DX8

[Dave]

Has anyone picked up the Spectrum DX8 yet and if so what do you think of it.

Dave

[akent]

Several folks at our flying field have DX8's.
Once these have the new firmware installed they seem to work very well. The telemetry feature is awesome!
Kent

[Doozer]

Speaking as a person that owns/has owned many Horizon products, All I have to say is ... no. I will only intentionally buy another Horizon product when they stop using us as beta testers. I don't know about you, but having rotor blades trundling about on their own accord is scary to say the least, and UNSAFE if you're honest. While their product support may be good, too many of us are investing in their products only to find them unusable and UNSAFE in the beginning. They know a person will most likely suffer through some unusable/UNSAFE moments to eventually obtain a working end product.

While this may be good for some of you, I'm not doing it anymore. Since I've been in this hobby, their initial releases have been troublesome. This includes my very first "real" radio the DX6i and the DX7se that melted in my hands. How many people damaged their aircraft because of the bad lot of potentiometers on the DX6i? Couple that with the DX8 recalls and the MCP-X recalls and you've got a fairly compelling argument that they aren't very careful. Yet they continue along the same path like a juggernaut because they KNOW we'll suck it up. Until they start proving they can reliably get it right the first time... NO THANK YOU.

I know this isn't what's being asked here, I just thought I'd throw this in. We've sort of hashed this out before, but I have a sore spot on my ass from them.

[Solitaire]

Haven't purchased one, Dave, but have been very interested. I've just been waiting til the bugs have all been eliminated. I've read where a number of DX8 users are still having "brownouts" despite installing the latest firmware.

If the DX8 doesn't pan out to be a reliable radio, I'll consider a JR X9503.

I'm desperate for more model memory...both my DX6i's are maxxed out.

[Dave]

No that is fine Doozer don't mind a bit but you need to let it out and not hold back

Lets see Solitaire what else was I going to say Oh yeah now I remember. I could use some more memory also but I don't need a new tx

Dave

[Doozer]

Yeah, sorry guys. I was having a bad day. It was hot as hell here. I really feel that way, but we've had that debate before.

Check this radio out:
www.futaba-rc.com/systems/futk8010.html
I'm waiting for them to add the telem package and I'm all over it. According to Bobby Watts, this is happening soon. I'm making the switch, I already started buying the rx's. One downside is the 5 point curves. Hopefully this changes. With this radio, you can add up to 2GB memory.

[Solitaire]

What ever happened with your plan to go with HiTec, Dooz?

Changing brands isn't an option for me at this point...everything I have is JR/Spektrum and waaaay too expensive to change.

Dave, there's an offer out right now on the DX8 where they'll ship you an additional 8 channel Rx for no extra cost.

[19000rpm]

I don't think anybody should purchase a brand new r/c radio system from anybody. That includes spektrum. Futaba has had their fair share of faulty new products too.

Horizon does use their customers as beta testers; and they're not alone. The only thing that makes that tolerable to an extent for Horizon, and most of their customers, is the fact that they have a generous warranty program.

Car companies, as another example, have been using customers as beta testers since the beginning. Most new model cars have 20-40 areas of "concern", that's auto speak for, "We know there's a good chance that part/system might fail prematurely." That's why I never buy a brand new model of a car either.

[Doozer]

Jun 23, 2011 12:28:17 GMT -6 Solitaire said:

What ever happened with your plan to go with HiTec, Dooz?

Zero LHS support. I don't buy my radios online. That's the most important piece of equipment you'll own and I'm not going to buy it without some hometown support. I sent my (your) DX6i back to Horizon and had to wait, my LHS shop owner told me "you should have brought it back here I would have replaced it." So, When it first came out, I bought the DX7se from my LHS as well. Then when the DX7se fried within the first 24 hrs of owning it, I brought right back to Byron and he took it back like he said he would. Zero questions asked. Of course, not wanting another Spektrum radio, I chose to sink some extra cash into the X9303 and the rest is history. I didn't realize that JR was Horizon too, or I would have purchased a Futaba.

If Duncan's would sell the Aurora 9, I'd own it.

[r/c basher]

Thats why I always wait a while before I buy any rc thing that has just come out to let all the bugs get worked out. Cause I dont like to be a beta tester.

Also their is some new radios out now that have the option to use SD cards so then you basicly have an unlimited amount of model memory.

[Solitaire]

Not to add fuel to Doozer's statements, but here is the latest on the DX8 (and others).

www.rchelitalk.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=productadvisories&thread=3903

[Doozer]

"*It's a shame that we as hobbyists cannot go out and buy a new Spektrum Tx without worrying about what glitch is awaiting us just around the corner.

*This is strictly the personal opinion of an owner of 3 Spektrum Tx's (one now sold) where all 3 have been sent back to Horizon for critical updates. " - Solitare

I agree with this. They have a very good PR machine, because if this was a major car company, nobody would buy their cars. An out of control heli can cause some severe personal damage including death. I can't see how anyone could have faith in this company after all the latest recalls. If I remember correctly the amount of DX6i's affected grew as time went on. It all started with a small lot, then a few months later had grown into a massive recall. I'd be sweating if I owned a DX8.

[akent]

I bought a JR9503 about a year ago and love it. My DX7 is the spare. I don't even use it any more, but I don't want to be caught without a radio if the 9503 breaks.

I'm like you, Sol. I have way too many Spektrum receivers to switch.

But if I were to switch, I would go with the Aurora 9. That is a really awesome system. In many ways, it's far better than any of the JR/Spektrum stuff. They have telemetry with a larger LCD. The programming is MUCH easier. They handle LiPo Tx batteries out of the box. They use better gimbals, and more.
Most of the pylon racers here use the Aurora system.
Oh well. Someday I'll switch.

If you get a JR9503 that is less than a year old, you can get a free upgrade to DSMx. They charge you 75 bucks otherwise. I don't know if I'll upgrade mine or not. As long as the new receivers maintain DSM-2 compatibility, I probably won't bother.

Edit: I just read about the DSMx upgrade breaking DSM-2!!!! Nope, I won't upgrade until I absolutely have to. UGH. What a bunch of bozos.
Kent

[akphill]

+1 Doozer and thats why Futaba is my choice it just works

[Solitaire]

Something I didn't know until recently is the numbering system for JR

9503
9 channel
50 model memory
3 aircraft types