When I started flying RC helicopters back in late December 2010, I was using a Futaba 6EX transmitter to fly my models. After a short time, I switched to Spektrum, ( a DX8) because I had purchased a T-Rex 450 Pro 3GX helicopter, and it required more channels than the 6EX offered. I went with Spektrum, only because the hobby store did not have any 7+ channel Futaba transmitters in stock and I wanted to fly my helicopter. So I bought the DX8. I have flown the DX8 for four years now, and it has been a fantastic transmitter.

However, I felt that I was getting bored with it and just needed something new. So after several months of researching and comparing many brands of transmitters, I have decided to return to Futaba. About a month ago, I made up my mind to purchase a 14SG. The programming in this thing is amazing, and so much more involved than the programming in the DX8...and was definitely not intended to be a beginner`s transmitter.  I spent a few weeks getting to know it and learning to use the settings and how to program it for my own needs before trying to set my helicopters up on it. Now, a month after receiving it, I have all of my helicopters set up and ready to test fly tomorrow ( 5/7/15).

My initial thoughts:

The programming is very in depth and a little hard to understand in some areas, and can be quite overwhelming. Which is the reason I did not put my helicopters on it right away. But the more I dig into it, the more I like it.

The touch sensor pad that is used for scrolling between setup screens is pretty nice, but its a little too sensitive. I think it would be nice to be able to adjust it( maybe it can...I just have not found how to do it) to be a little less sensitive so it won`t exit the called up menu when I`m trying to change settings. 

One thing I am a little nervous about is the fact that Futaba does not incorporate model match. So I am a bit concerned that I may power up the wrong model. That`s all on me though, and I will have to triple check that before I power up.

Ahhhhh....the gimbals! The gimbals on this transmitter must have been built by angels, because they are incredibly smooth. They are definitely the best gimbals I have felt on a transmitter, and that is right out of the box. I had to take my DX8 apart and clean and polish the gimbals to make them smooth. The 14SG was perfect right out of the box, and the only thing I did to them was shorten the gimbal sticks because I`m a thumb flyer and I like the sticks to be as short as possible.

The stock 1800mAh NIMH battery was fine, and would have been sufficient, but I replaced it with a Turnigy 2100mAh 20C LIFE pack so I can go longer without having to recharge. Just a personal preference.

I am going to meet a friend and fellow pilot at the flying club tomorrow to test fly my helicopters with the new 14SG, and I am really anxious to feel how it flies. I`ll post more about it as I fly it more and get to know it better. So until then...Fly Safe, and Have Fun. :)