T14MZ

[Jason]

[Stuart]

On sale via Robbe @ :2.622,90

You sitting down..
=
1,803.25 GBP

for that price i hope it flys the heli on its own.

[marktigere1]

I understand the screen is driven by Windows CE.

Does that mean you can use it as a personal organiser as well?

Also, what happens if it crashes whilst you are flying? Is that the true meaning of crash?

Thats a hell of a lot of money!!! I'll stick to the FF7.

Cheers

Mark

[G-DAVE]

Check out the new heli mag. theres a review of it .
Dave

[chappers]

[bibs]

1,800 is a bit steep for a tx, I reckon Curtis Youngblood would make you one of his for less...


or maybe not...

[chappers]

[G-DAVE]

I'll have one - well you have too havn't you !!

Is Phil there " how about it "
Dave

[philiphenderson]

72mhz is available. Just waiting on stock of 35mhz gear. Soon though.

Phil.

[G-DAVE]

I had better find a bank to rob.!!
Dave

[spacebaron]

I've just read the review in the mag and found more details on the net about this. My first reaction is 'Have Futaba lost their minds??' Is it really wise to based a transmitter on the Microsoft Pocket PC operating system????

When I heard someone say this thing played MP3s (actually WMFs) I thought it was a joke but no, sure enough that is exactly what it does and even comes with a headphone socket so you can use headphones and miss someone shouting 'LOOK OUT!' before an out of control aircraft ploughs into the back of your head.

Another 'feature' is the ability to record audio - I guess that could be useful when the transmitter fails - you can record your screams of terror as your heli flys towards you at full idle-up.

Seriously though - this unit seems to be aimed largely at the gadget conscious Japanese - there are lots of 'shiny things' about it but from a perspective of being an owner of several Pocket PC based devices already (and as a software developer), I simply wouldn't trust it - A transmitter is a mission-critical piece of equipment and Microsoft's track record in reliability speaks for itself. (And I haven't even touched on the subject of third-party software or even viruses that could affect it).

In terms of features, it looks like a wonderful piece of kit but if I see someone at the field with one, I'm going home! (at least until a couple of Service Packs have been brought out! )

[philiphenderson]

The Windows interface is all it is. There is another system running which takes input from the sticks etc to control the model. This prevents a "blue screen" from locking you out of your model. You'll need to land before re-boot though. 8O

[spacebaron]

According to the review on this site http://www.jason.net/heli/t14mzs.htm the Windows interface initially asks if you wish to turn the transmitter on.

Whilst this is a great feature (especially for people wanting to use the same TX for sims or other PC connectivity), it suggests that the ability to turn the radio on (and therefore off) is under control of the CE operating system.

I'm sure that Futaba will happily tell us they have implemented all sorts of failsafes to isolate radio control from CE failure but its the issues that we (and they) DON'T know about that concern me. For example, Microsoft released a version of Pocket PC for PDA's where the alarms failed to go off - a fairly important function for a personal organiser I think, yet it was a common issue that went through testing and into production.

Don't misunderstand me - Microsoft make some very useful products that I use happily on a daily basis - they just haven't done 'reliable' very well in the past and therefore I raise an eyebrow at Futaba's choice of platform.

[G-DAVE]

Sounds like someone can't afford one !! Like the Bloke at the field who said he wasn't getting one because he didn't like the look of it.
By the way spacebaron one of the main comps in the 3D masters is flying to music " Now what might come in usefull there, oh! yes - mp3 Player.
If your a true heliaddict you'll want one.
Dave