ORIGINAL: beto9

I am amazed.
After more than 300 postings...
This thread started because some flyers discovered that their 6014 will malfunction at high temperatures.
Some people, over time, reported no problems.
Eventually Futaba, by means of a Baxter posting, gave 1/4 of a answer describing how to set the receiver in the plane. I think implicitcly admitting that there was a problem.
Futaba itself has not acknowledged the problem or have stated clearly that there is no problem. I must here recall the famous poisoned Tylenol scare of many years back: the company reacted promptly and removed the product from the shelves. Tylenol is still selling today, very well I think. The way the case was handled by Tylenol was quoted for years in business publications: better to act than to let it fester.

Another Futaba faux-pas was the admission that the signal voltage in those receivers was lower than habitual.... after they have sold many of them, not before. And the recommendation was to use... a power expander.

And now, the result of all this is that we, the flyers, the users of the product, are biting and snarling to each opther instead of concentrating in the reported problem and lobbying for a definite answer from the manufacturer.

It is also somewhat possible that problem reporting in some products, be it Futaba, JR, Spektrum or whatever are marketing campaigns by competitors. The Internet is fantastic in creating a community of people with the same interests but not very good at separating the grain from the chaff.

ORIGINAL: Flyfalcons


Ah, I see. Can't argue with facts so you start calling names. Got it.

ORIGINAL: beto9

I am amazed.
After more than 300 postings...
This thread started because some flyers discovered that their 6014 will malfunction at high temperatures.
Some people, over time, reported no problems.
Eventually Futaba, by means of a Baxter posting, gave 1/4 of a answer describing how to set the receiver in the plane. I think implicitcly admitting that there was a problem.

Certainly think or imply as you wish. However the suggestions are primarily for those who may lack experience, knowledge, even reasonable judgment concerning the temperature sensitivity of the newest equipment. Though personally very experienced in RC, I found the installation instructions clear, sensible and useful.

Futaba itself has not acknowledged the problem or have stated clearly that there is no problem. I must here recall the famous poisoned Tylenol scare of many years back: the company reacted promptly and removed the product from the shelves. Tylenol is still selling today, very well I think. The way the case was handled by Tylenol was quoted for years in business publications: better to act than to let it fester.

It has been stated there can be a heat issue so reasonable precautions need to be taken to maintain the equipment’s installation environment within -10C to +50C range. If equipment falters within that range it needs to replaced. A number of individuals who performed personal tests posted results that far exceeded the range limits. A few have shown theirs failed. Clearly Futaba need not explain nor state either way since the product is engineered and manufactured to operate correctly within a known consumer electronics temperature range. If it fails, they will replace it. But there have not been massive failures reported, only perceived by some, so it is a non-issue to me.

Our RC equipment has been manufactured to those standards for many years. With new, emerging technology and the proliferation of many uninformed consumers graduating up from the RC toy level, Futaba’s only failing here is thinking historically, that all RC’ers today are as smart as it used to be.

Another Futaba faux-pas was the admission that the signal voltage in those receivers was lower than habitual.... after they have sold many of them, not before. And the recommendation was to use... a power expander.

Granted Futaba should have pointed that out in the receiver specifications so an owner could determine potential compatibility issues with their existing equipment. However I don’t consider it Futaba’s responsibility to maintain 100% compatibility with aftermarket equipment. GM and Ford don’t have to insure AutoZone’s parts fit properly nor conform to habitual standards.

And now, the result of all this is that we, the flyers, the users of the product, are biting and snarling to each opther instead of concentrating in the reported problem and lobbying for a definite answer from the manufacturer.

Lobby all you want and express your personal dissatisfaction. If Futaba provides more information it will never be considered ‘definite’ by some. Anyone thinking Futaba will go down the tubes for not responding to their individual perceptions is deluding themselves. Collective complaints can get attention but only if they are supported with facts. Fact: Some systems have failed. Fact: There are NO reports of mass failures. End of discussion in my book.

It is also somewhat possible that problem reporting in some products, be it Futaba, JR, Spektrum or whatever are marketing campaigns by competitors. The Internet is fantastic in creating a community of people with the same interests but not very good at separating the grain from the chaff.

Certainly agree here.

ORIGINAL: Dick T.


I’m certain the 900 pound Gorilla in this room will step all over these comments and opinions, both yours and mine, but I won’t see them. For me the little red ‘Block’ hand at the lower left cuts this thread about a third.