futaba
11-23-2022, 11:27 AM
#2
My Feedback: (243)
Both are a good choice, programming menus are identical. The 16IZ does allow direct heli gyro programming from the transmitter. 18SZ has a little heftier feel as it is slightly larger physically. Budget wise the 16 saves you a fair amount of money.
I have the 18MZWC for my airplanes, 16IZ for my helis. Like them both.
I have the 18MZWC for my airplanes, 16IZ for my helis. Like them both.
11-23-2022, 05:49 PM
#3
I've owned the 18MZ, 18MZ WC 18SZ and the 18SZ Limited edition.
The 18MZ WC was the first Futaba radio capable of using all of Futaba's RF protocols. The 18SZ was the second tx capable of that ability. Then I got an 18SZ Anniversary Edition and it's the best of the bunch. Best gimbals of the bunch, nice included case, really nice finish, it looks a lot like the Black Chrome finish on the 18MZ WC radio,
I've pretty much converted to the PowerBox CORE radio and am selling the 18's. The MZ is gone, the MZ WC is up for sale and I'm keeping the 18SZ Anniversary Edition radio.
Never even touched the 16iZ radio, cannot help there.
The 18MZ WC was the first Futaba radio capable of using all of Futaba's RF protocols. The 18SZ was the second tx capable of that ability. Then I got an 18SZ Anniversary Edition and it's the best of the bunch. Best gimbals of the bunch, nice included case, really nice finish, it looks a lot like the Black Chrome finish on the 18MZ WC radio,
I've pretty much converted to the PowerBox CORE radio and am selling the 18's. The MZ is gone, the MZ WC is up for sale and I'm keeping the 18SZ Anniversary Edition radio.
Never even touched the 16iZ radio, cannot help there.
01-01-2023, 06:17 AM
#5
Tower didn't "go under" per se....they were bought out / taken over. I've had good luck getting Futaba products from Amain though.
Last edited by Jeepy2013; 01-01-2023 at 06:50 AM.
01-19-2023, 07:43 PM
#10
That is an excellent observation and unfortunately, applicable to most radio manufacturers. Just the nature of electronic components constant development. They are still good radios, but some research on which models work with which rx's is a very good idea. Please consider possible user advances you would like to see and whether or not they will meet your needs or if an older version might be a better choice.
01-21-2023, 08:47 AM
#11
That is an excellent observation and unfortunately, applicable to most radio manufacturers. Just the nature of electronic components constant development. They are still good radios, but some research on which models work with which rx's is a very good idea. Please consider possible user advances you would like to see and whether or not they will meet your needs or if an older version might be a better choice.
David
01-27-2023, 07:51 AM
#12
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FUTABA-RC (01-30-2023)
01-31-2023, 02:29 AM
#14
Junior Member
Also looking for a new transmitter for my heli, I want to switch from my old friend Hitec Aurora 9X finally 
Does somebody know Futaba is going to update 18sz radios soon? The current model was released in 2016, just don't wanna buy a new transmitter just before the new release ))
Does somebody know Futaba is going to update 18sz radios soon? The current model was released in 2016, just don't wanna buy a new transmitter just before the new release ))
02-02-2023, 07:27 AM
#15
Futaba is always very tight-lipped about new products. I have not heard anything. They did just announce a refresh of the 16IZ, but no idea when it will be available. Nothing earth shattering in the refresh, some cosmetic changes, etc.
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rcfanat (02-02-2023)
02-03-2023, 01:21 AM
#16
Futaba 16iZ Super - release in Japan mid February, so not straight away around the rest of the world.
I couldn't find any programming changes, but there is a change of overall finish of the case and also the inevitable price increase.
modtron
Oxford UK
I couldn't find any programming changes, but there is a change of overall finish of the case and also the inevitable price increase.
modtron
Oxford UK
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FUTABA-RC (02-03-2023)
02-03-2023, 04:07 AM
#17
i suppose one could watch the futaba USA update site for when the new IZ update is released. right now the 16 IZ is on 3.3.
that would tell ya if the new radio updates will be installable on the older versions.
of course. the new radio has to be released first, i suppose.
that would tell ya if the new radio updates will be installable on the older versions.
of course. the new radio has to be released first, i suppose.
