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Firehawk FX is abandoned


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Does the Firehawk FX work as advertised, or are you having specific problems that we might be able to help you with? Did you get what you paid for at the time or are some of the advertised features not working?

 

The Firehawk FX may or may not receive further firmware upgrades and feature enhancements. But it is certainly still supported and presumably still does the things you bought it for, unless you thought you were buying hypothetical and unadvertised capabilities.

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I've been saying the samething. There are still bugs, and also some improvements that can be made. Its not that we want the firhawk to be like the helix or the hd500x. Its just that the firehawk has been left in the dark. There have been complaints, but no legitimate answer. Just someone crushing hopes, and telling us that we might not receive anything. Or tk just go and buy the Helix.

 

I am still waiting and have already made my requests.

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I own a Firehawk FX and I too hope that there will be future enhancements. But there may not be, so as an owner I get to choose how to feel about that: satisfied with the current state, or disappointed with it. I choose to be satisfied because it still does what I got it for, exactly as advertised.

This discussion is not about Firehawk. It's been around for as long as I've been around this forum and happens every time a new product is released. It will happen with Helix too when the next latest and greatest Line 6 product comes along.

Users of older products seem to divide themselves into one of two camps, based on their personal expectations when they bought the product.

Group 1 make their purchasing decisions based on what the product will do today. If the product works as advertised they are satisfied. Any future improvements or enhancements are considered a bonus and serve to increase their satisfaction. Hence there's no anxiety about what, when, or if future goodies are pending.

Group 2 make their purchasing decisions based on Line 6's history of improving products over time. They expect the product to continue to be able to do more than it does today, and are disappointed if those improvements aren't 'big' enough or don't come 'fast enough' whatever that means. In what ways should the product be improved, and for how long? The answer to those questions is different for everybody in this group, but everyone seems clear that there's always more improvements to be made, and it should be enhanced indefinitely as long as users ask for it. These users seem to choose to live in a constant state of disappointment. In their minds there are always features missing and whenever it stops being enhanced is too soon. There's nothing wrong with this viewpoint - it just seems to me to breed disappointment.

This is merely the latest in an apparently unending series of threads like this that start up regularly in every product forum as newer products are released. The same old viewpoints are expressed again.The thread is usually started by someone in Group 2 saying that they are dissatisfied. They feel entitled to more updates as expressed in Ideascale - at least for another (unspecified) period of time - and have been abandoned until/unless that happens. Group 1 responds by saying they are satisfied and that updates are a bonus not an entitlement. And so it goes round and round.

So all of us get to choose whether we want to be satisfied or disappointed. I am solidly in Group 1 - I find life easier when I'm satisfied with my purchasing decisions.

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I'm satisfied also , sure there are a ton of improvements I can think of but I get what I need out of it as it is.

To be honest I'm yet to own any product that I couldn't think of ways to improve it but sometimes those improvements can be a personal thing that not everybody needs

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A happy bunny here too. Yep it can be improved upon but I'm fine with it as it is.

I will say that I won't be as quick to jump in again as I did with the Firehawk and Amplifi. Both needed a couple of updates to get them working correctly. As for future Firehawk updates, I would assume Line 6 have their hands full prioritising all those bugs in the Helix list.

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Yes happy with my Firehawk also. I check this forum regularly to see if there is anything new and see what peeps are doin' wit the FH. But a bit too much complaining if you ask me. This is a great device! Just get in and start using it!

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I'm also part of the "Group 1" users. The Firehawk does exactly what I bought it for, especially with the patch with the additional assignable block. My comments in a nutshell:

 

- I haven't had any problems during gigs on stage, however occasionally we have a gig outside and then the switch lights are more difficult to see.

- I do read some problems here related connectivity with IOS devices, but I only use Android with no problems.

- And there may be a problem with volume settings when using the tuner. The Firehawk tuner is OK, but I still use my Korg Pitchblack since it is way faster.

- One thing that is a bit annoying is that the large knob is too close to the footswitches. As a workaround I assigned my modulation effects to these switches, since they are not used that much.

- Another thing that most modelers seem to have is that the expression pedal is always on the right side. But I'm using my left foot for wah etc... 

