Model Airplane News

RADIO REVIEW BY MICHAEL YORK | PHOTOS BY JOHN REID & HOPE McCALL M

Futaba T18MZ

;e new benchmark of high-end radios

Whether young or old, most of us have some- thing exotic that we yearn after, even though we know perfectly well that it isn’t a necessity or even attainable. For some, it may be a Porsche GT, while for others it’s a blood red Ducati Desmosedici that gets the pulse racing. Well, for us RC guys, you can add the new Futaba T18MZ to the list, and unlike the aforementioned examples, this exotic is actually attainable to more than just the ultra-wealthy. Dual processors, Windows CE, HVGA LCD screen, USB ports, SD card slots, music player and digital camera are not things normally associated with a radio control system, but the T18MZ is far from normal.

I’ve had the fortune to try out one of
these fantastic new radios and have been
absolutely blown away with not only its
tremendous capability, but also with the
relative ease of use. There are simply too
many features to mention in this article, so
I will try my best at pointing out some of
the standouts.

The T18MZ uses the new FASSTest 2.4GHz bi-directional communication system that gives it the ability to use real-time telemetry. The compact, high-voltage capable R7008SB 8-channel S.Bus2 receiver that comes with the radio system allows for multiple telemetry sensors to be used via the second S.Bus port, so things like

;e right side panel opens with an articulated hinge to expose the USB port, SD card slot and LiPo battery. ;ere is also a mini USB port, but it’s used as a factory interface.