Another "recommend me a transmitter" thread

[Grumpybeard]

Hey,

Joined the (very welcoming) forum last week, and as I outlined in welcome thread completely new to RC and FPV, got the bug after looking through some Fatsharks whilst on holiday earlier this year. Boys and their toys :)


Use case for transmitter going forward will be PC simulators (Aerosim RC looks pretty good) followed by cheap quad frame to bash about in learning, then QAV400/Discovery for sport and QAV540G/Discovery Pro for AP.  I've also seen some amazing scale RC to FPV stuff on this site like Flyn's gorgeous Tigermoth and the incredibly detailed AH6Z by Zeeflyboy, pure inspiration (and intimidation!).


So I'm about to take my first deep dive cash wise, and considering both the FrSky Taranis and Futaba 14SG.  Taranis looks very customisable, complex and a bit of a bargain.  Futaba looks a little simpler to get to grips with and I imagine the build quality is very good(?).


2 good choices?


I get the feeling that in this hobby you don't just have one airframe in the fleet!


Thanks very much.

[DaveyLC]

I'd go with the Taranis.. It currently offers the best bang for your buck :) plus its a modular system.

[Grumpybeard]

I will go with the Taranis, although seem to be as rare as hens teeth at the moment - if anyone hears of availability please let me know (I have requested in-stock notification with  Giantshark and T9).

Thanks :)

[Loopdreams]

That's probably no bad thing in a way.  The Taranis looks great but if it were me (which it sort of is as I'm quite tempted by one) I'd be waiting for plenty of feedback from the first batch before ordering.

[happyal]

On HobbyKing twitter page they'd just said that they've started to get them in. I would guess they will start selling them this week.

[Chris in Kabul]

For those of you that have known me a while I this forum you know what I am going to say.
Having been RC flying for 40+ years I have only strayed from Futaba once and that was because I was in Saudi with no other choice.
Other than that it's Futaba any day of the week.
You will get people on here saying about gear with fancy flashing lights and shiny bits and programmability but I stand by what I say, "you get what you pay for" and Futaba's backup and service is legendary.
I have 4 at the moment, the 8FG, 2 T7C's and a T9C which can be converted to 35 or 2.4 with the swap of a module. I can't imagine anyone needing a mixer setup that the T9C cannot do.
I doubt whether you can buy a new one now but often available on E-bay and some very good well looked after examples. No they are not cheap and that is apparent by their build quality, but you should be able to pick a good one up for around the 130-150 mark.

Ok naysayers, bring it on.  :popcorn:

[Loopdreams]

And you'll get exactly the same comments from life long JR users or Multiplex users or even people who only ever used some Turnigy thing.  I've never had any brand of TX let me down.  But I wouldn't touch a second hand set off some random joe on ebay with a barge-pole, whatever make it was.  Who knows why they might want shut of it.

[Flyboysee]

For those of you that have known me a while I this forum you know what I am going to say.
Having been RC flying for 40+ years I have only strayed from Futaba once and that was because I was in Saudi with no other choice.
Other than that it's Futaba any day of the week.
You will get people on here saying about gear with fancy flashing lights and shiny bits and programmability but I stand by what I say, "you get what you pay for" and Futaba's backup and service is legendary.
I have 4 at the moment, the 8FG, 2 T7C's and a T9C which can be converted to 35 or 2.4 with the swap of a module. I can't imagine anyone needing a mixer setup that the T9C cannot do.
I doubt whether you can buy a new one now but often available on E-bay and some very good well looked after examples. No they are not cheap and that is apparent by their build quality, but you should be able to pick a good one up for around the 130-150 mark.

Ok naysayers, bring it on.  :popcorn:

Amen Brother 9C for me!

[hase2]

I can't imagine anyone needing a mixer setup that the T9C cannot do.

can you mix a chinook (2 CPPM swashplates)?

[MarkLincs]

I can't imagine anyone needing a mixer setup that the T9C cannot do.

can you mix a chinook (2 CPPM swashplates)?

With the Hirobo Chinook you don't need it... although thats 2 standard swashs...

[MarkLincs]

I'd recommend the Futaba any day of the week

but not having held the Trannis it maybe slightly unfair really....

Futaba will get you range with the right receiver and set up.

But I have the 12FG and there is very little that cannot do although the dam manual does not exactly help!

14 channels as well so more than enough :)

if I wanted more I'd be looking at the 18mz but thats silly money

[Grumpybeard]

Wow, come back from an epic kitesurfing session and there's been quite a discussion going on, seems like Futaba is making a comeback, its neck in neck!


Bear in mind there's about a 200 quid difference between the the Taranis and 14sg.  I'm all up for quality, but is there 200 quids worth, does anyone own both who could comment?


Interestingly I came across some info about a new a EzUHF 2W transmitter currently in production, first module is the JR (which as I understand it will then work with Taranis?).
Source: http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?19075-EZUHF-1.43-I-DON-T-LIKE-IT!!!!!/page4


You just have to see past FPV celebrity handbags, I have just come to realise there are quite some egos in this game.
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?19075-EZUHF-1.43-I-DON-T-LIKE-IT!!!!!/page14


Thanks for the input and advice gents.

[MarkLincs]

You only need UHF for flying further 2km so I see it as a waste of money.

Futaba 2.4ghz solid as a rock no issues ;)

[Grumpybeard]

Granted, however with longer term aims of flying wings I'd like to build a system based on UHF.  It wont be the first of components to buy, but its certainly on the shopping list.  With UHF and the forthcoming Fatshark HDs I'm happy to bide a little time without.

[Grumpybeard]

Futaba 14SGs are sold as mode 1 or mode 2.  I understand mode 2 is a popular choice (throttle/rudder left stick, aileron/elevator right stick).  Is the mode modifiable digitally?  Same question for Taranis.

Many thanks again.