Which radio would you get for a WK-M?

[Kilby]

I've finally came to terms with the fact that I've outgrown my Spektrum DX6i. This radio came with a single rotor heli that got me started in this hobby in 2010. It has served me well, and I've hacked the crap out of it to make it do more than it should be able to, but finally it's time to move on.

What would you recommend? I need to make sure I have enough channels to do all the switching I need, and it would be great to control my gimbal with a knob or slider. I'm attracted to Futaba since I could then run S-Bus and get Octo+ gimbal, but if another radio has a feature that I might need more I'm open to suggestions.

FYI, I am using the DJI WK-M. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

-Terry

 

[llbr22]

8fg!

 

[Kilby]

Will the 8fg give me enough switches for the WK-M? I was thinking the 10cg, but if they 8 is good enough then I can actually pick one up from my LHS.

-Terry

 

[DucktileMedia]

Im using the JR 9503, I had the Futaba 10cg but sold it thinking I was going MK. The only hassle is the Futaba connectors that come with the DJI have that damn notch on them that needs to be cut off.

 

[llbr22]

Will the 8fg give me enough switches for the WK-M? I was thinking the 10cg, but if they 8 is good enough then I can actually pick one up from my LHS.

-Terry

More than enough. I have switches for timer, camera shutter release, flight mode selection, fail safe, a knob for camera tilt and gain adjustment and still have switches, knobs and sliders to spare. I don't think the 10cg has any more switches or knobs and the 8fg now has 14 channels to work with.

 

[gadgetkeith]

I agree 8fg

14 channels out the box 12 analoge 2 digital and s-bus the list could go on and on

all switches are fully asignable more modes and mixes than you will ever need also SD card for future updates and more models etc

if you only want one radio then its a serious contender

but then ive always been huge futaba fan

keith

 

[gadgetkeith]

The only real advantage the 10c, 12 ,and 14mz etc have

is they can be had in 72mhz with interchangable moduals which if you later want to do super long range fixed wing fpv etc 72mhz seems the way to go

8fg is 2.4ghz only

keith

 

[Kilby]

Wow, I didn't realize that the 8FG was actually a 14 channel radio. I just assumed it was 8 because of the name.

My LHS has one in stock, so I might run out and get it. As it is now, I can't even set up RTH as a failsafe till I upgrade my radio.

One question though, what do you guys think of the slider on the back of the radio? I didn't even know it was on there till I just watched the video on Futaba's site. Do you think it would work well for gimbal tilt? I've seen some people complain that the JR sliders are a little sensitive. Is it the same thing with this radio, or will I be ok to use it for that?

Thanks again for all the input everyone!


-Terry

 

[Kari]

Vote for 8FG too with WKM. My first radio was futaba 4ch and year was 1990, after 15 years brake in rc hobby it feels familiar in hands even though there is few more setting to be done. Manual is pretty cryptic but radio itself is just great.

 

[Kilby]

I had a few Futaba radios back in the 80's myself. Mostly 4ch Attack's. I still have a couple back in my mom's garage. It's a trip to check them out now.

I just called and had them set the 8FG on the side for me till I can get there. Thanks gang, I wan't even looking at this radio, but am glad I did now.

-Terry

 

[gadgetkeith]

hi Terry

im pretty sure with all the mixes and expo adjustments once you get ya head round the setting up etc

you could prob set it exactly as you like

there are also switches and nobs available for futaba radios if you look around you could prob change out one of the top corner switches to a rotatable nob if you wanted

keith

 

[rwilabee]

It was originally an 8 channel radio but the new 8FG Super is 14 channels and even the standard 8FG's can be upgraded with a firmware upgrade to 14 channels. One of the great selling features for me was that the firmware can be upgraded over the Internet.
I bought the 8FG super used it for a few months and then picked up a 14MZ so the 8FG is my trainer and backup radio. You just can't beat it for the money and all switches and channels are assignable to anything and the S Bus is a nice plus. Some folks wished it had a better feel in your hands but I had no problem with that. If you haven't had Futaba yet you will find that you have a learning curve on programming as it is different from JR and Spektrum.

