Which 2.4Ghz gear do you (want to) own?

[Steve]

Its an interesting option, however, for those like me who invested in a Futaba 14MZ I'll be waiting for the 2.4ghz module update rather than changing manufacturers. To much money invested in the set and changing just for 2.4ghz wouldn't be a good idea.

That's part of the problem though isn't it?

I read somewhere that putting a 2.4 GHz module into a 35 MHz set is like having a V12 Jaguar with 10 of the spark plugs removed. The radio set cannot match the speed and output of the module, so the system is only as fast as the slowest link.

I know the 14MZ is fast anyway, but can you see the point. i've considered the module option for my JR 9xii, but I just can't bring myself to warrant it, as the chance of being shot down at my club are negligable to zero.

[bladetrasher]

If i do ever decide to go to 2.4G then it will be Futaba
But It wont be happening for at least a year or two yet LOL

[mchristyuk]

Guys,

You will never tell the latency difference between a module 2.4ghz system and a dedicated 2.4ghz system.. the differences we are talking about are almost nothing.

Though this does depend on the PPM quality of the "doner" radio. Certainly some systems are much better than others in this respect.. cough..

The JR 2.4ghz solution is Spektrum.. and the Spektrum servos and transmitters are JR's.. basically as far as I can see above 9 channel the brand will be JR.. below 9 channel the brand will be Spektrum.. however... the technology is the same..

The difference in latency between PPM and PCM is huge.. visibly huge.. that is why the Futaba G3 and new 2.4ghz stuff has had rave reviews about the "connected" feeling.. however you could have had that "feeling" with 20 year old PPM technology..

Finally we are getting the best of both worlds with the 2.4ghz stuff.. a reliable signal.. and a high frame rate.. I would not worry about the latency issue for module vs dedicated solutions.. that is unless you are running one of those transmitters that is known for miserable processing performance..

Mark

[Raptorite]

I voted Futaba, a couple of reasons really, firstly I have all Futaba gear now, 14MZ and a 9C Super, so I wont be spending the money in replacing gear when I really dont think I need to.

The second reason and probably more important for me is the fact that futaba's 2.4Ghz technology is different to that of JR/Spektrum as it has a single receiver and therefore a single processor, but dual antenna. Therefore this seems to me to be more suitable for helis as it is far easier to mount one rx unit rather than 2. I also believe the frequency checking and swapping is on a dual frequency basis rather than JR/Spektrum's one frequency, and it is quicker to swap between frequencies.

Cheers,
Pete.

[dogg5306]

I've always been a Futaba fan since I'm into RC hobby (car and heli)... they've simply wone my trust

[mchristyuk]

There is a very good reason the JR/Spektrum solution has two receivers on the 7 channel set and up to 3 receivers on the 9 channel stuff.. Because the 2.4ghz wave length is so short it can easily get blocked by something in the way. Multiple receivers allows you to have a large seperation between the aerials to reduce the risk of the signal getting blocked. For Futaba to achieve the same result their receiver is going to have to gain more aerials with even longer lengths.. something that I think would actually be more impractical to mount.

Also this talk of "frequencies" and whether you should hop or stay static is a bit of a dodgey subject because with the 2.4ghz stuff there aren't really channels to speak of. You could quite happily have sets transmitting on the same "frequency", but because of the packet identification and filtering the receiver will quite happily pick out the correct packets of data and throw away the rubbish.

Futaba decided to have a single "channel" and hop around to get the cleanest signal.. JR/Spektrum decided that would choose two and stick to them with better filtering at the receiver end.. both have their technical merits and will work fine.. the bottom line is that it doesn't matter if somebody else is already on that channel.. hence the whole beauty of the 2.4ghz solutions and not being able to shoot anyone down anymore..

Mark