Extracted from rheliresource...12FG vs 10C...
"With the big price cut of the 12fg from Tower's, the Futaba T12FG has never been more affordable. In fact, the listed price of the 12FG is just a mere $200 more than it's little brother, the T10C. That essentially means that you can get a lot more radio, for just a little bit more. Flyers looking at a new mid-range radio will probably find the decision between the 12fg and the 10c a hard one to make. So, 10C or 12FG?
In this short review, I shall not go into the programming/function part because these are already covered pretty extensively(and well) online. Littlerotors.com has a pretty detailed overview of the heli software in the 12FG, while right here at Rcheliresource, we have a overview of the heli software in the 10C. If airplane is part of your weekend flight, you can view the review of the air software in the 12fg on rcuniverse.com
In any case, if you were to ask me what is the greastest difference between the two TX in terms of Heli software, I will say its the use of "condition" function in the 12fg, as with the higher end TX of futaba. In the 10C, the programs, curves, mixing, governor and etc functions are/can be tied to the different flight mode and in most cases, you can only have one value for each function in each flight mode. The 12FG on the other hand, allows the use of "conditions" which are similar to the flight modes on the 10C, except that each condition allows you to set a few values for some functions like governor, dual rate and gyro. You can also add, delete or rename conditions. Do note that to make adjustment to a condition, you will need to be in that condition, which is slightly different from the flight modes on the 10C, where adjustments can be made to any flight mode, regardless of the flight mode the tx is running.
Another major difference is the swash menu for the 12FG. It is much more advance than the 10C and even includes a electronic swash ring. It is supposedly similar to what you will get with higher end TX. The purpose of the swash mixing settings in the menu is to allow the user to dial out interactions/unwanted movements when using eccpm. Does it work? Glad to say, it does and very well. To be honest, my heli now flys straighter and the difference can be felt from just a simple big loop.
So, what are we looking at if we are not looking at the software? That extra bit to help you make the decision.
Packaging
The boxes are similar and they come with pretty much the same things, except for the larger RX battery pack(1500mah VS 1000mah) in the 12FG set and the neckstrap that is not included with the 10C. Nothing significantly different. Do note that it is normal for 12FG's to come with "worn out" looking plastic screen protector out of the box, at least from what I see at my LHS and my set from Tower hobbies.
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The charge jack is DIFFERENT from the 10C/9C and SHS don't stock it.
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Functionality
The 12FG has more 3 positions switches, more trim tabs, a much bigger battery pack(that doesn't even drop to 7.2v after 4 hours of usage) and a much more user friendly slider. However, there are two place that the 10C beats it hands down. The user-navigation buttons and the back-lit LCD screen on the 10C. The 12FG employs 1 dial, 2 buttons for navigating through the programs and that IMHO, is quite a bit more difficult to work with than the joystick on the 10C. The LCD on the 12FG is also harder to read when indoor because of the lack of back lit and a darker background. The backlit LCD of the 10C is really a very nice feature.
One thing I really like about the 12FG is that you don't have to open up the radio to adjust the stick tension. It can be easily done by just removing the two rubber grips at the back and inserting the supplied allens. The FASST module of the 12FG has the antenna at the "correct" place, vs the not so well thought out FASST antenna position on the 10C. The 12FG is a real 12-channel radio, while the 10C is a 8 proportional + 2 digital 10 channel. Not that it matters to me as I have never used more than 8 on my helis and I assume, never will. Plankers might find the extra channels useful though.
Do note that programming the 12FG is really quite a bit more complicated than the 10C and more than a bit less user-friendly.
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Module that makes sense vs module that shows the stupidity of the designer
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The same cheap trim tab feel on the 12FG and 10C. Where is the trim feel on the 9c gone to??
HOW IT FEELS IN YOUR HAND...
Unlike the 10C, the 12FG(at least mine) does not come with the pcm/ppm antenna when purchased in FASST form. What this means is that you can't extend the antenna to balance the TX like on the 10C. However, I find the 12FG to have a much more balanced feel in my hand with just the FASST module, probably because of the lighter battery pack. I was actually quite suprise when I got the 12FG that its not any heavier than my 10C, in fact, it feels lighter. Personally, I like weighty TX, so YMMV.
The rubber pads on the back of the TX, the rounded curves and lines along the TX casing, the stick and switch positions on the 12FG all makes it a nice TX to hold. The 10C doesn't feel bad either. Honestly, speaking, it is just a matter of personal preference as to which is better in your hands because how it feels in my hands doesn't matter, but how it feels in the your very own hands does. As can be seen from the photos, the 12FG and 10C are pretty close in size. Both are quite a bit larger than the older 9C, so whether if you have got big hands or small hands...you haven't really got much choice...
Gimbal wise, the quad bearing gimbals on the 12FG does indeed feel smoother than the 10C's gimbals, but that does not mean that the 10C's sticks are rough or coarse in any way. Both are smooth, just that one is smoother than the other, not by a big margin, really. The stick end bits on the 12FG are actually sharper than the 10C and "bite" into my thumbs( I am a thumber) better than the 10C, so you might take that into account if you fly thumbs.
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Conclusion
Both of them are decent mid-range TX.
