Tx?

[bibs]

Hello folks

I'm looking to buy myself a nice tx right now, quiet fancy a 14mz but think they are a bit pricey for my new hobby. I've been told that Futaba are the way to go, but don't know if I will need a FF7 or FF9. Is the 9 worth the extra cash, for those 2 extra channels? And will I need them, is a 7 channel tx enough?

Thanks in advance

[Dedcalm]

What are you planning to fly ? when I started I bought a Field Force 6 as it suited the requiements. I now have a FF9 which I think is excellent but then the FF7 was not availble when I bought mine. I think if I did it again I would still go for the FF9 but apart from the number of channels I am not sure of any other huge difference.

Is the 14mz actually available yet ? I thought it was still in pre production. Anyway 2k for a Tx is a little steep IMHO, the 9ZAP is bad enough :roll:

Rob

[bibs]

I'm gonna get involved with lots of electric heli's, and also a nice nitro or three, 50 size to start off with, perhaps a raptor or sceaudu/shuttle then progress to turbine. I would like to fly 3D too.

[Raptorite]

Hi Bibs,

I saw the blurb sent out by Ripmax on the new FF9 Super radio a few days ago, it is very similar to the existing FF9 but has some software improvements and one or two extra functions, things like extra mixes, more ccpm options and a couple more 5 point curves for both throttle and pitch. The pricing is much the same as the existing FF9 sets, so it is a very good proposition in terms of cost.

If you are looking eventually to go turbine, then the additional channels in the T14MZ are nice to haves, as the turbine itself can use up to 3 or 4 channels I believe. I know the turbine fixed wing boys are really looking forward to the 14 channel set as with all the other airframe functions the maximum of 10 channel sets available now really dont have enough.

The other option, is I'm sure that once the T14MZ is available, there are bound to be a fair few second hand 9ZHP WC2 sets available, so you may well pick one up for a bargain price. I know they are a bit complicated to setup initally but once you get used to them they are a really good flexible transmitter that can handle pretty much anything you can think of for flying helis. I get on really well with mine.

Cheers,

Pete.

[Dedcalm]

So on top of the standard 5 channels used I guess you will need a channel for gyro mode/gain and also if like me you will use a governor then also a channel for that so you are up to 7 already. I will also shortly be testing out my own design auto glow unit which would use the 8th so a FF9 is great for me (with 8 ch on FM as I have not moved over to the PCM yet). Also possibly aerial photo/video would or could use a channel.

Best to consider every eventuality and see what you might need, scale could use a load more channels as well (retracts, lighting etc.)

Check out a comparison of the features here,

http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/feature-compare.html

[Raptorite]

Hi Rob,

The possibilities never seem to end, I use 8 channels at the moment in standard form, the standard 5 for the flight controls, gyro gain, Governor on/off and a second governor one for rpm selection.

So if you imagine you want to add things like night flying kit, you might want a channel or two to be able to switch the onboard landing light on and off and the rope on and off, so there is two extra channels. Thats 10 with the airframe and engine controls, so it is dead easy to use up the channels for sure. The more the better I think

Cheers,

Pete.

[CaLviNx]

FF9

Hi

I used to have a FF7 & loved it (it got stolen) i then upgraded to a FF9 and its all the radio i will ever need and more, and im keeping it for when in future my flat cap and pipe comes out, so i can use the extra channels for the scale route.

And besides i got a cracking deal on it with NO customs charge for a heli setup with PCM 149 RX x4 Digital S9252's & a GY401/S9253 combo

From stephen @ cyberheli Hong Kong to here in sunny scotland in under 3 days and that was delayed as soon a parcel force got their mitts on it.

At the price i got it for i just couldnt refuse it , and its a (imhop anyway) a nice easy radio to program. i lusted after a new JR9 when they came out and tried one recently and maybe because im so used to my futaba it just didnt feel as nice when navigating through the menu, but hey like i said maybe just me being used to futaba.

As ever its best to get:

"A" What you can afford
"B" what siuts your needs now and possibly for the future

It might be wise to buy a more expensive radio now and have its features for future instead of buying a lower spec radio to do you just now then have to upgrade later is a larger cost outlay in the long run.

Kindest Regards

[Mack]

Hi Bibs
I have only just started too and got the FF9, it's a great radio, easy to understand when learning and believe it can take you a long way.

[bibs]

Looks like the FF9 is the way forwards then for me.

I've noticed a lot of tx's on e-bay without chargers and guessed these were stolen. If someone uses it and 'lost' the charger they would get a new one, or if they were upgrading the new tx would have it's own charger anyway 8O

[Mack]

Hi Bibs
Thats not always the case. I bought the radio only, so it didn't come with the servos or a charger. I still have the charger from my old radio which I use. I think chargers are only about 10-00