SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency: 2.4 GHz
Protocol: Dual Modulation Spread Spectrum (DMSS)
Input power: 6.4-volt 1,400 mAh LiFe
Display: 128 x 64 backlit LCD
Number of channels: 14
Resolution: 1,024
Frame rate: 14ms
Runtime: Up to 4.5 hours
FEATURES
• Large, backlit screen
• 30-model internal memory
• Airplane, helicopter, and glider program options
• Premium-grade gimbals with CNC-machined aluminum bases
• True, non-shared 14-channel access
• SD card slot for data sharing, storage, and updates (SD card required)
• LiFe 6.4-volt, 1,400 mAh 2S transmitter battery pack
• Integrated charging circuit
• 9-volt AC/DC adapter supplied with automatic shutdown
• Lightweight design (820 grams)
• Easily adapts to stick modes 1-4
• Data entry via scroll bar and four push-button keys
• Telemetry with built-in receiver voltage sensor
• Optional telemetry sensors available
• Stick tension and spring adjustment
• Dual trim options
• Dual side slide-lever controls
• Touch Select System for switch selection
• New, soft switch covers for improved feel and control
• User-selected menu for frequently used functions
• Eight-channel failsafe
• User-assigned switch function
• Programmable throttle cut
• Two independent programmable timers
IN THE BOX
• JR XG14
• JR RG731BX receiver
• AC charging adapter
PLUSES
• Ergonomics.
• Soft-touch switches.
• LiFe transmitter battery.
• Backlit LCD screen.
• Premium gimbals.
MINUSES
• Blue LED on front of transmitter is too bright.
• Shiny chrome reflects sun and shows fingerprints.
When shopping for a new radio, we’re faced with a growing number of manufacturers. Some have been around for years and others seem to come and go overnight. JR has a history of solid performance and a reputation for quality and customer service. That counts for a lot when I search for “the next radio” and ease of programming is high on my list. JR has a reputation for being one of the easiest radios to program and has continued that with its new offering: the XG14.
What’s New?
That’s likely the primary question on everyone’s mind. The main difference in the new JR radios when compared with the older versions is the introduction of the Dual Modulation Spectrum System (DMSS). It is not compatible with the previous modes you might be familiar with: DSM2, DSMX, or DSMJ. The new system combines the best of the other versions to create the most robust 2.4 GHz system the company has released. This is a wide-signal, full-spectrum, channel-hopping system with X-Bus capability!
Ergonomics, 14 True Channels, and More!
Ergonomics isn’t something we’re accustomed to hearing when we shop for radios. It seems as if they’ve remained much the same for many years.
JR took a different approach and decided that how the radio feels in your hands is important and designed it accordingly.
When you look at the transmitter’s profile from the bottom, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the sticks aren’t straight up. That’s because your natural hand position, whether you’re a finger flier or a thumb flier, isn’t straight.
Pilots’ hands are naturally offset from vertical and we’ve been forced to stretch for the sticks, but no longer. The JR design team has found the correct stick angle and the switches on each side are angled toward your hand position.
These features may not seem major, but you’ll feel the difference when you pick it up. It feels good. The company also positioned the switches for easy reach and then covered them with a rubber sleeve to make them easy to operate.
If you think the radio feels good in your hands, wait until you move those gimbals! JR has taken a CNC Machined Premium Aluminum Gimbal Base from its flagship radio and installed it here. That base is solid and even the hardest 3-D stick banger won’t find the sticks flexing when he or she hits full deflection.
JR also has provided a true 14-channel radio without any sharing. Most radios offering more than roughly nine channels use some method of band sharing/splitting for the additional channels.
X-Bus
JR’s new X-Bus digital serial data communication technology, when combined with an X-Bus receiver, is capable of connecting as many as four servos per channel via the X-Bus serial connector. This allows for as many as 56 servos (4 x 14) to be connected via a special JR X-Bus servo harness.
Connection of conventional (non-X-Bus) servos is possible with a special, conventional servo harness converter. As more X-Bus devices become available, this paves the way for the expansion of radio capabilities.
Because of JR’s proprietary serial data protocol, instead of standard Pulse Wide Modulation (PWM), the signals are sent in one packet. Each servo recognizes its command because of the channels that are assigned digital IDs and subsequent servos’ individual IDs.
JR’s patented Intelligent Output System automatically selects control signals/channel priority for channels that need to be transmitted at the same time and delivers them in one frame. This ensures that there is no time delay/latency for channels used for control surfaces such as a CCPM swashplate on a helicopter, or multiple servo control surface setups in large aircraft. The X-Bus system allows each servo in the system to simultaneously receive its signal.
The X-Bus system has two modes to provide flawless communication with JR’s equipment as well as Freakware, BeastX, Mikado FBL systems, and others as they are developed.
Telemetry
The included RG731BX receiver provides automatic telemetry that displays the receiver power at all times. No additional sensors are required. Other functions that require optional sensors are being developed. Dual-stream, bidirectional communication transmits all telemetry information through a separate RF stream, as opposed to the primary channel stream. All of that data travels along its own path and doesn’t reduce or share update rates with any control channels.
Basic Programming
If you are familiar with later versions of JR radios, you’ll feel comfortable with the XG14’s program methodology. If you’re coming from another brand of radio, you’ll find what JR users have known all along: it’s logical and easy! The typical four buttons are on the left side of the main screen and the jog dial is on the right.
