The plunge. . .

[nesikachad]

Well, it's time to come out of denial. I'm hooked on this stuff.

So, I'm ready to consider dropping my panties and bumping up to a better radio that will do anything/everything.

Now, the hard part. Deciding which one.

First, Futaba or JR?

I'm looking at the 14mz and the X9303.

My flying consists of a couple 3D planes, two sundowners (small/large) and I'm about to make a bold purchase on a USRA legal giant scale racer.

I hear of issues with 2.4gig and carbon. But I also read of guys with the first 14mz's testing the radio by stuffing receivers inside of SS turbine tailpipes wrapped in carbon and then wandering all over the creation doing range checks to try and trip up the link. All tests were reported as being successful. I've read where receivers were surrounded by large jugs full of fuel to try and goof them up. These tests were also unable to create a failure.

There were comments that kinda picked at JR a little for using "cobbled together" components instead of dedicated, purpose built hardware/software.

So, that leads me to think Futaba right?

Well, a good friend and pilot of over 30 years tells me he's lost two planes on Futaba gear and swears by JR. He did state though that the planes lost were with 72mhz and not the newer 2.4

The conclusion I have is that it probably doesn't matter which brand I go with, both are very robust and have unique features/idiosyncrasies of their own.

I'm on the fence and don't know which way to fall right now.

Thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks.

[50%plane]

Why are you looking at the 14MX vs. the 9303? I would think you would want the 12X if you wanna go JR...

After flying Futaba for 10 years, I just dumped all but a couple servos and bought Spektrum equipment, so take my opinion as it is, opinion.

The best radio for features, etc. is the 14MZ, hands down. However, after seeing how Futaba treats their customers, and with the way they are treating this "Heat" issue, makes me wonder if they really care about us.(modelers) With that being said, I'm not going to debate the heat issue, if it's real or not, you decide, read the threads and that's all I'm going to say about that.

This is why I fly Spektrum:

#1 you have sat recievers in the plane that you can adjust to create as bulletproof link to you plane as possible.

#2 The datalogger thingy will tell you where you're having fades, or failures, etc. so you can adjust your recievers.

#3 When the whole 9303 chaffing issue came out, JR had a solution in a short time and hooked me right up.


That's all I'm going to write on that, there are more reasons to go with either radio, but that's the main issues as I see it. Nothing is going to be perfect, but it's how the company take care of it's people that I care about. With Horizon, I feel sure that if I have a problem(let's face it, everything fails at some point) they will help me above what they are obligated to do. When it comes to issues such as programming ease, etc. it's all user choice. I prefer Futaba, but many prefer JR's programming, for one example.


Hope this helps,
Chris

[bodywerks]

You have the two mixed up. It is Futaba that uses "cobbled together" stuff and not dedicated stuff.

[DougV]

nesikachad:

The Jet guys did alot of testing with the FASST system.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_61..._1/key_/tm.htm

Regards,
Doug.

[tkilwein]

I went with the 14mz, my preference since 94 is futaba, 9zhps then and now the 14mz.
It comes down to cost-cash, preferences, ease of programming, functions you want, support, etc.
The 14mz is way more than I need but I will not lack for quite some time.
Support for me personally has been excellent, Krysta and Bax have both helped me in the past.
I have had several years of service out of my 9zhps and hope to get similar out of my 14mx.
My 9zhps is going to my kids for their tx if they decide to take up flying.

I design hardware up to 8+ghz and have access to lots of high end test gear and I am happy with
my gear. The heat issue is blown way out of hand IMO, Some claim heat was the problem but you read in the post and have serious doubts after they explain other details, some have what looks like a rx issue of some nature. My current rx's will go to 157F in a temp chamber and that is with soak time. That is way above the rating of the rx. In one post-thread awhile back I offered to test a few suspect rx's and post results, NO TAKERS AS OF YET.

But in all honest the two you are looking at are both good.
You will hear good and bad on both vendors, just take what you hear and read as info and make the decision you are happy with.

[customjrod]

Ive also had both systems , jr and futaba. In my opinion JR is the more robust radio system right now. Sold my 12z and bought the 9303 just over a year ago and love it. although the 12z had a lot of features i liked better.

[wildhare]

I think it's unfair to use the term "cobbled together" about either radio. Any competent designer will use an off the shelf component whenever possible if it does the job properly. Going to a custom IC is enormously expensive and would only be done when absolutely necessary. Usually off the shelf parts are more thoroughly tested, too, since they have withstood the scrutiny of many users.

What counts is the end product, not the process used to make it.

Regarding your choices, for what you want to do the 9303 is much less expensive, probably a good deal simpler and still more than adequate for your purposes. A more expensive radio is just that, more expensive, if you don't need the extra features then a simpler radio will probably be much more enjoyable.

I think the JR/Spektrum receiver selection is much better, and using satellite receivers seems to have resulted in fewer unexplained crashes. That is just my unscientific judgement based on what I hear and read.

The Spektrum flight log thingy is absolutely the best idea that has come along since I started flying R/C, no longer do we have to guess and wonder if the first flight will be a disaster.

TF

[thewrap]

Spektrum hands down. I jumped when they first came out and I've been very pleased. Used it on a wide variety from electric glow and gas. Not a single glitch. I've heard Futaba still has problems with there 2.4 program.

[Jeff_D]

Have a look at post #85 in this thread http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/f...ristmas-8.html . Seems JR has some problems as well. As a matter of fact, any brand can have an issue somewhere along the line. I have been using the 10C this year without any problems so far.

	Quote: Originally Posted by thewrap
	Spektrum hands down. I jumped when they first came out and I've been very pleased. Used it on a wide variety from electric glow and gas. Not a single glitch. I've heard Futaba still has problems with there 2.4 program.

[FENWAYFLYER]

Just like anything in this day and age. Just pick your poison.

[nesikachad]

If I get this right, the spektrum and JR 2.4 systems are compatible with one another right? meaning I can link Spektrum receiver to a JR radio?

I have a DXi-6 for park flyer's here in Baghdad. If this is true the four receivers I have should work if I go with a JR 2.4 radio right?

Gents, I appreciate everyone's comments. As I suspected, all of these are really top shelf components and it largely boils down to preferences. I do think that Spektrum's ability to string an assortment of receiver antennas is a distinct advantage though. Very cool.

FWIW I have a 9C super at home.

If JR is really able to work with Spektrum receivers, I think I'll end up going that way.

Thanks again.

[d_wheel]

	Quote: Originally Posted by nesikachad
	If JR is really able to work with Spektrum receivers, I think I'll end up going that way.

The way I understand it, the JR 2.4ghz radios are Spektrum systems inside a JR case (JR branded Spektrum systems). You shouldn't have any trouble using Spektrum DSM2 receivers with JR 2.4ghz transmitters.

Later;

D.W.

[nesikachad]

Well, just dropped my knickers and bought a 12x from Horizon.

I got a "returned" one for 1200 and change. Not bad right?!

Guys, thanks for all the helpful input. I can't help but feel this will be much more radio than I'll ever need for some time. Just what I wanted.

Thanks again.

C

[DougV]

Nesikachad:

Enjoy your new system... and stay safe man!

Thanks for you service.

Doug.

[ericb]

Great choice. You will be happy.