jzuniga

My Feedback: (7)

we're on the save wavelength siclick33... I hit my reply a couple mins after you did;-)

Z

FenderBean

wow another 700.00 price jump, welp I guess I will be buying a used one [:@]
Thats just crazy for a radio, I love my 14 channel but wow really?

drdoom

My Feedback: (9)

Heck, I'm hoping to get my hands on an Airfield x-6...

cloudancer03

My Feedback: (22)

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!!

WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND IS CRAZY ENOUGH TO SPEND THAT MUCH FOR A FREAKING RADIO.OH WELL EACH TO HIS OWN.

Airplanes400

My Feedback: (349)

For $3,000 it better have a GPS coupled with an auto-land system, as well as telemetry readouts and a live video camera system built into it. Other than that, if I needed 18 channels (and from the looks of things, some people would need 20 so they can have a smoke system), I could put a second receiver in my plane that is linked to another 2.4G transmitter so that a co-pilot can control the non-flying channels such as bomb drop, lights, smoke, drag-shoot deployment, and brakes.

And to boot, this new $3000 radio will have a lithium battery. Imagine that battery getting a short while you are flying and you have to drop the $3000 radio on the ground because it just reached 2000° and burst into white flames, and then you have to watch helplessly as your $10K jet follows suit.

Not for me ...

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

My 12Z has a lithium battery and so does the 14MZ. Nothing new.(Or dangerous)

Woketman

My Feedback: (6)

Yeah, but doesn't the 14 have a Li-ion? This 18z has LiPo

FenderBean

14 is a ion, sad to say there will plenty of people that will 3k for a radio, because if they didn't futaba would not be charging that much.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Yes, the 12Z and 14MZ share the same type of Li ion battery.

on_your_six

My Feedback: (11)

It would not be so bad if they held their value a bit better. I think of radios as being the same as laptops... upgrade every other year.

Hobby is awfully expensive.

David Searles

My Feedback: (49)

I find it fairly ridiculous, all this griping about the cost of the 18MZ! Each and every one of you has at least twice that amount zooming along through the skies, one dumb thumb away from COMPLETE loss! The one item we buy, which survives to control the next $6-10k jet we purchase, is the transmitter! You buy it once and use it for years!

We have all spent more than that, only to see it all go down in flames on the very first flight! And if you haven't yet, stay in this hobby long enough and you will!

Buy the best transmitter you can afford and it will last you for years! And will be the best, longest lasting investment you will
Probably make in this hobby!

David S

invertmast

My Feedback: (23)

+1

I remember when the Futaba 8UAP First came out (i believe it was in 95/96). It was priced at $1400. I bought one right then and there as i HAD to have one... plus the current radio was toast. I used that radio up until 2007 with only having to send it in for repair for a few things, only reason I put it aside (actually sold it, and its till being used today by a fellow) is b/c I decided to switch brands

cbh82v

My Feedback: (2)

I've heard that it will load your planes into your trailer for you. Drive you to the field. Bring lunch. Laugh at your jokes. Hook you upwith hotchicks. Provide turn by turn directions. Recieve sattelite radio, traffic and weather info.Run all I Phone apps. Function as a boom box, and PA annuncer for your aerobaticroutine. Electric shaver and tooth brush. Run windows 7 quickly. Andbuy you a new plane when you crash.

3K really??? no thanks.

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

Pretty much every jet crash I have seen had smoke. Fire as well. No channel needed for this, it just happens!

Airplanes400

My Feedback: (349)

Well, if it hooks me up with hot chicks, then it's worth it. The only problem I see after that is not having enough money to spend on the hot chicks because I sunk the money into the 18 channel transmitter.

AndyAndrews

There will be other large channel radios comming down the pike. No way in hell would I spend 3K for a transmitter.

Jetfan20

My Feedback: (21)

Yes I think we all get the whole point of not coughing at spending $$$ on the transmitter, coughing would be buying a hobbyking 9 channel...I think anybody that flies jets or expensive planes will atleast own a JR 9303 or better or a Futaba 9cap or better all with 2.4. I believe you guys are missing the whole point, the majority of the flyers out here buy just to buy and really never need it or should I say use it. A 18 channel transmitter for $3k on sale $4k regular price is insane, but If you need it....you need it, more power to your purchase. But, keep in mind these are the types of reasons the hobby is getting more expensive, because when we spend this type of money on these items the companies thinks it's ok. I will hold onto my $3k and my JR 9303. And for some of you guys it's $3k plus interest...

