14MZ / 12Z / FX-40 Software Update 2007-03-21

[RCfan]

FFC posted new updates for Futaba's 14MZ, 12Z and FX-40 radios.

If you're an FFC member, get them from the official site. I'll have them up on my site shortly, but for now, here they are (READMEs inside each file):

14MZ - http://rcfan.com/files/14MZ/updates/2007-03-21-T14MZ_1766.zip

12Z - http://rcfan.com/files/12Z/updates/2007-03-21-T12Z_update_1_1_0.zip

FX-40 - http://rcfan.com/files/FX40/updates/2007-03-21-FX40_1766.zip

--Felix

[Finless]

AWESOME FELIX! Nice of you to give out the news man!

How about a run down on the features?

Bob

[Finless]

Just read through the read me.... I was all EXCITED thinking we were going to have some cool updates... NOT!

I am a little dissapointed... It's been a full year since the last update and there is not that much here to get excited about :(
In fact the mode A and mode B thing at the end of the readme is not even clear what it is? Whay would they have a mode B that is 20% slower? WTF?

Sometimes I gotta ask WHO is driving customer requirements to Futaba for what people want and what should be added... I saw on the FFC site some very common asks for features and NONE of the most popular were added that I see :(
So whats the purpose of them asking for5 customer feedback for features if they dont use the feedback?
Yes I am biased and NONE of the features I asked for (and were asked for by MANY FFC members) were added.... If it is going to take another year for our programmable $2000 radio to get updates... I think I will be migrating to something else I think :(

Honestly.... I dont see anything here that should have taken a year to come out with nor much that is exciting.... Maybe I am expecting too much? :dontknow

Bob

[Trooper Sam]

And did you notice, Bob, that "Mode B" isn't even meant for our R5014DPS receivers? Which means that they're bringing out yet another kind of G3 receiver...not a step in the right direction, in my opinion.

[DavidH]

Well for the 12z/14MZ owners that will use the Spektrum modules. Looks like now there will be 12 channels available in PPM mode from the12Z/ 14MZ. I also see some 12 channel PPM modes in the readme file. Seems that Spektrum might have to go back and update there modules and receivers to more channels for the 12z/14MZ.
I have updated my 12Z and it has the electronic Swash Ring, plus selectable 12 channels in PPM and also positve or negative shit.
David

[Phaedrus]

12 channels have been available on the 14MZ since the previous update, as were many other things on this update. At first I thought I had downloaded the previous update until I saw the cyclic limiter and receiver modes features.

[RCfan]

I see them at http://www2.towerhobbies.com/listings/cat-j.html (scroll to bottom)

[Phaedrus]

Deleted by author

[flyinfool]

The 10 channel is for 1024 PCM and I thought that the 12 channel PPM was added in the last software release. I noticed a few things in the read-me that were present in previous releases unless there have been some minor changes that I missed.

The one big thing that I see and like is the software cyclic ring.
I have some aircraft that will benefit from a cyclic ring and some that would be hurt by it.
We certainly can not say that futaba is ignoring the heli community, it looks like there are more heli specific changes than there are airplane specific changes.

I see the mode A Mode B as you can now chose between fast response speed or a more solid control connection. I'm not sure I like that choice. I want both.

[Phaedrus]

And can ANYONE tell me what stick hysteresis does??

[DavidH]

Bill,
If I understand it correctly. The Stick Hysteresis is another form of expo for the joy sticks.

This function sets the servo response speed (response) and dead band width (hysteresis) relative to stick
operation for each condition. The operation feel of the stick can be adjusted to match the in-flight aerobatics.
Call the setting screen shown below by selecting [STICK SETTING] from the System Menu.


��Response adjustment��
������ Use the cursor lever to move the cursor to the set value display of the stick whose response you want to
adjust.��
������ Use the dial to set the response.��
�� Initial value : 4��
�� Adjustment range : 1~32 (The larger the adjustment value, the slower the response.)��
��
��Hysteresis adjustment��
������ Use the cursor lever to move the cursor to the set value display of the stick whose hysteresis you want to
adjust.��
������ Use the dial to adjust the response.��
�� Initial value : 1��
�� Adjustment range : 0~32 (The larger the adjustment value, the larger the hysteresis.)��
��

Hysteresis seems to be the dead band adjustment for the servo if I read and understand it correctly.

David

[Phaedrus]

So what would you see as the advantage to that over using the normal expo settings??

[Finless]

Also it would have been nice to have stick calibration like the 12mz :(

I do admit I like the software cyclic ring but not sure if I will use it... but I am going to play around with it and see if it does anything for me. I have never needed one before as I feel if your in a corner at max pitch your in trouble anyway ;)
How many folks actually use a ring anyway? My field there are only about 2 people that do.

Bob

[RCfan]

The cyclic ring is indeed nice, especially the ability to control it at the model level. I would have liked to see control of each individual "corner" instead of just one setting for all, but it works.

The hysteresis and response adjustments are there to "globally" smooth-out gimbal operation and get around any hardware problems (or glitches) that may arise as the radio (and pots) start getting old. Personally I have response at 1 and hysteresis at 0.

[ethinger]

Hi,
Can anyone confirm if it is 12 or 10 ch for PPM mode?

[MarkD]

I've now got 12 channels showing in servo monitor for PPM

4 extra ch - Needle, Aux1, 2 and 3

[SteveL]

When I spoke to John Adams @ B_Ham he told me the added latency of adding the additional 4 channels to the PPM steam made it a deal breaker.

[RCfan]

12Z update seems to have broken the ability to run its calibration utility. :(

[RCfan]

Calibration is back (that didn't take long :D ) ...

Starting with the 2007-03-21 12Z update, follow these instructions to access the calibration utilities of the radio.

All you need to do is add some text to each of the .ini files. There's also a new file that operates a subset of the calibration utilities (handles stick mode and calibration as well as switch arrangement), if it exists, it takes precedence over T12ZTEST.ini but not T12SETRX.ini

Listed in order in which the 12Z searches for these files on the CF card:

1) T12ZSETRX.ini::
Execute T12Z Setting Rx Program

2) T12ZTESTLIGHT.ini::
Execute T12Z Reduced Test

3) T12ZTEST.ini::
Execute T12Z Test Program


The above text should be the very first line in each of those files.

[medflight]

If you are using the sprktrum module and the 9 channel spektrum rx, will you be able to use all 9 channels or will you be limited to eight?

[DavidH]

There is 12 channels available when in PPM mode on the 12Z/14MZ. Spektrum has only designed there modules to use 8 channels for the Futaba.

David

[ycchu]

I purchased my 14MZ from Cyberheli in Hong Kong.

I can't update in respect of PPM shift and 12 ch PCM1024 which the update document specified "USA and European version only".

How can I find out which version (region code) my Tx belongs.

Thanks.

[DavidH]

Probably need to call Steven at Cyberheli. He would be the one to answer that question. From my experience there is lot of brands outside the USA that do not use the shift. For example a Futaba tx can control a JR or Airtronics that is on the same frequency and vice versa.
So that my be why the shift capability is not in some of the 14MZs.
The pulse shift capability came out over a year ago. So any recently purchased 14MZ should have it, That is if it is suppose to be there in the region your radio is set for.

David

[ycchu]

David,

I read somewhere along that you can some how access the region code information on screen with the 14 MZ.

[DavidH]

Yes look on RC Fan website. I believe he has the information there how to access the menu.

David