Radios - JR or Futaba?

[BF]

Is there anything between the top end models of these two
transmitters?

Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
something that would be easy to operate and understand.

Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.

[Mike]

>From: BF barry@bf111.plus.com
>Date: 24/08/03 22:27 GMT Daylight Time
>Message-id: <n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com>
>
>Is there anything between the top end models of these two
>transmitters?
>
>Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
>something that would be easy to operate and understand.
>
>Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.
>

I've always got on well with JR, although I doubt if you will use that to sway
your choice :-)

What I would say is that if you intend flying at a club, and may want some
assistance with something in the future, it would be sensible to choose a radio
that other club members have. My flying buddy uses Futaba and we have a devil
of a job relating a JR function to the Futaba equivalent.. nothing is in the
same place, called the same thing or even controls the same channels.
You might also want to explore the prices and quality of the relative
receivers.. it is usually advisable to have compatible Tx and Rx.

[BF]

Thanks.

I got the feeling that was the case. I have a Futaba but the guy in my
local model shop uses JR and said that he could not get to grips with
Futaba radios! Hence my query as to whether one is more user friendly
than the other.

Learning to fly helis is hard enough! Just trying to find the easiest
path to understanding the complexity behind the radios!



On 24 Aug 2003 21:44:20 GMT, mikespruce99@aol.comnospam (Mike) wrote:

>
>>From: BF barry@bf111.plus.com
>>Date: 24/08/03 22:27 GMT Daylight Time
>>Message-id: <n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com>
>>
>>Is there anything between the top end models of these two
>>transmitters?
>>
>>Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
>>something that would be easy to operate and understand.
>>
>>Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.
>>
>
>I've always got on well with JR, although I doubt if you will use that to sway
>your choice :-)
>
>What I would say is that if you intend flying at a club, and may want some
>assistance with something in the future, it would be sensible to choose a radio
>that other club members have. My flying buddy uses Futaba and we have a devil
>of a job relating a JR function to the Futaba equivalent.. nothing is in the
>same place, called the same thing or even controls the same channels.
>You might also want to explore the prices and quality of the relative
>receivers.. it is usually advisable to have compatible Tx and Rx.
>

[Rhodesst]

>Thanks.
>
>I got the feeling that was the case. I have a Futaba but the guy in my
>local model shop uses JR and said that he could not get to grips with
>Futaba radios! Hence my query as to whether one is more user friendly
>than the other.
>
>Learning to fly helis is hard enough! Just trying to find the easiest
>path to understanding the complexity behind the radios!
>
>

Hi BF,

Mike makes a good point. If most folks in your area are using JR, then by all
means go with them.

As a long time Futaba pilot (9Z), I can attest to the fact that most Futaba
flyers tend to figure out the JR systems (10?? series radios) a bit easier than
the other way around. That says something about JR's menu system. OTOH,
Futaba's menus aren't that bad to use once you figure them out. It's kind of
like learning to fly the helicopter itself. It's hard at first, but once you
learn how, it's not that big a deal. The pay off for the added complexity is
what I consider to be a significant improvement in flexibility.

You can't go wrong either way though. They're both first class radio systems.

Good luck & Fly Safe,
Steve R.

[BF]

Thanks for your comments Steve.

Barry

On 25 Aug 2003 02:09:17 GMT, rhodesst@aol.com (Rhodesst) wrote:

>>Thanks.
>>
>>I got the feeling that was the case. I have a Futaba but the guy in my
>>local model shop uses JR and said that he could not get to grips with
>>Futaba radios! Hence my query as to whether one is more user friendly
>>than the other.
>>
>>Learning to fly helis is hard enough! Just trying to find the easiest
>>path to understanding the complexity behind the radios!
>>
>>
>
>Hi BF,
>
>Mike makes a good point. If most folks in your area are using JR, then by all
>means go with them.
>
>As a long time Futaba pilot (9Z), I can attest to the fact that most Futaba
>flyers tend to figure out the JR systems (10?? series radios) a bit easier than
>the other way around. That says something about JR's menu system. OTOH,
>Futaba's menus aren't that bad to use once you figure them out. It's kind of
>like learning to fly the helicopter itself. It's hard at first, but once you
>learn how, it's not that big a deal. The pay off for the added complexity is
>what I consider to be a significant improvement in flexibility.
>
>You can't go wrong either way though. They're both first class radio systems.
>
>Good luck & Fly Safe,
>Steve R.

[MrBonk]

A couple of guys in my club who recently swapped from JR to Futaba gear
reckon the Futaba radios are infinitely easier to program. They swapped
because JR took the side sliders off their radios apparently. No other
reason.

