[jhamm]

OPEN PANZER Tank Control Board from TORRO
OPEN PANZER Tank Control Board is a state-of-the-art control board specifically designed for use in remote-controlled tank models.
This board offers a wide range of features to enable realistic movements and sound effects.
The Open Panzer Board is the ultimate solution if you're seeking maximum control and adaptability for your models.

With advanced features such as proportional speed control, realistic firing and engine sounds, and various lighting options, it elevates the driving experience to a new level.

Made in Bavaria
Manufactured in Germany. Produced by a premium manufacturer in Bavaria, this board guarantees the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Developed by an American Engineer
Innovative Design. Designed by an experienced American engineer, the board combines technical excellence with practical features to meet the high demands of your RC tank.

High Flexibility and Adaptability
Open Source Software. With the open-source firmware, users can program and customize the board according to their individual needs.
Diverse Configuration Options. Supports a wide range of functions and peripherals, including turret rotation, gun elevation and depression, as well as smoke and light effects.

Easy Operation and Programming
OP Config Software. The user-friendly OP Config software allows for easy and intuitive board configuration, even for beginners.
Micro USB Connection. Enables a straightforward connection to the PC for quick updates and adjustments.

Superior Performance and Reliability
High-Quality Components. Robust and durable components ensure reliable performance even under demanding conditions. Powerful Electronics. Supports supply voltages from 7-15V DC and offers a maximum current of 8A, ensuring high performance.

Safety Features and Protection Mechanisms
EMC Decoupling. All connected cables are to be decoupled with ferrite cores to minimize electromagnetic interference and ensure stable performance.
Heat Shrink Tubing. A heat shrink tubing protects the entire board, enhancing safety during operation.

Compatibility and Expandability
Wide Accessory Support. Compatible with a variety of accessories and components that extend the board’s functionality, including sound modules from Taigen and other manufacturers.
Future-Proof. Thanks to the open-source architecture, the board can be continuously improved and enhanced with new features.

Additional Unique Benefits
Community Support. The open-source nature of the project has fostered a strong and active community that continuously develops and shares new features and improvements.
Modular Architecture. The board is designed to be easily expanded and modified to meet specific user requirements and preferences.
Advanced Diagnostic Features. Built-in diagnostic and error detection features help quickly identify and resolve issues, making maintenance and operation easier.
Comprehensive Documentation. Extensive documentation and tutorials make it easy to get started and provide detailed guidance for advanced customizations and programming.

 

Details/Scope of Delivery:

    1x OPEN PANZER Tank Control Board
    1x Würth 74271222 Ferrite (Item No.: OP-01010)
    2x Torro Ferrite (Item No.: OP-01008)
    1x Heat Shrink Tubing (Item. No.: OP-01009)
    1x Data cable USB A to USB C Micro (Item No.: OP-01013)

 

All other required components are not included. Please refer to the OPEN PANZER Forum for further information.



https://www.torro-shop.de/OPEN-PANZER-Tank-Control-Board

[FuzzyJack]

Oooh....

I hope LukeZ is getting some royalties from Torro for that!   

I still haven't been able to find the time to play with an Arduino/Raspberry pi alternative so I might get one of these to play with and add a Taigen Sherman sound board to.

It is nearly Christmas after all.  Maybe treat myself.

 

[LukeZ]

Of course you should treat yourself!

[FuzzyJack]

There I was thinking ooh that was easy and the board was due for delivery today when up pops an email from FedEx asking for some money due to the VAT and some import fees.   Bummer.  😂

Naturally being a suspicious person getting emails like that always raises an eyebrow but it looks legitimate.

The Torro page with the price on it says the price includes 19% VAT though so I may need to check what the heck they are charging extra for as it claims to be included..... hmm.

Checked on the Torro website with the language set to English etc and the items clearly state the price includes 19% VAT (screenshot) so I have emailed Torro to have ask.   I'm hoping it's just a cock-up and I get reimbursed but we shall see.

Doh....   Just checked the invoice on the order and all the prices are exclusive of VAT on the invoice so I correctly wasn't charged VAT in Germany and the duties into the UK are correct and expected.

The extra "disbursement" charge of £12.75 and another £4 odd for the FedEx fee (can't see the exact value now) is a bit annoying though.

Plus the currency conversion charged by Paypal pushes the cost up a little more for those in the UK so bare this in mind if you order one.   

[LukeZ]

Right, the VAT that Torro includes would only be for EU deliveries, but to anywhere else they should remove it from the sale price and let the postal carrier (or FedEx in this case) charge you for your home country. So it looks like they did everything correctly.

As for the extra charges from FedEx, I have had the same when importing items into France from outside the EU. It is very annoying, and nearly impossible to get a clear description of what they are doing, but at the end of the day FedEx is just charging you for having rendered you the "service" of charging you VAT and duties. In my view it's basically a scam, as you've already paid for shipping which should include all this. But there's no avoiding it. In my experience DHL is even worse. The best, at least in France, is to have thing shipped through the national postal service, who doesn't add any of this extra baloney. But we can't always choose how a seller will ship.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the board!

[FuzzyJack]

Unboxed this afternoon.

If others are interested I took a short video of the unboxing and some images of the cable set that is included.  Not sure the video will attach here though.

I took a picture of the page that talks about all the wires having to exit at the same end of the board (when the connectors are clearly spread around all 4 edges, that's fun) and the use of the iron ferrite cores to avoid electro magnetic interference.   Those are clunky as hell.    Not sure if this is meant to protect the board from interference or protect everything else from the board.

Either way I don't believe you get any of that with the henglong boards or other manufacturers so hey ho.

I'm also intrigued by the massive piece of heat shrink tubing they supply.  This "must be applied over the whole board".  I get that you want to protect the board but really?  Seems a bit overkill?

[LukeZ]

Hi Fuzzy, thanks for those pictures, that's interesting to see. 

The included cables are exactly the same ones that used to be included with the Hobby King board, so that is good.

The page that talks about the ferrites and heatshrink is the same information I remember from the report I mentioned in the other thread. To be clear to anyone wondering about all these precautions, I take the liberty of informing everyone that these ferrite cores, the whole-board heatsrhink, and the other recommendations about wire routing, are NOT NECESSARY and can be ignored entirely. It's absurd they even have to be included, especially the cores which cost money and are just going to end up in the trash, but this is the state of things in the world we live in.

Their ostensible purpose is not to protect the board itself, but rather to protect your neighbor's pacemaker (as user Bayou so colorfully put it). But if our neighbors have survived carrying cellphones in their pocket and 5G radiation flying every direction all around us, they will probably survive our toy tanks.

(PS: The forum can't accept video files directly, though you can embed YouTube videos. Don't put yourself to any trouble on that account, I appreciate the information you've provided!)