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

[cyco]

does anybody know when it will be out in Germany ?

Thanks,Chris

[Dantley]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Judge
	Futaba Corporation does +/- $850 million per year according to various publicly available sources. I've heard through the grapevine that the RC end is worth about 15% or so of that. Call it $130 million or so. Not exactly chicken feed in anyone's book. Take a look at Formula One sometime. Futaba supports TWO cars!! How's THAT for a hobby??

I don't have exposure to Futaba's non RC products, so I am amazed by the numbers. I always suspected Futaba to have deeper pockets than JR.

If only Futaba would pay a design agency to improve the Tower Hobbies web site. The Futaba 2.4Ghz module announcement is up on towerhobbies.com, but the presentation is pathetic.

[Kiwi]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dangerous Dan
	HOW DO YOU RANGE CHECK WITH THE SHORTER NON COLAPISIBLE ANTENNA?

Dan.

I suspect that will be an easy question to answer once the users manuals and full programming instructions hit the stores.

There has to be a million questions we can ask here and they wont get answered but rest assured.
Fail safe, Range testing, binding and a host of things we have not even thought to ask have been asked, addressed and will be funcional when these toys hit the shelves.

Patience can be a virtue guys.

Kiwi

[NormS]

Judge, any idea if Futaba is going to offer functionality similar to Spektrum's model match feature. If so, will Futaba offer a software update for existing transmitters?
Thanks a lot.
Norm S

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by NormS
	Judge, any idea if Futaba is going to offer functionality similar to Spektrum's model match feature. If so, will Futaba offer a software update for existing transmitters? Thanks a lot. Norm S

I have no idea on that.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dantley
	I don't have exposure to Futaba's non RC products, so I am amazed by the numbers. I always suspected Futaba to have deeper pockets than JR. If only Futaba would pay a design agency to improve the Tower Hobbies web site. The Futaba 2.4Ghz module announcement is up on towerhobbies.com, but the presentation is pathetic.

Hobbico/Great Planes/Tower are not part of Futaba. What they do with their site is independent of what Futaba does. Hobbico is merely the North American distributor of Futaba products. I'd contact Hobbico (who owns Tower) and give them your feedback.

[PGR]

	Quote: Originally Posted by torquen
	The 12 and 14 channel Futaba Radios use a Li-ion pack. Its the same type of pack that a camcorder uses. My 14mz seems to go forever on a charge and I really love this feature.

Charging and lowest voltage issues aside, the voltage of 2-cell LiPo and 6-cell Ni packs are close enough to be considered interchangable. A common upgrade Evo owners make is to retrofit a 2100mAh LiPo pack. This provides some impressive 'time between charge' figures but I think the real magic of the upgrade is the LiPo pack's almost non-existant self-discharge rate. You can charge the TX, toss it in the trunk, and several weeks later it's still fully-charged.

That may not be the best way to treat LiPo packs, but at the rate a TX discharges them the degradation of capacity is negligible.

Pete

[GREAT PLANES]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Dangerous Dan
	HOW DO YOU RANGE CHECK WITH THE SHORTER NON COLAPISIBLE ANTENNA?

Hi, Dan-

The modules will include a power down function that allows for range checking of these systems. It will function similarly to that of the 6EX FASST system. If you'd like to read more about this, please refer to page 9 of the 6 EX FASST system manual. It is located at: http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/6ex-2_4ghz-manual.pdf

Best regards,
Mark

[GREAT PLANES]

	Quote: Originally Posted by cyco
	does anybody know when it will be out in Germany ? Thanks,Chris

Hi, Chris-

Unfortunatly, we don't have any information as to the European release. I would check with Robbe as they are the German agent for Futaba. Their web site is: http://www.robbe.de/

Mark

[juvaknin]

	Quote: Originally Posted by GREAT PLANES
	Hi, Dan- The modules will include a power down function that allows for range checking of these systems. It will function similarly to that of the 6EX FASST system. If you'd like to read more about this, please refer to page 9 of the 6 EX FASST system manual. It is located at: http://manuals.hobbico.com/fut/6ex-2_4ghz-manual.pdf Best regards, Mark

it's recommend that we do this Range-Test with Engine on?
i know some guys that always doing Range-Test with their 50CC or 100CC running on Full throttle.. it's necessary to test that way??

[GREAT PLANES]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Hammbone
	Sounds good. I hope it comes with a lithium battery. Jim

Hi, Jim-

The 12FG transmitter will be equipped with a 7.2V 1700 mAh NiMH battery pack.

Best regards,
Mark

[bax]

	Quote: Originally Posted by juvaknin
	it's recommend that we do this Range-Test with Engine on? i know some guys that always doing Range-Test with their 50CC or 100CC running on Full throttle.. it's necessary to test that way??

Range testing with the engine running gives you the maximum adverse condition you can get without actually flying. That's what you want so that you get a good idea of your system's operation.

[GREAT PLANES]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcdart
	I would like to see an option to hook into 14mz existing antenna, for those that use a tray the rear antenna could be a problem.

I'm not sure what tray system you're going to use but this should not pose a difficulty for you. The antenna on the TM-14 module is designed to pass between the transmitter's carrying handle and the rear of the transmitter.

Best regards,
Mark

[madmax]

Hi Mark! Thank you very much for coming in and answering our member's questions, and of course, congrats on the release of these killer new products!

Gents, this has turned into a very fast paced thread, I would ask for now, please keep the discussions to direct questions for our friends at Great Planes, specifically related to 2.4 products. This is exciting stuff, please be patient!

Thanks guys!

MD

[GREAT PLANES]

	Quote: Originally Posted by madmax
	Hi Mark! Thank you very much for coming in and answering our member's questions, and of course, congrats on the release of these killer new products! Gents, this has turned into a very fast paced thread, I would ask for now, please keep the discussions to direct questions for our friends at Great Planes, specifically related to 2.4 products. This is exciting stuff, please be patient! Thanks guys! MD

Max-

Not a problem at all. We'll answer as much as we can. We'll try to fill everyone in over the weekend as well.

BTW, have you found a place in Toledo for some of the walking tacos yet? They were pretty tasty in Iowa...

See you in T-town!

Mark