The only radio I currently own is a Futaba 8UHPS, but I've borrowed a JR set
to use as a buddy a couple of times (to teach a bloke with a trainer and a
JR radio)......I *really* don't like the menu system etc on the JR. I
suspect it's only because it's different to what I'm used to though.

MrBonk
www.mrbonk.com

"BF" <barry@bf111.plus.com> wrote in message
news:n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com...
> Is there anything between the top end models of these two
> transmitters?
>
> Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
> something that would be easy to operate and understand.
>
> Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.

[david]

"BF" <barry@bf111.plus.com> wrote in message
news:n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com...
> Is there anything between the top end models of these two
> transmitters?
>
> Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
> something that would be easy to operate and understand.
>
> Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.

I hgad a scan down what was being used by the fliers at the masters this
year. Roughly...40% each on JR and Futaba and 10% on "others".

To me it says take yer pick, neither is better. It's personal.

David

[Wilbur Wilburforce]

>To me it says take yer pick, neither is better. It's personal.
>

Noooooooo way.

For features, the 9Z kicks the 10X's ass,big time BUT like Steve says its more
involved and can appear "harder to use" at first glance. How much this matters
to you I dont know but by taking the "easy" route means you can miss out on
some really cool stuff.

Having owned both the 10X and now the 9Z I can tell you I can work my 9Z as
quick as I did my 10X. It just took a bit of figuring out coming over from the
programming logic of the JR set but now my brain is fully "Futabarized" its not
a problem.

My suggestion is go and have a look at both sets if you can. Have a play with
both and compare features, prices and how they feel then go with what suits
YOU, not everyone at your club. Both radios are supplied with instruction
manuals :-)



Will

[david]

> For features, the 9Z kicks the 10X's ass,big time

Specifical;ly what is the 9z so good at that the other/s cannot do?

David

[Courseyauto]

>To me it says take yer pick, neither is better. It's personal.>>>>>>>>>>>>

Personally,i like the 10X

[Wilbur Wilburforce]

>Specifical;ly what is the 9z so good at that the other/s cannot do?
>

David,

have a look here.

http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/feature-compare.html

then here
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?Prod=JRP1656**

Make an informed decision.

*disclaimer*However, just cos one radio does more doesn't mean its for
everyone*disclaimer*







Will

[BF]

I was at the masters too and seemed to see a lot of JR`s!

Did you get the program? It showed the fliers and detailed the
equipment they use. Again, seemed to be a lot of JR`s in use.



On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 16:17:58 +0000 (UTC), "david"
<david_perry@btconnect.com> wrote:

>
>"BF" <barry@bf111.plus.com> wrote in message
>news:n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com...
>> Is there anything between the top end models of these two
>> transmitters?
>>
>> Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
>> something that would be easy to operate and understand.
>>
>> Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.
>
>I hgad a scan down what was being used by the fliers at the masters this
>year. Roughly...40% each on JR and Futaba and 10% on "others".
>
>To me it says take yer pick, neither is better. It's personal.
>
>David
>

[david]

"Wilbur Wilburforce" <willbeasley3d@aol.com1234> wrote in message
news:20030825183513.25303.00000445@mb-m15.aol.com...
> >Specifical;ly what is the 9z so good at that the other/s cannot do?
> >
>
> David,
>
> have a look here.
>
> http://www.futaba-rc.com/radios/feature-compare.html
>
> then here
> http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/products/description.asp?Prod=JRP1656**
>
> Make an informed decision.
>

Will, thanks for that!

David

[Rhodesst]

>
>Specifical;ly what is the 9z so good at that the other/s cannot do?
>
>David

Hi Dave,

Wilbur offered you some great links to check out from both sides. On a
personal level, I'll mention a few things I've come to appreciate on the 9Z.
Now, some of these thing may also apply to the 10 series JR radios but I'm not
familiar enough with them to know exactly.

You've probably heard of normal mode, idle1, idle 2, and throttle hold? Futaba
calles these "flight conditions". Each model can have up to 8 flight
conditions. In each flight condition, you've got totally independant ATV's
(travel volumes), dual rates, exponential, pitch curves, throttle curves,
revolutions mixes, subtrims,etc. You've also got up to 5 program mixes per
flight condition, that's a potention 40 per model. It sounds like a lot and it
is but it offers unequalled flexibility in model setup. Having said that, the
most conditions I've ever programmed on a given model is 5. Normal, idle1,
idle2, idle3, and throttle hold. I rarely use more than 2 or 3 program mixes
and those are usually limited to one or two of my flight conditions but the
added programming power is there if you ever need it.