The “E” button is the enter key and used to enter the “My List” screen from the main screen. This is a fully customizable screen allowing you to put the controls you most often access on one screen. The “L” button will change to the function listing screen. The “C” button will set an option back to the default setting. It can also serve other functions if the screen displays an arrow next to it. Another use is to reset the timer.
The “F” button is the function key and operates various functions depending on the screen. One of the defaults from the main screen is to start and stop a timer. When entering numbers from the jog dial, it can be held down and used to speed up the change. Jog dial is the primary method for changing parameters and selecting changes. The wheel turns right and left and can be pushed to make a selection.
One Radio—Multiple Uses
We can finally order one radio and not worry about whether we’re going to fly more than one type of aircraft. The radio arrived with a smooth throttle and a tabbed piece is included to convert it to a ratcheting-style throttle.
It has a standard switch layout, so there’s no need to order a helicopter radio or an airplane radio because this puts functions such as throttle cut in the same location regardless of aircraft type. What if you don’t like that setup? All switches are assignable so you can customize the configuration to suit your preferences.
Flight Modes
Some manufacturers have introduced radios without making flight modes available for fixed-wing models. This has forced users to become innovative in defining mixes. JR recognizes the benefit of flight modes for all types of aircraft and has provided them for each type.
There are six modes for helicopters including Normal, Stunt 1, Stunt 2, Stunt 3, Stunt 4, and hold. By default, Stunts 3 and 4 are inactive and must be activated through the device select menu in the system list. Hold is activated in the function list under throttle hold.
The XG14 provides five flight modes for airplanes: FMOD-0, FMOD-1, FMOD-2, FMOD-3, and FMOD-4. None of the airplane flight modes are activated until selected in the device select menu and FMOD-3 and 4 must be defined in the custom menu.
The XG14 provides eight full flight modes for sailplanes: Speed, Cruise, Thermal, Land, Launch, Distance, Zoom, and Free. None of these modes are activated by default and must be turned on in the device select menu.
The flexibility of the sailplane flight modes goes beyond the scope of allowable space here, but setting up my Discus Launch Glider was easy with the standard templates and selections.
The ease of defining and adjusting each type of flight mode is indicative of the care JR took to provide one radio suitable for all types of flying. Additionally, the company provided a flight mode delay so you can fine-tune the transition between modes. If you’re accustomed to a sudden change and the subsequent shaky flight moment that can happen when changing modes, you’ll now be able to set a delay so the changes take place slower, preventing shaking.
No Reboots Necessary
I’ve always hated rebooting a transmitter every time I wanted to change models or make certain programming changes that were only available in the system menus. That is no longer necessary. All menus are accessible from the main screen, including changing models and binding.
The binding process is similar to previous JR radios except the bind function on the transmitter is selected through the system menu. The receiver employs a binding plug and power to enter the binding mode, then “bind” is selected in the menu and a status indication begins to show that the radio is binding to that particular receiver. When complete, the screen will show “success” and the binding plug can be removed. The XG14 will only bind to a DMSS radio (not DSM2, DSMX, or DSMJ).
The process of conducting range checks begins in the main menu by entering “system” and selecting range check. This automatically reduces the transmitter power, and a check of approximately 40 paces indicates a good installation. Holding down switches, buttons, etc. is unnecessary. The LED on the transmitter will blink indicating the lower power setting while range checks are completed.
Special Functions and Features
The XG14 has so many features that it’s difficult to decide how many to describe. The manual is 107 pages of well-laid-out instructions and descriptions. I suggest that you go to the JR Americas website to download a copy. I did this while waiting for mine to arrive and it reduced the learning curve. I will highlight a few of the most significant features.
• No labeled switches: Labels are included for each model type in case you want to permanently dedicate a particular switch to a function. The switches are fully assignable.
• SD card: This provides for nearly an unlimited number of models in memory. It also provides a path for firmware updates.
• Gimbals: Oh yeah ... those gimbals! The CNC aluminum base and dual bearings give them a feel like no other radio in this class or above.
• Servo balance: This is an easy method to equalize the travel of servos used on control surfaces. This applies to airplanes and gliders and ensures equal movement.
• Servo speed: You can now adjust the speed of each servo, regardless of aircraft type or assignment. Pilots can also individually adjust speeds for up or down. If this option isn’t available inside a mix, it will be blanked out. This is great for controlling flaps and gears.
• Throttle curves: Helicopter fliers are accustomed to this option, but many fixed-wing pilots are not. This is available for airplanes and helicopters. Gas engine pilots will especially appreciate this function.
• Throttle hold: Helicopter pilots expect this feature, but until recently, few radios have provided it for airplane pilots. This is especially important for electric fliers because it prevents pilots from inadvertently bumping the throttle stick, only to discover that the airplane is suddenly alive.
• Motor system: Glider pilots will be glad to see they can assign a switch to control a motor, making the throttle stick available to activate various surfaces. The delay can be programmed to control a nice linear advance.
Conclusion
JR has always been an innovator in our hobby and continues that trend with the advent of the new DMSS and X-Bus system. The XG14 provides all of the features one would expect from a radio at this price point, and a few things you wouldn’t. The company has extended the list of features one expects, and by doing so, has increased not only the capabilities of the radio, but the safety.
I prefer a radio that doesn’t lock me into certain switch assignments. The XG14 provides the flexibility I expect, while maintaining the ease of programming for which JR is known. The list of X-Bus-compatible equipment is growing and will make those monster airplanes with dozens of servos a dream to not only set up, but to tweak and add to during its life.
I encourage you to download the manual and study the radio’s features. The JR Americas website has plenty of information to answer your questions, and the company has a reputation for quality customer service.
