Choosing a DX6i transmitter - what would I miss from the DX7

[Tony Smith 7]

Hi,

 

I notice a few DX6i transmitters offered second-hand, typically the seller has upgraded to DX7.   That makes me wonder what the differences are, other than the extra channel.   I would appreciate it if anyone who's used both could let me know what, for them, was the reason for upgrading.   There's a pretty massive price difference, but if I'm going to find the DX6i too limiting I should maybe stick with what I've got.  

 

I'm really not planning anything except gliders or electric gliders, definitely not helicopters or multi engine so can't really see the need for loads of channels.

 

I was thinking DX6 rather than DX5 to get the electronic travel adjustment, exponential rates, and independent dual rates.  One day I'll need v-tail mix, and maybe some other odd-ball combinations.  Once you start using these things then model memory sounds a good idea, but I wouldn't need more than a few.

 

Ta in advance, Tony S

[Tim Mackey]

DX7 has 7 channels, 6 free mixes versus 2, and 20 model memories versus 10

[Pete B]

I cannot speak of the Dx7 but have been a very satisfied user of a Dx6i for almost two years. Within the parameters of your expectations, Tony, the Dx6i will meet all your requirements and probably more. - even helis and multi-engine should you ever have a change of heart!

Do not consider the Dx5 - it is far below the 6i in spec and will be a disappointment.

Whilst I would be very pleased to have a Dx7, the difference in price for my purposes is unjustifiable.

Good luck with whatever you choose

Pete

[Frank Skilbeck]

Tony you don't say what type of gliders you are looking at, but I have a Dx6i but it's not suitable for programming a 4 servo wing (i.e ailerons & flaps with crow braking). Also the flaps are just on a switch.

 

Don't get me wrong I use it in several power and electric models and its been very good and the programming is better than the Futaba 6Exa in my opinion, but if you want dedicated glider features you need to look elsewhere.

 

My mini blade and scale gliders are still on 35 mhz on my Cockpit Sx because the prgramming is much better.

 

Also a 4 servo wing glider with an aerotow (or digital camera) would be 7 channel.

[Vecchio Austriaco]

Tony,

the DX6i seems to be the newer concept as it is easier to program than the DX7.

I see some mechanical problems of the DX6i - especially if it is a used transmitter where you don't know if the problems have been fixed. In the first edition of DX6i there was a problem with the potentiometers at the control sticks - Horizon recalled the transmitters and exchanged the parts. Unfortunately thats not all - the progrmming switch in form of a roll and switch combined which makes programming so comfortable has a design problem and tends to break easily. Also the trim switches (all 4) have a mechanical problem and break easily - mainly when it is cold. For the mentioned parts aluminium replacement parts are existing (at cost), but Horizon will replace the original parts without problems.

Hope I didn't paint the picture too black, for the money it is a very good radio. My son has one since more than a year, but we had the problems with the trim and program switches as described above and replaced them with the alu version. In the meantime he purchased a DX7 SE.

I have a DX7 - so the direct comparison is possible for us.

My overall impression is that the DX7 is better from a mechanical point of view.

VA

 

Edited By Vecchio Austriaco on 13/04/2010 07:25:09

[Tony Smith 7]

Thanks for all the comments.  The point regarding a full four-servo wing is probably something I'd not find out until I tried to set it up.    Maybe that requirement's a long way off for me in any case.    I suppose you'd use the free mixes on the DX7 for that setup?   Or use Gear to control the brakes.

[Frank Skilbeck]

Tony, not sure how far you are into gliders, but it becomes an affliction, you must have (need?) a higher performance machine and then not having a Tx capable of driving it becomes frustrating.

 

Friend of mine started off with a Futaba 6Ex (35 mhz) and quickly realised its limitation for gliders so bought a 2nd had JR 9 channel.

 

I did the same went from a Futaba FF6 to a Cockpit Sx (still the best 7 channel Tx in my opinion, and definitely the best for gliders) to get the additional features to make setting up 4 servo wings much easier. For instance on my Mini Blade I have it set up so I have full crow braking on the throttle stick, Flaps give a couple of mm reflex or camber on the flap slider and in one of the 3 selectable flight phases i have the flaps mixed with the ailerons to give effectivelly full span ailerons.

But the Dx6i is great in my simpler electric (and IC) models, but I have had to replace a couple of trims.

[Tony Smith 7]

Thanks for the comments.  I've not flown a model with that sort of sophistication, but I can easily see how a higher performance glider needs something to help it land.   My last hang glider used flaps at 70 degs for landing and that was a dream.

 

I wonder whether brakes could just be on/off, that's how full size gliders tend to operate.    Or maybe use the throttle as a continuous control from fast glider at one end, through take-off/soaring at the mid point then landing configuration with the stick fully down.  I guess that's all hypothetical till I get a model that needs this!

 

Funny that these 5, 6, 7, 8 channel TXs don't have more than four proportional channels.

[Jonathan Lewzey]

i'd say apart from the obvious specs on almost all websites, the thing you'd miss with the DX7 over the DX6i is trims that don't break all the time . mine's going back soon for its third elevator trim switch. That said, the DX7 makes a really annoying noise when programming and the DX6i is definitely easier to program

[Tony Smith 7]

Thanks everyone.  I have to say I am starting to have doubts after reading all this and looking at the manual. 

 

Digital trim? - so you can't feel the position (can you see it on the display?) and how do you quickly reset trim to the required starting position.  No ratchet on the throttle, that doesn't sound too clever either, unless they have a pretty good friction mechanism to keep it still.

 

 

[Jonathan Lewzey]

they're both digital trim which i find much much better as they can't get knocked and are saved in the transmitter memory. there is a different sort of beep for when you've reached the centre point, but you can always readjust using sub trim and retrim if you use lots of trim for the first trimming out.

