What would you like to see in a new radio?

[crhammond]

A while back there was a thread raging about 2.4SS technology, JR not having a new top-end radio for a decade, the 14MZ etc etc. Mostly there was a lot of wishing for a new top-end radio.

In that thread no one was really talking about what they would like to see in a radio. Now that the DX-7 is out hopefully some new high-end radios on 2.4GHz or modules for existing radios will soon follow.

I own a JR 9303 and a Multiplex Royal Evo 12. Neither radio is perfect; each has unique features that I find really useful. So I figured I’d take a stab at “if I could design my own radio what features would I want?”

Maybe if enough of us come up with ideas a manufacturer might actually look (yea, I know wishful thinking…)

My Ultimate radio:
2.4Ghz of course
Gimbals that can be rotated and tilted (Multiplex can rotate, JR are fixed…)
Adjustable stick tension and detent from outside the radio
LiIo battery – a BIG one like 3,000 mah
Ergonomic like the Multiplex – a thin wide case that light weight
Fully assignable channels and switches (like Multiplex)
Multi-point curves on all channels
At least 5 flight modes
Expo, rates and trims for each flight mode
Timers that are activated by whatever control I assign – e.g. on my Multiplex the countdown timer starts when I advance past 25% throttle
A throttle lock function like the HiTec Optic 6
Easy programming like the 9303 with a big black and white screen like the 14MZ to show all the settings

Price it like a 12MZ

[torquen]

Man you just described the Futaba 14MZ! I just setup my Columbo Anderson Extra that I have been flying for 3.5 years on my 9z. I matched everything perfect first try and it only took a few mins. The 14 is a awesome radio that is setup for exactly what we are wanting to do.
Garrett Morrison

[nads123321]

what more do you need...if you have a 14 ch from futaba...lol

[macanaw]

	Quote:
	what more do you need...if you have a 14 ch from futaba...lol

Something thats not the weight and size of a cinder block with gimbles that move when you breath at them.

I would LOVE a JR 9303 with a tripple rate rudder

David Fox

[wizard]

All I really want to see in a new radio is my reflection. ( this means that I just want a new radio.)

[crhammond]

	Quote: Originally Posted by torquen
	Man you just described the Futaba 14MZ! I just setup my Columbo Anderson Extra that I have been flying for 3.5 years on my 9z. I matched everything perfect first try and it only took a few mins. The 14 is a awesome radio that is setup for exactly what we are wanting to do. Garrett Morrison

Really? I looked at one and my main concerns were it was heavy and the sticks felt very close together for me. I didn't know you could rotate the gimbals. The 12Z was lighter and easier to read in the light and felt better. Maybe the 14MZ tray version - now that looks killer. If it had 2.4 I'd do it. I fly with a tray and really like the Multiplex "pizza box" style.

The other problem was the few reports of the OS crashing and causing the plane to crash. I thought the design seperated the two processors.

I like the programming... and at the risk of getting some negative feedback I work for Microsoft so the OS is appealing... and if there were crashes then 99% they were due to driver/firmware issues. I just assumed as per the documentation that the radio transmission and controls were on their own processor just in cas the OS does crah while you're in flight. Have you heard any rumors of this?

I almost got a 12Z when I got my 9303 - but it didn't have shift select and I didn't want to replace all my Multimplex receivers. Of course now I have a bunch of JR PCM's...

I am hoping JR or Futaba come out with a high-end 2.4 system soon. In the mean time my 9303 is a good compromise and the Multiplex is my simulator radio. Betwene all the Rx's and my 2 radios I could sell them and get a long way towards a 14MZ... but 2.4 darn it, it needs 2.4!!! LOL

[airbusmech]

I would love to see someone design a red gaurded engine kill switch for choke or optical control on the TX case.

[TonyThomasian]

I would like to have a nob behind my radio, so i can adjust the high and low end of an engine electronicaly instead of using a scredriver in the cowl and chopping off fingers...

[EddieWeeks]

I want force feedback.. The SS radios talk back and forth from the plane to the ground and ground to plane...

Put a strain gauge on the servo horn and let me feel when I am in the shaker.

It may not work on giants with all the Viberations but It would work on jets.

Eddie

[BR289]

Obviously, the 2.4G. I have both the 14MZ abd the 12Z. I fly at a rather busy field and have been shot down due to people that dont take any pride in what they fly, and couldnt care less!
I dont think the 14 feels heavy, but I do like the feel of the 12 a bit better. Other than that, making coffee would be an awesome feature!

[torquen]

You can tilt the gimbals on the 14mz, also the OS does not effect the radio singnal so if it were to crash then the transmitter will still fly the plane. There were a few cases of the OS crashing but was later found that the wrong format "fat2" or "fat" was being used on the CF card.

Also, I'm not sure on the weight but I believe the radio is lighter than my 9z. Or maybe just the radio feels lighter. It has a Li-ion batter so that reduces the weight.

You can tighten the gimbal springs up nice and tight with a allen driver, or you can do what I always do and buy aftermarket springs from Radio South for 6 bucks. I fly with very tight springs so all radios feel soft to me.
Garrett Morrison
p.s. I just went out and put both radios on a scale and they are the same weight. 9z and 14mz.

[crhammond]

	Quote: Originally Posted by torquen
	You can tilt the gimbals on the 14mz, also the OS does not effect the radio singnal so if it were to crash then the transmitter will still fly the plane. There were a few cases of the OS crashing but was later found that the wrong format "fat2" or "fat" was being used on the CF card. Also, I'm not sure on the weight but I believe the radio is lighter than my 9z. Or maybe just the radio feels lighter. It has a Li-ion batter so that reduces the weight. You can tighten the gimbal springs up nice and tight with a allen driver, or you can do what I always do and buy aftermarket springs from Radio South for 6 bucks. I fly with very tight springs so all radios feel soft to me. Garrett Morrison p.s. I just went out and put both radios on a scale and they are the same weight. 9z and 14mz.

Thanks for the info Garrett - much appreciated!

As soon as Futaba has a 14/12Z with 2.4 I'm in! In the mean time I got a DX7 simply to try it. I put it in my Brio 10 and flew it today. Everything Max said about it is true - the feel is amazing. The radio is hurting for features - but it is possible for me to use it in my big airplanes because I use Power Expanders and it has the required mixing. It does not have flight modes - but for Intermediate I really only need dual rates on aileron and rudder for the 1/4 turn rollers and use one rate for the rest of the sequence. If you wanted to do freestyle you'd be hard pressed with the DX7 I think. I plan to try it out in a bigger plane and see how it goes. Who knows - by summer there will likely be something better and the DX7 can be for my park flyers.

I saw 3 or 4 planes shot down last summer and I had 1 run away myself (PCM lockout) that I never quite figured out. If the Brio is any indication 2.4 is the hot ticket - the feel is very locked in. Kind of like the first time you go from a sport plane to a pattern ship - locked in and smooth.