02-18-2023, 01:56 PM
#18
Futaba fan. Even today I like it but..... My tx16s do more then 2k 3k dollar futaba radio. And it's open source firmware. SO much development
going into EdgeTx firmware. It's cutting edge firmware. The tx16s has lot of upgrades available to buy seperate. I went for the regular tx16s mk 2. Later I be
upgrading from hall gimble to the cnc one. Mine is the Elrs version which is a new protocol but rebust. Came out a year and a half. They can have up to 8 miles
range. To make it even sweeter in module bay i have 4-1 module. Which bind up to over 20 protocol. Maybe 30? Futaba and Spektrum are whipping people off.
Charging lot of money for less feature. Basically paying for the name. Futaba doesn't update their radio firmware hardly ever add new feature and nobody have the right
to hack into firmware to improve and add feature as Radio with Opentx/Edge tx firmware. Opentx and edge tx developer is HUGE. vs Futaba and Spektrum that have small
team. Anybody have the right to modified the firmware. Install widget, lua scrip, sound files, pictures made by other that is available everywhere. Have the right to do unlimited mixing which doesn't exist vs proprietary firmware. Futaba, Spektrum are legacy now then what these open source radio can do they are out dated.
02-18-2023, 09:09 PM
#19
My Feedback: (243)
Can't argue that the T16, and others, have lots of bells an whistles and open source firmware that anyone can tinker with. As a radio nut, I have tried most of them. The work well and do the job. Program learning curve is steep, often lacking intuitive features that can drive a person to drink.
None of them compare with the build quality of Futaba and early JR, especially the top of the line. I want long term reliability that few other brands provide. These two have been my mainstay manufacturers since the 70's and have never experienced a failure.
Most systems today are pretty good so choosing one depends on what your needs, and budget can handle.
None of them compare with the build quality of Futaba and early JR, especially the top of the line. I want long term reliability that few other brands provide. These two have been my mainstay manufacturers since the 70's and have never experienced a failure.
Most systems today are pretty good so choosing one depends on what your needs, and budget can handle.
02-19-2023, 09:42 PM
#20
Can't argue that the T16, and others, have lots of bells an whistles and open source firmware that anyone can tinker with. As a radio nut, I have tried most of them. The work well and do the job. Program learning curve is steep, often lacking intuitive features that can drive a person to drink.
None of them compare with the build quality of Futaba and early JR, especially the top of the line. I want long term reliability that few other brands provide. These two have been my mainstay manufacturers since the 70's and have never experienced a failure.
Most systems today are pretty good so choosing one depends on what your needs, and budget can handle.
None of them compare with the build quality of Futaba and early JR, especially the top of the line. I want long term reliability that few other brands provide. These two have been my mainstay manufacturers since the 70's and have never experienced a failure.
Most systems today are pretty good so choosing one depends on what your needs, and budget can handle.
Well it isn't so steep when it comes to learning. After watching you tube and such. Jumper is lower end compare to Radio Master. Jumper main engineer moved and created Radio Master. Radio Master release Tx16s and recently last year they release tx16s Mk3 solving all the issue. With Wobble pots. Hall gimble and many more. Try it. My last Futaba radio was Futaba 14sg. Fantastic radio. But holding Tx16s mk2 you right off the back you feel the quality there. GImble so much better, it's sturdy bulky some sort. I really love the openness of using any receiver you want. I have Elrs version built in and external module is IrangeX Plus. So I can use any receiver I want. How many of people have all kind of different receiver collecting dust and want to use but protocol not supported because their radio is only proprietary. You have to use their own receiver not other. Luckily things have change. I bought over 100 frsky Fasst compatible for my club for many years no issue. But knowing my radio can do all and more give me the security in me that new feature will be added without me buying new radio. But either way Futaba still run my blood. But they have to open more their firmware also sell parts so we can fix it not them to fix it for us and charge us a arm and a leg. Also prices so rip off as spektrum. But Futaba is not junk and they are high quality radios. Business model need to change. Pretty soon they going out of business same goes to spektrum. Huge storm have enter. Not to much can survive the hurricane.
