FlyingGiants Exclusive! Introducing The Futaba 12FG, Modules & More!

[Kinger]

To be honest, I'd be willing to give up some latency for the supposedly more solid connection offered by 2.4 technology. Plus, I get to keep my 12 which I really like AND I don't have to shell out major bucks again for a new radio.

[Dangerous Dan]

Should I use one receiver or 2 in a 40% plane if switching to the Fasst System?

[Mithrandir]

	Quote: Originally Posted by aviti
	...why is Futaba's SS better?

It is on a FULL FEATURED 12 or 14 channel radio (Well... also a 6 or 8 or 9 channel)... and it does not simply scan for 2 open channels and grab those two for use... FUTABA SS Continuously changes channels... like every 2 milliseconds (I think that is correct)....it is in a constant state of "Fresh Frequency" mode.... this is a much more robust means of maintaining clear signal.
This is not new technology for FUTABA... they also use similar technology for industrial remotely controlled equipment... like for the past decade!!!

Try it... you will like it!!!!

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcalbuquerque
	I Have my 12z in for service. I want to be upgraded

All that is required is to buy a TX module when they are available. No physical change required to your TX.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dangerous Dan
	Should I use one receiver or 2 in a 40% plane if switching to the Fasst System?

I plan on using 1 receiver per servo plus three transmitters per receiver.

Just to be sure.

[meflyrc]

Just need to know where to send the check!! I knew Futaba was gonna do it up first class.

[1bwana1]

I am as exited as the rest of you about the big manufacturers like Futaba getting into the 2.4 game. However, this is a very immature market at this point. I am sure we will see a very fast development cycle. I find it very interesting that every time a big name announces new 2.4 products people start saying that XPS is now at a big disadvantage. Sure, brand loyalty will have a certain number of followers. But, as a consumer, I will be looking for the technology that will give me the most powerful, and advanced system at the best price. I guess now is the time to say I am not associated with, nor am I privileged to any inside information, from any company, including XPS. I am just a very interested consumer. However, at this point I see some potential advantages to XPS over the big names.

First, it seems to me that the big names are taking a very “traditional” view to the 2.4 technology. They seem to think that just replacing the 72 Hz band with 2.4 is what it is all about. Yes, this should add some safety from shoot downs, and a more reliable radio link, This is valuable enough for many of us. But, it ignores the real potential of the technology. At this point it looks like XPS has a clearer vision of the future. This is based on their built in capability for two way communication. So far none of the names are including 2 way communications in their products. Basically, XPS is turning the connection between the transmitter (you), and receiver (your plane), into a wireless computer network. I see many useful advantages for this technology.

In real time you should be able to monitor the various components in your plane, and get warnings before things fail. Beyond radio issues just think how many planes this could save.

1.) If you are flying electrics you could get real time battery voltage, amp, and temperature data. You could set warnings that would let you know when these are out of expected values. You could land before you dead stick, or burn up.
2.) With gas, you could monitor cylinder/head temps. Could save a motor.
3.) Real time in flight RPM information. Now you have real data to choose your prop etc.
4.) Exhaust temps and O2 readings. When you go to a new field at different altitudes you could re-tune the motor with flight data instead of just listening to the engine noise for fuel mixture.
5.) Battery info from your Ignition and RX batteries. How many planes have been lost to bad voltages from these?
6.) Strength of signal. Currently your RX does it’s best to filter out noise and interference. Once the failsafe algorithm is tripped you lose your plane. You could get real time data on signal strength and signal noise and land the plane before lockout.
7.) Monitoring servos for voltage fluctuations could help warn you of problems or impending failures in real time. Could save your plane.

I think you get my point, and could add more uses to the list (please post your ideas). From what I have read, XPS has seen this potential and designed the capability into both the TX and RX side of their products. It remains to be seen how well they will be able to execute on this potential, but at least they have designed it in at the hardware level. They have also provided a development kit so you and others can develop sensors and interfaces that interact with their system.

Anyway these are my thoughts on the technology. What do you think?