 

My pedalboard (a modified Showmaster 48 case) is very tidy with just a Line6 Relay G30, Pitchblack tuner, Firehawk and power supply block ;-)

Just plug in (headphone, PA or AMP) and rock on!!

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I enjoy my Firehawk, and it does what I want it do to, the only thing I keep hoping for is a PC interface along with the Android App. The closest thing I can get is sidesync for my SamsungS7 edge and controlling my phone with my PC. (it's just easier for me to see and use a mouse than it is even with my Galaxy Tab).

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"A rich person can play poorly with any instrument. A poor person can play richly with practice." - FiveBass

 

The Firehawk FX is quite good for many people. Line 6 produced a versatile and very affordable unit there. They have added Firehawk 1500, which shows that there is customer demand for Firehawk and that Line 6 is commited to the product line.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Does the Firehawk FX work as advertised?

 

 

No... I waste on average 30 minutes to an hour a week trying to get the app to recognize/sync/acknowledge the existence of my fire hawk.. even though my iPhone says it's connected and plays music to it... but the app does not see it... had the same issue with amplifi products... So until that works more reliably... I say it is not working as advertised. I'd rather have a wired usb connection that worked 99% of the time then a wireless that worked 60% of the time..

 

Fix that and i'll be a happy camper.. 

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No... I waste on average 30 minutes to an hour a week trying to get the app to recognize/sync/acknowledge the existence of my fire hawk.. even though my iPhone says it's connected and plays music to it... but the app does not see it... had the same issue with amplifi products... So until that works more reliably... I say it is not working as advertised. I'd rather have a wired usb connection that worked 99% of the time then a wireless that worked 60% of the time..

 

Fix that and i'll be a happy camper..

The problem is Bluetooth. Amplifi and Firehawk work for most people. Check into you other interfering Bluetooth devices, and ask the Bluetooth manufacturers (whoever they are) to fix it.

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if the problem is bluetooth.. thats kinda a cop out isn't it? A blames B, B blames A... in the end, line 6 chose to use bluetooth... :) just sayin :)

 

It has a USB port... use it... problem solved :) 

 

And yes i CAN say this cause i am a programmer... it's a lot of work... but unless the hardware won't handle it, it's doable :) 

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if the problem is bluetooth.. thats kinda a cop out isn't it? A blames B, B blames A... in the end, line 6 chose to use bluetooth... :) just sayin :)

 

It has a USB port... use it... problem solved :)

 

And yes i CAN say this cause i am a programmer... it's a lot of work... but unless the hardware won't handle it, it's doable :)

 

This! I can't imagine why they don't do this. 

Also, I would like to understand the reasoning as to why they would live a "line in" out of this product line. It just baffles me.  :mellow:

The HD500x has "line in" and "mp3/cd in" but no app / cloud support... Damn  :(

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This! I can't imagine why they don't do this. 

Also, I would like to understand the reasoning as to why they would live a "line in" out of this product line. It just baffles me.  :mellow:

The HD500x has "line in" and "mp3/cd in" but no app / cloud support... Damn  :(

 

I feel you, but I think the biggest differentiation between PodHD500x and Firehawk is the wireless workflow.  The Firehawk doesn't have a line in since you can stream audio to it via Bluetooth.  The PodHD500x needs the line in and USB PC editor becuase it was designed to be a wired device.  

 

There are some differences in the sound/model sets, but I think the $50 price difference and the work flow are probably the main deciding factors between the two.

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The Firehawk doesn't have a line in since you can stream audio to it via Bluetooth.

 

Oh well... That would be fine IF the Bluetooth connection was anywhere near reliable, which it isn't. But would hope that the hardware specialists at line 6 would know that and place a back up "line in", which they didn't :(

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  • 3 weeks later...

I haven't come close to tweaking the current software and could probably spend a year doing so minus any updates. I would greatly appreciate some guidance as to the tweaking and differences between effects , such as stereo ping pong and stereo delays, and the various parameters,  other than just fool around with it and see what does what ( experience is a great teacher that I can't easily afford ) . Perhaps it can be found in the forums , perhaps there is already written material or video. I'd not like to spend a lot of energy researching . If you are aware of great information for these effects and their parameters , please advise . 

