New Spectrums

[captcasper7]

Is this true?

Midland helicopters were at show in Germnay and futaba are releasing whole range in 2.4g called fasst (Futaba Advanced Spread Spectrum Technology)




http://www.towerhobbies.com/rcwnews/070210-futk6900.html Tower are selling the 6exh 2.4g already.

[bigsix]

I believe if you dig a few posts down theere is a topic on it..

[stevejr72]

Here's the thing... Futaba's Radio is "Only $219"... Well, the DX6 (basically the same radio from what I see is $189.
If that isn't enough... Check this out... If you weren't considering the DX6 to begin with because the DX7 is out there, Why in the world would anyone buy this thing?
If Futaba was really serious about this, they would have come out with a 9 channel version to put the pressure on Spektrum.
Nice try Futaba... back to the drawing board.
Just my $0.02

[Finless]

stevejr72, I AGREE! A year too late! We 14mz owners are waiting for a module that I am worried may never come.... If Futaba does this as they appear to be doing and this late in the game then I fear I may not own Futaba much longer!
I hope they step up the game man! If any radio manufacturer can they can but lets see....

Bob

[spork]

We 14mz owners are waiting for a module that I am worried may never come....

I think you can count on it Bob. If Futaba doesn't offer a module, I'm betting someone else will within a year.

[nlee111]

Here's the thing... Futaba's Radio is "Only $219"... Well, the DX6 (basically the same radio from what I see is $189.
If that isn't enough... Check this out... If you weren't considering the DX6 to begin with because the DX7 is out there, Why in the world would anyone buy this thing?
If Futaba was really serious about this, they would have come out with a 9 channel version to put the pressure on Spektrum.
Nice try Futaba... back to the drawing board.
Just my $0.02

I was under the impression that Spektrum was partly owned by Futaba in the first place

[Pinecone]

More likely JR, since the Spektrum radios are based on JR radios. The DX6 is a 662 and the DX7 is a 7202.

[c0bra]

I don't think JR owns Spektrum, but JR and Spektrum radios are serviced at the same Horizon Service Center. Also, their websites are copyrighted by Horizon Hobby. However, JR has a 3yr warranty while Spektrum has 1yr. They definitely deal together, but I think all three are seperately owned.


As was previously said, putting spread spectrum tech into the 6EX isn't very appealing. From a noob's point of view (the noob being myself of course) I would choose DX7 > DX6 > 6EX.

[R-4-L]

Bob the spectrum technology is only ONE feature. would you rather throw your relatively advanced radio for just one feature? I know its new and nice but hey....

[kgfly]

1) It's not a "new spektrum" but it is a new 2.4GHz spread spectrum air radio from Futaba based on the low-end 6EX.

2) FASST is the Futaba marketing name for the technology that AFAIK they have licensed from Nomadio and have been using for a year or more in their 3ch car radio system. It is a single channel FHSS design with a 2ms occupancy period per channel.

3) It is a "full range" radio with 5pt heli curves but IMO in all other ways is inferior to the DX6 feature set.

4) Spektrum is owned by Horizon. Horizon are the US distributors for Japan Radio - JR. Horizon had the market power to convince JR to supply OEM radio platforms for Spektrum, hence the use of JR 662/7202 platform for the DX6 and DX7 and the anticipated use of the 9303 for the DX9 (yet to be confirmed).

[ClayK]

Just curious, how is the 6EX inferior to the DX6?

The throttle and pitch points alone make it a better radio.

I've seen both in person and given the option, I would choose the Futaba over the DX6 irrespective of price. They both have similar features and I believe the 6EX is superior to the DX6. The DX6 is a park flyer and the 6EX is considered a full-range radio. There are a few reasons I put the 6EX over the DX6. Price isn't a big deal because we are talking $20, purchasing from Tower and you can knock off money from coupons.

Now, if we are comparing the DX7 and the 6EX I believe we have a better comparison. The DX7 wins out on channels, but both are full-range radios. In this comparison, I believe the DX7 to push ahead for obvious reasons. However, that wasn't the original comparison was it?

