Sidewinder ESC
 

I just received my sidewinder ESC from Amain and was surprised not to find any castle link in the package. The driver's ed manual stated that it comes with the ESC but it didn't. How does Castle expect the end user to check for firmware updates and change the settings if is was not included? Do I have to buy one separately?

Yeah, you have to buy the casle link seperately. Do you have a MMM? It comes with the castle link...

I just looked at the page on amain and it says that its compatible, nothing about it being included.

The Sidewinder ESC is ready to run out of the box, but it is completely Castle Link™ compatible too – drivers can use their Castle Link and Windows PC to tune and tweak all their favorite settings such as brake and throttle curves, throttle response, drag brake and many other parameters that add up to an incredible RC driving experience.

They didn't put a whole lot of time into a new manual for the sidewinder. It's basically a copy of the mm manual from a couple years ago.

I do have some Castle link from the MMM but I was expecting to see one inside the box since that's what the manual says so. I'll be using this ESC on my son's crawler. I just got done soldering the connectors and the Dimension Engineering Sport BEC.

You can still use the radio to configure settings.. =)

We're currently editing the Castle Driver's Ed manual to fix errors and add information regarding the Mamba Monster, but I am having trouble finding where it says the Sidewinder comes with the Castle Link. The Mamba Monster is the only controller packaged with the Link, and the Mamba Max comes with the USB cable only. Here is what I have found in the manual regarding the Castle Link:

Pg 6. "Advanced users may wish to access the incredible tuning features using their Windows based PC and the Castle Link interface (sold separately) or the provided USB cable for Mamba Max."

Pg 17. "Your Mamba Max ESC comes with a USB cable and a CD with the Castle Link installation software.
Other Castle ESCs may be linked with the optional Castle Link USB adapter (sold separately)."

Pg 19. "All other Castle Car ESCs will require that the Castle Link USB adapter (sold separately) be connected to a computer running Windows and the Castle Link software. Connect the ESC to the USB Link via the throttle cable."

I'm in no way calling you a liar, just trying to find where the error is so it can be corrected in future printings. Thanks!

On the web you say:

"The Sidewinder ESC is ready to run out of the box, but it is completely Castle Link™ compatible too – drivers can use their Castle Link and Windows PC to tune and tweak all their favorite settings such as brake and throttle curves, throttle response, drag brake and many other parameters that add up to an incredible RC driving experience." - Doesn't have the sold separately comment...

Hmm, didn't realize the website didn't specifically state that. I have sent an e-mail to our webmaster to make the necessary corrections to avoid any confusion there. The only reason I quoted from the Driver's Ed Guide is because that's where George16 found that it did include it.

Thomas - I skimmed the Drivers Ed and it looked good - I couldn't find a reference without the optional comment.

Thanks for following up - ATB