For the past few months we have been trying out a transmitter that is brand new to us from Graupner. We have been very impressed with the technology and I think you can expect to see a lot more of it from us in the future! Hannes Runknagel, the CEO of Graupner USA and OpenHobby.com was kind enough to let us ask him all kinds of questions about his company, product and future.
Links:
Graupner MZ-12
Graupner MZ-18
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I'm originally from Germany and I have used Graupner Radios for more than 30 years now. I'm a big fan of tray radios (MC Series) as I mainly fly large scale helis, but for the foamies I got an Graupner MX-22 and lately a MZ-12. The mentioned issue with the Battery life are mainly a issue with the warning level setting, you can calibrate the battery leve and set the waring levels to a more accurate setting. Due to the price the radio is selling, they also installed a "cheap" 200mah NiMh, better choice is a 5000mAh LiPo, Graupner sells. I got hem in my radio and I have the old performance of the MX-22 one weekend flying without even thinking of charging, and that including constant telemetry voice over in the background.
So no issues with the battery life at all. The issues with the visibility of the display is true, but hey, you can't read your iPhone ind direct sunlight, too.
All thumbs up, keep testing the MZ ist a great product.
Cheers from the country, where the Airforce has a flightless bird as a mascott ;-)
Andreas
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And about the display, why use a colordisplay which you cant read in sunlight while i have no problemes reading with the (black/white) lcd-display of my older mx-16.
I think that is a terrible way to "improve" something, at least in my understanding.
(And by the way i have no problems reading the display of my nokia 820, sunlight or not but if they use displays like that, graupner would certainly miss the price the were aiming for with this new transmitter.)
In my opinion the mz-18/12 are no alternatives to the mx-16/12, but thats just me.
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Since June there is an update for the MZ-18 that addresses the calibration, battery display, warning level issue.
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Most of it comes down to the question what you want to spend for the radio and as you said, an OLED display might be a bit over the top. For that price you can't expect everything to be high end. What I really like is the software, as Peter said, no manual needed, very intuitive compared to an dx6.
So up to Graupner to address the issue with putting in a bigger Battery as they now do with the MZ-24.
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This is another great episode and also a very interesting topic. I use graupner since i got into the hobby wich was about 32 years ago (took a few breaks hear and there but i stayed with the hobby).
My first radio ever was graupner. Of course i updated my radios over time and im on 2.4 now, like most pilots these days . I mainly use two raidios now the Spektrum DX8 and my Graunper mx-16.
So of course i was very curious when a budy of mine baught one of these new mz-12 a little while back. But to be honest after a little while i found myself not that impressed with it because we had some major issues it. Dont get me wrong i love my Grauper mx-16 which is a great readio and the hott system graupner is using the super save, never ever had any issues with that plus the telemetry is super cool. Still the new transmitter at least the two once we tested here at the field, had some problems.
One was the new display which is almost unreadable in sunlight...big issue, and the batterylive of the transmitter was ridiculous because during the time my budy programmed his plane the battery was almost gone...and that was in like 20 minutes. It was even more surprising because with my mx-16 i can almost fly from here ot judgement day with one charge, at least thats what it feels like. But seriously, one charge is enough for several long flying weekends. So of course we sent it back because with thougth it was something wrong with it and got another one which, unfortunately, showed the same problems. Im very curious if graupner got these two problems fixed over the last couple of month....anyways great show...
best regards, Warbridfan66 (Thomas / Berlin, Germany)
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To answer the question by Rueben from New Zealand. Adam's Foam is sold in New Zealand at Uncle Bill's Wholesale for close to $3 per sheet. They have stores in main centre's but are often sold out. Google them and be aware that anybody interested should call and check in advance before making a trip from out of town to pick up any.
Can't wait to be able to order the laser cut planes from Australia for less.
Enjoy your Christmas with family guys - you've worked hard this year. Thank you for all you do.
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