Futaba 9C and others
#27
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
The elipse trims are very sloppy,
Victor
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
The Futaba 9CAP PCM for $270 IMO cannot be beaten. This radio for 90% of R/C flyers will more then fill your needs and its ease of programming compared to older Futaba radios is much nicer. Have never tried a Hitec reciever other then a Flash 5x that a friend flies with and to me the feel and user-friendlyness of a Futaba radio suits my flying style.
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
Dazzler said -
...well in my case, they were worse than sloppy - the throttle trim (the one i use the most) stopped working after around 4 hours of use (i log my flights) - no problems with my Futaba 9C after around 60 hours of use...
...your mileage may vary...
The elipse trims are very sloppy, as if they are going to fall off
...your mileage may vary...
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
My vote would be for the Futaba 9C. I have owned both Futaba & Hitec Radio's during my involvement with radio control, since the Futaba 8U and 9C came on the market. I have found that the 9C was very user friendly. It was acually fun and very fast setting up all my planes in my 9C. Now I use my 8U as a back up radio. I did own a Hitec Spectra after it came on the market years ago but sold it due to it only haveing a three model memory.
Now Futaba has thrown in a Free Campac with the sale of all there 9C's and you can choose what ever RX and servos that fit your fancy.
I see you posted this question early in the flying season so I hope you made the right choise.
Only thing else to add is that I will never part with my 9C
NEDYOB
Now Futaba has thrown in a Free Campac with the sale of all there 9C's and you can choose what ever RX and servos that fit your fancy.
I see you posted this question early in the flying season so I hope you made the right choise.
Only thing else to add is that I will never part with my 9C
NEDYOB
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
Alexander, You have a 9C and no manual? Did you know you can download both the Euro. and the US versions online for free? The us version is at www.futabarc.com; i can find you a link to the Euro version if you want one.
#33
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
I have one each of the Futaba 9C, the Hitec Eclipse 7, and the Futaba 8AU. My primary TX is the 9C and will continue to be. The Futaba 8AU is currently sold, pending funds -- the only reason I hung onto it after the 9C was because my Ultra Stick was programmed for it. After trying several times, using the Futaba FAQ on the subject, and basically being snubbed by AnnMaria when I ask for her help (this was when she was the Futaba rep) on the subject I gave up trying to move the Ultra Stick to the 9C. That being said, I still retain the Eclipse and Spectra because I have several airplanes and RXs that have different Xtals. If I don't need any fancy programming I can setup an airplane with any frequency and used the Eclipse. I still tend to use the 9C when I do have an available RX with either channel 35 or 38 (my 2 TX modules for the 9C).
Head-to-head, the Futaba 9C is significantly more functional than the Eclipse, and even though I haven't solved the Ultra Stick programming, normal programming functions on the 9C are very intuitive and easily/quickly implemented. I firmly believe my problem with the Ultra Stick is my lack of more than rudimentory mixing/programming of RX TXs -- one of these days I'll take the time to expand my understanding. BTW, unless your into significant mixing, needed for some types of aircraft, e.g., turbine models, the Futaba 9C is all the radio you will EVER need now or in the future.
Head-to-head, the Futaba 9C is significantly more functional than the Eclipse, and even though I haven't solved the Ultra Stick programming, normal programming functions on the 9C are very intuitive and easily/quickly implemented. I firmly believe my problem with the Ultra Stick is my lack of more than rudimentory mixing/programming of RX TXs -- one of these days I'll take the time to expand my understanding. BTW, unless your into significant mixing, needed for some types of aircraft, e.g., turbine models, the Futaba 9C is all the radio you will EVER need now or in the future.
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
So what radio did you end up getting Ross Kean ? And, do you like it?
Tower is having a hellve deal right now on the 9C...I thought about getting one for myself for Christmas....
Tower is having a hellve deal right now on the 9C...I thought about getting one for myself for Christmas....
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
Ross,
Having read through this thread I reckon you have your answer ..
Which is better? - It depends!!
