First let me say that I fly Futaba (9C) mostly, but I use JR servos in my jets and work with 10X systems all the time in the consulting work I do with NASA. The JR 10X systems are top-notch, as are most of the Futaba systems. I'd be comfortable with proven technology from either, or both as the case may warrant. That being said...
ORIGINAL: Doug Cronkhite
[snip] Does the 14MZ do things you need that you simply cannot do with the 10X? [snip]
YES! I've spent countless hours working on using the 10X's outdated and inadequate P-Mixes to operate things like spoilerons on the NASA generic transport research model - which by the way, requires 11 proportional channels to operate, so we have a two-pilot operation. This, if for no other reason, is why the 10X needs to be upgraded. More than enough computing power and memory is available for use in the flight control processor part (not the Windows CE GUI part) that archaic mixing schemes like used in the 10X need to go. Heck my $200 9C has better mixing/switch reassignment capability than the 10X!
ORIGINAL: Doug Cronkhite
I'm sure some people just have to have the latest and greatest toy, but consider this.. The 10X is a time tested and proven radio. I'm not so willing to just throw something new into an airplane just because it's new. Maybe you are.
I agree completely! I am not ready to fly a 14MZ in my jet, but I'd gladly fly a 10X - they are proven bulletproof. However, once the 14MX has been proven (after the initial bugs are worked out, and I've heard there have been a couple), it will be head and sholders above the 10X as far as capability is concerned. That is why most folks are wondering what JR has in the pipeline...
ORIGINAL: HarryC
The 14 MZ is not a true 14 channel radio. It is 12 proportional channels plus 2 of Futaba's 1-bit, 2 position "channels". Since a rubber band driven escapement in the 1960s was able to give 3 positions, not just 2, it is hardly something to be proud of.
Ah, well that's 2 more proportional and 2 non-proportional (very handy on a scale jet as we all know) than the 10X has. I'd be proud of it if I were them.
Also, you might go take a look at one and see the things that the 14MZ has going for it like the capabilities for switch/channel reassignment and mixing capability and flexibility, the capability to select any channel and communicate that with the RX wirelessly, but without transmitting on the RC frequencies, etc. Its not the ultimate radio for sure, but it is very impressive and a significant improvement in the technology.
As far as the Multiplex radios are concerned, I'm sure they are great, but most of us here in the US are going to wait until JR releases a new radio under their own name before we'd switch to Multiplex. I can't defend that as logical, but its a market truism none the less.