Good job , Line 6. 

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I would greatly appreciate some guidance as to the tweaking and differences between effects , such as stereo ping pong and stereo delays, and the various parameters...

 

Ping pong is a single delay that bounces left then right. Stereo delay is two separate delay signals, one left, one right. So you could have a fast repeat on the left, and a slow repeat on the right.

 

You need two amps or stereo speakers to take advantage of these effects which I highly recommend.

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I have been using Line 6 since the first red bean - I remember getting excited when the update CHIP came out... I have been faithful to the brand ever since. That said - we are getting too used to the iOS/Android app and hardware model with perpetual updates to 99 cent apps - in fact, my original Angry Birds just updated today - how long has that been around????

 

I finally traded up from my X3 Live to the Firehawk and am absolutely astounded at the improvements and the quality of the delays and reverbs - the touch of and air around the HD amp models is amazing. I cannot wait to plug into the board at church next weekend and hear the new ambient pads I can do with this thing. I am looking forward to using this for years - whether it gets updated again or not.

 

All that to say... I do think that Apple/Android model should be considered a for a minute with the new devices and with the evolving expectations of the user community. Considering that the processing power is so high and the hardware is really heavy duty - it is almost a waste to not run the life cycle out a bit longer. I would eagerly fork over good cash to download and install new models and features to this device - like I can in AmpliTube and JamUp on my iPad. IMHO - this is the ideal size, shape, and layout (tho I would prefer the FX ON/OFF) - and I REALLY like the ability to edit from my iPad or phone. I have had a few connection issues -- and just rebooted the iPad and it has worked fine - inconvenient - but way better than the X3 with the cryptic menus and forgetting that I was on the top row and not the second row when turning the knobs.

 

So I guess your perspective and expectations of the Firehawk may also be shaped by where you came from to get to where you are now. New features would be cool though! :-)

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  • 2 weeks later...

I agree, I get the same impression.  Since Helix was released it seems that there are no further updates for a product that is less than 2 years old.

 

It is sad, because the potential for this tool is great with just a few tweaks (windows tool for maintaining saved or downloaded pre-sets).

 

Bluetooth is pretty slow, so having a way to connect to a device would be great.

 

Thanks,

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Firehawk FX was marketed as a "multi-effect with IOS/Android app control".

So, it does exactly what is has been marketed for so far.  I don't think a PC/Mac app will be available.

You can try an Android emulator as workaround.  Never tried it with the Firehawk, but I know many people using Android emulators to play Android games on their PC, and the result is great.

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Was thinking of buying one of these,already have an Amplifi.

Do you like recommend them?

 

Well apart from the lack of updates.

 

My wife uses an Amplifi and I currently have been spending time with the Firehawk.  The Firehawk is in some ways very similar to the Amplifi line so my thought would be it depends on what you do and don't like about the Amplifi.

 

If you like the way the application and interface works but want better expandability, HD effects/amps and a superior floor controller than I would recommend the Firehawk FX as a great solution.

 

On the other hand, if you don't like the way the Amplifi works you are going to find the Firehawk is much the same.

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Ok thanks dalto, I already have a Mkii Express pedal, but can only switch between 4 presets and not switch banks and also thinking about purchasing a Variax,and these play together well with the Firehawk I believe? So I suppose that's a big plus.

 

Now wheather that's worth the extra money I don't know.

I do like my Amplifi most of the time, but sometimes find some of the sounds a little off.

Now if the HD models on the FH are a step up that would be another plus for sure.

Was also going to play the Firehawk through some monitor speakers hoping for better sound.

 

I'll havery a think for a while, thanks for your reply.

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Hi Gkf9,

 

I have both Ampifi & Firehawk.

 

I use the Amplifi for training at home. No need for a pedal board in this case, my samsung phone in enough to switch between effects.

 

I use the firehawk for rehearsal and gigs with my band.

 

I appreciate having both. And although the line 6 update and communication policy seems out of age, I would recommand this 2 devices : they do what I am looking for and what the line 6 marketing was describing.  

 

Bernard

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  • 2 weeks later...

