[NSRCA-discussion] FW: !4 MZ modifications

Robert L. Beaubien rob at koolsoft.com
Thu Dec 11 16:02:59 AKST 2008 

Futaba's problems are not many, but are mostly based on a
self-superiority complex it has.  I think its 2.4Ghz solution is a
better one than Spektrum/JR's, but saying a data-logger is not needed
because it just works is foolish when it comes to marketing.  Same goes
for remote antennae.  Additionally, this denial of a heat problem with
the receivers (by Hobbico mainly, not necessarily Futaba) does nothing
good for their reputation.  JR's reputation is a whole lot better
because they respond very quickly to problems and "take the blame" when
necessary.

Anyways, per repeated contacts with Hobbico on forums and on phone, they
say they will upgrade the stick encoders without charge on the 14MZ or
the 12Z regardless of age.  Now whether that means if you send the radio
in for that reason alone, they do it free of charge, I don't know, but
they certainly didn't charge me any extra when I sent my 12Z in for its
2 year check-up @ $87.50.  They also upgraded the stick springs and
fixed an internal antenna problem for no additional charge.

- Robert Beaubien
- NSRCA, District 7 Webmaster
-


-----Original Message-----
From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
[mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Ron Van
Putte
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:33 PM
To: General pattern discussion
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] FW: !4 MZ modifications

I hate to say this (actually I don't), but I'm reminded of the way  
the United States Air Force handles "problems".  I feel qualified,  
since I spent 20 years in a USAF uniform.  The USAF never saw a  
problem that it couldn't hide from, deny the existence of or drag its  
feet in fixing.  I hope Futaba "grows some" and begins to  
aggressively fix problems.

Ron VP

On Dec 11, 2008, at 4:51 PM, Stuart Chale wrote:

> I am a Futaba loyalist (use JR servos) but Futaba is not nearly as  
> good as JR in admitting and then fixing problems.  Futaba tries to  
> cover it up and JR comes clean.  Maybe someday I will see the light :)
> Stuart
>
> rcmaster199 at aol.com wrote:
>>
>> Jeez, at least they will give you something new and acknowledge  
>> the error of their ways.
>>
>> Reminds me of the old Futaba J systems of the early 80s. I had one  
>> (the last Futaba I owned for Pattern) and it KILLED my most  
>> beloved Arrow of the time. That plane was something else....I had  
>> great confidence in its flying capability until its early DEATH at  
>> 12 flights, just long enough to know it was the best ever for me  
>> at the time.
>>
>> Caps because it's been 25 years and I still get pissed off at how  
>> that whole thing was handled by Futaba of America (badly). Good  
>> products overall, but they deserve a little bashing for the way  
>> they handled MY situation.
>>
>> Really good airplanes are very hard to replace and their loss sets  
>> you back quite a while. And I'm sure that some guys never make it  
>> back
>>
>> Matt
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ron Van Putte <vanputte at cox.net>
>> To: General pattern discussion <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>> Sent: Thu, 11 Dec 2008 4:51 pm
>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] FW: !4 MZ modifications
>>
>> Hmmmm. I wonder how Keith knows this. Come clean Keith. How'd you  
>> find out?
>>
>> Inquisitive Ron VP
>>
>> On Dec 11, 2008, at 3:46 PM, Keith Hoard wrote:
>>
>> > The old ones are blue and the new ones are white. . . there is a  
>> > secret code to getting them changed out. You have to tell them >  
>> that you're getting intermittent glitches that you can see on the  
>> > servo screen.
>> >
>> > Otherwise they won't change them out until you lose an  
>> airplane. . .
>> >
>> > On Thu, Dec 11, 2008 at 2:37 PM, John Pavlick  
>> <jpavlick at idseng.com> > wrote:
>> > And if they could just tell us exactly what that secret "color"  
>> is, > we could all look at our radios and figure out if they need  
>> to be > replaced or not. Almost there...
>> >
>> > OK, let's try this:
>> > Tony - what color are the encoders that you install when you >  
>> service one of these radios that has "bad" encoders?
>> >
>> > John Pavlick
>> >
>> > --- On Thu, 12/11/08, Richard Strickland <pamrich47 at hotmail.com>  
>> > wrote:
>> > From: Richard Strickland <pamrich47 at hotmail.com>
>> > Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] FW: !4 MZ modifications
>> > To: "NSRCA DISCUSSION" <nsrca-dis cussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>> > Date: Thursday, December 11, 2008, 6:05 PM
>> >
>> > Here's a little more info....
>> > RS
>> >
>> >
>> > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: support Futaba [mailto:support at hobbico.com]
>> > > Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 10:57 AM
>> > > To: richard.s at allied-callaway.com
>> > > Subject: Re: FW: !4 MZ modifications
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Dear Valued Customer:
>> > >
>> > > Thank you for your Email.
>> > >
>> > > The stick encoders have been replaced with new ones. The only  
>> > thing we
>> > > know is that they are a different color, but the part numbers  
>> are > the
>> > > same. The screens are not a "new" type, just replacements for bad
>> > > ones.
>> > >
>> > > We hope you find this information helpful. Should you have any  
>> > further
>> > > questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at  
>> this
>> > > email address. (Please be sure to copy all previous emails  
>> into any
>> > > future questions.)
>> > >
>> > > DID YOU KNOW that our web pages now all contain FAQs?  
>> (Frequently > asked
>> > > questions) Please drop by and take a look! We hope you'll find  
>> the
>> > > information helpful and valuable to you.
>> > >
>> > > Sincerely,
>> > >
>> > > Futaba Service Center North America
>> > > 3002 N. Apollo Dr. Suite 1
>> > > Champaign IL 61822
>> > > USA
>> > >
>> > > Phone: (217) 398-0007
>> > > Fax: (217) 398-7721
>> > > Email: service at futaba-rc.com
>> > > Web: http://www.futaba-rc.com/index.html
>> > >
>> > > >>> "Richard Strickland" <richard.s at allied-callaway.com>  
>> 12/11/2008
>> > > 10:42 AM >>>
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Have the encoders been changed to a different type or >  
>> configuation? If
>> > > so,
>> > > about when was that change made? Same thing on the screen--are  
>> the
>> > > newer
>> > > ones different than the older ones? If so, about when was that  
>> > change
>> > > made?
>> > >
>> > > Thanks,
>> > >
>> > > Richard
>> >
>> >
>> > Send e-mail faster without improving your typing skills. Get  
>> your > Hotmail(r) account.
>> > _______________________________________________ NSRCA-discussion  
>> > mailing list NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org http://>  
>> lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > NSRCA-discussion mailing list
>> > NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
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>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > -->
>> > Keith Hoard
>> > Collierville, TN
>> > khoard at gmail.com
>> >
>> >
>> > _______________________________________________
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>> > NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
>> > http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>>
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