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

You are absolutely right, Mr. Searles. And to those who think it costs too much: You probably don't need it anyway.

i3dm

My Feedback: (51)

I held it at Jetpower and its absolutely awesome !
is it worh 3000$ ? probably not. but my trusty 14MZ isnt worth 2200$ either (12FG does the same!)... but i dont regret buying it - its a hobby and at the time (when it came out) i could afford it and it put a huge smile on my face many times - thats priceless !

Need it or dont, There is no price for FUN.

dvs1

One thing they did do is they nailed it on styling. I dislike many of the new radios on the market and if I am going to drop 3 large on a radio it better look like a piece of art too!
My opinion also is if you can afford 6-10 grand on just one jet then it makes sense to buy the best radio too. Most likely it will long outlast your jet, whether it ends up in a flaming heap on the ground or you sell it to another flyer. Its a lot like the firearms community. It makes no sense to buy a thousand dollar gun and put a hundred dollar scope on it. If you buy a quality rifle you put a quality scope one it. Same with RC, if you buy cheap stuff keep it all cheap, if you buy the good stuff then buy everything quality. It makes no sense to splurge in one area and skimp in another.

VF84sluggo

My Feedback: (55)

+2

bidrseed2

My Feedback: (2)

Before I begin, i fully accept market forces and futaba wishing to extract maximum revenue from its customers. Whether the price is excessive is a different question.

I don't buy( pardon the pun) this argument that just cause you have a jet you have to have the best radio- you clearly do not, from a functional, safety, legal or any point of view that i can think off.

I also don't buy the argument that because you would spend $10000 on a jet you should be prepared to spend a third of that on a radio. If you follow that argument through, where do you stop, is 10% acceptable, 20%, 50% or as the radio is always used and isn't susceptible to dumb thumbs should be willing to spend 150% on our radio? When is enough enough?

Consider that what were buying is essentially a piece of electronics with a Radio transmitter attached and a electronic screen. Why are JR users accepting of monochrome screens that would be out of date on a £30 supermarket phone. Why are futaba users accepting of colour screens that need recalibrating, when tomtom satnavs sell for £100 with better screens? Im fully aware that tomtom will sell far far more satnavs than futaba will sell transmitters, but how much do we have to pay to get better screens on our transmitters. How much not to have plastic cases? For $3000, I expect more than what is presented.

Genuine question but to make me feel better, can someone give an example of another hobby where an ancillary piece of equipment has a similar relative pricing?

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Golf is a great example of obscene mark-up on virtually everything in the pro shop.

bidrseed2

My Feedback: (2)

I was more thinking about electronics? Or a hobby where you can buy one item at $x, or another more expensive version of the same thing for 3x £x

I did consider hifi kit, and the laws of diminishing returns, but thats more due to what's possible with technology ( and how good your ears are) rather than what equipment the manufacturer choose to fit.
I did think about your £600 supermarket plasma compared to to £2500 pioneer plasma, but again I can see where the investment is with the higher end TV. No reasonable expense was spared in the manufacture of the higher end kit so i can see the price being justified.

Im not expecting ipad functionality, ( apple may be brand leaders and have the economy of scale) but If youre going to charge the premium price, you have to have manufactured the premium product with premium components.

Im not sure if thats whats on offer here.

siclick33

bidrseed2,

Where can you get a 18MZ for a third of the price? You're not comparing like with like.

If you're happy with a 8FG then you can buy that. If you want something better you can buy a 12Z etc. If you want an 18MZ then you can buy one but noone is twisting your arm and telling you that you have to. It is a choice and if you can justify the $$$ then don't buy it!!!

As for it being on 'sale' at $3000 then I don't think that's true. $4000 is the RRP and $3000 is the selling price. Have a look at Tower and Horizon and very few of their items are sold at RRP. I can't see the price of the 18MZ going above $3000 but I can see it going down.