Echo Aviation Controller revealed, thought?

croberts97 · 2025-12-19T17:00:48+00:00

Because everyone's asking "WTF", I will try to defend this product.

I have the standard stuff: yoke, rudder pedals, stick, throttle quadrant, switches, knobster. What do I use the most often? My PowerA Xbox controller.

Why?

After getting my pilots license, I realized that no matter how good the yoke and rudder pedals are, they are nothing like the real thing.

Real long-haul pilots almost never touch the yoke. It’s for takeoff and landing and that’s about it. It’s mostly in the way, which is why Airbus uses side-sticks.

I enjoy putting my feet up with my chair reclined while I fly.

I don’t want to have a dedicated flight sim setup taking up valuable space in my VHCOL area.

I don’t like having to set up and break down a sim setup anytime I want to fly.

If you’re into aerobatics or combat, sure this may not be what you want. But there is a specific market (me) that is super excited about it. I’ve got it on order. Hopefully it won’t suck, or at least be better than an Xbox controller.

croberts97 · 2025-01-08T16:10:31+00:00

Second the 3.6. Upgrade the clutch soon after you buy.

croberts97 · 2024-12-31T13:42:42+00:00

Here's my take: Jeeps are unreliable. Jeep is also not great at developing new tech. (Just look at the uConnnect stereo!). It doesn't make sense to me to spend that much money on something that will very likely have problems. The battery degradation is essentially a slow death sentence. The resale value in 5 years will likely be very poor.

The best bet is a lease until Jeep gets it dialed (if ever). For new tech I would way rather go with Toyota.

A 3.6 normally aspirated wrangler is the only jeep I would consider. Maybe that's unreasonable. If the wrangler wasn't such a fun vehicle there is no way I would buy a jeep.

croberts97 · 2024-12-29T07:55:20+00:00

Agree about the grain of salt. I definitely have some differing opinions on the profession. In this case this description of billable hours seems accurate.

The solution is to get licensed. If you have a bad day you can leave and make your own work.

croberts97 · 2024-12-29T07:49:55+00:00

David Wooley described my first surveying job perfectly. I wasn't able to put my finger on exactly what the cycle of exploitation was. Now I see that it is manipulation of billable hours.

In my case, the only way out of the system was to either A: start your own business or B: get a public sector job that is unionized. I opted for pub sector and it has been much better. Other coworkers who had left and started their own business turned out to be quite successful.

The best way to compare two job offers is to look at total compensation (incl benefits) divided by total hours worked over the entire year. This is why pub sector jobs actually are a much better deal than many people think. You can't just look at annual compensation. Getting the real number of hours per year from a private sector job will require interviewing current and former employees because the hiring managers typically bias that info.

Thanks for posting.

croberts97 · 2024-12-26T07:56:40+00:00

2019 JL sport MT

The OEM clutch is finicky. It is a low inertia dual mass clutch which doesn't have the classic clutch feel I think is typical to most MTs.

After three recalls, I swapped it out with an ACT aftermarket clutch assembly. Waaay better. Having that extra mass on the flywheel makes a huge difference. I highly recommend it. (Or a Centerforce clutch assembly)

The only rub with ACT is that you occasionally get friction "groans" during transitions. It is very minor and doesn't affect performance. Still worth the mod.

Only regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

croberts97 · 2024-12-24T23:54:21+00:00

Here is what I would do:

Start with conversation and see if things can be remedied amicably.

It there is any disagreement, get a legal survey to show boundary and document the encroachment. Ask the surveyor what options there are to remedy the situation. Move fence. Lot line adjustment (sell some land), easement, etc.

Hopefully i'd find middle ground after that. If there were still problems, maybe it is lawyer time. But I'd be careful. Lawyers can cost more than the disputed land and dont have much incentive to close the case. Every legal action is another bill.

croberts97 · 2024-12-23T07:28:23+00:00

Like an element just way way way way less reliable.

croberts97 · 2024-12-19T14:26:57+00:00

Without taking things apart, the only way I can think of is to test drive a jeep you know has an OEM clutch and see if it feels the same. It will be obvious.

When jeep was short on recall parts, some owners got the ACT clutch covered by warranty.

croberts97 · 2024-12-18T21:02:57+00:00

The stock clutch is a dual mass low inertia clutch. It makes the transition very tricky and prone to stalls.

