ORIGINAL: 1bwana1
I have experienced and seen lockouts in FHSS systems including Futaba, and Hitec. No radio communication system is bullet proof. Still, in my experience, all of them are better than the old 72 systems of a few years ago.
Location and environment play a large role in radio communications reliability. While 2.4 is the next step, as mentioned, it is not bullet proof. 72 is still a valuable RC method depending on location. Some flying sites are more prone to interferrence (both 72 and 2.4) while others can be nearly bullet proof for both.
Our particular site is flat land with minimal line of site obstacles and no close by facilities for inconsiderate parkies with old 72 equipment or Harbor Freight 2.4 toys.
Almost all crashes here can be traced to dumb thumbs, airframe or battery failures although there are occasional mystery thumps.