I use the Eclipse + Spectra and I reckon the slightly less quality 'feel' compared with the 9C is made up by the phase shifting on the Eclipse. Although, I must admit, the solidness of the 9C could well be a big factor in the purchase, as transmitters certainly exist in potential damaging / dirty environments!
-David C.
Having read through this thread I reckon you have your answer ..
Which is better? - It depends!!
I use the Eclipse + Spectra and I reckon the slightly less quality 'feel' compared with the 9C is made up by the phase shifting on the Eclipse. Although, I must admit, the solidness of the 9C could well be a big factor in the purchase, as transmitters certainly exist in potential damaging / dirty environments!
-David C.
#36
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
The people in this thread seem to know a lot.
I just ordered a 9C.
I am moving up from an Prism 7X (model before the Eclispe came out)
Can I use the Prism as a buddy radio on the 9C? I have seen many notes about Futaba and Hitec radios being used together on buddy cords.
I see there is a trainer cord coming out that seems to have the right plugs. This would be wonderful it if works as I can more easiliy bring friends to the field and let them try RC flying that way.
Opinions?
Edit -
In looking around, I found this as one of the few negative reports on the 9C. Any opinions on this? Here is the thread for the broader comments:
http://www.copilotconsulting.com/mai...2003/7465.html
Here is what this pilot said. Is this correct?
Landing a sailplane is always safety-critical but
<br />
never more so than in a competition with a demanding
landing task, like US Thermal Duration.
<p>The Futaba 9CA has a butterfly (crow) mix hard-wired
to switch A and three flight mode mixes hard-wired to
switch G.
The 9C's butterfly function on switch A cannot be used
to define a landing mode because its effects are
additive to whatever may have been selected on switch
G flight mode. Anyone who has tried landing like this
will have found the results too unpredictable to be
safe under any pressure.
So try thinking out of the box: maybe I can manage
with 3 flight modes and Start mode could be adapted to
a landing mode? If you try to program a landing mode
into one of the three modes on switch G you find that
these are predefined mixes and will not accept input
from the Throttle/Airbrake stick or another mix which
could define the offset you need in order to be able
to start the butterfly/crow from zero on a slider.
It is therefore not possible to use the available
mixes to mimic butterfly/crow on one of the three
modes on switch G.
Incredibly, I find the 9C to be less functional than
my old 7UAF which does allow butterfly crow to be
programmed on its 3-position flight mode switch. I
have campaigned my old 7UAF in the ESL for the last
three years with some success and I thought I deserved
an upgrade. However, as a sailplane transmitter, the
Futaba 9C is a disaster.
I just ordered a 9C.
I am moving up from an Prism 7X (model before the Eclispe came out)
Can I use the Prism as a buddy radio on the 9C? I have seen many notes about Futaba and Hitec radios being used together on buddy cords.
I see there is a trainer cord coming out that seems to have the right plugs. This would be wonderful it if works as I can more easiliy bring friends to the field and let them try RC flying that way.
Opinions?
Edit -
In looking around, I found this as one of the few negative reports on the 9C. Any opinions on this? Here is the thread for the broader comments:
http://www.copilotconsulting.com/mai...2003/7465.html
Here is what this pilot said. Is this correct?
Landing a sailplane is always safety-critical but
<br />
never more so than in a competition with a demanding
landing task, like US Thermal Duration.
<p>The Futaba 9CA has a butterfly (crow) mix hard-wired
to switch A and three flight mode mixes hard-wired to
switch G.
The 9C's butterfly function on switch A cannot be used
to define a landing mode because its effects are
additive to whatever may have been selected on switch
G flight mode. Anyone who has tried landing like this
will have found the results too unpredictable to be
safe under any pressure.
So try thinking out of the box: maybe I can manage
with 3 flight modes and Start mode could be adapted to
a landing mode? If you try to program a landing mode
into one of the three modes on switch G you find that
these are predefined mixes and will not accept input
from the Throttle/Airbrake stick or another mix which
could define the offset you need in order to be able
to start the butterfly/crow from zero on a slider.
It is therefore not possible to use the available
mixes to mimic butterfly/crow on one of the three
modes on switch G.
