Futaba 16sz

[Travis Haney]

Start out with the Futaba 14sg, they are $250 in the classifieds. Similar to the 16 but the jog dial and no touch screen.

Start out with the Futaba 14sg, they are $250 in the classifieds. Similar to the 16 but the jog dial and no touch screen.

I was looking at that radio also but there are a couple things that push me towards the 16sz. If I'm wrong please let me know. I have read that the 14 won't support all the futaba formats and the 16 does, also read that the programmng menu on the 16 is more intuitive and better laid out. The last thing and it's more of a me thing but I tend to buy the best I can afford I don't like buying twice!

 

[pawnshopmike]

I was looking at that radio also but there are a couple things that push me towards the 16sz. If I'm wrong please let me know. I have read that the 14 won't support all the futaba formats and the 16 does, also read that the programmng menu on the 16 is more intuitive and better laid out. The last thing and it's more of a me thing but I tend to buy the best I can afford I don't like buying twice!

If you have the cash, go for it bro. The 16sz is a nice radio for sure.

 

[caf2461]

I have the 14SG and have played with the 16 and the 18 radios. The 14 supports all the modes I can think of FASSTest, FASST and S-FHSS. The 16 is much easier to program with the touch screen. I had to buy a book for my 14 it has a steep learning curve. Other than that the 16 is the same radio just looks cheaper since it is all black plastic. Personally if I had to buy a radio to replace my 14 it would be the 18SZ. Better sticks more capabilities etc. Plus there is a $100 promo on this radio where as you have to back order the 16.

 

[Snoopy1]

Does Futaba have power safe system to turn on the plane as JR and Spectrum. Also does Futaba have receivers with 14 or 16 gauge wire feed into the receivers 2 of them.

 

[dhal22]

I was looking at that radio also but there are a couple things that push me towards the 16sz. If I'm wrong please let me know. I have read that the 14 won't support all the futaba formats and the 16 does, also read that the programmng menu on the 16 is more intuitive and better laid out. The last thing and it's more of a me thing but I tend to buy the best I can afford I don't like buying twice!

Agree, I have a few good years out of my 14sg but will upgrade to the 18sz probably next year.

 

[Colt4570]

I have read that the 14 won't support all the futaba formats

The 14SG does not support T-FHSS (the FHSS telemetry protocol)

From everything out there, and the team Futaba guys, the 16SZ is basically an 18SZ minus 2 channels with 14SG gimbals. It is also $400 less.

 

[49dimes]

Does Futaba have power safe system to turn on the plane as JR and Spectrum. Also does Futaba have receivers with 14 or 16 gauge wire feed into the receivers 2 of them.

Currently the only receiver I know that Futaba has that is like a power safe is the R7018SB. Supprts dual batts and Heavy awg wire with deans connectors. Orbit makes a nice power adaptor for the other Futaba Rx's but I don't know if they operate with a failsafe switch. The 7018 does.

 

[Jetpainter]

I've been flying JR/Spektrum DSM2 then DSMX for over 6 years and have never had any problems. I would bet the vast majority of brown outs were poor choice of batteries. I've never ran less than 6.6 volts through one and always dual batteries on the bigger airplanes.

The Android on the IS12 does not run the RF side, so even if the Android crashes it doesn't interrupt the RF signal.

 

[dhal22]

Currently the only receiver I know that Futaba has that is like a power safe is the R7018SB. Supprts dual batts and Heavy awg wire with deans connectors. Orbit makes a nice power adaptor for the other Futaba Rx's but I don't know if they operate with a failsafe switch. The 7018 does.

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I just run batteries ( Fromeco Relions) straight into my Futaba receivers. Through switches as well but no power expander.

 

[Alky6]

I've been flying JR/Spektrum DSM2 then DSMX for over 6 years and have never had any problems. I would bet the vast majority of brown outs were poor choice of batteries. I've never ran less than 6.6 volts through one and always dual batteries on the bigger airplanes.

The Android on the IS12 does not run the RF side, so even if the Android crashes it doesn't interrupt the RF signal.

Same here on Spektrum. No issues. Run powersafes and use high voltage (2s lipo). The retraction from this is a foamy or a small balsa with itty-bitty servos. But, to each his own. Have to be comfortable with what you are going to use.