I have both (both are heli versions). Bought the JR on the way home from
Polecat in June after getting a lot of good advice on 'up-grading'. Both
are programmed for discus and 6 servo open class planes as well as a few
electrics. Discus, in particular, requires some unique setups. The 9C
Super has recently gone in for service and works great (again). It had
lots of stick time (~ 2000 hrs) and needed a tune-up and a few parts
swapped. The JR has about 300hrs on it and has been extensively
programmed and tweaked. Both provide out-of-sight range when the
receiver is properly installed.
Bottom line - I have only found a few things that one transmitter can do
that the other can't. And there are work-arounds for them if you really
want to do it. There may be an arcane mix out there that is unique but
for discus and open class use (contest and sport flying), both systems
are pretty analogous.
Of the two, I find the Futaba easier to program but that's from long
familiarity (~30 years flying Futaba). JR programming is a bit more
intuitive and more switches can be assigned. However, you better assign
them before you begin the program set-up or the effort may be wasted.
Some of the mixes are easier to set up in the JR. For instance, I wanted
rudder coupling only in 'Thermal' mode and assigned that to the 3
position flight mode switch. Also in 'Launch' mode, I wanted to
de-activate flaps and also assigned that function to the 3 position
switch. For the 9C I have those assigned to separate switches. I suspect
the newer variants of the Super will allow assigning to the 3 position
switch.
In both I have landing flaps on the left slider (not on the left stick).
That was easier to set up on the Futaba. The timer on the Futaba is
easier to set and use. The multi-point mixes are easier on the JR. The
trim-in-mode option is better in the Futaba. The flaperon trim is better
in the JR.
Etc., etc.
At this point I'm leaning towards the JR for discus and the Futaba for
open class and electric. Will probably keep the JR on 72 (synth) and get
the 2.4 module for the Futaba. Both systems (72 and SS) appear to be
fully functional for all flight modes I use.
The only things I wish each would do that they don't - recognize both
positive and negative shift. Also that damn reverse polarity charge jack
on the JR - re-wire that puppy as soon as you can.
Overall the JR may be a bit more flexible for discus programming but I
can't see a major difference for open and/or electric. There's a lot of
stuff I don't do so I'm sure various proponents of either system will
disagree with this post.
- Dave R
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