Futaba Fasst vs Spektrum radio link

[hillmanr2]

I don't want a brand war, I am looking to go to 2.4 next year. I don't know enough about any of this to make an informed decision about the two different methods. Spektrum/JR uses 2 locked on channels while Futaba channel hops.

I AM NOT INTERESTED IN THE RADIO DIFFERENCES ONLY THE WAY THEY USE 2.4

This is a fasst vs spektrum NOT JR VS FUTABA

There are some very, very smart people on this site with constructive and informed things to say about this, please don't make this a brand war and get it shut down. I know I am not the only one who wonders.

[sweetpea]

I think you'll see they both have advantages.

-Spektrum the use of 6 antennas
-Freq hop for futaba

Since Futaba has not released the upper end radios yet and Spektrum/JR has

What channel size radio are you looking for?

[exeter_acres]

Umm...to the original post...

Is there a question?

They both work fine...

[Dangerous Dan]

They both should be fine. I would base my decision on what you have now and what your plans are. Always buy the absolute best transmitter you can afford. A transmitter stays on the ground and will typically last for years. If you plan on running 72 and 2.4 go with a Futaba 12FG 12Z or 14MZ, their modulation happens in the module and there is no difference of feature loss when switching from 72 to 2.4. Spectrum gives you more antennas and uses 2 freq's, futaba frequency hops. etc etc etc

[jonkoppisch]

I can't seem to find it now, but I was reading about some testing done by Julez? What was very appealing about the fast system is that it didn't go into a low voltage reset until in the 2.4 volt area. Much lower than the others!!!!! I would think that this would be a big advantage as it seems the #1 reason/excuse for problems with the 2.4 systems is inadequate battery power... If I can find the test, I'll post it later..

Added:

I just found it. I was wrong, it works down below 3.1 volts which is still much lower than the others I believe (esp xps)...

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...88#post7443588

[Pale Rider]

Both work fine--I chose Spektrum because of the remote rx options---the whole low-voltage reboot debate is kinda amusing sometimes--if you power your plane with the correct size batteries you should never even get close to the reboot voltage to begin with any of the 2.4 setups

[Matchless]

It truly amazes me sometimes how people answer questions in forums......

Anyway, in an attempt to yank out the valuable facts from the various answers:

Spektrum:
Multi Recievers/Remote recievers
Multi Antennas
Voltage cutoff issue
No Frequency Hopping
Good availability

Futaba Fasst:
True Frequency hopping
More tolerant to voltage changes
Some Availability (high end radios not yet released?)
No remote reciever yet.

[dick hanson]

when all the yammering about low voltage cut off , is said and done
the talking point of a volt spike , down to 3.5 vs a 3.2 volt spike - is a pretty lame argument
why ?
ANY battery setup that drops/spikes /falls/ dives/ hurtles / etc.. into that voltage range (caused by the servos drawing more than the batt can -for whatever reason supply -- is a DEAD DUCK.
askthe Futaba or the XPS guys " can I run a battery that is just holding 3.6 volts, with my new radio?
Isee lots of "theorizing" zzzzzzzzz - but put the situation into real time - any of these systems which can't stay well into high 4 volts (preferrably above 5 volts -is asking for it
unless you use just one, 17 in ounce servo -- go ahead ask em --I would love to hear the answer.

[Edge 540]

What about latency? I heard some of the spektrum equipment is faster than the previous releases in the ever improving technology race. I'm half a fraid to buy something now only to have a radio released in 7 months that is 3x the speed.
I dont buy into the "its faster than you can respond anyway" argument. Ok, so it is faster than the average human reaction time. GREAT! That only means that it will take less than TWICE my response time for the signal to be sent to the servos. I realize it is an extremely small difference and 72 equipment does just fine, but I dont see how anyone could possibly say a faster system is anything but an improvement.

