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Gyro Hobbies . E-flite . Next D

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Radio - Futaba FASST > 12FG UPDATE
 
 
haggy38
Senior Heliman
Location: Bogotá - Colombia

If we don't use these frequencies, we don have to do this update I guess, or we have to do it any way?

Gustavo
07-17-2008 10:14 PM
 
 
davebNZ
Heliman
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Update failure - resolution

Guys,

Worth noting for now and in the future.

I've had replies back from Futaba and other forums. I'm impressed that they have been upfront and honest over this rather than trying to hide or wash over. Big ups to Futaba :-)

It appears to be a very isolated number of people have had this issue (as in less than 10 world wide), so fair to say not a design issue or software bug in the 12FG. Great to know :-)

Perhaps an interaction with some brands of SD cards and the TX which they are busy trying to work out. Just not enough failing to get a handle on this quickly.

The unit has to go back to a regional service centre to have the software loaded, not something any of us can do in the field :-(

So mine is about to be sent off for a couple of weeks at the Futaba repair centre, aka TX Hospital.


Now a grumble I have - I feel a design flaw especially in situations like this, no way for us in the field to recover from this.

Also the down side of Futaba using a proprietary format for the media card rather than say FAT16 or FAT32 (like all the digi camera's do).

Also means you need a Windoze PC, instantly cutting off people that use a version of Win not supported, Linux users and all the Mac OS X people, just to facilitate moving the file to the card using the supplied special application. Also means Futaba have to keep that application up to date and working with all the variations of Win etc. Development cost better put into the radio :-)

End of grumble !

David
07-18-2008 12:48 PM
 
 
DougV
Heliman
Location: Miramar, Florida - USA

Hi guys:

Let me ask you something and please correct me if I’m wrong.

If you take a new SD card and ask someone with a 12fg or go to you LHS and ask them to format the SD with a 12FG TX, go back home and download version 1.5, and follow the flash instructions, insert the SD in the TX flip the switch and turn on the TX and reload Version 1.5.

Can this be possible?

Regards,
Doug.
07-18-2008 04:01 PM
 
 
davebNZ
Heliman
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Hey Doug,

I'll let you know shortly - I've had a very kind flyer in another city here offer to format a card, load v1.5 onto it, and post it down for me to try :-)


I'm hopeful / optimistic that the TX has a 'limp' mode that on power up will have a look around and try to do a reload if the image is on a card installed.

shall keep you all posted.

Cheers

David
07-19-2008 11:08 AM
 
 
haggy38
Senior Heliman
Location: Bogotá - Colombia

Futaba, let us know if we can proceed with this update. In my case I live in Bogotá-Colombia and I don't have any Futaba place to return the Tx if something happens!!

Regards,
Gustavo
07-20-2008 07:31 PM
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

"you have had a fatal exception...windows will now crash....and so will your model....I suggest you run"

This doesn't give me much confidence dave. Was looking at the 12Z and 12FG for this feature....may head back over to the 12X camp now......hmmmmmm.
07-25-2008 03:36 PM
 
 
Four Stroker
Veteran
Location: Atlanta

The 12Z uses a standard format compact flash card. There is no special software. I just took one out of a camera and stuck it in - without formatting. Old 40X Lexar 1 GB. I download updates with the jumpSHOT cable that came with the card.
07-25-2008 04:14 PM
 
 
Flight Engineer
Senior Heliman
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Quote 
This doesn't give me much confidence dave. Was looking at the 12Z and 12FG for this feature....may head back over to the 12X camp now......hmmmmmm.
As the 12X can't be updated, if you just treat the 12FG/12Z the same and never update you wont have a problem

Dean
07-26-2008 09:35 AM
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

Quote 
As the 12X can't be updated, if you just treat the 12FG/12Z the same and never update you wont have a problem

100% true but why get the 12fg then? If it's one of the features that tips the radio in futabas favour and you can't use it and be sure of using your radio that weekend it's not much use and the 12X has a nicer case.
07-26-2008 09:50 AM
 
 
Wa11banger
Elite Veteran
Location: Huntsville, Al

I have not had an issue with upgrading yet sorry for those that have but it does happen. As long as it is not widespread it kinda fits the industry standard. There are a certain number of failures expected.

Quote 
100% true but why get the 12fg then? If it's one of the features that tips the radio in futabas favour and you can't use it and be sure of using your radio that weekend it's not much use and the 12X has a nicer case.

I guess the part of 10 or so out of 1000's was missed. Many people are not experiencing issues with the updates. The ability to update well exceeds a "nicer case" offer.

