12FG discontinued
 

The latest on the Tower Hobbies says that the 12FG is discontinued. Is that so? If so, what is the option for a radio that has conditions in normal (i.e., not in glider or heli modes)? Is Futaba thinking that every flyer can afford the $3000 18MZ? I need flight conditions for flying jets, but I certainly can't afford to spend $3000 to get them...

Bob

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Completely Agree.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Even though I have always flown Futaba maybe it's time to give someone else like Airtronics a good look. I have heard very good reports about their sets.

Karol

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I would be shocked if Futaba did not have something in the works to fill that gap. The only question is how soon will we see it.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I have a 12Z.  Did not pay $3000 and it has conditions...

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

How about the new Futaba 14SG Tx that is due out later this month? Is this Tx to replace the 12FG Tx? The 14SG is now listed on Tower's website.

Mike

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

The 14SG does not have conditions?

Also, I did not get an official answer to my question - is the 12FG being discontinued?

Bob

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Yes the 12FG is officially discontinued/out of production, as is the 12Z.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

It has been the time to buy one as Tower dropped the price; I think lower than the 10.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I bet there's an 18SG in the works at a price point to compete with the speckrum 18.

Marty

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I agree. I'd certainly think they would have a new radio out soon to take the place of the 12FG and the 12Z. Other than price, I never could understand why they had (2) 12 channel radios any way! One thing is guaranteed, Futaba will not have a big void in their product lineup.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

According to Bax, right now, the only Futaba radio that supports "conditions" in normal airplane mode, that is not discontinued, is the 18MZ.

The 14SG would probably be a fine radio - if it had conditions, *and* the channel/function assignment flexibility of the 12FG...

Bob

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Some of Futaba's marketing of their radios have never made sense to me. Their 10 channel is a glorified 9C that sells for 650.00 while they have the 8FG which is a 14 channel radio that sells for 480.00. The 8 feels kind of cheap in your hands but it probably has more capability than the 10. I have had two 12FG's and now have one as a back up and an 18MZ. The 12 was the best bang for the buck but I had too many issues with the pots and was lucky more than once to not lose an aircraft. The 12fg, 12MZ and 14MZ all used the same pots. Makes you kind of think what's going on with discontinuing just those radios. They told me the pot problems were rare isolated incidents and if you search it out, there aren't that many people complaining but I had it happen twice and that's after they replaced all the pots. I still like Futaba and don't plan on changing brands but I think the way they release products, how they market them and being proactive when they know they have a problem with their products could use some improvement.

Marty

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Actually the 10c will drive 10 servos doing 10 different things, the 8fg can drive 14 servos but it can only do 8 functions; the other channels can only drive mixed servos. If you called the channels on the 12FG like they do the 8fg, it would be a 16 channel transmitter.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

The 8FG/14SG will do 14 functions 12+2 all at 2048, and you can assign any function to any channel or switch.

Doug.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

What is coditions in the radio control world?

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

http://futabarc.com/faq/faq-12fg-q1156.html

Conditions is a very nice feature, but you can do just about 90% of it with rates. http://futabarc.com/faq/faq-8fg-2_4ghz-q1148.html

Hopefully Futaba will add Conditions to ACRO mode with the next firmware upgrade.

Doug.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

delete.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Not sure I understand your statement. I believe the 10cg has only eight proportional channels and two on-off channels whereas the 8fg when updated has twelve proportional and two on-off channels.

Marty

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

So I can run 14 independent channels/ servos with the 8? 14 no mixing?

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

Yes when in MLT2 mode.

Doug.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

PCChang Thank you fos asking about conditions, I was just about to do he same.

DougV Thank you for the answer and link.

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I think you are ver much mistaken.

Functions in the 8FG menu for acro = 11
1 Aileron (1&2)
2. Elevator
3. Throttle
4. Rudder
5.Gear
6. Camber
7. Fuel Mix
8. Gyro x 3
9. Motor
10.Variable pitch Propeller
11. Auxillary x 6

with helis you can add:
1. GOVenor
2. PITch

and for gliders you can add;
1. FLaP
2. ButterFLY


I count 15 separate functions without drilling down in AIL2, 3,4 or FLP 2,3,4,5,6 etc etc, etc.

the 8FGS and 14SG are 14 channel radio's period, full stop. There is no way to dumb that fact down.

<br type="_moz" />

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

I have a 12fg and love it, if I needed a new radio I would get it before none is available

RE: 12FG discontinued
 

My understanding things like camber and butterfly are virtual mixes; driving the servos but not a true channel.