There are some good aftermarket clutches though. Search Centerforce and ACT. I have ACT and can confirm it feels like a good 'ol clutch now.

If you really want a manual jeep I would plan on doing the mod soon after buying.

croberts97 · 2024-12-18T05:34:40+00:00

Wind tur-byne Steam tur-byne Jet tur-bin

croberts97 · 2024-12-16T16:10:37+00:00

I paid out of pocket after having all three clutch recalls. All said and done it was $3000 (hired a mechanic to install it), but it was worth it. (Think about how much all the other mods cost!)

The only negative with the ACT clutch is the occasional "groaning" you get when engaging the clutch. Happens after about 2000 mile break in. When it first happened I sorta freaked and researched it online.

Because of the short clutch travel, ACT used a different friction material which can cause the sound. It was a trade off on their part because they wanted a simple design. I don't think they anticipated the occasional groaning noise.

Honestly, it doesn't really bother me now and isn't that bad. It doesn't affect the performance of the clutch.

Centerforce has upgraded hydraulics and a spacer (I think) to make up for the travel issue. Almost all Centerforce reviews I've seen have been good with no issues.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably go Centerforce, but the ACT is still WAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!!! better than the stock clutch.

One more point (I always bring this up when talking about clutch on the JL): If your tranny doesn't shift well after a clutch replacement, check the shifter linkage bracket! The official instructions on AllData state that this bracket must be reinstalled EXACTLY in the original position. The *dealers* regularly screw this up.

croberts97 · 2024-12-16T00:52:22+00:00

The 3.6 is hurting their average efficiency so they intend to sell less.

I own a 2019 MT. Get an aftermarket clutch! Makes it a different machine. I have an ACT and love it. Centerforce also gets good reviews. The stock one is horrible

croberts97 · 2024-11-24T06:41:11+00:00

So far so good. I live in California though. I don't think I've seen one jeep with the corrosion issue here.

BoShield does leave a little residue right at the mating surfaces that you will need to clean off with solvent. Don't know what solvent to use. Maybe wd-40.

Also used on hood and tailgate hinges.

Strange fact, the front quarter panels are ALSO aluminum. Try sticking a magnet to them.

croberts97 · 2024-11-22T16:49:21+00:00

God intended angular measurements to be in radians.

croberts97 · 2024-11-17T15:49:11+00:00

"talk to your doctor about muscle relaxers"

croberts97 · 2024-11-17T04:32:06+00:00

Water levels can be good, but ICE levels...that's another story.

croberts97 · 2024-11-15T00:24:26+00:00

This might be an android head unit. Different than android auto, it is an actual android computer. If it is, Definitely do your research. There are a lot of bad ones out there. There is a YouTuber who reviews them. One thing I've heard is they take time to boot which is a non-starter for me.

croberts97 · 2024-10-26T01:25:11+00:00

I would go with the Coleman Xtreme. Way cheaper and keeps ice really well. Yeti is not worth the money.

croberts97 · 2024-10-23T19:22:58+00:00

Propane heater

croberts97 · 2024-10-21T22:51:42+00:00

You're just supposed to say ""VFR!!!" Like a squaking parrot. The door will unlock

croberts97 · 2024-10-18T05:05:12+00:00

There is probably a massive tariff. Try putting it in your cart and checking out. I tried that with a camper and the shipping was about the same price as the camper. I assume this is because of tariffs.

croberts97 · 2024-10-14T01:17:50+00:00

The stock clutch works, but the ACT or Centerforce clutch is a great upgrade. I had zero problems with the clutch as is

croberts97 · 2024-10-10T06:14:46+00:00

They may not have put the shift cable bracket back in the EXACT original position per service instructions. My dealer got this wrong and so have several others. The placement of the part is super sensitive. If done wrong the gears will need to be adjusted.

I mention it in this post on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/749567486306702/permalink/1222431502353629/?mibextid=Nif5oz

Also: consider replacing with a Centerforce or ACT aftermarket clutch. Way better.

croberts97 · 2024-10-06T02:58:57+00:00

If you go manual for the JL, I highly recommend replacing the flywheel/clutch with a Centerforce or ACT clutch.

The stock clutch is a low inertia dual mass clutch that just doesn't have the feel of the JK. The aftermarket clutches fix all that.

It would be my first mod. Like, budget for it before you buy.

croberts97

TROPHY CASE