Official word on XPS systems for Futaba Radios

[ZR2Chevy22]

I know ya'll are all aware the XPS will be for sale at the Toledo show but I don't know how many know when it will go for sale on the web. I contacted XPS and was told they will be available for sale on their website starting April the 12th. I'll be first in line for one.

Andrew

[DavidH]

OK if this is true. That would make me think they will be sold out before the Toledo show. It starts April 13th and runs thru the 15th. Since setup day at the show is the 12th. Wonder who is going to be minding the store. LOL

David

[Pinecone]

Probably the ones taken to the show will not show as stock on the website.

Or Jim may not have been blowing smoke when he said he would have some 10,000 units ready for sale. :)

[Tom Fiddler]

Told ya ZR :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Pla]

Have my card ready.

I hope it doesn't repeat the experience I had buying tickets for U2:

They were starting sale at 10am. I was ready with 2 PCs - on their buy page.
At 10 am the site either did not respond or responded with "Server too busy"
After trying to open the page for 40 minutes, I herd on the radio the concert was already sold out :arggg:

[Trooper Sam]

For 14MZ and 12Z users, I think too little, too late. :)

[PaulH]

Now I'm torn... Should I get the XPS for my 9C, or just wait until summer for this:

http://2.4gigahertz.com/radios/futk9275.html

The only problem is that the new 12 will likely cost $1300, where the XPS will only cost me about $200 to retrofit my 9C.

[Pinecone]

That difference sounds like a nice heli, or two. :)

[PaulH]

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought :)

[DavidH]

Yes the price on the 12FG is also $800 at Ishii Mokei in Japan.

If you want a module system for your 9C. I would suggest buying the module system that Futaba has coming. It will plug right into your 9C and not use any external connectors.
http://2.4gigahertz.com/modules/futl7637.html

The 7 channel system will be out first with the others following closely after that.


David

[Tom Fiddler]

The XPS module plugs into your 9CHP also with no external connectors.
For $200 I get the module and RX, and I can buy it next week. It also will support telemetry!
Just keeping everyone on their toes :mrgreen:

[Pinecone]

And the Futaba 6 ch Rxes are $90 each. XPS 6 ch Rxes are something like $60.

[DavidH]

know ya'll are all aware the XPS will be for sale at the Toledo show but I don't know how many know when it will go for sale on the web. I contacted XPS and was told they will be available for sale on their website starting April the 12th. I'll be first in line for one.


Today is the 12th. They must have forgot. LOL

No online orders can be placed at this time!
http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/products.php/index.php


David

[Trooper Sam]

And yet another reason not to buy XPS....because you can't. :)

[Skiddz]

hehe, I can't even get to the website.. Pukes back some error about having to set a database connection....

[Tom Fiddler]

There was a server crash this morning on Jims website. I was there at the booth first thing this morning, and after waiting in line I got a module for my 9C and a 10 channel rx. Testing will come this week.

[mevigavant]

Tom
Let us know how it goes with the xps system.

[PaulH]

Same here Tom: I'd really like to know how this system works out in a gasser environment!

[Pinecone]

Why would it be any different than in giant scale?

And why doesn't anyone ask, well how will Spektrum and Futaba work in XYZ model?

Just having fun. :)

[PaulH]

Why would it be any different than in giant scale?

Terry,

There have been more problems with transmitter/receiver combinations in gas helicopters than in airplanes due to RFI and vibrations.

In an airplane the electronics can be separated from the ignition much further than they can in a helicopter. People who fly large-scale gas airplanes also usually shock-mount the electronics by mounting everything to a piece of light-ply, then using rubber bands to suspend the package within the fuselage.

Helicopters exacerbate the situation due to the proximity of the electronics to the engine and how everything is mounted. Mounting usually amounts to wrapping everything in foam then tying the parts down with hook-and-loop fasteners. Vibrations can get through this much more easily and destroy the crystal.

You won't see as many people ask how well Futaba will work because it has been around for years. It is more of a known quantity. Also, you won't find too many question about the Spektrum in this forum because it is for "Futaba Radios and Electronics". Check the JR or 2.4 GHz forums for more discussion of those products. :)

[Tom Fiddler]

Here ya Go!

[PaulH]

Sweet! Thanks for the pictures, Tom! The best "feature" to me is how small the antenna is, both in the Tx and the Rx. No more Dean's antenna needed!

The only thing I would worry about is the possibility of the main blades "golfing" your receiver off of that platform. The Trex 450 has a similar problem because people mount the gyro up high like that.

Flight test! Flight test! I'm looking out my window at a near-hurricane levels of weather. I have to live vicariously through you! ;)

[Tom Fiddler]

If the blade on that Vario get's to the RX, then that $99 will be the least of my worries! :mrgreen:

53 MPH gust's here....the heli would blow away during a range check.
Tomorrow I hope :arggg:

[PaulH]

It sounds like you have the same weather there that we have here in Boston.

One of the reasons I'm interested in the XPS system is for my Trex. That 6-channel receiver looks like it's the perfect size, especially since antenna placement is less of an issue! I also have a Herr Mini-Sport kit floating around my workshop, waiting to be built. That too would be perfect for the 6-channel XPS receiver and a 2s or 3s LiFe (A123) battery pack.

[Pinecone]

OK, I can understand the gasser bit. Although most RFI is well below 2.4GHz.

And how long has Futaba been making 2.4GHz stuff? :)