Thread Index

1) Gimbal Tension & Throttle Ratchet

2) Setting Up Crossfire
     * Caveat on using TBS Cloud (credit:  SnowLeopardFPV)
     * Caveat on switching models using Crossfire to native Futaba protocols
     * Caveat on potential issues with 800mHz (credit:  hugnosed_bat)

3) Custom 3D Printed Crossfire Lite Module Mount

4) Creating A New Model & Setting Up Switches

5) LiFe Battery Recommendation

6) Who Flies Futaba For FPV?


The Backstory, Unboxing, & Initial Drooling

I just got a Futaba 16SZ to replace my Taranis X9D+ 2019 SE.  When I first got into drones, I quickly replaced my Turnigy 9X "feelin' the waters" radio with a Futaba 8FG Super.  I took a year or so sabbatical from FPV selling pretty much everything, and when I got back, I picked up a Frsky Xlite shortly followed by an Xlite Pro.  After some peer pressure (SNOW), I decided I'd be part of the cool club and get an X9D.  It served me well for some time.  Despite customizing the crap out of it to suit my needs (and style), I just couldn't help but wanting to go back to the build quality of a Futaba.  As a side fun, I got a rock crawler and a Futaba surface radio.  All that quality goodness really reminded me of that 8FG and so several months later and dozens of passed-on used sales ads for a 16SZ, I came across one I just couldn't resist any longer ...

















My sense is that 16SZ is the "poor man's" version of the 18SZ and the lowest rung of their higher end radios.  The reason I honed in on the 16SZ is because it is one of few Futabas (the 18SZ being the other) that has the Crossfire protocol as an option in its firmware.  To be clear, other Futabas can use Crossfire but via the far less superior PPM protocol.

Having been so long since I handled a Futaba, my initial reaction was ... DROOL   .  But to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I feel as much of a difference in the gimbals as I was expecting to.  [edit] I judged these gimbals too early.  Short of it is, they are as good as you keep hearing people rave about them.  I talk about it here.[/edit]  The comparison point being the M9-R Hall racing gimbals on the X9D.  There was also an issue I had not anticipated with the ratcheting which I will go into detail later.  Notwithstanding the gimbals not knocking my socks off, this is truly a "grownups" radio.  Every thing about it just oozes quality down to the sick grips on the side and the back where the palm of my hands and fingers found themselves effortlessly.

I was pleasantly surprised that the radio was not much bigger than the X9D ...









But most importantly, it still fits fine in the Torvol Freestyle that I just got lol ...





The one thing I sorta knew before getting into this was that there was not much information out there on this radio specifically for FPV quad pilots.  And what information is out there is disparate, inconsistent, and often times in Japanese lol.  Luckily, I've gotten a hold of Skylar over at Futaba USA and he has so far been extremely helpful.  Let's see how long that lasts after my barrage of questions lol.  So ultimately I'm aiming to update this thread with guides and tips - as much for my own benefit as anyone else wanting to get into Futaba.  I'd even mentioned to Skylar that they really need to get Crossfire onto lower end radios and generally cater more to FPV.  He agreed and mentioned the T12K (MSRP US$329) is something they have experimented with for Crossfire but are just busy doing other things.

Alrighty then ... let's break this thing open shall we??  LOL  

Gimbal Tension and Throttle Ratchet

Be forwarned that you cannot simply remove the throttle ratchet on Futabas.  I found that out the hard way.  I had gotten a used "Airplane" version (with throttle ratchet) thinking it would be a easy switch to smooth.  This was also based on varying reports that this was the case.  Not so.  You need a smooth throttle tab to replace the notched one used in "Airplane" versions.  I'm waiting to hear back from Skylar to see if I can get that but in the meantime, I, as always, ghetto hacked it.    

Eight screws hold the back of the case in place.  Start by disconnecting then removing the battery as it will fall out once the back of the case is removed. two screws holding down the antenna covering (Yea, it has a covering.  So cool lol) ...





Remove the 6 screws circled in red ...



Now you can carefully lift the back case off using the handle bar for leverage.  There are no cables tethering the back plate to the main unit ...



This is the problem ... unlike with the X9D where you have a ratchet tab and a friction tab, Futabas only have ratchet tabs.  This way, you cannot ever get a smooth throttle without some degree of ratcheting ...



So until I can get a proper smooth "Heli" tab with no notch, I ghetto hacked it by turning the tab upside down and placing two layers of thin masking tape over the serrated throttle knob to minimize ratcheting while still providing some friction.  It's hardly pretty, but it will have to suffice for now ...



