Question about 12z and 14mz

[longhorn]

I know its been covered before but I would like an opinion on the 12z vs the 14mz. I am making a purchase this week and want to know..other than the color screen, 14 vs 12 channels and the MP3 feature, is there really any differance? Is the programming the same outside of the method (nobs vs touchscreen)? If its just the small things that are different then I cant justify spending the extra money on the 14, but if there is more than meets the eyes with the 14 then I would love to know.

thanks in advance....

brian aka longhorn

[Judge]

I have not gone through the 12Z Manual with a fine tooth comb yet, but so far I cannot really see much difference in the software between it and the 14MZ.

Basically the interface is different.

The 12 does not play or record sounds, and you cannot load a photo of your plane.

The 12Z has two sliders located on the back of the TX, the 14MZ has 4.

The 14MZ has two more trim/channel controls (T5 & T6) on the front.

The 12Z does NOT come with the CF card. The 14MZ does.

The 12Z cannot be set to use JR shift PPM RXs, the 14MZ can.

They have the same TX battery (2200 Lion) and the 12Z should run a bit longer since its current draw is 500 mA versus 750 mA to 1,000 mA for the 14MZ.

Both have the same switch layout, but you must send the 12Z in to get switch arrangements changed. You can physically change it, but you cannot reassign switch type like on the 14MZ. They use the same plug-in switch types.

The TX antenna screws on the 12Z and has a BNC type connector on the 14MZ.

The sticks are identical. Ball bearing supported.

Obviously the 12 has two less channels, but they use the same 14 channel G3 RX so all you are losing are the 2 digital non-proportional channels (DG-13 and DG-14).

Both are 2048 PCM, 1024 PCM, PPM capable. You can select JR shift on the 14MZ for use with JR PPM-FM RXs. The 12Z does not allow this.

When I look at it the 14MZ offers no major operational advantages over the 12Z.

The extra $800 for the 14MZ gets you:

A color display and touch screen interface (WIndows CE driven).
Two more non-proportional digital channels.
Ability to play/record sounds and wave files. Includes a phono jack.
Ability to display a photo of your plane.
Date/Time function/display.
Two more sliders.
Two more Trim type tabs on the TX front (T5 & T6).
An included 32 MB CF Card.
Dials in a different position on the TX front.
USB interface for service center use.
9 flight condition versus 8 per model for the 12Z.
12 characters for a model name versus 8 for the 12Z.
Ability to set JR RX shift.
Ability to move and reprogram switch types (2-pos/3-pos).

Functionally the two look identical. The 12 "may" lack some deeply buried mixing differences compared to the 14, but I have to believe that these would not effect 99.9% of the potential users out there.

You can load any 14MZ aircraft file onto the 12Z and only have to worry about if you used one of the digital channels DG-13 or DG-14.

Again, there are a few other smaller differences, but these are the main ones.

[longhorn]

Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

brian

[aerowiz]

for what its worth, i bought a 14 mz when they first came out and if i knew about the 12mz i would have waited. i dont need the colour screen an all the gizmos to fly imac and 3d.

aerowiz

[ShortBus]

I don't have the 12Z, I do have the 14MZ. I like the touch screen alot. You don't have to go scrolling through menus to find what you want. Everything is right infront of you on the screen. I think that makes it even easier.

[excelpoint]

I own the 12Z while a couple of mates own the 14MZ. We have been through both TX's extensively and found the 12Z can do 99% of what the 14MZ can. Menu access is exremely easy and like the 14mz right in front of your face you just have to use a toggle instead of touching the screen.

[TrojanMan]

The size of the 12Z seems to be a better fit for most people. I have the 14MZ and love it but would go with a 12Z if it were me.

[JohnFH]

Short answer, love my 12Z.

[Rolling Thunder]

The 12Z is more comfortable to me.