[NSRCA-discussion] Li-Ion Tx Packs WAS Re: 12Z vs 12FG

Wed Feb 17 07:31:26 AKST 2010

I believe in saving money as much as anyone but when it comes to the battery in my transmitter - uh, maybe it's worth a little extra to have something that you can count on. If the battery dies while you're flying - was it worth saving 50 - 60 dollars? How much is your plane worth? That would be like putting re-treaded tires on your new Mercedes.

Most of the Chinese made clone stuff stuff is junk. I don't know about the "real" Sony packs - I've heard that they're petty good but I use the only the factory Futaba packs in my 12Z. I save money elsewhere. :)

John Pavlick

--- On Wed, 2/17/10, Earl Haury <ejhaury at comcast.net> wrote:

From: Earl Haury <ejhaury at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Li-Ion Tx Packs WAS Re: 12Z vs 12FG
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2010, 10:00 AM

FWIW, I disassembled both an old Futaba 14MZ TX pack and an "official" Sony 
pack purchased from Amazon. Both acquired about 3 years ago and service life 
was similar. Both contained the same Sony cells,  there are circuit boards 
in the packs that are different - not surprising as they're for different 
applications. However, the circuit board assembly in the "Sony" pack was 
terrible - really sloppy component installation and soldering. My guess is 
that, although the pack appeared to be official "Sony", it was a copy and 
not something I really want in my TX.

Given the uncertainty of obtaining real Sony packs, I'll stick with the 
Futaba packs (everything in the one I disassembled was quality) and consider 
the $0.30 or so a flight a minor cost of participation.

Earl
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay Marshall" <lightfoot at sc.rr.com>
To: "'General pattern discussion'" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:47 AM
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] Li-Ion Tx Packs WAS Re: 12Z vs 12FG

>I did the same thing for my laptop battery. Lasted two months. I don't buy
> ebay batteries from China any more.
>
> Jay Marshall
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org
> [mailto:nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Pascoe,Tim
> [Burlington]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 9:09 AM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Li-Ion Tx Packs WAS Re: 12Z vs 12FG
>
> Just a heads up on the lithium ion batteries for the 12Z and 14MZ. I
> recently picked up 3 for $20 a piece on E-Bay (from China). Came in the
> original Sony packaging complete with little 'official' hologram. I
> think with shipping it came to $22 a pack. WAY cheaper than Best Buy!
>
> Tim Pascoe
>
> -----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: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 1:52 PM
> To: General pattern discussion
> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] 12Z vs 12FG
>
> I have done mods on two 2-cell 2200 mah lipo packs (I removed the
> heavy power leads and added a battery connector that plugs in) for my
> Futaba 12 FG.  The packs last forever and I have another in my
> transmitter case if one gets low.
>
> I also contacted Evan Chapkis at RCAccessory and he is coming out
> with a 2-cell 2600 mah lipo pack which will plug right into a Futaba
> 12 FG or the new Hitec Aurora 9 2.4 GHz transmitter.
>
> Ron Van Putte
>
> On Feb 16, 2010, at 12:37 PM, Stuart Chale wrote:
>
>> The 10C uses the same stick assemblies as the 9C did.  The 12FG is
>> step up in stick assemblies.  Ball bearings and very smooth.  Uses
>> the same encoders as the 12Z and 14MZ  No angle adjustments.  The
>> 12Z and 14MZ use the same sticks.  adjustable angles (never used it
>> myself) metal shafts instead of the plastic ones in the 12 FG.
>> Otherwise pretty much the same.  One other benifit to the Z radios
>> is the lithium ion battery.  Much easier to swap at the field,
>> holds its charge, and you can buy a Sony replacement at Best Buy :)
>> If you are buying new keep in mind that a used 12Z is usually less
>> than a new 12FG
>> Check Ebay (personal plug, I have one there now :) )
>> If money were no issue than I would get a 14MZ, If money is a
>> concern and I wanted a new radio I would probably go for the FG.
>> Stuart
>>
>> On 2/16/2010 1:08 PM, Bob Richards wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks guys.
>>>
>>> On the comparison chart, the only thing I saw that MIGHT sway me
>>> to the 12Z is the "logic for switches".  I think I used this
>>> feature once on my 9Z to do some experimenting, but don't know if
>>> it is something that I would ever really need.
>>>
>>> I was more concerned with the feel of the radio (quality of the
>>> sticks). That is one thing I don't like about the 10C, as well as
>>> the lack of conditions.
>>>
>>> Bob R.
>>>
>>>
>>> --- On Tue, 2/16/10, Robert L. Beaubien <rob at koolsoft.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> From: Robert L. Beaubien <rob at koolsoft.com>
>>> Subject: Re: [NSRCA-discussion] 12Z vs 12FG
>>> To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org>
>>> Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2010, 12:43 AM
>>>
>>> <!-- #yiv705898668 _filtered #yiv705898668 {font-family:"Cambria
>>> Math";panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;} _filtered #yiv705898668 {font-
>>> family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;} _filtered
>>> #yiv705898668 {font-family:Tahoma;panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
>>> #yiv705898668 #yiv705898668 p.MsoNormal, #yiv705898668
>>> li.MsoNormal, #yiv705898668 div.MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-
>>> bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",
>>> "serif";} #yiv705898668 a:link, #yiv705898668 span.MsoHyperlink
>>> {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;} #yiv705898668 a:visited,
>>> #yiv705898668 span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-
>>> decoration:underline;} #yiv705898668 span.EmailStyle17 {font-
>>> family:"Calibri", "sans-serif";color:#1F497D;}
>>> #yiv705898668 .MsoChpDefault {} _filtered #yiv705898668 {margin:
>>> 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;} #yiv705898668 div.Section1 {} -->
>>> I have the 12Z.  Here are the major differences between them.
>>>
>>>
>>> 12Z has a metal case, the 12FG has a plastic case.
>>>
>>> 12Z uses a standard formatted CF (CardFlash) memory card, the 12Fg
>>> uses a specially formatted SD card (unreadable on a pc without
>>> special (free) software from Futaba.
>>>
>>> 12Z has 4 trim switches, 12FG has 6 trim switches (same as the 14MZ)
>>>
>>>
>>> They are almost identical when it comes to programmability.
>>> Basically comes down to if you want a metal case, get the 12Z,
>>> otherwise, get the 12FG.  Virtually the same radio for a lot less.
>>>
>>>
>>> - Robert Beaubien
>>>
>>> - NSRCA District 7 Webmaster
>>>
>>> -
>>>
>>> "No trees were harmed in the sending of this message, however a
>>> large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced."
>>>
>>>
>>> From: nsrca-discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org [mailto:nsrca-
>>> discussion-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of Bob Richards
>>> Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 10:05 PM
>>> To: NSRCA Mailing List
>>> Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] 12Z vs 12FG
>>>
>>>
>>> Thinking of buying a better radio. (Please, no JR remarks here).
>>> Have been a Futaba guy for many years, have lots of FASST stuff
>>> already. I'm interested in either the 12Z or the 12FG. What are
>>> the differences, why would you buy one over the other, etc. Will
>>> be using for pattern and for IMAC.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Bob R.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> 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 http://
>>> lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
> _______________________________________________
> 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
> http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion 

_______________________________________________
NSRCA-discussion mailing list
NSRCA-discussion at lists.nsrca.org
http://lists.nsrca.org/mailman/listinfo/nsrca-discussion
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.nsrca.org/pipermail/nsrca-discussion/attachments/20100217/a3267bb0/attachment.html>