New FF7 2.4GHz with R617FS? (and not R607FS?)

[DemonJim]

The Ripmax website now lists the 2.4GHz FF7 (which I have been eagerly awaiting), which apparently arrives this Tuesday (15th Jan).

Interestingly though (and the reason for the post), it comes with the FASST R617FS receiver, and not the R607FS (which is the only FASST 7ch RX currently available here in the UK at least).

For those unaware, the R617FS apparently sends the pulses to the servos in a different order, ie in a way much more suited to CCPM helis (according to some smart bloke on a different forum with an oscilliscope anyway).

Note Futaba don't admit this, so it may not be true, but I do wonder as I currently have an R607FS on my 600N (using with a 6EX 2.4GHz set), and wonder whether it's actually worth me putting the R617FS on it when I get it with my FF7. Here's Futaba's official stance (taken directly from the FAQ on their website)

I have noticed a new R617FS receiver offered with the 7C 2.4GHz radio on your website. Is there something wrong with the R607FS that we should know about?

There is nothing wrong with the R607FS, it is a dependable and reliable receiver.
There was a component supplier change for some parts, and Futaba renumbered the R607FS to the R617FS for their reference. These receivers are essentially identical.

http://2.4gigahertz.com/faq/faq-fasst-q926.html


But are they just trying to get rid of old 607s, just like the way they've already discontinued the R606? I have a feeling I can't post links to other heli forums on here, so you'll have to find it yourself, but here's an extract relating to the servo signal ordering:

Well, it looks like there is more than a minor difference between the R607 and the R617:

The sequence of servo signals on the R607 is 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
The sequence of servo signals on the R617 is 7-6-1-2-3-4-5

If this is true I will definitely be putting the 617 on my 600N, and getting one to replace the 607 on my 450 too, but wished Futaba would admit stuff like this (as well as giving us an answer ASAP on this recent problem of people finding multiple TXs with the same GUID - I for one bought into 2.4GHz so I couldn't get shot down...)

[DemonJim]

On a follow up to this I can confirm that the new 2.4GHz 7C (aka the FF7, that came out here in the UK last Friday) does indeed come with the new R617FS receiver (if you get a 607 with one then the shop has probably swapped it as Ripmax supply them with 617s).

So if you're after a new RX for a heli you're best getting the 617 and use any 606s and 607s on planes.

Incidentally, the 7C radio box is marked "with the latest Feb 08 software" too, so I'm presuming it now won't throw the GUID no matter what you do with the power switch. There's no other info in the box relating to this (I'm presuming Ripmax updated them all with Futaba's new firmware prior to release). They must have been busy though as they didn't screw all the screws back properly in the back of it.. hopefully that's all they rushed

[robgt]

Feel free to link to anywhere - there are no little hitlers policing this forum!
Cheers,
Rob

[kerhs]

http://2.4gigahertz.com/faq/faq-fasst-q926.html

here is nothing wrong with the R607FS, it is a dependable and reliable receiver. The R617FS had a component supplier change for some parts and the channels have been re-sequenced to speed up response in helicopter application. An airplane modeler or modeler using the 6EX will not notice any difference in speed.


It appears that you are correct. Good timing on you post Jim as I was just about to order another rx, I have now ordered the R617FS

[Andy from Sandy]

DemonJim, Go back and read the faq that you posted. It would appear that Futaba heard you and have made a change to the text as shown in kerhs post. The channels have been re-orderd for helicopter performance

[DemonJim]

Cool, but it's not thanks to me, it's thanks to the work of some braniacs with oscilliscopes -- see this thread for where I got this info from originally http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772341

I'm a fervent fan of Futaba and am glad they've addressed this - perhaps they should consider openly marketing the two receivers as specifically for Aero (607) and Heli (617) use rather than relying on a FAQ answer tucked away on their website. Or perhaps just have a tiny switch on the RX to toggle between the two modes (maybe they could release a 627FS with this feature!). I've invested in really fast brushless servos for my 600N (BLS451s - niiice!) so want to minimise any phasing delay in the collective as much as possible so it has to be the 617 in this case. If I was actually any good I bet I could even tell the difference

I guess it's not an issue if you have the 12FG or 14MZ with the 14ch RX as you can program the servo signal order yourself I believe, but I just don't need that many channels (or want to spend that much on the TX and each RXs) and am now more than happy with my 7C 2.4GHz integrated set, especially given that it's now [hopefully] unable to throw its GUID (and also has native Governor support freeing up the P-Mixes - great stuff!). If a 10C or 12FG came out with proper integrated 2.4 and the neckstrap balance sorted out though I'd definitely upgrade though

[kerhs]

I thought the 10c & 12FG did have 2.4 properly integrated?

[DemonJim]

The 10C and 12FG both use removable RF modules, and they still have 35MHz aerials built-in and so aren't dedicated 2.4GHz sets like the 6EX or the new 7C 2.4GHz (which is great by the way - cannot recommend it enough!).

JR are releasing some superb fully-integrated 9 and 12 channel sets soon (using Spektrum technology), which look fantastic, and will own the mid-to-high range radio market if Futaba don't follow suit IMHO.