adjust settings, but that lacks log access and it often freezes the entire ESC causing me to have to use the laptop to send new settings. Definitely not as smooth of an experience as it needs to be for such an expensive product set.

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[spoo76]

No, not officially. But it seems to work for many people.
There's no good reason it couldn't officially work via USB OTG with Castle Link or via a Bluetooth adapter and could have for many many years. They just didn't want to for some reason.

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[BashNSlash]

No, not officially. But it seems to work for many people.

My concern is what happens to the new features in the ESC when the app doesn't have any of them. Things like AUX settings, throttle curves , etc. Maybe it just works like the programming card (which I also have) and doesn't touch those settings.

Also, the nice thing about the Bluetooth link via ios is you can change a setting without needing to reset the ESC - you can test things "live" and that's pretty awesome.

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[Voodoobrew]

I would drop the windows tablet idea and get a laptop is money is an issue, people give old laptops away, just ask friends and family.

 

[durok]

I have the HP Stream 7 that has the Intel Atom 1.33 GHz CPU and is running the full Windows 10 up-to-date build.

Soft case with a mini-Bluetooth keyboard held into it by magnets, 32GB internal storage (less than half used up by the OS and Castle App and a few other things) and a microSD with another 32GB.

Haven't actually USED it yet for programming in the field, simply because I have yet to go on an all-day crawl where I might want to try other settings.

It is a pretty damn cool little thing, can still be found for under $100 on Amazon, fleaBay, and other places.

Mine was bought new when they initially decided to discontinue it, for a whopping $75 direct from Microsoft with their nifty little optimization service where they deleted all the bloatware.

Pics:

 

[spoo76]

That's exactly the same tablet I have with a similar case. They were going for $50 at some brick store somewhere. I've managed to play Left for Dead with a keyboard and mouse via a USB hub haha.
My only complaint is the sole USB port is also used for charging. Not really an issue if it's just for castle link however.

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