Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Different questions  
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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros >> Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Different questions
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Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Differe... - 1/4/2008 9:00:50 PM   
AJF--2


 

Posts: 2061
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Snow Hill, NC, USA
Status: offline 		OK-- been away for a while and the other thread (and other stuff I have read) don't quite answer all of the questions. When I left the hobby a few years back, I was the only JR guy at out field. A buddy gave me a Futaba transmitter (to seduce me back in-it worked) and now I am the only Futaba guy at the field as it seems everybody else has gone Spect or JR 2.4. I see NO Futaba FASST systems at all. Wha happoned???

The FASST system is quite a bit cheaper and the reciever has no satelite attached to the reciever. Does this make it less reliable? Is the range just as good? Does it have the servo sync? I understand the channel hopping-- is that the reason for the single, smaller unit? Again, I know lots of folks with the JR stuff, but I have yet to see anybody flying Futaba 2.4 stuff. The JR/Spect folks certainly got the jump out of the box with this one.

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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Dif... - 1/4/2008 9:47:35 PM   
GalenB



Posts: 2006
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Issaquah, WA, USA
Status: offline 		In short -- JR and Spektrum got their "good enough" product into user's hands while Futaba dragged their feet releasing their technically supior product. JR and Spektrum have been shipping systems for almost 2 years starting with the DX-6 and have really been busy this last year with the DX-7 and the JR 9303 2.4. They have also created a rich set of receiver choices that range from the tiny AR6100 to 9 channel models with up to two satelite receivers. They also have a diagnostic gizmo that lets you see how many fades and drops each receiver and satelite experienced. This gizmo is cheap and can really provide peace of mind since you can see what happened during any given flight.

Futaba started shipping an entry level 6 channel systems about a year ago and then slipped the delivery of every other system and module since then. The TM-7 started shipping last fall and the TM-14 started last week. The TM-8 has still not yet shipped -- I had one on back order since last May and I recently canceled it.

I voted with my money and sold my DX-7 and purchased a 12z and TM-14 because I think the Futaba solution is technicially better (frequency hopping is more robust than two channels -- period). However, the JR/Spektrum solution is good enough, cheaper, and has been available longer. The demand for SS systems has been astounding and the company with products on store shelves is going to win a lot of business and that's exactly what JR / Spektrum has done. They have become the defacto leaders in this RC market segment.

Also -- the JR/Spektrum receivers and easier to mount and the satelites can be mounted a long ways away from the main receiver. This is a flexible system. The Futaba antennas are proving harder to deal with and need some kind of holder to keep them at 90 degrees from each other. They are also really challenging to mount in smaller models.

To answer some of you specific questions:

  • The FASST system is only cheaper if you only buy a module and a receiver. In general the 7 channel receivers all cost about $100.00.
  • FASST doesn't need the satelite receivers because of their technology and the 90 degree antenna spread. In theory FASST should be more reliable because of the frequency hopping (most military communications use FH to make them harder to jam)...
  • The range is the same as this has more to do with the transmitter power output and that's regulated to less that a watt (I think?).
  • No servo sync on FASST modules. The transmitter programming remains the same as it was with a 72 mhz module. You are limited to 8 channels because the transmitter must use PPM with a FASST module. The 12z, 12FG, and 14MZ with a TM-14 module are fully featured and don't use PPM, but they are also much more expensive.


< Message edited by GalenB -- 1/4/2008 9:48:49 PM >


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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/4/2008 10:55:54 PM   
dick Hanson



Posts: 10061
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: slc, UT, USA
Status: online 		A real puzzler to me - Futaba and XPS -- neither has a sync feature and the Model Match feature - which to me is a major breakthru in basic RC- is -- also not there - but then some guys really are not into setups where it would ever be noticed --

Excusing "Model Match" as being - "Not really necessary" really escapes me ---- Every durn fool flyer needs it
except for those who NEVER make mistakes .

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(in reply to GalenB)
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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 12:43:54 AM   
3D Joy



Posts: 1061
Joined: 12/21/2002
From: , QC, CANADA
Status: offline 		What is the sync feature and model match?

(in reply to dick Hanson)
       Post #: 4

RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 1:17:55 AM   
stinky



Posts: 60
Joined: 2/12/2003
From: Toms River , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Futaba's been into 2.4 mhz radios for about 15 years!!! They haven't been in the model end of it because this is Futaba smallest portion of there company, for about the last 10 years. Only after Spectrum came out with the ther park flyer radio that sold like hot cakes. Futaba then saw some $$$$ signs in the model 2.4 arena! It took a year to play catch up, but Futaba will once again soar past these other infant radio comapanys like Spectrum. Which depends on who's talking has lots of issues with keeping aircraft in the air. Jr has held the market for the last 10 years in model radios, but too are just a young comapny when it comes to 2.4 mhz.
steve

(in reply to 3D Joy)
       Post #: 5

RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 1:19:38 AM   
GalenB



Posts: 2006
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Issaquah, WA, USA
Status: offline 		Servo sync is the name of the Spektrum / JR feature that causes servos on different channels to track the same throughout their range of travel. This is really useful for dual elevator systems where you want both elevators to track the same through out the full range of travel. The 12 and 14 channel Futaba transmitters likley have have this feature as they are designed for lots of servos working together, but I will have to check further.