For Mode 2, you can get the pitch and roll tension screws through the circled holes under the grip ...



... and yaw tension on the right side of the back while centering the throttle stick ...



For reference and since we have this guy cracked open, here is the view of the Mode 2 pitch/roll gimbal ...



So that's it for opening up the 16SZ and adjusting gimbal tension and throttle ratchet (or ghetto hacking it at least).

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2, 2020

I received the "smooth ratchet kit" for my throttle.  It is part# P-AB1077.  The only place I could find it was from a UK store called Nexus Modeling Supplies.  Friendly staff and they carry a decent supply of Futaba parts.





The kit is a smooth tension strip and a plastic cover that fits snug over the throttle ratchet (the tension strip on the right is the notched "Airplane" one that the radio came with the radio).



I dabbed a spot of white lithium grease on the smooth ratchet to give it some lubrication.



Now THIS is proper.     While my ghetto hack worked, the throttle is so smooth now lol.  This is the Futaba gimbal butter people keep talking about.  

UPDATE NOVEMBER 9, 2020

I always felt that the stock springs were a bit on the stiff side for my taste even after loosening them up a bit. I came across this video on installing softer springs on the 16SZ ...



Upon googling "graupner usa soft gimbal springs" like the video author suggested, I found and ordered these springs in the U.S.:

https://www.controlhobbies.com/Gimbal-Sp...00-21.html



They are noticeably smaller than the stock Futaba springs ...



But I'll tell you, the gimbals are insanely buttery smooth now lol. It's just enough resistance so the sticks center properly and maintaining a line but loose enough that you aren't fighting them.

Money shot incoming lol ...

Setting Up Crossfire

Since, at least as far as I know, you cannot get the Crossfire interface into the Futaba itself, you will need a Lite or a Full module in order to use Crossfire on a Futaba since these have an LCD for menu navigation.  Futaba does not use OpenTX or LUA script. 

You will likely come across the three following methods all concerned with how to power the Crossfire unit.

Nurk's Video and TBS Website

This is probably the first thing you will come across and here Nurk walks you through how to set up Crossfire referencing TBS's website itself ...



The TBS website link showing how to use Crossfire with Futaba is here:  https://team-blacksheep.freshdesk.com/su...sf-support

On this site is firmware as well as instructions on how to mod the JR module cable to be used with the servo port on the back of the 16SZ.  This method requires powering from an external lipo.

While this method still works, presumably, it is highly outdated made back in 2018.  Don't use this method lol.

Japanese Dude's Power Mod Video

The next thing you'll likely find is this Japanese dude's (and awesome pilot too check out his vids) video on how to power mod the Crossfire ...



I don't speak Japanese but he responded to my post clarifying that he used a RealPit VTX switch to send more voltage through the servo port.  He also gave me the link to the detailed discussion on how this is done on the Facebook TBS Lounge here:  https://www.facebook.com/FutabaUSA/posts...203377393/

While this evidently works, it certainly voids any warranties.  Also, you don't need to do it.  So don't do it lol.

Trainer Port Power

Since firmware update v3.2, the trainer port has since been capable of powering external devices ...



This Facebook post from Futaba USA outlines how to do this:  https://www.facebook.com/FutabaUSA/posts...203377393/

Basically we will be using the power and ground leads from the trainer port Crossfire adapter.  I just cut out the heat shrink and cut the white wire.  Later I may do a cleaner job but just wanted to make sure this worked.  You'll also want to remove all the wires except the Crossfire wire from the "Exp. Port" cable harness (circled in red) ...



Solder that Crossfire wire from the Exp Port harness to the signal wire in a Futaba servo connector ...



Your Crossfire harnesses will look like this ...



Now just connect the harnesses to the Crossfire module and connect the trainer port and servo connector.  For now, I'm just using "industrial strength" velcro to keep the Lite module in place.  [edit]  Yea we're not doin' that.  Don't go ghetto on the Futaba man.  Do it proper.   [/edit]



Now for the firmware.  You can check your firmware version by clicking on SYSTEM MENU from the main screen ...



Then click on INFORMATION ...




And the firmware will be indicated under "Version" (in this case, "3.11E") ...




Download the latest firmware from Futaba under "Transmitters":  https://futabausa.com/software-downloads/

When you unzip the file, you'll see this (firmware 3.11 shown):



Copy the entire "FUTABA" folder to the SD card.  If your SD card already has a FUTABA folder, copy the contents to that folder.  Then hold MENU while turning on the radio and it will automatically begin the update.

Now we just need to set up Crossfire.  Click the LINKAGE menu from the main screen ...



Then click on SYSTEM TYPE ...