Assuming if both radios meets your needs in terms of the software, one will probably be equally happy with either. The 10C will be great for someone who just flip into idle up, take off, fly, land and repeat the process day after day. The 12FG will be great for a pilot what wants everything his way and is willing to spend a bit of time learning through the menu. Once you get the hook of it, the 12FG is really not that much more complicated to use than a 10C. However, I have to admit that an experienced flyer can probably just pick up a 10C and start setting up his models without even looking at the menu. How it feels in your hand will probably be a personal thing, which I suppose one will have to decide for himself by checking out these radios at the flying field.
The questions you might want to ask yourself when deciding is...
1. Do I ever use more than 6-7 points on my curves?
2. Do I ever use more than 2-3 p-mix?
3. Do I ever find my tx sticks feeling too rough?
4. Am I one who will fly different headspeed, gyro gain and 4 different flight modes in one flight?
5. Do I have more $700 to spare?
If you have at least one yes to the above questions, then the 12FG might be worth taking a look at.
P.S. the "box opening" post of the 10C has been done here, so I did not post the photos over here.. "
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Ok, after spending a cool 5hours with the 12FG, what is my personal opinion?
First and foremost. THE LCD SCREEN SUCKS BIG TIME. THE PROGRAMMING IS NOT THE LEAST BIT INTUITIVE. FUTABA SHOULD HAVE JUST USED A JOYSTICK FOR NAVIGATION, like on the 10C, 12Z...
VERY DIFFICULT TO USE. With some base numbers to follow, it took me a good 4hours to set up my 700N on the 12FG, vs 30mins on my 10C. I had to constantly refer to the manual because of the "lack of human touch" for the user interface. Adjusting the different flight mode(condition) settings requires you to be in condition hold and I found that I can release condition hold if the throttle stick is not super near the original position when I went into condition hold. Caused me a bit of panic when at the field when I couldn't release the "hold" and yet couldn't cut throttle. Maybe there is a way to work around it, I don't know.
While I am not a super good flyer, I think I can live w/o the electronic swash ring. I used to want a e-cyclic ring in the past, but after learning how to fly, I thought it doesn't really matter too much, if at all.
Like I always say, I am the type who set 2 headspeed on gov(1 hover 1 3d), 1 gain on gyro and never touch them anymore. I don't ever touch more than 3 switches per flight/per week/per month/per year because I tie everything to a flight mode and only do idle-up 1/2, T-hold and T-cut. Since I started learning 3D, I haven't really used more than 3 flight modes(normal for spool up, idle up 1 for hover, idle up 2 for stick banging), so really, those extra dual rates, extra gov gain, extra gyro gain, extra p-mixes, extra condition, extra channel, extra everything are all redundent for me, with the exception of the swash menu.
The swash menu is really great because it allows you to cancel out most interaction you have with eccpm and now my washout hub don't move a single bit with cyclic. My loops are definately straighter w/o correction.
The quad bearing gimbals are definately nice to have. Just the swash menu and the quad bearing sticks will make the 12FG worth that extra 200USD over the 10C, not to mention that the tower discount for X'mas back then pushed it to a price as low as 630USD.
The fasst antenna position is also much better than the 10C.
Battery life is really good.
Still doesn't have the feel of the higher end radios in your hand.
Would I have kept the 12FG over the 10C if I were to restart all over again? NO. Don't ask me why. It is just a personal thing.
A little bit of ranting about the seller...
First and foremost, I must point out that I am appreciative of the seller for helping me to bring the TX back for just a small markup and reselling it to me at a VERY GOOD PRICE. The price he sold me the TX was almost close to the price I could get at the X'mas discount with GST and shipping. I really need to thank him for that.
However, the journey to the TX wasn't exactly a smooth and happy one and apparently the seller thought that I was rude and I don't happen to think he is that friendly either. He is, honestly speaking, the type that is proud, thinks that he knows a lot and full of pride. It seems to me, he has the mentality that he is superior to me just because I am young, which I have to say...erm...perhaps you should look at your lifestyle vs mine? I am young, but I don't think my lifestyle, the things I use and enjoy in my daily life, the journey that I went through, the path that I have to take and the route that I will take, are in anyway inferior to yours, at least for then, now and near future. Afterall, what I have in my non-rc life is simple and analog, but might even be out of reach for a Ph.d holder and defintately not within the means of a masters or degree holder's income. Granted, he has no idea of the lifestyle I lead and I have absolutely no idea of the lifestyle he has either. Of course, I don't earn my $$$ and he earn his, so maybe that makes the difference.
He apparently started talking about attitude, service industry and what not, RIGHT AFTER I PAID HIM...lmao. Just had to follow through and act humble, I mean, well, he is kind enough to bring the radio back for just a small fee, surely it doesn't hurt to maintain a positive relationship?
Nonetheless, we ended the deal on a positive note and I will still say "hi" to him if I do meet him again, but that is assuming I still remember his face. No offense, but just have problem with faces.
It was a good deal just like my redbook CD player which I had to lower my pride a bit to get a better price from a shop that I don't really like. More than worth it in the long term.
UPDATE--------------------------------
Got screen protector. Not sure if its packaging mistake, but I got 2 in one.
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P.S. The photos appear slightly under-exposed and the photos at the full wide zoom are not quite good...all because of the new(and lousy) camera. Technology improvement= improve sensor, make lens lousy hai.
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