FUTABA USA

[Grimracer]

Thank Paul.

Any last notes gang?

Grim

 

[Grimracer]

Now for me to jump in.

Bring in to the US a two stick surface system with full capability's.

Make Receiver "Names" easer to communicate so we don't get confused as easy. (R324SBS).. it is then qualified with (T-FHSS/S.Bus2)
the human mind is FAR better at 4 or 5 digits then 7 let alone the qualifier too.
Same for servos. (I understand those mean things to Futaba but the end user does not gain a lot from that). Seem like after all that we have to go the specs to see what we really have anyway.

The new servo line names are growing too...

S148 (Servo 148).. I don't know the specs but because I want to know.. I will look them up OR.. my buddy Jimmy John will tell me this is an awesome servo.. (thats how my brain works)..

S300
S600
R324
R330
R331 (maybe that's a short range RX.. )
SW01
SW99 (I mean how many switch's can one have!)
Just playing with my thoughts

If we can talk in simple numbers the information will be easer to grasp and understand.

Make a marine line of Servos and RXs and a switch.. we don't need many but we need them to be water resistant. Make it 6ish servos, one receiver and one switch. (I suspect we can get along with that quite well)

Lets play with that
MS300
MS600
MS700
MR324
MSW01

Make all servos capable of high voltage.

Bring back the FATASTIC Heavy Duty ON/OFF switch. (I have to get the number to that) (5WH-14?) I can not remember. .(BUT I AM OUT OF THEM..LOL)

One last chance to add in.. !

Grim

 

[Rich Jones]

Now for me to jump in.

Bring in to the US a two stick surface system with full capability's.

Make Receiver "Names" easer to communicate so we don't get confused as easy. (R324SBS).. it is then qualified with (T-FHSS/S.Bus2)
the human mind is FAR better at 4 or 5 digits then 7 let alone the qualifier too.
Same for servos. (I understand those mean things to Futaba but the end user does not gain a lot from that). Seem like after all that we have to go the specs to see what we really have anyway.

The new servo line names are growing too...

S148 (Servo 148).. I don't know the specs but because I want to know.. I will look them up OR.. my buddy Jimmy John will tell me this is an awesome servo.. (thats how my brain works)..

S300
S600
R324
R330
R331 (maybe that's a short range RX.. )
SW01
SW99 (I mean how many switch's can one have!)
Just playing with my thoughts

If we can talk in simple numbers the information will be easer to grasp and understand.

Make a marine line of Servos and RXs and a switch.. we don't need many but we need them to be water resistant. Make it 6ish servos, one receiver and one switch. (I suspect we can get along with that quite well)

Lets play with that
MS300
MS600
MS700
MR324
MSW01

Make all servos capable of high voltage.

Bring back the FATASTIC Heavy Duty ON/OFF switch. (I have to get the number to that) (5WH-14?) I can not remember. .(BUT I AM OUT OF THEM..LOL)

One last chance to add in.. !

Grim

I like your list Mike. I would have them further look at Tyler’s post as well with regard to ideas about some built in telemetry at somewhat lower costs. Even if the receiver is a tad larger, just a tad, some built in gps would be nice. He also mentioned some data recording capability, which I know you can do on the 7PXR with a mini SD and a conversion of the data, but maybe at least make that process easier. In the guitar world, with various processors like the Kemper, Helix, Boss line, etc you can share patches or presets that work well with other people. So if Boater A has a certain boat and has it working well with rudder throw, speed, and that sort of thing, they could post that preset and it could be downloadable by Boater B. Again, just spitballing. I know some of this may actually add cost to existing systems, BUT, if they were to remove unnecessary features for marine use, and add some of these, maybe it wouldn’t add cost at all.

 

[Grimracer]

Thanks Rich. my list in my head is larger but most of ya all touched on that.. so I did not add any of that.

Its IMPORTANT TO NOTE.. company's as large as FUTABA, then to FUTABA Radio Control then to Futaba USA.. then to MARINE.. we are not the largest group in the hopper BUT.. we are in the hopper so ALL of your input is important.

I have captured EVERY WORD and Futaba USA is going to get ALL OF IT.. if we see any updates.. even small additions its GOING TO BE YOU! that are making a difference. WE JUST DONT GIVE UP!

Then.. THANK YOU for adding or just reading.. we are in this together and better boating is the goal!

Grimracer

 

[timothy johnson]

Lots of great info! However for model boaters maybe keep it simple would be best .
A Futaba with GPS and water proof features would meet the needs of the vast majority of model boat racers.

 

[Grimracer]

Funny how the GPS now seems like it should be "Standard".. (it does in my eyes) and maybe today that CAN be..

If so.. what class of radio does that start with?? I don't know the answer for sure..

And.. lets face it.. the pricing will never go backwards. New systems will likely never be "all that much less money" then we are seeing today.

When I was working at Hobby Master all those years ago.. a Pistol grip TX was from 79 to 200 dollars (that was 30 years ago)

My RC10 kit was 209.00 in 1986.. my Mag SR was pushing 2 bills..

I have accepted the fact that I have a tendency to "live in the past" and I like it there, and "have a entire basement dedicated to it" but have to let go that you can not buy a pack of Estes engines for 2.99 anymore.. or an Athearn engine for 22 bucks.. or a OB motor for 119.00.

COST IS RELITIVE.. it was not cheap then, and its not cheap today..

Cost to me has not nearly as much power in this as the "bid for our attention"

But.. that horse has died.

LETS RACE!

Grim

 

[Bill Gibson]

Funny how the GPS now seems like it should be "Standard".. (it does in my eyes) and maybe today that CAN be..