Select FASSTest 12CH ...



Then advance to page 2 and make sure CRSF is set to ON ...



Go back to the main screen by hitting MENU and click again on the LINKAGE menu ...



Advance to page 2 and click on TRAINER ...



Then enable Trainer by setting ACT/INH to ACT.  Set to STUDENT.  And set to 8 CH.  I have mine set to 12 CH since I am using 12 channel mode on my Crossfire



That's it!! The Crossfire module should be powered up.  Note that this method would seem to cap the power level to 500mw ...





If you needed more than 500mw, I don't see why you wouldn't be able to just plug in an external lipo.  And since I plug in an external lipo while my Crossfire was still powered off the X9D, I don't think you need to unplug the trainer cord should you decide to go external power.

Money shot incoming ...

That's a beautiful radio! Very informative post also. If I ever decide to get a Futaba(which might happen), I know where to get help setting up crossfire.

thanks for the review
i flew a pack on a buddys 16sz, he has the crossfire fullmodule installed. he use a switch to power the modul, i beleive an external lipo.
i would like one aswell :-)

Very informative review. Radio looks awesome man !!!

I gotta take back what I said about the gimbals.  I guess simply fiddling with them out of the box is not the best way to judge them lol.    

I spent a decent amount of time adjusting the tension.  To me at least, these come with pretty hard tension or at least the dude before me made them pretty stiff.  Second, I flew 4 packs with the Talon in a tight course of race gates.

This is where I realized there really was something about the Futaba gimbals.  The terms I smerked at before like "smooth" and "buttery" actually make sense to me now lol.  It's really hard for me to articulate.  I just feel very very connected to what the quad is doing - not just in terms of latency but in terms of this sort of organic feel to stick movements.  Bah whatever ... they are GOOD lol.  

no OpenTX getting in the way...

Oh that's interesting. Were you being sarcastic or are you really suggesting the radio software itself has something to do with it? I just always thought it was hardware.

Kinda yes and no. There was some talk a few years ago that OpenTX caused some latency at times, but I have no direct experience as I have only flown Spektrum. You made a good choice with Futaba, they have been making radio transmitters a very long time. They are known to have one of the fastest, if not the fastest communication protocols with their receivers so I'm not surprised you have noticed a difference. Probably the most popular rc car racing transmitter among pro drivers as well.

As far as I know, the OpenTX latency issues are a thing of the past with most of the protocols, but there is still an issue with Crossfire. That will be fixed with the introduction of CRSFshot which is included in the as of yet unreleased 2.4.0 version of OpenTX. You can however get that if you run one of the nightly builds of OpenTX 2.4.x.

Great thread, Ronin!  

I love Futaba, and you got me wanting to go back.  If only Futaba would do Open TX I would make the switch today.

Thanks guys.

Well the way Futaba and FPV users of Futabas act and market the product, you'd think there was a concerted effort to keep FPVers from using Futaba lol. Like I said earlier and hoped to show in this thread, information on this radio as it relates to FPVers is very disparate. Parts ... holy crap guys ... parts are so hard to come by lol. I ordered my smooth ratchet kit from friggin London and a Futaba radio strap from Finald lol. Oddly, the strap arrived to me faster than cheaper than domestic orders lol wtf. As for bling? yea, forget about bling LOL. Still, I am in the process of ronin-izing this radio to the extent I can.

And in addition to the voice feedback, another thing I miss is the logic screen on OpenTX. At least so far, "mixing" is proving to be super confusing for me. For example, I had a great pre-arm procedure worked out in OpenTX making use of both 2 position switches for safe arming. With the Futaba, I'm going to need to rely on Betaflight to replicate this safety measure at the cost of another channel! Bah.

There is no information on Futaba transmitters by FPV'ers for FPV'ers because we're all a load of cheapskates And Vanover is too busy practicing for MultiGP to waste any of his precious stick time creating tutorials

Ok I'm going to start posting pilots that use Futabas because there are actually a lot that I have come across researching this radio before I bought it.  That's why I'm so surprised by the lack of infos.  But to your point, I do notice many are racers (not all though) and that ilk doesn't seem to be the vlogger / blogger type for some reason.

And while these things are for sure pricey, the aftermarket is not much more expensive than most other FPV gear.  MSRP for this 16SZ is consistently $800ish wherever I look.  But used, I've seen them go for $400-600.  I got this one used for $500.  I'll spend more than that on 2 builds.  That's when I realized it's worth it at that used price since like your goggles, its the one other gear you will use across your builds.

And dude ... even their straps ooze of Futaba quality lol cmon wtf man ...