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Futaba or Spectrum - 2/2/2011 11:39 PM   
beberly540


 

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Status: offline 		OK, so another debate.. I need some more knowledge and opinions.. I went to a hobby store and saw the spectrum.. It seems like and outstanding radio.. Me i am a futaba fan.. so let me hear the opinions.. thanks

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/2/2011 11:45 PM   
Phoenixangel



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/2/2011 11:51 PM   
cfircav8r



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 12:28 AM   
Steve Percifield


 

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 12:29 AM   
Gray Beard


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cfircav8r

Kraft!! Best gimbles in the world.



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 12:42 AM   
blikseme300


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: beberly540

OK, so another debate.. I need some more knowledge and opinions.. I went to a hobby store and saw the spectrum.. It seems like and outstanding radio.. Me i am a futaba fan.. so let me hear the opinions.. thanks


My opionion..... here is my 2c

I have been watching the 2.4 games unfold since they were first introduced and have noticed the ways people go wrong with confidence, IMHO. The panacea for lousy radio installs, ignition interferance and crappy battery maintenance, NOT!

Being a 9ZAPWC2 user on PCM for a long time I waited until I was convinced that I should get my feet wet in the 2.4 world. First went with a DX7 and a TM-8 module on one of my 9Z's. After more than a year of usage the Futaba FASST system is now my only choice on serious aircraft. I also run a 12Z in addition to a 9Z on 2.4 in all my aircraft today, kick-behind system! The solid connection and virtually instant boot and lock-on of the FASST systems beats the other popular brand hands down. The popular brand might be good for the disposable foamys but I am not convinced that they are safe in any of my larger aircraft. The satellite units alone translate into a duct-tape scenario to fix missing reliability, IMHO.

Flame away anybody who wants to - I don't care. Each person has a choice on what products to use. Make your own, I have made my choice.

Bliksem



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 1:26 AM   
jester_s1


 

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Status: offline 		I'd have to agree, Futaba makes the most robust system, and the price reflects it. That said, I bought Airtronics because I do believe you get the best bang for your buck with their systems, and the signal technology is similar.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 2:24 AM   
MinnFlyer



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quote:

ORIGINAL: blikseme300

My opionion..... here is my 2c

I have been watching the 2.4 games unfold since they were first introduced and have noticed the ways people go wrong with confidence, IMHO. The panacea for lousy radio installs, ignition interferance and crappy battery maintenance, NOT!

Being a 9ZAPWC2 user on PCM for a long time I waited until I was convinced that I should get my feet wet in the 2.4 world. First went with a DX7 and a TM-8 module on one of my 9Z's. After more than a year of usage the Futaba FASST system is now my only choice on serious aircraft. I also run a 12Z in addition to a 9Z on 2.4 in all my aircraft today, kick-behind system! The solid connection and virtually instant boot and lock-on of the FASST systems beats the other popular brand hands down. The popular brand might be good for the disposable foamys but I am not convinced that they are safe in any of my larger aircraft. The satellite units alone translate into a duct-tape scenario to fix missing reliability, IMHO.

Flame away anybody who wants to - I don't care. Each person has a choice on what products to use. Make your own, I have made my choice.

Bliksem



Ditto

As a product reviewer I use both, and for ease of use and reliability I also choose Futaba hands down.

Futaba does not have some of the nice features like Model Match or Telemetry (Yet) but I'll take performance and reliability over fancy features any day.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 3:18 PM   
Phoenixangel



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Status: offline 		In a few more months the choice will be a lot easier to make, Spektrum is releasing a module/add on to upgrade current dsm2 systems to DSMX technology. It is FHSS that is compatible with old DSM2 rx's. The next generation of JR/ Spektrum radios will be DSMX.

There is a FAQ section at horizon DSMX add on FAQ

< Message edited by Phoenixangel -- 2/3/2011 3:59 PM >

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 3:56 PM   
deadstick8409


 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cfircav8r

Kraft!! Best gimbles in the world.


Actually, since they are hard to come by, (or buy?) I submit the best gimbals in the world are going to come from this guy:
http://andysrecroomrc.blogspot.com/
As I own one, I may be a bit biased, but it sure contains a huge helping of awesomness.