If so.. what class of radio does that start with?? I don't know the answer for sure..

And.. lets face it.. the pricing will never go backwards. New systems will likely never be "all that much less money" then we are seeing today.

When I was working at Hobby Master all those years ago.. a Pistol grip TX was from 79 to 200 dollars (that was 30 years ago)

My RC10 kit was 209.00 in 1986.. my Mag SR was pushing 2 bills..

I have accepted the fact that I have a tendency to "live in the past" and I like it there, and "have a entire basement dedicated to it" but have to let go that you can not buy a pack of Estes engines for 2.99 anymore.. or an Athearn engine for 22 bucks.. or a OB motor for 119.00.

COST IS RELITIVE.. it was not cheap then, and its not cheap today..

Cost to me has not nearly as much power in this as the "bid for our attention"

But.. that horse has died.

LETS RACE!

Grim

I remember those prices as well! What i cant remember is what i paid for a Dumas full bow Hot shot 3.5, the 2 stick metal cased, light brown Futaba AM radio that i used for it, or the K&B exhaust throttled 3.5 O.B. i used on it! MAN! What an exciting time that was the first time i ran it with Cal Lange at my side!

 

[Grimracer]

COOL! Great time to save a few bucks!

https://futabausa.com/promos/

 

[Tom_Handley]

Ordered the 10PX, looking forward to playing with it
The last radio set I purchased was the Futaba Attack SR in 1995, the white transmitter.

stock pic, never used 40mhz in Australia:

 

[Timbo Whalen]

Funny how the GPS now seems like it should be "Standard".. (it does in my eyes) and maybe today that CAN be..

If so.. what class of radio does that start with?? I don't know the answer for sure..

And.. lets face it.. the pricing will never go backwards. New systems will likely never be "all that much less money" then we are seeing today.

When I was working at Hobby Master all those years ago.. a Pistol grip TX was from 79 to 200 dollars (that was 30 years ago)

My RC10 kit was 209.00 in 1986.. my Mag SR was pushing 2 bills..

I have accepted the fact that I have a tendency to "live in the past" and I like it there, and "have a entire basement dedicated to it" but have to let go that you can not buy a pack of Estes engines for 2.99 anymore.. or an Athearn engine for 22 bucks.. or a OB motor for 119.00.

COST IS RELITIVE.. it was not cheap then, and its not cheap today..

Cost to me has not nearly as much power in this as the "bid for our attention"

But.. that horse has died.

LETS RACE!

Grim

Nonetheless, Grim, the cost of living relative to income has went up, quite drastically.
We have validated that from our records.
Today is NOT proportional to the past.

 

[Grimracer]

Timbo, agree its not a straight line..


A few years ago.. Oho.. 10 or so.

I was in a meeting with the "new marketing guy" from hobbico that started flying rockets with his son.

I asked the question. How do you afford to do fly at these prices.. I stated that at 9 bucks for a pack of engines.. man. that's up there! He was like. what are you talking about? (I knew he was new so it was a somewhat loaded question.. thinking he was going to gripe about the price)

Probably just me.. LOL.. but my mind was at 3.49 a pack.. (my mind.. not cheap!)

He said.. for an afternoon of flying he felt 30-40 bucks was money well spent to fly.

It was a skull cracker for me. At that time I realized my past experiences had little to do with today. (just memories). I truly approach things differently now.

I also model in HO and G gage.. its still a hard pill to get down, but new track is 6 bucks a foot in G gauge.. (I try to by used) knowing full from time to time I have to pony up to get what I need.. (if I can not find used).. I am OK with it.. (model railroading is a bit different however as part of the fun is shopping new and used)

Anyway.. I am yacking..


Tom, that radio is cool. I have a grey case one I got from a fellow boater... (its proudly displayed at Don's Hobby Shop)


Grim

 

[Ron Jefferson]

Hey Grim, I've read through most of this thread but could you give me your best recommendation for the best receiver with a 4PM in a boat. R334SBS is what I'm looking at right now. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Ron

 

[Grimracer]

R324SBS..

Gold plated pins.. diversity antennas..

Thanks for asking Ron. (Hope all is well with you)

Grim

 

[Richard Hartley]

Hello again Grim
Once again I have a glitchy transmitter. Thought it was receiver but switched receivers. Same problem. Switched and bound transmitter and problem solved. 3PM.
IS there anyone repairing them or do I shelve it permanently. First indication was trim jumpy.

 

[FloridaScaleBoater]

Hello again Grim
Once again I have a glitchy transmitter. Thought it was receiver but switched receivers. Same problem. Switched and bound transmitter and problem solved. 3PM.
IS there anyone repairing them or do I shelve it permanently. First indication was trim jumpy.

Have you checked with Radio South.
Back in the day, they were the "go to" for radio repairs

 

[Richard Hartley]

Have you checked with Radio South.
Back in the day, they were the "go to" for radio repairs

Sent an email to them earlier today.
Thank you

 

[Grimracer]

Richard, 3PM 2.4G?

 

[Tom_Handley]

The Futaba gear in my 1/10 nitro buggy have been sitting for 25 years in my parent's attic. Collected all my RC stuff a few weeks ago and last night I turned the radio switch on and the steering servo moved slightly. 350mah NiCd pack.

How does it still have any power at all?

 

[Richard Hartley]

Richard, 3PM 2.4G?

Yes Grim. The 3PM you used to make the antennae mount. Yes 2.4G

 

[Grimracer]

OK.. wow.. surprised.. here is what I think.. the coaxal TX antenna in the antenna plastic.. has been flexed MANY times.. I would have the TX antenna changed. We did see this with the 4PM. Tony at radio south is a good try..