I hope not.  I just found out I might not be able to change settings without being logged into my account, which is impossible at our rehearsal studio since we have no wifi and the app is on an iPad with no cellular data.  It sounds good....but what good is it if I can't get basic features that shouldn't require any connection other than bluetooth? If I can't get to settings without being logged in I'm getting rid of this thing as fast as humanly possible.  

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... I just found out I might not be able to change settings without being logged into my account,....  

 

Fortunately that's not true. You can use the Live Edit mode on the device itself - no app - to change settings. This is described in the manual much more clearly than I could do here.

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Hi Gkf9,

 

I have both Ampifi & Firehawk.

 

I use the Amplifi for training at home. No need for a pedal board in this case, my samsung phone in enough to switch between effects.

 

I use the firehawk for rehearsal and gigs with my band.

 

I appreciate having both. And although the line 6 update and communication policy seems out of age, I would recommand this 2 devices : they do what I am looking for and what the line 6 marketing was describing.

 

Bernard

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Yep...

 

Gotta buy a Line 6 product for what it is NOW and not expect much by way of "future updates" as those updates usually come by way of a new product they want you to buy. They are definitely a get it out there mostly working, entice them with an update or 2, then release a new product with the "real fixes" that have new issues, type of company. Rinse, repeat.

 

I currently buy my Line 6 products USED and based on what they do NOW.

 

Though the Firehawk FX was especially disappointing. So much potential but kicked to the curb. What irks me most is that it cost only $50 less than the HD500X but was so much more limited. Was a steep price to pay for Bluetooth and an app based environment. Had I gone with an HD500X I probably would have been much happier, but I'll never know. I give up on Line 6 modeling. After the crap after sale support of the Flextone 3, this Firehawk situation, and based on what I've read of others' experiences with their products, I am done. As for the Helix, won't even touch a modeler that costs as much as my REAL tube amp and REAL pedalboard that is just as versatile (because I chose my components wisely and carefully), and sounds just as good if not better.

 

Still have my JTV-59 though, and have been pretty impressed with it (other than the CRAP fretwork it had rendering it unplayable until I got my hands on it). But that was another used purchase that wasn't over-priced like what they want for their new equipment.

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I own a Firehawk FX and I too hope that there will be future enhancements. But there may not be, so as an owner I get to choose how to feel about that: satisfied with the current state, or disappointed with it. I choose to be satisfied because it still does what I got it for, exactly as advertised.

 

This discussion is not about Firehawk. It's been around for as long as I've been around this forum and happens every time a new product is released. It will happen with Helix too when the next latest and greatest Line 6 product comes along.

 

Users of older products seem to divide themselves into one of two camps, based on their personal expectations when they bought the product.

 

Group 1 make their purchasing decisions based on what the product will do today. If the product works as advertised they are satisfied. Any future improvements or enhancements are considered a bonus and serve to increase their satisfaction. Hence there's no anxiety about what, when, or if future goodies are pending.

 

Group 2 make their purchasing decisions based on Line 6's history of improving products over time. They expect the product to continue to be able to do more than it does today, and are disappointed if those improvements aren't 'big' enough or don't come 'fast enough' whatever that means. In what ways should the product be improved, and for how long? The answer to those questions is different for everybody in this group, but everyone seems clear that there's always more improvements to be made, and it should be enhanced indefinitely as long as users ask for it. These users seem to choose to live in a constant state of disappointment. In their minds there are always features missing and whenever it stops being enhanced is too soon. There's nothing wrong with this viewpoint - it just seems to me to breed disappointment.

 

This is merely the latest in an apparently unending series of threads like this that start up regularly in every product forum as newer products are released. The same old viewpoints are expressed again.The thread is usually started by someone in Group 2 saying that they are dissatisfied. They feel entitled to more updates as expressed in Ideascale - at least for another (unspecified) period of time - and have been abandoned until/unless that happens. Group 1 responds by saying they are satisfied and that updates are a bonus not an entitlement. And so it goes round and round.

 

So all of us get to choose whether we want to be satisfied or disappointed. I am solidly in Group 1 - I find life easier when I'm satisfied with my purchasing decisions.

