This is an update to my post Thoughts on the Futaba 6K for Miniquads. Since I wrote that post in June 2016, Futaba has released the 6K V2 which now has 8 channels (instead of 6 in the original 6K – it should really be called the “8K”). The great news for 6K owners is that your T6K transmitter can be updated to V2 simply by installing new software (download link, instructions). The R3006SB receiver already supports 8 channels.
The software installation process is simple and quick, although it does require a CIU-2 or CIU-3. “CIU” stands for “Computer Interface Unit” and it is a USB to S-Bus converter. I bought the CIU-3 as it is compatible with current Windows operating systems; the CIU-2 only works on Windows 7 or earlier. You also need a cable to connect the CIU to the S.I/F port on the back of the transmitter. You could purchase the dedicated Futaba DSC (Direct Servo Connection) cord, but it’s just a cable with two female servo connectors so I made one up myself.
The new software worked flawlessly, and with 8 channels I can now assign an independent AUX channel to every switch, rather than having to mess around with mixes to obtain the functionality I need. For example, a typical setup might be
- Upper left 3-position (Switch C): Buzzer/disarmed/armed
- Lower left 3-position (Switch A): Select flight mode/rate profile
- Lower right 3-position (Switch B): PID Increase/No Change/Decrease (for tuning)
- Upper right 2-position (Switch D): Blackbox logger on/of (this is also the trainer switch so I only assign non-critical functionality to it)
The V2 software also introduces a new “matrix ” method of programming flight modes. Paradoxically, this would have been really helpful with only six channels, but with eight I prefer just to put every switch on a separate AUX channel instead of combining multiple switches into a single flight mode channel. This way my transmitter setup is the same for all my quads (other than the name), with only the Betaflight configuration changing.
The other significant introduction is the new R3001SB receiver. This is a new “full range” S-Bus/S-Bus 2 only receiver (no PPM outputs) that at 41.8 x 21.1 x 5.3mm is somewhat smaller than the R3006SB (43 x 25 x 8.8mm) but not as small as the third-party SF800 (33 x 14 x 3mm). The S-Bus connector now exits in the plane of the PCB, not at right angles to it, which will substantially reduce the height required for mounting. It should fit into most 5″ frames designed for standard (36 x 36mm) stacks, although possibly not into frames designed for micro (25 x 25mm) stacks. To be honest, it seems as though Futba have simply re-purposed the existing R3006SB PCB design, with the size reduction coming from the removal of the plastic case and PPM sockets. A new 36mm x 36mm PCB that would mount in a standard stack would have been a much better choice!
I have been using the much cheaper SF800 for some time, and have been perfectly happy with it (I’ve now even replaced the Futaba R3006SB in my Krieger with an SF800), but it’s nice to know there is a genuine Futaba receiver that supports the T-FHSS protocol (the SF800 only supports S-FHSS which does not have telemetry). And if you purchase the Futaba 6K V2 FPV kit (stock # FUTK6111) then it comes with the R3001SB receiver, so at least you won’t have to wonder what to do with the bigger R3006SB receiver that comes with the other kits!
So with these improvements, how does the 6K now stack up as a miniquad radio control system? In my original post I listed a number of good and bad points. Here is my updated list of “pros”, with new or modified points in italics:
- Excellent joystick feel.
- Looks good (my taste leans towards conservative, not flashy bling).
- Built-in antenna.
- Solid (although plastic) construction.
- Intuitive menu system and clear back-lit LCD.
- 8 channels allows new functionality such as in-air PID tuning.
- A good selection of switches (three 3-position switches plus one 2-position switch).
- Although it’s an entry-level radio, it supports multiple models, different model types, etc. It does not seem to me to have been hobbled like the entry-level radios of some other manufacturers (Spektrum, for instance).
- Good value (at least locally).
And the updated list of negatives:
- Telemetry is more or less useless because (a) flight battery voltage is not supported by the standard R3006SB receiver (only receiver supply voltage which is meaningless); and (b) voice telemetry is only available on earphones, not over the speaker. However this is a minor point since most FPV pilots use an OSD (On-Screen Display) for telemetry.
- The 6K comes standard with an AA battery box, not a rechargeable battery. This has not really been a problem for me as the batteries last 1-2 months even when flying at every possible opportunity.
- There is no receiver signal strength indicator output from the receiver that can be used to display signal strength in an OSD.
Most of the negatives have disappeared due to the 6K V2 update and the R3001SB/SF800 receiver options.
I’ve added one new one based on personal experience: if you want to fly a miniquad over moderate distances, then receiver signal strength indicator is a must. On the Futaba you have signal one minute and lose it the next, with very little warning! This does not however affect racing or freestyle setups, as the 6K range is quite sufficient for normal use (I estimated at least 600m). If Futaba would only add RSSI as an additional S-Bus output on the R3001SB (and ideally also loop it back to the transmitter as a telemetry channel), then that alone would make it worth paying the asking price of $59.99 instead of $18.88 for the SF800!
My overall verdict: the 6K V2 FPV (which includes the R3001SB receiver) is a useful update to the original 6K and a good choice as a radio control system for miniquads. Recommended.