I think in the flurry to scramble for 2.4ghz technology, there are some important points being ignored. Does the DX7 have swash detail? How good is the mixing and the computing functions of the DX7? I would argue that it pales to the 12z or the 14mz, since those radios are constantly brought back into the mix. I am confused by the lack of confidence that Futaba will release a module for the 12 or 14. They released a module for the 3pk, which was their flagship model for surface radios. They have consistently proven in the past to support radios, especially their flagship models. The 12 and 14 were specifically marketed with the premise of being "the last radio you will ever need". The 12 and 14 have received updates already to hardware and software since their release.

You know what all this talk about Futaba and 2.4ghz sounds like? It sounds like people waiting for the Aurora or when they were waiting for the Synergy. The similarities are striking. All this talk, screaming, whining, complaining, debating on whether they will come out with it or if or whatever. Sometimes, I wonder why all this energy is spent on this point rather than elsewhere. Hell, sometimes I wonder why I even expend the energy to reply to threads like this when I know better. :dontknow

[Rocket Man]

You know what all this talk about Futaba and 2.4ghz sounds like? It sounds like people waiting for the Aurora or when they were waiting for the Synergy. The similarities are striking. All this talk, screaming, whining, complaining, debating on whether they will come out with it or if or whatever. Sometimes, I wonder why all this energy is spent on this point rather than elsewhere. Hell, sometimes I wonder why I even expend the energy to reply to threads like this when I know better. :dontknow

Clay,

You are simply voicing out loud the same things many of us are thinking. I attribute all this to human nature. We are impatient creatures and the grass is always greener on the other side.

I have been flying JR radios for the past 15 years, but got a Spektrum for Christmas to see what the fuss was all about. I love this little radio in my smaller machines, but did not like the feel of it in the big helis. So what did I do? I got tired of trimming the plugs on Futaba servos to fit into my JR receivers, so I went out and bought a new 12Z. :D

I'm betting that Futaba will come out with a DSS module for those radios soon. But if they don't, I'll continue to fly it for a few more years anyway.

Take care,

Ron

[JesusFreak]

The 12Z and 14Z are obsurdly expensive. I have a 9Z WCII which was bad enough. If Futaba doesn't protect the investment of these customers somehow, shame on them. I would love a 12 or 14Z, but I purposely avoided such a purchase knowing new technology was around the corner. My biggest complaint about my 9Z is it is HORRIBLE to program. The DX7 I have is a piece of cake by comparison. Futaba makes good quality stuff, but they always seem to be lagging in the technology they employ and were slow to address user interface issues. I've been a Futaba user since I started in this hobby 25+ years ago, but the DX6 and 7 have moved me to another Vendor. Futaba will have to do something significant to win me back.

[TerryBelanger]

Moved this to the newly created 2.4 forum!!

[Danal Estes]

catcasper7, would you mind editing the title of the first post (and thereofore of the thread) to say "New Futaba 2.4g" or something similar?

Everytime I see the "New Spectrums?" thread I think that the company "Spektrum" might have released something new...

:D :D

[buster1]

After all the back and forth - I have finally decided to go with the DX7 - I have been a futaba user for almost 20yrs. - but after careful consideration and talking to other DX7 users, I have come to the conclusion - simplicity is far more advantageous to bell and whistles. Futaba is a great product - but they have outpriced themselves with tons of functionality I typically don't use - and this translates into price.
I think the new 2.4g outweights all the big-time feeling of the futaba radios - and it will be nice to get back to a radio where I don't have to take a programming class to figure out.
and it was a tough decision - I fly both 3D heli. and plane and like the functionality of futaba, but I think its time for a change. We all get caught up with the bling-bling, but when another brand comes out with something totally new and useful - the bling starts to not look so special anymore - guess thats human nature.
In any event, the futaba product is awesome - I don't want to knock it - but if they are listening now - simplicity coupled with the usefulness of 2.4g is what people are after. I know they are coming out with one - but the DX7 seems to have proven itself.
JH - NY