Futaba USA

[AKNick]

Of course I am very comfortable with the T8 so the T14SGA would be a direct replacement. And I could transfer all my models with an SD card, don't know if that is possible with the 16SZ. I don't use any mixing of any type so any of these radios are beyond what I need.

Decisions. decisions......

I was in the same boat as you for a good year before buying the 18SZ, I've been very satisfied with Futaba products. My T8FGS feels a little better in the hands, and lighter. I really didn't like scrolling and tapping so the touch screen upgrade has been wonderful for me. As far as mixing goes, the 8FG is a very capable tx! no touchy screen though! I had 16 models to transfer over and four complete models have been transferred so far along with the names for the rest of them, once you do two models it becomes pretty easy and takes less time then scrolling and tapping for sure plus it's a great way to learn how to navigate through the radio. Still is a bit foreign to me, but getting better. Trying to figure out triple rates was a huge learning curve using a "condition" aka flight mode. The only thing that got me about the 18SZ was the sticker price in comparison to other radio manufactures and the amount of features they offered in the 12-20 channel range.
As far as backups go... just hope you have a friend with the 16/18SZ and bring your SD card
Also, If the chrome starts to really get to me I will just have to get a skin for it.

 

[acerc]

I just noticed it is suppose to be raining here tomorrow so I may have to take that hour road trip and get the 14SG. I don't mind the scroll and touch, better than the arrow buttons of yesteryear.
I was under the impression that when a model was saved to the SD card it took all the programming with it. Either way, with nearly identical programming it would not take long to go through and set everything especially being I use the shortcut screen.
Thanks for all the info, been a joy to converse. It does help in making a decision, you know, working those brain cells.

 

[Snoopy1]

Ok so the difference between the 18 and the 16 is obviously 2 more channels which I do not need. The battery In the 16 has an old technology battery Nicad and the 18 has Life. That is a big difference in cost for just that, and I have to agree that the 16 looks a lot better.

 

[acerc]

I went and did it. I bought the 14SGA and the LiFe battery, it will be here tomorrow. Cheaper for next day delivery than to drive there. lol..

 

[Snoopy1]

I went and did it. I bought the 14SGA and the LiFe battery, it will be here tomorrow. Cheaper for next day delivery than to drive there. lol..

Great wish I was in your shoes done it got it over, have the radio and getting on with it. May I ask why you did not go with the 16 SZ.

 

[acerc]

Simply because the programming is nearly identical to the 8FG. I will be using both and the simplicity of being the same just works for me. I am also using the 7C for certain models so that is a third radio in the mix to keep up with. And believe it or not with the 7C having the rotary knob it does not feel that much different even though it is much easier to program.
I will also load all models on an SD card and carry it in the case, if anything were to happen to either radios, the 12 or 14, I can plug it in and load which ever plane I want to fly.
Why three radios, the 7C is for training, the 8FG will become all everyday fliers, and the 14SG will be for the show planes. The show planes are the most complicated and use the most channels so the 14 will feel right at home. And I will not have to use channel expanders like the with the 12, seems like I was always one short.

 

[Snoopy1]

Simply because the programming is nearly identical to the 8FG. I will be using both and the simplicity of being the same just works for me. I am also using the 7C for certain models so that is a third radio in the mix to keep up with. And believe it or not with the 7C having the rotary knob it does not feel that much different even though it is much easier to program.
I will also load all models on an SD card and carry it in the case, if anything were to happen to either radios, the 12 or 14, I can plug it in and load which ever plane I want to fly.
Why three radios, the 7C is for training, the 8FG will become all everyday fliers, and the 14SG will be for the show planes. The show planes are the most complicated and use the most channels so the 14 will feel right at home. And I will not have to use channel expanders like the with the 12, seems like I was always one short.

That all makes sense. Nice that all three radios are compatible like that, that is a nice feature. Does not look like you will need a new radio in the near future.

 

[acerc]

Does not look like you will need a new radio in the near future.

Nope, it don't look like it. Especially when considering the 7C is several years old and running strong, and still look's like new.

 

[acerc]

The 14SG just showed up, ahhwww yeeaaa! This is a sweet toy and for some reason the chromy front looks real nice. As soon as the sd card gets here I will transfer all the models from the 8FG, ahhwww yeeaaa!

 

[acerc]

I have not mentioned here but there was quite "the helping me" going on at FG. I could not figure out how to transfer models and nothing anyone was suggesting was doing any good. I installed my 32GB card and the radio acted like it was not there. I was thinking that maybe it was the beginning of the end for the 8FG. But then someone finally said something about what size card was I using (light bulb overhead here), it hit me. I remembered going through the house asking everyone if they had a 2GB or smaller card (as required by Futaba), someone did and I used it to do the upgrade to 14 channel.