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

[whirlyspud]

My understanding of it is that the 12z will be going away in the future.

Mike

[derek powers]

Still need definite answer. Will the retrofit modules be as fast as the built in systems?

Will there be any differences?

How would the swap to 72mhz work with the antenna?

[whirlyspud]

My understanding is the antenna will be just like the antenna on a 12 or 14. If you have the 2.4 module in, you remove the regular antenna. If you are on other bands 35/72/50mhz you use the regular antenna. This is all what I was told by one of the reps at toledo. Time will tell.

Mike

Mike

[Judge]

The 12FG has about 99% of the programming features of the 12Z. It uses a 1700 NiMH TX battery versus the 2200 lithium pack in the 12Z. It has an SD card and not a CF card for extra storage (and I understand that you CANNOT transfer a program form the 12Z & 14MZ to the 12FG). Honestly you have to look pretty hard to see the differences.

There is an accurate photo of it here:

http://2.4gigahertz.com/systems/futk9200.html

I have not heard any rumors of the demise of the 12Z, but it could be since the two radios are so similar.

Resolution and latency of the 2.4 module are reported to be the same as if the RF deck were in the radio itself and are on par with that of the 2048 PCM system, which is excellent.

Swapping bands will be a snap. Simply put the regular antenna in when using a 72 module, take it off when using SS.

[santaqwerty]

	Quote: Originally Posted by whirlyspud
	My understanding of it is that the 12z will be going away in the future. Mike

More likely the 12Z will stay around but will not be available in the USA. The 12Z is probably eating into Hobbico's/GP more profitable 14MZ sales. The 12Z offers practically the same features for a lot less money. Both are 12+2 radios. The 12FG will allow Hobbico/GP to drop the 12Z and push more people into the higher profit 14MZ.

They will price the 12FG slightly less than the 12Z, then kill the 12Z, leaving you the choice of the premium 14MZ or the slightly ghetto 12FG.

[Banker]

So the 12FG must still be PPM if it uses the module and can still use 72 mhz. So the "purpose built systems that are all digital" must still have better latency?

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by santaqwerty
	More likely the 12Z will stay around but will not be available in the USA. The 12Z is probably eating into Hobbico's/GP more profitable 14MZ sales. The 12Z offers practically the same features for a lot less money. Both are 12+2 radios. The 12FG will allow Hobbico/GP to drop the 12Z and push more people into the higher profit 14MZ.

Oddly, the list price has little to do with profit margins. In fact, in many things the high ticket items can have some of the lowest profit. So I would not assume that the 14MZ is high profit simply because it costs more.

In fact, I am willing to bet that if the 12Z IS dropped it is in favor of the 12FG, which offers nearly the same performance but at a lower cost, and even lower for Futaba since it uses less expensive batteries, etc.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Banker
	So the 12FG must still be PPM if it uses the module and can still use 72 mhz. So the "purpose built systems that are all digital" must still have better latency?

I am not sure what you mean by this. PPM refers to the FM modulation used on 72 and 50 megahertz. Depending on the module you plug in you will have access to PPM, PCM 1024, PCM 2048 or 2.4 gigahertz.

The latency and resolution of the SS will be as good as the 2048, which is among the best out there right now, including the SS radios.

[Banker]

I thought that the stick movement was sent to the module in PPM, then digitized and sent. The purpose built systems do not need to translate hence lower latency. The Spektrum and XPS modules require the transmitter be in PPM mode.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Banker
	I thought that the stick movement was sent to the module in PPM, then digitized and sent. The purpose built systems do not need to translate hence lower latency. The Spektrum and XPS modules require the transmitter be in PPM mode.

Since both of those require the use of a cable into the trainer port and the Futaba system does not my bet is that Futaba knows something about their systems that Spektrum and XPS do not. Just a guess.

According to Futaba, whatever module you choose to use makes it that type of system. What makes it a SS system is in the module. Having it "built into" the TX would not make a difference. This is evidenced by their claim that the module system performs identically to the "purpose built" 6 channel system.

[Banker]

Ok, they have been doing 2.4 for a while so a 14mz with a 2.4 module would seem to be the most flexible way to go.

[BR289]

I want them all......Modules, transmitters, receivers......

[BR289]

I dont see Futaba dropping the 12Z anytime soon....Not everyone is going to run out and buy 2.4....Especially when 72mhz will be freed up much more as more people go 2.4, not to mention the number of people with PPM/PCM in a bunch of planes that arent going to just put new receivers in their planes. It would cost me a small fortune to pull out all of my 72mhz receivers and replace them with 2.4 ones.....so I am in no hurry.

[Judge]

Which is exactly why I like the idea of having the flexibility to transition at my own pace by using a 2.4 module along with my 50 and 72 band modules.

I agree that the 12Z is likely not going to be dropped. But who knows. The 12FG will be a great radio and offer the same flexibility of band swapping via modules with no loss of performance.

[RTK]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Judge
	According to Futaba, whatever module you choose to use makes it that type of system. What makes it a SS system is in the module. Having it "built into" the TX would not make a difference. This is evidenced by their claim that the module system performs identically to the "purpose built" 6 channel system.

Not doubting you, but if this is true I would buy a 14mz tomorrow. Wish I would not have to wait to see what turns out.