Rich

Wow, I didn't realize that the 8FG was actually a 14 channel radio. I just assumed it was 8 because of the name.

My LHS has one in stock, so I might run out and get it. As it is now, I can't even set up RTH as a failsafe till I upgrade my radio.

One question though, what do you guys think of the slider on the back of the radio? I didn't even know it was on there till I just watched the video on Futaba's site. Do you think it would work well for gimbal tilt? I've seen some people complain that the JR sliders are a little sensitive. Is it the same thing with this radio, or will I be ok to use it for that?

Thanks again for all the input everyone!


-Terry

 

[Kilby]

Damn, I wish I had finished reading all of this thread before I went to the store. I picked up the 8FG, but it's not the super, just the original. Should I take it back? The rx that came with it seems to only be 8 channels compared to the 14 that comes with the super (or does it even matter if I use the S-Bus)!

I haven't installed anything yet, so I'm sure I could take it back if need be. What's the verdict gang? Will it upgrade to give me what I want, or should i just go get the super?

-Terry

 

[llbr22]

What you got is fine. Upload the latest firmware to the radio and it becomes a super.

There are no 14ch sbus receivers. The 14 ch they make is non sbus. Go to futaba's website for all the info

Damn, I wish I had finished reading all of this thread before I went to the store. I picked up the 8FG, but it's not the super, just the original. Should I take it back? The rx that came with it seems to only be 8 channels compared to the 14 that comes with the super (or does it even matter if I use the S-Bus)!

I haven't installed anything yet, so I'm sure I could take it back if need be. What's the verdict gang? Will it upgrade to give me what I want, or should i just go get the super?

-Terry

 

[rwilabee]

I agree if there is a large price difference in fact I surprised they had the standard 8FG. On the super they changed the sliders on each side to stick out further so it would be easier to move them on the Super.

Rich

Damn, I wish I had finished reading all of this thread before I went to the store. I picked up the 8FG, but it's not the super, just the original. Should I take it back? The rx that came with it seems to only be 8 channels compared to the 14 that comes with the super (or does it even matter if I use the S-Bus)!

I haven't installed anything yet, so I'm sure I could take it back if need be. What's the verdict gang? Will it upgrade to give me what I want, or should i just go get the super?

-Terry

 

[Kilby]

I went and checked out Futaba's video on the radio. They say that the only physical difference is in the sliders on the back. They are a little bit longer on the super which would be nice, but not a deal breaker for me. I'm going to keep it and do the upgrade and enjoy life. I like to support my LHS when ever possible (it's not often they have something I need tbh).

thanks!

-Terry

 

[rwilabee]

You will really like all the features once you get the hang of programming it.

Rich

 

[gadgetkeith]

I dont know what shop you went to or how much difference the price was in your shop

but if you not sure then go back and ask to see both radios togeather and you will see only a few small changes

but with the firmware update both radios perform exactly the same

then ask yourself do you want to pay the extra cash for these minor mods

also most shops will put a package togeather for you with or without servos switch out recievers etc you just tell em what you want they adjust price acordinly

the choice is yours

keith

 

[gadgetkeith]

ok sorry ignor my last post

got distracted away from pc before i posted it

rich how do you find the feel of the 8 compaired to the 14

i had one of the early 14mz and had a few problems with it

so got an 8fg then found out it did 95% of what the 14mz could do after upgrade and felt nicer to use as i fly pinch sticks rather than just thums 14mz for me just felt just a little to big

so sold 14mz and never looked back

keith

 

[rwilabee]

Keith....

The 8FG is a little light for me but I kept it as my trainer and backup radio and I can't believe all the stuff it will do. I fly with my thumbs and no neck strap. When I learned to fly no one did pinch or neck straps. In fact there was not a place on the front of the transmitters to connect a neck strap. I haven't had any problems with my 14mz and I like the extra weight and love the touch screen. Before I went to Futaba I had a DX8 and that felt better than the 8FG or the 14MZ for me.