Two features I really like on the 9Z are, 1) the capability to assign ANY
function or program mix to ANY stick, switch, dial, or slider that you want to
and 2) the fact that it's got complete programming for helicopters, airplanes
and gliders regardless of whether you buy the heli or airplane version of the
radio. The only difference between the two is the configuration of certain
switches on the top and front of the transmitter.

The downside to all these choices is that it can be more time consuming to
initially setup a new model. I've also had a couple of times through the
years when I was having the model do unexpected things and finally found that I
had some obscure feature turned on that I didn't realize. Finding this stuff
can be frustrating at times but it's not usually a problem. Unfortunately,
there's no free lunch but once you get the basics down, you'll be flipping
through the menus with no problem at all.

Oh yeah, one other thing. I fly the synthesized version. I can change
frequencies when needed. It's especially handy at a crowded fun-fly. :-) The
entire process takes about 5 minutes including removing the heli's canopy to
get to the receiver. Now, you may hear some folks try to steer you away from
the synthesized 9Z. I've heard it called a "dial-a-crash" on more than one
occasion. All I can tell you on that point is that, in over seven years of
flying this radio, I've not had any significant problems with it. Yes, I've
had some radio related crashes but I also had those kind of failures on the
fixed frequency equipment I flew prior to purchasing my 9Z synth system. You
don't need to use the synthisized receivers if you don't want to. The
transmitter will fly the fixed frequency receivers with no problems which means
you can fly multiple models, all on different frequencies if you want to. The
only issue you need to be more aware of in this case, is that you've got the
correct frequency pin when you fly. That's not a big deal but it is something
you need to stay aware of.

Sorry this got a bit long winded but I hope is clarifies some things.

FWIW,
Fly Safe,
Steve R.

[Phil Noel]

It seems to me on the last RR poll that 57% or so was Futaba, 31% or so was
JR and the balance Airtronics, Hi-Tech and a small % (3?) was others.

What I prefer with my 9Z compared to my JR 10SXHII (very much like the 10X)
are:
1 - The advantage of switch asignability
a) this means I can easily (not having to use mixes) assign specific
governor controlled head speeds to be activated through one switch - the
flight mode (idle-up switch in JR-eze) switch, ditto for any specific expo
settings or gyro settings....all easily assigned to one switch (or any other
switch if I so wish)...the idle up switch (flight mode in Futaba-eze).
b) easily have any expo settings also asigned to come in with this switch.
c) Love the engine kill function - very convenient way to shut off engine
without using mixes or having any special setting of the throttle trim.

2 - The fact that it ahs all the special airplane software aslo included.
3 - The fact that I do not have to dirty my screen with finger prints when
entering data.
4 - I find the Futaba data entering buttons much more positive - easy to
find ...not as vague to find as those on the JR screen.
5 - The bigger tension adjustment range of the Futaba sticks - full tension
on the JR sticks were still a tad to "loose" for me.
6 - the gyro and CV-1 specific software.
etc etc etc.

I used the JR radios from the old Galaxy 8 (at that point their software
jumped ahead of Futaba's) on through the 10, 10sx and 10 sxII) When I
switched to the 9Z it took awhile to get used to the structure of their data
entry system, but once I did, I found it as easy to program as the JR10
(easier with the more complex stuff) and now aske myself why I didn't switch
sooner, (when the 9Z first came out).

Phil

"BF" <barry@bf111.plus.com> wrote in message
news:nmalkvk9jui5fomk10oqqkt7aj6cskahma@4ax.com...
> I was at the masters too and seemed to see a lot of JR`s!
>
> Did you get the program? It showed the fliers and detailed the
> equipment they use. Again, seemed to be a lot of JR`s in use.
>
>
>
> On Mon, 25 Aug 2003 16:17:58 +0000 (UTC), "david"
> <david_perry@btconnect.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >"BF" <barry@bf111.plus.com> wrote in message
> >news:n6bikvocelqm8pd4ej50mphj4elom6lciq@4ax.com...
> >> Is there anything between the top end models of these two
> >> transmitters?
> >>
> >> Is either of them more user friendly than the other? Im looking for
> >> something that would be easy to operate and understand.
> >>
> >> Appreciate any thoughts / experience anyone has on this matter.
> >
> >I hgad a scan down what was being used by the fliers at the masters this
> >year. Roughly...40% each on JR and Futaba and 10% on "others".
> >
> >To me it says take yer pick, neither is better. It's personal.
> >
> >David
> >
>