Futaba T18SZH 18CH FASSTest 2.4Ghz Radio Transmitter w/ R7008SB Receiver (mode 2)

I have been using this transmitter for the last 8 years, and it has never let me down... Futaba firmware updates come when needed.

Looking forward to the new Futaba T26SZ which should be available soon! You can't get a better transmitter then a Futaba. I have been using them since 1980:)

This transmitter now does have model match, and you can only use an internal model memory - as long as it has the correct protocols...

The Futaba 18sz replaced my 14sg as I was tired of the Rotary dial Intermittently not working and liked the touch screen. The LIFE battery, touch screen display and the 18SZ as a whole did not disappoint. Battery Charges in just a few hours and touch screen is much easier to use than the dial.

The only bad thing about it is that the screen is a little hard to see and direct sunshine other than that the 18 SZ is a great upgrade 14 SG.

Kind of dated now but an excellent example of Futaba engineering.. after using the older 14 with the touch dial it is a blessing to use. It is certainly a much better value than the 18mz or 32…
It has excellent sticks and the ergonomics are ok although I would prefer some less rounded back edges. Seems a bit slick. The case design hasn’t changed in 20 years and I still can’t believe Futaba takes so long to progress.. it feels like they are punishing you for not spending $2500-3000 for the top end radio. However this radio is the best for the price out there. The cheap feel of a “sport radio” unfortunately kind of ruins the experience of great electronics and likely reliability. Futaba has not been in touch with their consumers for decades but finally not using stupid battery solutions.

Only had radio for a couple weeks but I really like this thing. Still learning all the program features. Setting up three helicopters on it now, playing with the different setting to see how it affects real time flight. So many features you will not need a new radio for a long time.

Purchased on Black Friday. Arrived with one gimbal damaged. Returned to futaba. Replaced by futaba. New radio works fine. Be aware that this radio does not have model match technology. I have 2 models with identical setups and identical receivers, and with either model selected it will control either of the two models. That's a problem that futaba needs to fix. The radio is manufactured in Taiwan not Japan. The gimbal springs are very light imho. Heavy duty gimbal springs ordered. Telemetry function is nice to have. Charges fast. Good battery life. Nice fit and finish. Switch and function programing is great. Overall is a pretty nice radio.
G.

The good, The Futaba T18SZ is probably the best radio I've owned and I have spent much more for transmitters. Including Futaba 9ZWC and A JR 10X. which were top of the line in there time. I moved up from a Futaba 14SG which in it's self a good radio but I did not like the lack of conditions and the shuttle dial is pretty inconsistent.

The bad, I waited for the 18SZ to go on sale (Black Friday) The unit showed in stock and I pulled the trigger on the order. I checked the follow day and it said order pending. I figured they had a lot of orders to process so I waited till the following Tuesday and the status remain unchanged. So I called and was advised the radio was on back order. I explained the unit showed in stock and they had no explanation. Myou ordered shipped the 19th of December with no other issues. I still consider Helidirect my preferred source and the routinely have better sales than there competition.

I replaced my 14SG with this radio. I wanted the LIFE battery and touch screen display and the 18SZ does not disappoint. Battery is fully charged in less than 3 hours and touch screen is much easier to use than the dial click of 8FG/14SG. Battery life is phenomenal as well. I programmed all of my helis on one charge! At the field the display can be hard to see at certain angles in the sun but not a big deal to me. I have owned many Futaba radios over the last 30 years and this is one will not be replaced for a long, long, time! It costs a little more but you will agree it is worth it once you have it in your hands.

I made the switch from Spektrum (Dx9) after having many conversations with both Futaba and JR pilots. After a lot of research I set my sites on the 18SZ. I felt that the touch screen made the process much easier. I will say that the programming is much harder then the Dx9 but that was mainly getting use to the new terminology.

There are only a few things that I can knock on this radio. The screen isn't bright enough on a bright day to see very easily (I wear sunglasses). I also believe that it's missing some features that competitors have. It is still a top notch radio and worth the money.

