Transferring models from 8 series to 9 series and 10x v. 9Z
09-02-2003 | 02:07 AM
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From: Beautiful Coastal Scarborough,
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Transferring models from 8 series to 9 series and 10x v. 9Z
Anne Marie:
Can you tell me why Futaba appears to be so adamantly opposed to creating or supporting a software tool that allows saving/modifying models on a PC, or more importantly, transferring models between the 8 series and 9 series radios?
It would seem to me that such a feature would be an excellent selling feature that would encourage Futaba users to stick with Futaba. As it stands, those of us upgrading from the 8 series are faced with the unpleasant task of manually recording settings and reentering all of our models. If we have to go through that hassle, then we may also consider a switch to JR.
I am looking at an upgrade to either a 9Z or a 10X since my primary interests are jets and aerobatics. I have always flown Futaba, but most of the jet world is JR, and now some noteworthy aerobatic pilots (like Quique Somenzini) have switched to JR. According to many jet and aerobatic guys the 10X is easier to program (though not as flexible), has that extra channel, is less expensive and as discussed above has the cabability for saving and modifying models on a PC.
Shouldn't Futaba be giving me more reasons to stay with their product line and develop or support a software tool that makes it easier to upgrade to a 9 series radio from an 8?
Antony Parchment
Can you tell me why Futaba appears to be so adamantly opposed to creating or supporting a software tool that allows saving/modifying models on a PC, or more importantly, transferring models between the 8 series and 9 series radios?
It would seem to me that such a feature would be an excellent selling feature that would encourage Futaba users to stick with Futaba. As it stands, those of us upgrading from the 8 series are faced with the unpleasant task of manually recording settings and reentering all of our models. If we have to go through that hassle, then we may also consider a switch to JR.
I am looking at an upgrade to either a 9Z or a 10X since my primary interests are jets and aerobatics. I have always flown Futaba, but most of the jet world is JR, and now some noteworthy aerobatic pilots (like Quique Somenzini) have switched to JR. According to many jet and aerobatic guys the 10X is easier to program (though not as flexible), has that extra channel, is less expensive and as discussed above has the cabability for saving and modifying models on a PC.
Shouldn't Futaba be giving me more reasons to stay with their product line and develop or support a software tool that makes it easier to upgrade to a 9 series radio from an 8?
Antony Parchment
09-02-2003 | 10:46 AM
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
Transferring models from 8 series to 9 series and 10x v. 9Z
Do not be confused by Horizon's propaganda. The 10X is a fine radio, but the reason Mr. Somenzini switched brands has absolutely nothing to do with the alledged superiority of JR.
Yes, JR reigns in the jet and scale world; because it is a true ten channel radio, and the 9Z has only eight with an auxillary ninth channel. The long-awaited Futaba twelve channel is a reality, and should be available next year. Pre-production prototypes exist and are being tested.
As to the JR interface being easier to program; well, that is a subjective thing. I flew a JR PCM-10 series radio (10SX II) for many years, and switched to a 9Z last year. The reasons are not really pertinent here (having to do with my opinions of Horizon's marketing strategies more than any real lack on the radio's part).
I can, however, tell you that the 9Z is no more difficult to learn than a 10X. The 9Z has three menu pages of three-letter abbreviations; the 10X has three pages of numeric codes. And the 9Z has many more features built into the software, IMO. You can do a search and see where this has been discussed to death.
Bottom line; if you need the extra channels and don't want to wait for the new Futaba twelve channel radio, then get a 10X. If you are only flying fixed-wing, then the plank version of the 10X will do anything you need it to. Lots of us fly helis, too, and this is one area where the 9Z is far superior, since it has complete heli (and sail plane) software included. The 10X comes in a heli or fixed-wing version.
They are both excellent products. Just don't be fooled by advertising hype; Horizon's marketing guys are VERY creative...
Steve
Yes, JR reigns in the jet and scale world; because it is a true ten channel radio, and the 9Z has only eight with an auxillary ninth channel. The long-awaited Futaba twelve channel is a reality, and should be available next year. Pre-production prototypes exist and are being tested.
As to the JR interface being easier to program; well, that is a subjective thing. I flew a JR PCM-10 series radio (10SX II) for many years, and switched to a 9Z last year. The reasons are not really pertinent here (having to do with my opinions of Horizon's marketing strategies more than any real lack on the radio's part).
I can, however, tell you that the 9Z is no more difficult to learn than a 10X. The 9Z has three menu pages of three-letter abbreviations; the 10X has three pages of numeric codes. And the 9Z has many more features built into the software, IMO. You can do a search and see where this has been discussed to death.
Bottom line; if you need the extra channels and don't want to wait for the new Futaba twelve channel radio, then get a 10X. If you are only flying fixed-wing, then the plank version of the 10X will do anything you need it to. Lots of us fly helis, too, and this is one area where the 9Z is far superior, since it has complete heli (and sail plane) software included. The 10X comes in a heli or fixed-wing version.
They are both excellent products. Just don't be fooled by advertising hype; Horizon's marketing guys are VERY creative...
Steve
09-02-2003 | 03:11 PM
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From: Tuscola,
IL
Transferring models from 8 series to 9 series and 10x v. 9Z
Antony,
I am no longer employed by the US distributor for Futaba. I am confident the very capable Futaba team will be happy to assist you.
I am no longer employed by the US distributor for Futaba. I am confident the very capable Futaba team will be happy to assist you.
09-02-2003 | 11:24 PM
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From: Beautiful Coastal Scarborough,
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Thanks AnnMarie and Steve:
AnnMarie -- I didn't realize that you were no longer a Futaba distributor. Thanks for the update.
Steve -- for now I am pretty much a fixed wing guy, so the heli and glider programming isn't particularly useful. Yes the additional channels of the 10X would be nice. I just used 9 without any effort on my last jet. I have heard rumors about the Futaba 12 for over a year, but am neither inclined to wait, nor to pay the undoubtedly large introductory price.
Perhaps a Futaba rep. can answer my specific questions about plans for a software interface that will both make it easier to migrate from an 8 to a 9 and to backup and modify models on a PC. This would definitely influence my buying decision.
Thanks in advance.
Antony
AnnMarie -- I didn't realize that you were no longer a Futaba distributor. Thanks for the update.
Steve -- for now I am pretty much a fixed wing guy, so the heli and glider programming isn't particularly useful. Yes the additional channels of the 10X would be nice. I just used 9 without any effort on my last jet. I have heard rumors about the Futaba 12 for over a year, but am neither inclined to wait, nor to pay the undoubtedly large introductory price.
Perhaps a Futaba rep. can answer my specific questions about plans for a software interface that will both make it easier to migrate from an 8 to a 9 and to backup and modify models on a PC. This would definitely influence my buying decision.
Thanks in advance.
Antony
09-03-2003 | 02:39 PM
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Transferring models from 8 series to 9 series and 10x v. 9Z
Antony,
We're sorry, but Futaba has not said anything about their future plans. Also, we are not able to discuss things that Futaba has not publicly released.
For the 9Z system, please remember that it's been out over a decade, and the latest versions have software that's been upgraded from the original, but PC use was not that common at the time the 9Z was developed.
There are enough programming differences between the 8U series and the 9C series that the memory format is apparently different enough to be incompatible.
We're sorry, but Futaba has not said anything about their future plans. Also, we are not able to discuss things that Futaba has not publicly released.
For the 9Z system, please remember that it's been out over a decade, and the latest versions have software that's been upgraded from the original, but PC use was not that common at the time the 9Z was developed.
There are enough programming differences between the 8U series and the 9C series that the memory format is apparently different enough to be incompatible.
