How many using Stratus 2 or Stratus 3 units?

Wires_Computing

Wires_Computing

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How many fliers out there are using the stratus 2 or stratus 3 units for ads-b? We often see the ports on these need repairing and I'm taking a sample of how many of you use them with or without issues?
 
S3 here. No issue with the charge port yet, but I am in the process of converting my GDL50 to USB-C after repairing the micro-usb port twice and the 30 pin port once. It seems to be an endemic problem with these things.
 
S3 The thing is bullet proof. Has never failed to charge and operate, has never glitched.

Maybe it only seems that the ports are problematic because out of the many S3 and S2's out there the only thing that goes wrong with a few are the charging ports; everything else just keeps working.
 
WDD said:
S3 The thing is bullet proof. Has never failed to charge and operate, has never glitched.

Maybe it only seems that the ports are problematic because out of the many S3 and S2's out there the only thing that goes wrong with a few are the charging ports; everything else just keeps working.
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The ports are actually better on the Stratus 3 units, so much so that it was pretty hard for us to find the usb-c ports but we eventually found them. Otherwise they do seem like a solid unit and upgrade from the S2, but FYI they do also use the same battery so that isn't any better, and yes those will still need to be replaced, but those are easier than the ports fortunately.
 
2S from about 2017/18. No issues with the ports, although it is plugged in to a fixed location on the plane, since I have the ESGi system. On the other hand it does randomly disconnect and reconnect in flight.
 
How difficult is it to open a Stratus 3 and replace the battery? Mine is still good, but am thinking ahead.
 
Stratus 3 since 2018. As of the last year, WiFi disconnects almost every flight requiring an in-flight reboot. Out of warranty repair quoted between $175-$350. So, it seemed bulletproof until recently, and I am not sure if the repair will fix the issue. Still, the S3 may nevertheless be the best overall option out there.
 
wsquare said:
How difficult is it to open a Stratus 3 and replace the battery? Mine is still good, but am thinking ahead.
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For your average person I'd say not that easy. All the replacement batteries are note 100% plug and play. They need the connector to be swapped out and/or re-soldered on the interconnect board. Plus the glue they use to hold them to the case is very strong so you need a lot of skill to remove it without damage and causing sparks or a fire. But we've done 50+ at this point and they are easy for us since we have the tools and skill set. Reach out if you need/want a service.
 
Aviator305 said:
Stratus 3 since 2018. As of the last year, WiFi disconnects almost every flight requiring an in-flight reboot. Out of warranty repair quoted between $175-$350. So, it seemed bulletproof until recently, and I am not sure if the repair will fix the issue. Still, the S3 may nevertheless be the best overall option out there.
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I'm fairly sure I know of the fix for that issue. I've fixed some of those problems as well. Although I'll say the testing we do is on the ground. So if it works here it should work in the air.
 
Wires_Computing said:
I'm fairly sure I know of the fix for that issue. I've fixed some of those problems as well. Although I'll say the testing we do is on the ground. So if it works here it should work in the air.
Click to expand...
I'm having a similar issue, the WiFi disconnects. It almost looks like the device goes through a complete reboot cycle. It is set to automatically power up when connected to external power, though so perhaps I am forcing that powerup.
 
I have the S3 and haven't had an issue, though I've only had this unit for about 9 months. I bought it used though. Not sure how old it is.
 
Also had a problem with having to reboot my S2 while in flight. Last year at Oshkosh I bought a skySensor to match up with my skyBeacon, love it, only 2 wires to hookup, took less then 30 minutes to install and download. Gave my S2 to a friend at Oshkosh this year. I also like that I have LED wingtips lights with those installed…….
 
I've been using an S3 for almost 7 years now. No problems at all, but I do have it plugged into the hard wire from my Stratus ESG and it's mounted under my glove box out of site where it lives all the time. I haven't touched it in quite a while.
 
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Still using my original Stratus 1. Never had an issue.


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On my second Stratus 2S. The first one came with my last plane in 2019 and it went with the plane last year. The only issue was the battery was worn out and it needed to stay connected to a USB port. It worked perfectly. This spring when I got our current plane, I bought a NIB Stratus 2S from a friend. It has been flawless.
 
I have a Stratus 2. Haven't really used it since 2017 when the GTX345 went in my plane. I did have the charge port and battery replaced under warranty and after that it was flawless.
 
stratus 2i... no port issues, battery replacement only (and it was stupid expensive). thanks for asking
 
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