-STEVE-

[jasonmvt]

this makes me really mad that i went and bought a 7CAP a year ago and now have 4 recievers for it.
thats nothing compared to some folks but its a big switch for me.
im gonna bite the bullet and get the 12 for the season after this though. if i wouldve bought the 9 i could have bought the *#*$#*&$ module LOL

[DKjens]

Steve,
I agree with you 110%, but I have more or less given up trying to make that/those point(s) to the people who populate the Spektrum and the FASST threads. I can't help but wonder about people, when I see how fast they do a 180 from an open company like XPS to one of the "major" RC companies, like Spektrum, JR and Futaba. Jim Drew has explained to great extent what technology they use in the XtremeLink system, that it is a proven, pattented system, that has been used for a long time in other industries. He has even asked fellow modellers what they are looking for in these systems, and has brought a 6ch mini Rx to fruition. Jim has always fully explained the reasons for delays, and all he has received in 90% of the time, is bitching and moaning from people calling him a lier, a cheat, a bad business person, and whatever you can come up with. Many people have posted so much crap, I have some times wondered if being a member of this large RC group was really worth it.

Spektrum announces that they will come out with modules and receivers, and people immediately take their word for gospel, pre-order (whatever's involved with that) and are content waiting for this magical date, without asking many questions or questioning if problems associated with DX6/7 can be expected also to happen with these modules. Oh, and the Spektrum system is 50% more expensive than XL.

Then comes Futaba, and everybody (mostly people with Futaba radios) jumps on that wagon, and this is now the best thing since sliced bread. Oh, it's so much better than Spektrum (but still not as good as XL), and Futaba says it will do this and it will do that. It will allow 14MZ users to keep all 14 channels (well, it's nice they can say that, they should know what software upgrades are in the making). Oh, it's 2048 resolution, big deal, XL is 65536. It should hit the market early summer, oh well, that's a nice firm date, and I bet there won't be any delays at all. The short of the long, yes, I think it's much better than Spektrum, I bet it's going to cost more, I still think XL is superior to all other SS systems, and it's still cheaper than all other systems.

I also think certain information would be nice to have sent back to me in real time, but Garrett Morison really couldn't care less, as he said. He's got his timer set for 15 minutes, that's all he needs. Well, good for the people who thinks that way, but I have an imagination that goes a little further.

And those are my thoughts.

[Judge]

For myself I prefer to use a module made by the same folks who made my radio. Call me crazy but I bet they know more about it than anyone else.

[1bwana1]

DKjens,
I really am not interested in getting involved in the web forum arguments. Everyone is entitled to their view on what they want in a radio system and company. I believe that the marketing people at the name brand companies have probably done their research and found that most people will buy a 2.4 system because it is the latest and greatest and will provide a better radio link. That is fine. But from what I’ve seen at the field, shoot downs are not the most common cause for crashes. Mechanical issues and “dumb thumbs” are the biggest cause. Not much we can do about the pilot, but there is great potential for better systems on the mechanical side. I come from a car racing background and I can tell you that we made great progress in reliability and performance when real time data systems became available. I am excited about this happening in RC.

-STEVE-

[1bwana1]

OK, Judge, "Your Crazy!". LOL. Seriously, I agree that the names will probably produce very fine systems. I am just wondering why they have ignored the two way communication advantages. It is probably a correct marketing choice, and will be very succesful for the masses, so may be the right choice. But I believe with your background in IMAC, you can at least see the potential benifits of realtime data. We can also look at many industries where small niche players produce better products than the majors. I know it is often true after market performance car parts. What you see at the race track is most often not produced by the company that has the badge on the car. It remains to be seen if XPS is really better than the brands, but I at least like their vision.

-STEVE-

[Darklighter]

I just purchased a 12z last year and now Futaba releases the best radio available. I'll bet this has all been a marketing strategy. When the 12z &14z were being released to the public, Futaba already new when the 2.4 radio were going to be released and were just milking the 12z & 14z for cash...
Makes me mad !

[paffy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Darklighter
	I just purchased a 12z last year and now Futaba releases the best radio available. I'll bet this has all been a marketing strategy. When the 12z &14z were being released to the public, Futaba already new when the 2.4 radio were going to be released and were just milking the 12z & 14z for cash... Makes me mad !

Or not... don't forget it wasn't any major manufacturer that hyped up the 2.4GHz technology to the point where it is now. Major brand(s) are/were playing catch-up.

Good for Futaba though. Now they can serve any customer, no matter what his/her band religion is.

P.

[pure nitro]

not comfortable with 2.4Ghz ?, check this out
www.rc.futaba.co.jp/hobby/