In my line of work we have standard deployed systems through out the agency. Each time we do a mass update trend analysis shows that we have approximated 1-3% failure rate, further root cause analysis (RCA) reveals that most of those are user induced failures, or what can simply be defined as non-compliance failures.

Get the 12x for the case if you like, I will stick with the ability to update. If my system nukes or fails it's an inconvenience for sure to send it in but it is free to get fixed. Although aparently some can take solace in the fact that they can always rely on their nicer case to be there, to each their own I do not see it as a good trade over functionality.

Rick

Proud member of the Quick UK, Duralite Flight Systems, V-Blade, KBDD & Compass Model teams
07-26-2008 01:59 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Wyorcflyer
Senior Heliman
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming USA

I have the 12FGH on 2.4GHz and don't use it on any other band. Is there any reason to update?

Jack Patton
07-31-2008 03:23 AM
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

if your radio was bug free from the start name an update that has given you more functionality....(not a bug fix please) Like I want to hear about new programming features you have been able to download and actually use on your model.

cheers
07-31-2008 07:39 AM
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

by the way.....friggin impossible to get the 12ZH. No longer made is what I am told from japan and hong kong.

is this true?
07-31-2008 07:42 AM
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

tower have the t12zh on 2.4 but I can't bring myself to pay that much for it. $1500 usd and I could have got the A version in Hong kong for 1450 nzd which is about $1090 usd. Sucks that you can't get the 2.4 H there. Ishimokei list it as "unbuyable" cyber heli says it has been discontinued two months ago. Thay are saying you have to buy the 12FGH on 2.4. The case on the FG is worse than the 12z and looks really cheap and plasticky. It is only $780 USD though in hong kong and has a lot of functionality.

I was going to get the 12Z and have researched the 12z and 12x extensively. Both have plus and minus points. neither is perfect. The new 12X J model (for japan) has dsm 3 which means it's DSSS that frequency hops like FHSS aparently.

I never had one bug in my 9303 JR radio so updating would have only served one purpose.....lets say they allowed you to servo slow on heli's so you could bring your gear up nice and slow on your scale.....or perhaps give you a screen to remove interactions. That would be useful.

I have a good mind to go get another cheap DX7 and wait a bit longer.
I was going to get in on the free RX deal as I am in the states a lot but to tell you the truth I can mail order japan for a radio with 3 extra rx's...pay gst when it comes in and spend about the same amount and get DSM3.
07-31-2008 07:57 AM
 
 
lfalsetto
Veteran
Location: COLORADO

Futaba is realizing that the 12Z is taking sales away from their flagship 14mz. The 12Z is a great radio. I would hate to see Futaba drop it.
07-31-2008 03:58 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Helinutnz
Elite Veteran
Location: below 42 South

yeah well I cannot find one single T12ZH in hong kong.....everyone says they are discontinued....ishimokei says..."cannot buy" in japan.

The 12 A model is available.

I'd say the 12FG is too close to the 12Z in terms of functionality so they look like they are fazing it out in preference to a cheaper radio perhaps to corner the 12 channel market. The 12 FG is certainly functional and I can get that here in hong kong today and even on mode 2 but I held one and I just didn't get the warm fuzzies.

The blue on green in the LCD was very clear but I didn't like it.
It was light and just felt a bit toyish and plasticky. The knobs felt like good quality and the theres no doubting the gimbals feel very very nice as they are quad bearing like the 12Z and 14mz. Bit too light in the sticks for my taste even on the hardest setting.
Another on the plus side is the price in hong kong for the 12FGH. I can get it for $750 USD and the receivers are cheap. Guess if they are made in china you can get the cheap price here.
JR is more expensive here but better in Japan.....Same reason I guess.
08-02-2008 07:57 AM
 
 
Wyorcflyer
Senior Heliman
Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming USA

I have not owned a 12Z but I did buy the 12FGH. I did end up with the sticks on the hardest setting and even at that they might not please those who want really stiff sticks. Ha-ha. The functionality of the radio is very good. I have everything from park fliers to a 10 servo P-40 to 3D 100cc Yak's and have, of course, my helicopters on it.

There was nothing about the radio that was hard to figure out, and to me it has a great look and feel but that is subjective.

My only criticism is not really of this radio but of Futaba in general. They are making setting up a buddy box way harder than it needs to be and they don't have model match. On they other hand Futaba does not have IMHO a goofy two-receiver setup that browns out either.

Jack Patton
08-02-2008 06:52 PM
 
 
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Radio - Futaba FASST > 12FG UPDATE
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