If Futaba's system is THE 2.4 system to have why isn't there support for the other brands? I think JR / Spektrum / Horizon have done a good job in nudging people to their equipment by offering other brand support. I can point you towards many happy former futaba fliers that converted to the 2.4 version of the 9303.
Rob On 5/29/08, Darwin Barrie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Comments inserted. > On May 29, 2008, at 8:55 AM, David Webb wrote: > > Darwin, I think your answer lies in the unique qualities and general low > numbers of the soaring communities. > > > > The standard TX for many soaring enthusiasts is the Sanwa / Airtronics > Stylus and many are waiting for a 2.4 GHZ module due out before next > season. The JR and Futaba systems offer most of the Stylus functionality and > in some cases a few features I would like to see on a stylus but many pilots > are loath to give up their Stylus yet. > > > > The Stylus is still an excellent transmitter but is no longer made. To me > the ultimate system for any discipline of RC is the Futaba 14MZ. It has far > more capability than the Stylus and will drive the other brands of > receivers, negative or positive shift and is very easy to program. Yeah it > is expensive but you only need to buy once and fly everything you own. > There is no comparison. It is capable of both 72, (all synthesized) and 2.4 > with the FASST module. > > > People don't want to poke holes in their nose cone or fuse to allow the two > whiskers to exit. 2.4 friendly noses are becomeing main stream and this may > also push adoption up. > > > > Never seen this be an issue with anyone. The Futaba antennas can be exited > with a 1/32" hole for each. No extra antenna modules etc.... No big > obtrusive holes > > > The FUD (fear uncertainty and doubt) factor is still high. I just attended > an f3J contest and someone on my flight line had to get a backup model > because thier primary failed to bind up. Many see 2.4 technology as still > teething and would like to see it get to a more critical mass before putting > it into something as unforgiving as an unpowered aircraft. Fail safe in a > glider is a crap shoot at best so trying out a new technology that could > leave you free flying is just plain scary. > > > The initial intoxication with the 2.4 has died down. I agree that many have > not wrapped their arms around this yet while others have sold all 72 gear. > I'm just curious why more aren't using it in competition. > > > The real pressure to move to 2.4 is to attain a frequency-less situation > that avoids conflicts. Glider pilots are the geeks of the R/C crowd and at > the fields I fly, on a sunny Saturday or Sunday morning I have a hard time > finding another pilot to talk to let alone conflict with. I have to make a > call and organize to get someone to show up there when I am flying! > > > > The moron factor is definitely reduced with 2.4. > > > Contest pilots are the ones who are moving fairly fast towards 2.4 which is > a very small number of a select small crowd. I will be there next season > myself. My secondary field is very close to a private power field so the > prospect of removing conflicts is my main advantage. > > > I think many are overlooking great equipment when it comes to the Futaba > stuff. The 14MZ is the ultimate. Nothing comes close. The new 12 is > excellent and the new 10 Channel is a great "do everything" system that is > easy to program with every function we need. I use my trusty 9C Super for HL > and all of my electric stuff and the 14MZ my competition sailplanes and > Giant Scale Aerobatic planes. > > > The receivers are tiny and fit in all current HL's and there are many > excellent digital and non digital servos available with some new ones coming > out. > > > I'm a little biased being on Team Futaba. Despite the brand loyalty, I've > looked at all of them and find the Futaba 2.4 receivers the most practical > for the soaring application. > > > Darwin N. Barrie > Chandler AZ > > > > > > > > On Thu, May 29, 2008 at 7:14 AM, Darwin Barrie <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> I thought 2.4 was all the rage. People abandoning 72 and ham band en masse >> to use 2.4 and selling everything off. So, why are we not seeing it as much >> in the sailplane world? >> >> At the SW Classic there were not nearly as many as I expected. I did not >> get the count but it was far less than we thought we'd get. Now, I was >> reviewing the pilot list for the IHLGF and see that there are only 4 pilots >> using 2.4, myself included (53 total entries). >> >> I am using the Futaba Fasst System. I have the 9C Super transmitter with >> the 2.4 Fasst Module and the 607 Fasst receivers in my Blaster, Blaster 2 >> and Vandal. These small receivers fit nicely and the two whisker antennas >> are easily exited from the fuselage. >> >> So far they are working great with no range issues. Admittedly, I have not >> used the system in a crowded environment, but I have no doubt it will work >> fine. >> >> Darwin N. Barrie >> Chandler AZ >> RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. 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