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 3:57 PM   
MrCoffeeMax



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Status: offline 		So Spektrum is "Upgrading" to the same type of system that Futaba has used all along. It's about time.


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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 4:09 PM   
BarracudaHockey



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quote:

ORIGINAL: MinnFlyer
Ditto

As a product reviewer I use both, and for ease of use and reliability I also choose Futaba hands down.

Futaba does not have some of the nice features like Model Match or Telemetry (Yet) but I'll take performance and reliability over fancy features any day.

As a product reviewer I also use both and for ease of use and reliablity I choose JR/Spektrum for my personal stuff.

My point being, they both work well.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 4:30 PM   
MrCoffeeMax



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Status: offline 		JR/Spectrum guys have ALWAYS claimed there was no problems with their radios. If there wasn't a problem why does JR keep coming out with new technology to "improve" the radios??? DSM first, then DSM2, now it's DSMX. Sheeez, that's three generations of technology in the few years that we've had Spread Spectrum radios out. If it was so damn good to start with why do they have to keep changing it??? oh yeah, and even with the new DSMX technology you still have the have 36 satallite receivers in your plane!!!!! ;-)

Futaba and Airtronics are still using good old FHSS. No second or third generation. Just the original hopping system. I guess that boils down to "if you get it right the first time you don't have to keep fixing it"!!!!!!!

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 4:48 PM   
bahamadude



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Status: offline 		"if you get it right the first time you don't have to keep fixing it"!!!!!!!



Amen !!

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 5:07 PM   
hairy46


 

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Status: offline 		I started with Futaba and now fly the Futaba 2.4's and I have no reason to change! The Futaba was what I used with racing cars and have used Futaba for years now on my planes, Very happy to report no problems!

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 5:14 PM   
ChuckW



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Status: offline 		I own or have owned both and my preference, based on my experience, is Futaba. I like the receivers better, the design of the transmitters and the menus & programming. I have never had an issue with a Futaba FAAST transmitter or receiver but I've had several with Spektrum (loss of signal, new defective receivers). I have seen many others have Spektrum problems as well.

That doesn't mean Spektrum is junk or Futaba is perfect. If you choose the Spektrum you will be able to fly an airplane just fine and even the best products can have an issue. I am just communicating what I have found from using both.

Both manufacturers will give you great service and support. When I did have Spektrum issues, Horizon took care of them no questions asked. They went above and beyond in my opinion. Hobbico, who distributes Futaba, has done the same for me on other products. That means a lot.

Just pick one and have fun.


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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 5:46 PM   
Phoenixangel



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Status: offline 		I have a DX6i and a 7C. I actually prefer the 7C. Nothing to do with quality I have never had an issue with Spektrum, its a "feel" thing.

I just wanted people to know that Spektrum seems to think they need to make the change. So arguing the point on tech will soon be over.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 7:01 PM   
flyingagin



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quote:

ORIGINAL: cfircav8r

Kraft!! Best gimbles in the world.


Heathkit 8 channel single stick. Roll your own!


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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 8:17 PM   
Mustang1971



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Status: offline 		I flew Airtronics for Decades working my way up to a Stylus. Always worked flawlessly!

Jumped to Futaba since Airtronics did not offer a system with more than 8 channels (since then, they have released a 10ch).
I love my Futaba 12FG. Great support, lots of accessories available and rock solid! Very intuitive programming menus, I rarely have to crack open the manual.

We have a few JR 2.4 radios in the shop and, having little experience with them, find the menus difficult to navigate. I seem to have to refer to the manual to figure out many features. For instance, to change models you have to hold one button while simultaneously turning the transmitter on, not very intuitive. With that said, perfomance-wise we have never had an issue and I find there support to be very good as well.

FYI.. Futaba is Shulman's choice of radio.
FYI...JR is Violett's choice of radio.

