I'm looking into buying my first transmitter to start flying airplanes.
Would like to ask two question regarding the Futaba T16iZ and T18SZ V3:
.what are the main differences between these two ?
.i found that the T16iZ was introduced around march 2021 but does anybody have an idea when the Version 3 of the T18SZ was launched ?
.from both transmitters there is a normal version and a potless version. What is the difference and which is better ?
Hope somebody can shed some light on these questions :-)

The fellas here will give you all the feature comparisons, as for me, I just bought both. The touch screen was harder for me (too many fat finger results) and the controller didn't feel as balanced in my hands with the 16iz. Right away I bought the 18SZ and I like using the touch screen and the feel in my hands and whilst flying, much better. So there is what I like to call, "ye' ol' experience of one." It's certainly not empirical data. haha

16IZ is almost identical (software feature wise) as the 18SZ.

Main difference is that the 16IZ has an additional menu option for their 3 axis gyros.

Hardware wise the biggest difference is the 18SZs better gimbals. 18SZ has the same fully adjustable gimbals as the 18MZ radios whereas the 16IZ uses cheaper variants.

The 18SZ was also available as an Anniversary model and this had a different (shiny) faceplate and full alluminium gimbals.

The 16IZ is quite a bit thinner and therefore the switch spacing across the top two rows of switches is quite tight. The 18SZ is much roomier here for those with larger hands/fingers. In fact it is impossible to use comfortably for some due to this single issue. IMHO I reckon Futaba made a bit of an error here designing the switch spacing way too close.

Sliders on the 16IZ do not feel as nice to use as compared to the 18SZ and same goes for the two potentiometer controls... 18SZ much better on both counts.

I own both and feel that the 18SZ just feels like a more polished unit... The 16IZ just has some cut price features...

When it comes to the potentiometers... 16IZ uses cheaper lower rated units, 18SZ (and Anniversary version) uses higher rated/quality potentiometers.

The potless version uses hall effect sensors in place of the resistive potentiometers however this version only seemed to be available in the EU.

One other thing is that the EU version of the 16IZ is not capable of transmitting FASST protocol.

feature wise little to choose from. Hold both to see which fits your hand and fingers best. I have a friend that can't fly with my 16 because it's difficult for him to hold it.

I'm not sure what a v3 even is, but I've had all the futaba TXs and the 18sz was my favorite. Feels good, almost everything and 18mz has, super quality. The 16iz was too small for my hands, the build quality was not good, I did like the brighter screen that had a more sensitive touch to it.

Thanks everybody for your feedback.
Will go have a look in the shop at both bus based on your contributions i'm am in favour of the T18SZ at this time :-)

Originally Posted by nappyroots2182

I'm not sure what a v3 even is

https://aerobertics.be/nl_be/fut18szpl

I have not heard good things about the work undertaken onto those gimbals and if they already are on V3 you can imagine how ''excellent'' that service is.

Originally Posted by Costas

The 16IZ just has some cut price features...

the 14SG has long been discontinued and replaced by the 16IZ
Futaba has just released the 16IZ SUPER it's basically the same ugly looking Tx with a little make up

So far the 16IZ Super is only going to be released in Japan, no idea on when it will hit the EU or US.

.

1- it's no longer listed in the latest Futaba catalog

2- it's another distributor in germany that does this mod for european dealers that want to sell both versions.

3- with a dremel and some basic skills you are likely to achieve a better finish.

RadioMaster Tx16 AG01 - Red - Gimbals at GraysonHobby.com (1 min 44 sec)

Hello Does someone know who does this mod here in Europe ?

Originally Posted by haribo

1- it's no longer listed in the latest Futaba catalog

2- it's another distributor in germany that does this mod for european dealers that want to sell both versions.

3- with a dremel and some basic skills you are likely to achieve a better finish.

On the 16iz I have found that the speech volume is better the screen seems a bit brighter and easier to see on a sunny day and a recent firmware upgrade has given speech to all the switches.
As others have said the sliders aren’t as good and although the sticks are said to be not as good,in practice they seem fine.