Incredibly, I find the 9C to be less functional than
my old 7UAF which does allow butterfly crow to be
programmed on its 3-position flight mode switch. I
have campaigned my old 7UAF in the ESL for the last
three years with some success and I thought I deserved
an upgrade. However, as a sailplane transmitter, the
Futaba 9C is a disaster.
#37
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
The 9C is a wonderful radio, I dont fly sailplanes with mine, only nitro powered planes, and heli's. I would not worry about the information shown on that site with the 9C if you dont fly sailplanes. Also you can use the Hitec with the 9C, like you said you just need a trainer cord that goes from the Micro 9C to the round Hitec, here is a link to the cord you will need.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXBEK8&P=ML
Daz...
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXBEK8&P=ML
Daz...
#38
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
Amazing how old posts seem to come back!
I ended out with the 9C and I have, in general, been very pleased with it. I have to admit that I have been less than happy with Futaba's delays in getting the long-promised frequency synthesizer module on the market. It was announced quite awhile ago.
Ross
I ended out with the 9C and I have, in general, been very pleased with it. I have to admit that I have been less than happy with Futaba's delays in getting the long-promised frequency synthesizer module on the market. It was announced quite awhile ago.
Ross
#39
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
ORIGINAL: aeajr
.
.
.
Can I use the Prism as a buddy radio on the 9C? I have seen many notes about Futaba and Hitec radios being used together on buddy cords.
I see there is a trainer cord coming out that seems to have the right plugs. This would be wonderful it if works as I can more easiliy bring friends to the field and let them try RC flying that way.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Can I use the Prism as a buddy radio on the 9C? I have seen many notes about Futaba and Hitec radios being used together on buddy cords.
I see there is a trainer cord coming out that seems to have the right plugs. This would be wonderful it if works as I can more easiliy bring friends to the field and let them try RC flying that way.
.
.
.
As an alternative, Futaba does have an excellant buddy box that is not too expensive and you can find them on ebay once in a while. I picked one up and the cord, both for less than $30.00.
NOTE: I have both the Hitec Eclipse 7 and the Futaba 9C. I really don't know why people insist on trying to compare them. They are in 2 separate classes. The inability of the Eclipse to assign switches to functions is a significant handicap for normal mixing. The added functionality of the Spectrum module does not make up for this. Having said that, I still have my Eclipse 7 because of the Spectrum module. I have a few airplanes in my hanger that are on different frequencies than the 35 & 38 modules I have for the 9C. I also have quite a few Hitec Xtals in my inventory I can select from. In the past couple of years I have had the opportunity to help members in my club when they came to the field and found out they had forgotten their TXs. A few minutes of setup on a spare channel and my Eclipse easily replaced their TX. I will probably keep the Eclipse 7, even after Futaba finally releases their promised synthesizer for the 9C, as a spare incase another club member needs it or if my 9C belly's up on me.
#40
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
The 9C will buddy box with the Prism, and it is not a problem at all that 9C has the square plug, and the eclipse has the round plug, the cord I posted the link for has the round on one end, and the square on the other end, works fine.
Daz...
Daz...
#43
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
As I pointed out above, I had a problem with the Eclipse and the Futaba 8AU
Aeajr, if your unsure just email futaba, and ask them!!!
Daz...
#44
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RE: Futaba 9C and others
Thanks for the tips on setting up mixes. I will keep the thread link to come back to it.
Thanks for all the input guys, both plus and minus.
Everything is cost/benefit. For $200 more than the 9C I might be able to get a better sailplane radio, but I am already stretching the budget $100 to get to the 9C.
I ordered the 9CH today. Even if it is not perfect, it will be a huge step up from my Prism 7X.
Clear skies and safe flying!
Thanks for all the input guys, both plus and minus.
Everything is cost/benefit. For $200 more than the 9C I might be able to get a better sailplane radio, but I am already stretching the budget $100 to get to the 9C.
I ordered the 9CH today. Even if it is not perfect, it will be a huge step up from my Prism 7X.
Clear skies and safe flying!