Skaluf

Well you’ve been waiting for it, and here it is…How do you really upgrade an already hot 8-Channel radio? Well you make it a 14-channel radio, add support for Futaba’s CGY750 3-axis system of course, and you do it for FREE!

And that is just the tip of the iceberg, add in the ability to adjust the swash trim from the swash screen, VPP (variable pitch prop) support, stick calibration by the end user, a user customizable menu, the ability to assign any stick, switch or lever to any channel, turn the warning beeper on or off and much more.

The 8FG is now the ultimate 8-channel (ah…14-channel) radio.

Download the latest software from http://www.futabarc.com/downloads.html and put your 8FG over the top today!

The new 8FG Super (8FG with the new software) will be shipping soon for those that are in the market for a new system.

landeck

My Feedback: (1)

That is great! I just installed the update and everything is working fine.

Bruce

rctom

Questions;

Is the 8fg super the same price as the 8fg?

What receiver is supplied with the 8FG super?

Is there any other difference 8fg8fg-super besides the software?

I also note the Futaba site says the 8FG comes with 6008HS receiver. Tower's listing says 8fg comes with R6108SB receiver. Which is correct?

Thanks.

TF

bem

My Feedback: (1)

If You get a 8FG and then upgrade to Sofware version 3.0 yourself you have a "8FG Super".
As I understand it Futaba will start to sell 8FG Super now with software 3.0 already installed (if the R6108SB or 6008HS will be included probably depends where You buy it - at Tower Hobbiesobviously R6108SB is shipped with8FG),

If You need/want a S Bus reveiver - then the radio with R6108SB seems logical to buy (at Tower Hobbies for example), but you have the receiver compatibility list for 8FG here:

http://2.4gigahertz.com/receivers/index.html

(at the bottom)

/Bo

DougV

The two sliders on the new 8FG Super are a little longer then the 8FG, the new radio will be available in April and it comes with the new R6208SB (HV) receiver.

By the way, same price.

Doug.

wildnloose

Speaking as a new guy who knows noting of Futuba radios. If I was looking for a new radio, what would this do for me???

wildnloose

Speaking as a new guy who knows noting of Futuba radios. If I was looking for a new radio, what would this do for me???

BuschBarber

My Feedback: (2)

This is a great radio, easy to program, that would most likely meet all your current and future needs.
Are you new to the RC hobby, as well, or are you just new to Futaba?

RogerParrett

Wild... What type of radio do you own now? And how long have you owned it? And what do you fly?

I used a Futaba 9C Super for several years, and stepped up to the 12FG because I wanted more advanced "conditions" (I was getting into Sailplanes). For nitro planes, the 9C was plenty. But in retrospect, the mixing is a lot more advanced in the 12FG over the 9C and I've taken advantage of that in my nitro planes now as well.

The 8FG looks more like the 12FG, and now with 14 channels, appears to look ALOT more like the 12FG.

If you don't fly sailplanes, do you fly (or hope to fly) advanced warbirds? Those things tend to be "channel hogs" with flaps, gear doors, etc.

I'll defer the "ease of use" and "Spektrum DSM/DSM2/DSMX/One RX or multi-RX setup/4.8v Brownouts or 6v Brownouts/Unlinking or Unbinding/etc verses Futaba FASST" to their respective fanboys.

r/s... Roger

rctom

OK then I have one more question.

Since the 8FG super comes with a SBUS receiver, does it also work on all 14 channels with a conventional 6014 receiver?

TF

DougV

Yes, just change the frequency to MLT2.

Doug.

wildnloose

Neither. I have been flying for bout 10 years now. I stay with 1.20 sized planes and smaller (as long as it can fit in my cars). I currently have glo and electric planes, flying them on a X9303 with Spektrum module. Note, I do not have any issues with my radio. This thread title caught my eye, and I wonder what is the big deal of having 14 channels on a 8 channel radio.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

Futaba will let you calibrate the sticks on the 8FG, the 12Z and the 14MZ, but not the 12FG!!!![:@]

Silent-AV8R

That's news to me. I've owned a 14MZ since February 2005 and as far as I know I can calibrate the touch screen, but I have not found how to calibrate the sticks.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

I do not know the specifics, but the 12Z/14MZ apparently allows access to the service menu which then allows you to calibrate. I have found all sorts of references to it while searching for 12fg calibration information. The helo guys seemed to have it nailed down pretty good.

Silent-AV8R

OK, I thought you were talking about an authorized way yo do it. I know about the unauthorized menu hacks that some people do.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

Its not a hack or secret, its just not readily published. Keep in mind that I did not study the 12z/14mz info, but the guys that have them said its a simple matter of entering the menu and doing the calibration. The 12FG takes a hack SD card along with version 1.6 software. They blocked the hack on newer versions of the software.
Still ticks me off that they will let the sport 8 channel Tx calibrate and upgrade it to 12+2, but people that bought 12FGs do not get the same courtesy.

DougV

Jeff, the update for your radio is not out yet, give them a few days.

Doug.

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

So they are going to release a new 12fg "Super" upgrade? If so, that is great news!
Thanks Doug!

DougV

The 12 and 14 channel radios will need the new upgrade for the new CGY750 FBL gyro.

Doug.

p51Dpony

It was asked what 14 channels gives that 8 channels wont...  I used to think 8 channels or 9 channels was overkill but it isn't if you're flying a large plane you use channels up real fast... 1 for each elevator, 1 or more for each aileron, 1 for smoke, 1 for throttle kill, and of course 1 for rudder and 1 for throttle... we haven't even touched on retracts/flaps/gear doors/speed brakes etc if you're flying something big and scale..  My son has an 8 FG on a giant stinger w/ smoke and we used pretty much everything the 8FG could offer and in fact had to be pretty creative to get it done.. extra channel help immensely.  Now the mother question... what does the 'super' designation add to an already hefty price tag?

tony0707

hi
if you mean to adjust the sticks tension L/R or T/ b then you need to remove the back of the case to get to the springs that control that tension the spings have a screw with a philips headlocated on the two gimbles (control stiks ) i have been screwing the screws all the way in for 20 yearsthe stiks get much stiffergives a better feel on your fingers and gets the stick back to center quicklyi extend the sticks to there max as this slows the travel of the stick slowing the control input

Silent-AV8R

No, we are talking about doing an actual calibration on the stick movement, not adjusting the physical stick tension.

p51Dpony

Ok, I just read the email from futaba, its a FREE upgrade.  Nice.  Something I noticed when setting up a plane w/ 8FG radio is you need to pick your plane and wing type before you ever start setting up the plane... it's really a new paradigm in set ups.. used to be a 9 ch radio would have 9 discreet switches then you had various mixing functions to add between different channels.. the  8FG was a little more complicated to set up UNTIL I realized how 'wing type' selection affected what switches would or wouldn't do.  Several buttons would do nothing until a wing-type was picked that utilized the function.. This is probably old news to all the high tech people but it did have me reading a lot more of the radio manual than I've done in the past...

Next question, as long as I'm here, the 8FG comes w/ its own nimetal charger for its NiM batts, what is the proper voltage when fully charged?  Mine is lower than w/ my nicad transmitters.. is this proper or do I  need a new battery already in a 5 month old radio?[:-]

pilotpete2

The stock 6 cell Nimh battery will charge to right about 8.4V. The 1700mAh stock battery will give a good 7 hours of flying time. I cycled mine after a few charges and it seems to be closer to an 1800mAh pack. Self discharge is quite low too[8D] I'v had mine a little over a year, I feel no need for a new pack at this time.
Pete