As a veteran Jeti DC-24 user, I was delighted to receive the latest edition of this reliable and critical component to my RC arsenal.
I'll give you my unvarnished impression in this article.
UNBOXING
It came in a box. Inside that box was another box. Inside that box was the transmitter box. I opened THAT box. It was then that I saw the red aluminum transmitter case. Wasn't that suspenseful?
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
- Transmitter
- Magenta andodized aluminum carrying case
- Harness to attach to a tray (which is not included)
- 12-Channel Assist receiver
- USB-C charging cable and power block
- Foldable protective pad
- Cleaning cloth
- Instruction manuals
- Miscellaneous hardware
WHAT IS DIFFERENT FROM G1?
Jeti spent a considerable amount of time and resources getting this badboy approved by the U.S. FCC. The new G2 version has the following material differences from the old G1:
- Faster processor
- Bluetooth (for headsets and mobile telemetry)
- Wifi capabilities (software updates will enable these)
- Bigger display (4" backlit LED)
- Better resolution display
- Better-designed screens
- Fancy LED power button
- USB-C charging port and cable
- Cooler carrying case
- More stuff included (harness & receiver)
MY IMPRESSIONS
Jeti did not do a radical update to their existing DC-24. Many users will welcome the familiar control layout. Nothing has changed here. If you are an existing DC-24 users, you will have zero ramp time in acquainting yourself with the G2 version.
Even the programming is identical to the previous version. As a software developer, I appreciate how tweaked out people get when you move their cheese. No cheese moving here. That said, the new UI is easier to engage.
The menu system has larger text, icons and, most importantly, mini descriptions of what the section contains. This is big. In the current system, you must remember what is inside the "Functions Assignment" vs "Servo Setup" sections, for example. In the new system, the summary will remind you when you go brain dead for a minute.
The brand new communication features will make this radio a much more convenient system to use than the previous version. Bluetooth will enable a pilot to wear a headset or an earbud to receive audio cues from the radio. Sometimes, the noise at the field will overpower my voice timer or telemetry updates. Having a Bluetooth connection with the transmitter will alleviate that issue. In addition, the Bluetooth feature will allow you to wirelessly send telemetry data in realtime to your phone. If you have a spotter holding the phone, they can monitor your data and read out anomalies in flight.
The G2 has wifi as well. Although Jeti has not yet released software to take advantage of this, the plan is to allow you to wirelessly connect to your device (with Jeti Studio running) for data transfers and other tasks that currently require a cable connection.
For a scale helicopter pilot, the DC-24 G2 is an easy (if expensive) thumbs up. Having used both the DC-16 and DC-24 on my scale birds for nearly a decade, I can vouch for the flexibility and power of the Jeti system. The hardware is bulletproof, the software is amazingly flexibile and the ability to load in LUA apps is a gamechanger for pilots who like to toil in those vinyards. For current DC-24 owners, like me, the decision to drop $2,500 on this transmitter is really a function of usage and age of your current box. Candidly, I can't decide. After going back to my G1 after playing with G2, I was a bit let down looking at the "meh"nus. I am also not a telemetry hog, which means that the big benefits of wireless telemetry might be lost on me. I am a UI designer in my real job so I would miss out on the larger, better and more pleasing display. I'm still mulling this over. If I could net a thousand bucks on my G1, I think I would pull the trigger.
WHERE TO BUY IT
For me, there is only ONE place to get this Jeti transmitter (and everything else Jeti) and that is Aeropanda.com. Danny and Manny are knowledgeable, service-oriented and friendly -- vanishing traits in our hobby! Danny is the country's foremost authority on Jeti so if you have any questions after the purchase, they have your back.