Model match Spektrum / JR is a feature that prevents the model from responding to the wrong model memory. When the receiver and transmitter are bound the receiver not only records the transmitter's GUID -- it also records the model number (memory location). After binding the receiver will only respond to the correct transmitter set to the correct model memory.


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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 2:01:00 AM   
GalenB



Posts: 2006
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Issaquah, WA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: dick Hanson
A real puzzler to me - Futaba and XPS -- neither has a sync feature and the Model Match feature - which to me is a major breakthru in basic RC- is -- also not there - but then some guys really are not into setups where it would ever be noticed --


This shouldn't surprise you -- these are both module based systems that are retrofitted to older transmitters. You need firmware in the transmitter to support servos sync and model match. Do the Spektrum modules have servo sync and model match when used with a JR 8103? I don't think so, but I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong.

The 12Z/12FG/14MZ have similar features to servo sync and model match, but they are many times the cost of a DX-7...



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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 3:37:23 AM   
nonstoprc



Posts: 1045
Joined: 9/9/2003
From: austin, TX, USA
Status: offline 		To bind a recevier to either a Spectrum/JR or Futaba 2.4 radio, is it necessary to touch a button or something on the receiver? I did not own any 2.4 equipment and so the question.

If so, it seems to me a hassle because you need to remove the canopy to reach the receiver, if several planes on 2.4 are brought to the field and to be flown, with one radio.

(in reply to GalenB)
       Post #: 8

RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 3:43:04 AM   
AJF--2


 

Posts: 2061
Joined: 2/8/2002
From: Snow Hill, NC, USA
Status: offline
quote:

Do the Spektrum modules have servo sync and model match when used with a JR 8103? I don't think so, but I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong.


I think they do. One of my buddies has the 9303 w/2.4 module on his WH Edge with duel elevator servos.

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(in reply to GalenB)
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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 3:56:43 AM   
yakman


 

Posts: 159
Joined: 1/16/2003
From: Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
Status: offline 		I dont understand how Futaba could just make modules with integral antennas for their top line radios . I would rather have a fat girlfriend.

(in reply to AJF--2)
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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 4:04:56 AM   
PLANE JIM



Posts: 908
Joined: 12/22/2002
From: pinehurst, TX, USA
Status: online 		once you bind your plane to the transmitter there is no need to bind again, in other words-you do not bind your airplane everytime you turn it on or off or fly another day.

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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 4:15:06 AM   
tadawson


 

Posts: 476
Joined: 9/5/2002
From: Lewisville, TX, USA
Status: offline
quote:

I dont understand how Futaba could just make modules with integral antennas for their top line radios . I would rather have a fat girlfriend.


Because it doesn't cripple the radio by locking it into one frequency/band? Myself, I would take a modular system over a built-in any day. Ever notice that it's only the higher end radios in both the Futaba and JR lines that are modular? Think about it . . . it's a desirable, higher end feature. Myself, I can't see ever moving to just one band, and not being able to be "frequency agile" with the TX would suck . . . for now, I am on 50MHz and a little bit of 72MHz. If and when I go to 2.4, I will ***NOT*** be abandoning 50 . . . . it's already flawless where I fly . . . and if it ain't broke, I don't fix it!

- Tim

(in reply to yakman)
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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 4:17:17 AM   
Josey Wales



Posts: 4682
Joined: 7/27/2003
From: **, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Man I better get my hip-boots---its getting real deep in here!

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RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 4:18:29 AM   
dick Hanson



Posts: 10061
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: slc, UT, USA
Status: online
quote:

ORIGINAL: GalenB

quote:

ORIGINAL: dick Hanson
A real puzzler to me - Futaba and XPS -- neither has a sync feature and the Model Match feature - which to me is a major breakthru in basic RC- is -- also not there - but then some guys really are not into setups where it would ever be noticed --


This shouldn't surprise you -- these are both module based systems that are retrofitted to older transmitters. You need firmware in the transmitter to support servos sync and model match. Do the Spektrum modules have servo sync and model match when used with a JR 8103? I don't think so, but I'm sure you'll correct me if I'm wrong.

The 12Z/12FG/14MZ have similar features to servo sync and model match, but they are many times the cost of a DX-7...


ONLY the dedicated 2.4 TX have these features
BUT-with the upcoming DX6i- those features span the entire lineup from very inexpensive 6 channel to the top of the price line 12 channel
One other little item they added - just about any rx in the line up will work with any of these TX from the low priced small electric model rx to the 6 ch and possibly the 12 (don't know about that one).
All of the 2.4 on the market work - setup correctly - he features I like may not all be the features others like
the Model Match is a tie buster for me.

< Message edited by dick Hanson -- 1/5/2008 4:19:01 AM >

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Libby

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       Post #: 14

RE: Spektrum 2.4Ghz DSM2 VS Futaba 2.4Ghz FAST -- Di... - 1/5/2008 5:01:45 AM