I must be a part of group 3... I love Line 6 products. My only complaint is that when the product is working properly and the early bugs have been tweeted out the day arrives that the device no longer works as it did. i.e. when I purchased my POD XT Live and Riffworks I enjoyed using them to lay down tracks for my music and they actually sounded great. Then Riffworks wasn't working properly with my pedal and I was in a holding pattern for months until they miraculously began syncing again. The same thing with the Tone Library. Worked great for a couple of years and then not so much. I could get into tech specifics but I don't have that kind of time. My point is I wasn't looking for any new freebies or enhancements. I just wanted to continue using it as I had been. I still have 2 XT Live pedal with all model packs and I still love the pedal. But as a stand alone unit now. I recently purchased a Firehawk FX so I could edit on the fly with my iPhone. So far so good but who knows what tomorrow will bring. Just my experience....

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I own the HD500X and got the Firehawk FX because I really wanted the app access. Unfortunately, editing is pretty darn slow on Android OS phone and tablet and the editing on the unit itself is old-school clunky (like an old Digitech). I enjoy having the POD Farm models mixed in with the HD models, but I don't know if I enjoy it enough to keep the Firehawk. Definite buyer's remorse at this point. 

 

FWIW I owned the Helix for about 6 months and it's insanely versatile and great sounding - but I found myself missing lots of the HD editing. After selling it I thought the Firehawk would be a nice blend of features.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...

I have the drop out too. I limit it by not having the blue-tooth on when I use it. I also have the luxury of a second guitar player so I can usually make sure that I pause my playing to accommodate the loss and jump in as the patch returns. I have also elevated my board by adding two 1.5 inch rubber feet I found online to the back end and longer screws from Ace Hardware. Makes it easier to reach the effects buttons and use each patch as a new pedal board. I have 5 different sounding patches all with boost delay reverb and usually modulation if I do not have a second distortion there. I stay on the same patch the entire song most of the time. How often do you change amps back and forth? One of my patches is a pretty good delay/lead sound and I switch to that and back using the pause method or guitar volume control to back off until I can find a spot to pause and change patches. Long winded, I know, but I hope I helped. BTW I am using a Peavey Piranha using the 4 cable method and a Carvin cab with 2 v 12's. Sceamin' loud for outside and the FH keeps my tones intact at low volumes for indoor gigs. I like it a lot and would go to the Helix if I could afford it, but for now I am happy and the FH has more effects, amps and sounds than I know what to do with.

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  • 3 weeks later...

I too have a latency issue. It's not "extremely" long, but it's definately noticable. My old Boss GT-8 switches practically instantly, but the firehawk is slow in comparison. I dread switching patches in the middle of a song :-( Damn it's frustrating... otherwise I love this unit... I just can't believe they can't fix this latency issue...

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  • 1 month later...

I just bought the Firehawk Fx and am extremely happy with it. I don't have any of the bluetooth or latency problems some people have mentioned. Of course, I just bought it now and have updated to the latest firmware version so that may be a part of it. I admit it is now selling for $350 so that is one of the reasons I got it. However, I read all of the reviews and watched a lot of youtube videos first. Based on the Helix coming out and past experience on other products with Line 6 (and all the other modelers from Digitech, Boss, etc. - they come out with a new one almost more than once a year) I didn't expect a lot of updates/changes with this unit. I almost got a 500x but I really like to be able to use my iPad or iPhone to edit and store tones and also to be able to use the bluetooth to stream music (don't need another cable hooked up!). I also like the fact that they put the HD amp/effects models on here but also all of the other amp models as well. To me, the Firehawk is really a combination of the Amplifi, the 500x, and the X3 Live. I had an X3 Live and really loved the amp models and sounds out of it. That's why I got it instead of the 500x.

 

FYI, I just play at home and don't play live, so this was not a consideration of mine. I plug the unit into studio monitors (not too expensive ones) and through headphones and play along with music or guitar instructional videos through my iphone or iMac. Unlike some reviewers, I really like a lot of the factory presets. I find a lot of them I can use to play along to almost any song (may not use exact amp, etc., but sounds good enough to use). I will sometimes adjust gain, bass, mid, treb, etc. but since those controls are right on the unit it is very easy to do. That is another reason I got this versus some other units on the market sold by other companies. I really like having those controls right on the face of the unit.

 

That was my 2 cents :)

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