I have been using this transmitter for the last 8 years, and it has never let me down... Futaba firmware updates come when needed.

Looking forward to the new Futaba T26SZ which should be available soon! You can't get a better transmitter then a Futaba. I have been using them since 1980:)

This transmitter now does have model match, and you can only use an internal model memory - as long as it has the correct protocols...

The Futaba 18sz replaced my 14sg as I was tired of the Rotary dial Intermittently not working and liked the touch screen. The LIFE battery, touch screen display and the 18SZ as a whole did not disappoint. Battery Charges in just a few hours and touch screen is much easier to use than the dial.

The only bad thing about it is that the screen is a little hard to see and direct sunshine other than that the 18 SZ is a great upgrade 14 SG.

Kind of dated now but an excellent example of Futaba engineering.. after using the older 14 with the touch dial it is a blessing to use. It is certainly a much better value than the 18mz or 32…
It has excellent sticks and the ergonomics are ok although I would prefer some less rounded back edges. Seems a bit slick. The case design hasn’t changed in 20 years and I still can’t believe Futaba takes so long to progress.. it feels like they are punishing you for not spending $2500-3000 for the top end radio. However this radio is the best for the price out there. The cheap feel of a “sport radio” unfortunately kind of ruins the experience of great electronics and likely reliability. Futaba has not been in touch with their consumers for decades but finally not using stupid battery solutions.

Only had radio for a couple weeks but I really like this thing. Still learning all the program features. Setting up three helicopters on it now, playing with the different setting to see how it affects real time flight. So many features you will not need a new radio for a long time.

Purchased on Black Friday. Arrived with one gimbal damaged. Returned to futaba. Replaced by futaba. New radio works fine. Be aware that this radio does not have model match technology. I have 2 models with identical setups and identical receivers, and with either model selected it will control either of the two models. That's a problem that futaba needs to fix. The radio is manufactured in Taiwan not Japan. The gimbal springs are very light imho. Heavy duty gimbal springs ordered. Telemetry function is nice to have. Charges fast. Good battery life. Nice fit and finish. Switch and function programing is great. Overall is a pretty nice radio.
G.

The good, The Futaba T18SZ is probably the best radio I've owned and I have spent much more for transmitters. Including Futaba 9ZWC and A JR 10X. which were top of the line in there time. I moved up from a Futaba 14SG which in it's self a good radio but I did not like the lack of conditions and the shuttle dial is pretty inconsistent.

The bad, I waited for the 18SZ to go on sale (Black Friday) The unit showed in stock and I pulled the trigger on the order. I checked the follow day and it said order pending. I figured they had a lot of orders to process so I waited till the following Tuesday and the status remain unchanged. So I called and was advised the radio was on back order. I explained the unit showed in stock and they had no explanation. Myou ordered shipped the 19th of December with no other issues. I still consider Helidirect my preferred source and the routinely have better sales than there competition.

I replaced my 14SG with this radio. I wanted the LIFE battery and touch screen display and the 18SZ does not disappoint. Battery is fully charged in less than 3 hours and touch screen is much easier to use than the dial click of 8FG/14SG. Battery life is phenomenal as well. I programmed all of my helis on one charge! At the field the display can be hard to see at certain angles in the sun but not a big deal to me. I have owned many Futaba radios over the last 30 years and this is one will not be replaced for a long, long, time! It costs a little more but you will agree it is worth it once you have it in your hands.

I made the switch from Spektrum (Dx9) after having many conversations with both Futaba and JR pilots. After a lot of research I set my sites on the 18SZ. I felt that the touch screen made the process much easier. I will say that the programming is much harder then the Dx9 but that was mainly getting use to the new terminology.

There are only a few things that I can knock on this radio. The screen isn't bright enough on a bright day to see very easily (I wear sunglasses). I also believe that it's missing some features that competitors have. It is still a top notch radio and worth the money.