 

the throttle on the DX7 is better i'd say, but I liked the throttle on the DX6i, that was till it started to 'stick' around 1/4 to 1/2 throttle recently; another thing for horizon to sort out when i send it back methinks . 

[Tim Mackey]

There is an optional ratchet spring supplied witht he DX6i if you prefer it. As for trims, I know several people have complained of these failing, but I have had no issues with mine - 2 yrs on and still fine.

[Pete B]

I have to say I haven't had any problems with the trims or program roller - in fact, no problems at all with the Dx6i, and that's with the best part of 2 years of use.

 

By the way, Tony, the trim position is displayed on the main screen and a monitor screen, which shows the position of all the channels, is also available. As Jonathan says, the 'beep' tone is longer at the neutral position so it can be found easily whilst flying.

 

I have both an Optic 6 and a Dx6i and, with or without a throttle ratchet, I don't find either a problem. Heli flyers tend to prefer the non-ratchet throttle for finer adjustment.

 

It's just a thought but I'm wondering if the switch problems are experienced across the board, or whether IC flyers have more failures? I'm thinking of slimy fingers, perhaps? I don't know but maybe the switch components are susceptible to fuel constituents. It would be interesting to find out which modellers tend to be getting the problems. I, for one, only fly electric or glider, so no fuel here.

 

Pete

[Vecchio Austriaco]

Pete,

 

No fuel on my sons Dx6i - he flew only electric until now- in my opinion it happened because of low temperature (some plastic compounds get brittle)

VA

[Frank Skilbeck]

Posted by Tony Smith 7 on 14/04/2010 09:19:08:

Thanks for the comments.  I've not flown a model with that sort of sophistication, but I can easily see how a higher performance glider needs something to help it land.   My last hang glider used flaps at 70 degs for landing and that was a dream.

 

I wonder whether brakes could just be on/off, that's how full size gliders tend to operate.    Or maybe use the throttle as a continuous control from fast glider at one end, through take-off/soaring at the mid point then landing configuration with the stick fully down.  I guess that's all hypothetical till I get a model that needs this!

 

Funny that these 5, 6, 7, 8 channel TXs don't have more than four proportional channels.

Cockpit Sx has upto 6 proportional channels. Much easier using crow on a proportional control.

 

[Tony Smith 7]

That Cockpit SX looks a super set.    Shame all these systems are proprietary

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

My DX6i has been fine so far (nearly 2 years too). The only thing a clubmate has done that I haven't been able to yet, is slow a servo down for scale retracts. That was using a very high end Futaba though, not a DX7.

 

If you buy a DX7, you'll miss all that cash you could spend on another model  

 

[Tim Mackey]

Neither DX7 or 6i has servo slow. Its important to note that if you wish have servo slown, thendespite the radio gear, a proportional servo needs to be used, NOT a dedicated retract servo. When using a normal servo, a simple and cheap add on servo slow ( around a fiver ) will do the job just fine- I have one on the P47 Thunderbolt and DX6i, and it works a treat.

[Ultymate]

I think transmitter choice whatever the brand is very important, obviously your budget is a big factor, but you need to give some serious thought to what your future needs may be, I've seen many people jump in and buy a T/X only to find very quickly that they want to build model "X" and said trannie will not cope thus necessitating an upgrade. 

[Tony Smith 7]

Cheers.  I think the problem the need to choose a "System" as well a the transmitter.   For example if I went DX6i then in a few years needed to upgrade to a better Spektrum TX then maybe that's not the end of the world.   If that upgrade meant replacing receivers, servos, chargers and other accessories as well then that's more of a pain.

 

[Tony Smith 7]

Chewing it over, I think I'm never going to make up my mind by reading manuals and speculating about possible future models.    For the two that I have at the moment, could anyone point out any particular limits with the DX6i ?

 

(1) A twist-wing + elevator slope glider (effectively aileron/rudder)  Just two servos.

 

(2) A four channel electric glider,  I intend to convert this to separate servos for the ailerons, and program differential throws.

 

Thanks

[Tim Mackey]

1) No issues.

2) No issues with the Tx - but for truly indepent aileron servo operation, use a 6 channel Rx not the Ar500.

However, as "warned" earlier, you may find the limitations creep up on you faster than you expect, and your DX6i could join the many second hand ones already out there for that very reason.

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

Tony you certainly seem to be considering the right things.

 

You will have to live with the system you choose. That was exactly why I went for Spektrum and Dx6i after many years of 35Mhz.  

 

I'm up to 9 receivers now in many types of model and really haven't found any limitations. I'd like proportional flaps on my Seagul Sea Fury but many Tx's don't offer that. I can't mix differential throttle for a twin I have either but that is very specialised.

 

I only have one more model memory in the Dx6i and am at the stage where I'm considering my next move.

It's very likely to be a Dx7 while keeping the Dx6i as a backup.

 

However I have no 7ch receivers.So I may even go another route with a different system but keeping the Spektrum gear.

 

What I mean is all is not lost.

I'm thinking about Futaba/JR module transmitters and a Spektrum module. Or even Jeti for the telemetry support. There are always other makes of module/receiver combo too. Such as Assan, Corona or Frsky.

 

So what I think I'm getting at is that you won't be wasting anything, and I find the Spektrum receiver range the one with the most choice and reasonable prices. 

And a great after sales service.

 

 

 

 

[Chris Bott - Moderator]

For anyone that might be interested, I just posted the spreadsheet I use for recording my Dx6i model memory settings in another thread.

 

It is also useful to see exactly what programming options are available.

 

It is here .

 

Chris