[jonkoppisch]

I just mention that as it seems that is the excuse given by the companies for the loss of the aircraft... The test that Julez did, I believe shows that the receiver will still operate below the operating voltage of the servos so if you really loose a plane because of low batteries, it's actually because you deserve to

[tommy321]

	Quote: Originally Posted by hillmanr2
	This is a fasst vs spektrum NOT JR VS FUTABA

Hey Russ!

I've wondered the same thing as you. Which is better, frequency hopping? or DSM?
After talking to some electrical Engineers I know, I they've said that they can't really say which one would be better without learning of the details and specifics of how each modulation is actually implemented. And these are probably carefully guarded secrets.

However, the general consensus was that any differences would be negligible until you get so many systems running that people start falling out of the sky.

Sorry I can't be of much more help... I'll keep my ears open though.
Tom

[dick hanson]

	Quote: Originally Posted by jonkoppisch
	I just mention that as it seems that is the excuse given by the companies for the loss of the aircraft... The test that Julez did, I believe shows that the receiver will still operate below the operating voltage of the servos so if you really loose a plane because of low batteries, it's actually because you deserve to

Darned if I could make good sense from that argument -
from a practical standpoint -what servos are on the market which are intended to operate properly below 4.8 volts
Anybody???
which battery pack do we use which are not FLAT at 4.8 volts
Anybody?
so if you look at which rx will continue to operate correctly at 3.5 volts or 3.1 volts - what the fu-- battery setup are you using???
Would you use a battery system that could not hold voltages into the 4 volt range?
If you knew the system could reset at 3.5 -or 3.1 -or 3.26497?

[jonkoppisch]

The way that they are saying is that if you have a spike, or whatever you want to call it that takes the voltage down below the reset amount for a split second will cause the receiver to reboot which has cost several people their planes? I would think that it would be an advantage to have the lowest possible operating voltage on your receiver to try and avoid this, NOT SAYING IGNORE YOUR BATTERIES! Not that you should need it!!! Not saying that you're going to try and be flying around at 3.1 volts!! What I've been led to believe though, is that if your using digital servos etc and your battery for some reason isn't at full capacity, you suddenly put a large strain on the battery causing it to dip below the reset voltage, the receiver will reset locking you out for X amount of time. That extra 1/2 volt before reset could end up being a plane saver??

Nowhere did I say that you could be flying around at 3.1 volts??? That was uncalled for but whatever...

[wildhare]

I have been using Spektrum since it came out, it works great for me and i am impressed with their product offerings like the new AR9100. I have decided to commit to this technology and have ordered a X9303 transmitter.

Before the DX7 came out I used Futaba transmitters exclusively along with mostly Futaba receivers. I was completely happy with Futaba. I have no axe to grind with Futaba.

I think the transmitter technologies are roughly equivalent. These are two completely different ways of doing the same thing. But I think the Spektrum/JR receiver approch is much better.

There must be some reason why Spektrum developed the satellite receiver concept. Futaba does not use this and I am thinking this may be the source of their delays in delivering product.

Even if Futaba does work as well, Spektrum is here now and I want to move forward.

TF

[dick hanson]

Relax --my point is that the argument of 3.5V vs 3.1 V as being a point , hardly worth the effort
Why?
If you do some hands on testing of batteries - as needed to get proper operation with high power servos -- you will see that any setup worth having will not see under 4 volts unless the batt is going dead.
Futrther - many of the so called failures with Spektrum were with small electric powered models which had ESC/BEC problems-,oftendue to excessive motor loads and P poor batteries . and often as not the user had no clue as to the relationship of powerbattery/ BEC voltage drop etc..
Also there were a jilion of these on the market and NO --count em NO other 2,4 setups running . So the instant knee jerk reaction was " the Spektrum don't work"---
I have 4 foamies with 6100rx from a 5 ounce to a 18 ounce and batts from 380 mah to 2100 - I flog the crap out of all of these and all will fly as far as you can see.

So why do I scoff at some of the so called tests I see?
Simple - I can find no FACTS to back em up-