Futaba to Spektrum

[NiceBlades]

Hi guys, I have been a Futaba user for some years now and still use my 9C super transmitter for my bigger birds I.e 500 to 700 size with a 2.4 ghz module. However I am seriously thinking about changing to Spektrum and their DX9 due to their ease of use and relatively cheap cost of telemetry and of course voice alerts. I remember someone on here very recently made this leap and would like to hear from them and anyone else who has done the same, what their experience has been good or bad, Many Thanks, Ian.

[bigpops]

I wouldn't call Spektrum telemetry cheap.

It needs its own transmitter, as a separate unit on every model, which is bulky and costl. Sensors aren't cheap except the most basic ones (voltage, temperature etc).
It's long overdue that Spektrum release some receivers with built in telemetry like everybody else uses.

If you're wanting cheap, then FrSky can't be beat. I switched from Spektrum to FrSky, for a next cost of £0 after selling the satellites and radio and I don't regret it for a second. The only down side is you have to get used to programming it as it's totally different from any other radio I've used.

Then there's the new kid on the block (at least in the UK and USA) which is Graupner.
Their radios have colour touch screens, voice, the recievers AND ESCs have built in telemetry (current, voltage, temp and RPM as standard), and the ESCs can be programmed by the radio. They even do a unit with FBL controller built in that you can tune with the radio, like the Vbar control.

[NiceBlades]

I regularly fly with 2 guys that have dx8's and have known no other transmitters and I now have to take 2 tranny's with me to the field if I want to fly the 450 or micros, so getting it down to 1 transmitter would be a bonus. I hear what your saying on telemetry bigpops but I'd only be interested in voltage of the flightpack and possibly temp of motor, I've also done without it up until now so would try it and see if it's worth the added expense first. Telemetry on Futaba seems extremely expensive to me.

[Angelos]

I regularly fly with 2 guys that have dx8's and have known no other transmitters and I now have to take 2 tranny's with me to the field if I want to fly the 450 or micros, so getting it down to 1 transmitter would be a bonus. I hear what your saying on telemetry bigpops but I'd only be interested in voltage of the flightpack and possibly temp of motor, I've also done without it up until now so would try it and see if it's worth the added expense first. Telemetry on Futaba seems extremely expensive to me.

Stick with Futaba. Their radio system is far more reliable. Your FBL system will most likely support SBUS and thus you can use a cut down receiver like this one (viewproduct | Futaba R7003SB BiDirectional 2.4GHz FASSTest Rx SBus2) which will provide pack voltage telemetry. If you add things up the two Spektrum sats plus telemetry module will cost more, take more spece on the heli, and have a web of flimsy and unreliable sat wires.

[NiceBlades]

Thanks for your input Angelos it's an attractive proposal, I would still need to upgrade my transmitter though as my module only supports Fasst and not Fasstest, it is 10yrs old and has been faultless though as you say.

[ollie]

i use sbus and it is so simple and tidy

[NiceBlades]

Yes Ollie if I had a 14sg think I'd go with Angelos' suggestion as it is very neat and tidy. I have an sbus receiver on my 500 and it works well, I do like the voice alerts on the dx9 though.

[SGD]

If you want to start using just one Tx and still fly the Speky micros then going over to a Spektrum Tx is the only real option. I don't know if the Speky micros can be swapped over to Futaba but if they can I guess it would be messy and add weight. But if anyone has any info on doing it I's be curious to see whats involved.
Personally I use a Futaba 14SG for everything bar the Blade micro plug and play stuff and a Trex 450 for these I use a DX9 but that's just me blowing the budget on toys!

[ollie]

my mate has a dx9 and he likes the voice option but i think he only sets it up for idle option.

[SGD]

I use the voice alerts for Hold, the Idle ups and the timer and find them useful. But for a bit of fun, on one of my nanos the Hold switch announces "PANIC" when thrown!