I only site these examples since they are some of the best pilots in the world IMO

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 9:05 PM   
texzen1


 

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Status: offline 		spectrum ....good value a few programming quirks like model copy easily overwriting your entire program setup or futaba voltage incompatibility  with most all servos and electronics but futaba....  i like Jr best, spectrum (Jr junior second)

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 9:27 PM   
HighPlains


 

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Status: online 		There are two methods of Spread Spectrum commonly in use. The Futaba method is the old Hedy Lamar ('40's actress) method, where you simply jump to different frequencies over a period of time. Crude but effective, since you may lose a bit of data but most of the time you hit a clear channel. The Spektrum method was to use a pseudo-random code to spread out the energy over a wider band of RF spectrum, which is much harder to detect or jam. In their DSM2 version, they simply picked a couple of channels in the 2.4 G band and started working there. Fine until someone else started mucking up the band with new RF energy (like all the frequency hoppers). So now their DSMX is still a P-code system and at the same time will be hopping around as well. to avoid sitting at frequencies that might have gotten filled in since the Spektrum radio first turned on and picked a pair of frequencies.

Advantage - I'd say at this time it goes to Spekrum. My new DX-8 has this and is working great!

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 9:32 PM   
on_your_six


 

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I think that they had to do something because all the Futaba guys were spouting so much stuff about frequency hopping... I have had one loss of a large airplane due to a radio problem in 3 years of flying DSM2... (DX6i and JR9303)... I fly a lot... several times a week and many times twice a day. The frequency hopping issue was almost a marketing gimmick to some of us as we were not having problems.

I cannot speak to anyone else's problems, only my own... that loss could have been battery related... I will never know for sure. I do know that I have been treated very fairly by Horizon when I had an antenna break...

I think that Futaba is a great radio... and I have some experience with that too. My prior investment leads me to follow the Spek/JR path and I wish everyone else good flying no matter what you use.


quote:

ORIGINAL: MrCoffeeMax

JR/Spectrum guys have ALWAYS claimed there was no problems with their radios. If there wasn't a problem why does JR keep coming out with new technology to ''improve'' the radios??? DSM first, then DSM2, now it's DSMX. Sheeez, that's three generations of technology in the few years that we've had Spread Spectrum radios out. If it was so damn good to start with why do they have to keep changing it??? oh yeah, and even with the new DSMX technology you still have the have 36 satallite receivers in your plane!!!!! ;-)

Futaba and Airtronics are still using good old FHSS. No second or third generation. Just the original hopping system. I guess that boils down to ''if you get it right the first time you don't have to keep fixing it''!!!!!!!



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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 9:39 PM   
Jezmo



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Status: offline 		It amazes me when the fanboys start bashing other brands of radios. Truth is, Futaba has had their share of problems with 2.4 as well as JR/Spektrum. If you think about it, an overheating problem with the receiver comes to mind. I'm not out to bash anyones equipment as I have Futaba, Airtronics, HiTec, JR, and Spektrum and have been served well by each. Roughly the same number of "accidents" occur at our field with any given brand and my own personal experience leads to a story of "I've been flying R/C for just over 40 years (I started out with an old EK Logictrol) and since going to 2.4 several years back I haven't had any sort of radio failure/glitch from any manufacturer." I am currently using a Spektrum DX8i in my 50cc Extra but I wouldn't hesitate to put a Futaba 2.4 system (I do own a Futaba 2.4 system) in it if they come out with a radio that has telemetry and model match. If I am hovering for an extended period, I have a warning set on my DX8 to tell me when the engine temp is getting a bit too high. IMHO, what we are using today compared to 40 years ago, regardless of the manufacturer, is so much better it's like comparing a Rolls Royce to something less than a Pinto.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 10:39 PM   
Luchnia


 

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Status: offline 		One thing is for sure, radio technology has grown immensely and I for one am glad of it. To me it is fantastic to use the radios out there now. The Model Match feature on the Spektrum is really super nice and something I like having. I agree with some of the posters that Spektrum can be a bit of a pain to get setup.

All in all, I am sure most of the better brand name radios today are very good quality radios. When guys say things like Futaba started it all and others say Spektrum is king, etc., I pay no mind to any of that. To me it is getting a good radio at a decent price and it doing what it was designed to do.

Also, the feel of the radio should be important. If a radio does not have the "feel" you desire I would go with something else because it will never feel right.

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RE: Futaba or Spectrum - 2/3/2011 11:05 PM   
my05monte



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Status: offline 		I miss my Pinto

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