DX 18 questions
09-17-2015, 10:05 AM
#1
DX 18 questions
I have a DX 18 Stealth after many years of using a JR 12X. I am now getting a little concerned about the reliability of this radio. I have heard several "rumors" of DX 18s just quitting. Now that scares me. I run all airplanes on 2x batteries and JR/Spektrum power safe receivers and have never had a problem. I always use a data logger or telemetry and see good numbers on my airpanes. I believe most Spektrum problems are self generated by poor power management. Now to the big question.....
Have you (not a second hand story of someone told me stuff) ever lost a jet due to a documented failure of a DX 18 or had a DX 18 just "quit".
Not starting to start a flame war (already did that with my JR DMSS thread). I dont want to hear about JR, Jetti, Futaba, Weatronix, Citizenship (yes, I still have my original one from 55 years ago) or anything else.....just Spektrum DX 18 issues. Are my concerns founded?
fights on!
Have you (not a second hand story of someone told me stuff) ever lost a jet due to a documented failure of a DX 18 or had a DX 18 just "quit".
Not starting to start a flame war (already did that with my JR DMSS thread). I dont want to hear about JR, Jetti, Futaba, Weatronix, Citizenship (yes, I still have my original one from 55 years ago) or anything else.....just Spektrum DX 18 issues. Are my concerns founded?
fights on!
09-17-2015, 10:34 AM
#4
I have a DX 18 Stealth after many years of using a JR 12X. I am now getting a little concerned about the reliability of this radio. I have heard several "rumors" of DX 18s just quitting. Now that scares me. I run all airplanes on 2x batteries and JR/Spektrum power safe receivers and have never had a problem. I always use a data logger or telemetry and see good numbers on my airpanes. I believe most Spektrum problems are self generated by poor power management. Now to the big question.....
Have you (not a second hand story of someone told me stuff) ever lost a jet due to a documented failure of a DX 18 or had a DX 18 just "quit".
Not starting to start a flame war (already did that with my JR DMSS thread). I dont want to hear about JR, Jetti, Futaba, Weatronix, Citizenship (yes, I still have my original one from 55 years ago) or anything else.....just Spektrum DX 18 issues. Are my concerns founded?
fights on!
Have you (not a second hand story of someone told me stuff) ever lost a jet due to a documented failure of a DX 18 or had a DX 18 just "quit".
Not starting to start a flame war (already did that with my JR DMSS thread). I dont want to hear about JR, Jetti, Futaba, Weatronix, Citizenship (yes, I still have my original one from 55 years ago) or anything else.....just Spektrum DX 18 issues. Are my concerns founded?
fights on!
09-17-2015, 11:43 AM
#7
Hi Tom,
You might want to read over this thread: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-j...8-opinion.html
It started a couple of years ago but addresses pretty much what you are asking. Guys locally have been using the DX-18 with no problems that I know of and I just bought one myself.
See you next week at Super Jet South?
Craig
You might want to read over this thread: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-j...8-opinion.html
It started a couple of years ago but addresses pretty much what you are asking. Guys locally have been using the DX-18 with no problems that I know of and I just bought one myself.
See you next week at Super Jet South?
Craig
09-17-2015, 01:10 PM
#10
My Feedback: (15)
Issue at JOK with my Gen 2 DX 18, temporary signal loss. Returned to Horizon Hobby, and they replaced the RF board. Since the repairs, I've done about 70+flights with my Apprentice and 3 flights with PC-21 with no farther issues.
Horizon Hobby did post a Bulletin regarding possible range issues with some DX 18 Gen2 and DX 18 Stealth transmitters. Nearly lost my plane before hearing anything about it.
Horizon Hobby did post a Bulletin regarding possible range issues with some DX 18 Gen2 and DX 18 Stealth transmitters. Nearly lost my plane before hearing anything about it.
Last edited by David Jackson; 09-17-2015 at 08:52 PM.
09-17-2015, 04:53 PM
#13
Tom,
I have three Spektrum radios, 1) DX18 Gen1 have never had one single issue with it during the time I've been using it. That's been since they first came out with it.2) is a new DX18 Stealth edition, And again have never had one single issue during the time i have been using it. 3) Is a DX9 that has also been a rock solid performer since day 1. I have always done the updates to them when ever they issue an update to the system. I fly them in everything from foamies all the way up to my jets and i have full confidence in the radios. At one time i had five jets alone on the first DX18 and those all combined where worth some where in the area of $100,000.00 dollars. I have all the trust in the world with the DX18 and all of the spektrum products in my planes.
I have three Spektrum radios, 1) DX18 Gen1 have never had one single issue with it during the time I've been using it. That's been since they first came out with it.2) is a new DX18 Stealth edition, And again have never had one single issue during the time i have been using it. 3) Is a DX9 that has also been a rock solid performer since day 1. I have always done the updates to them when ever they issue an update to the system. I fly them in everything from foamies all the way up to my jets and i have full confidence in the radios. At one time i had five jets alone on the first DX18 and those all combined where worth some where in the area of $100,000.00 dollars. I have all the trust in the world with the DX18 and all of the spektrum products in my planes.
Last edited by Greg Wright; 09-17-2015 at 05:06 PM.
09-17-2015, 06:14 PM
#14
I fly everything using my stealth now days and have never had a single problem with it. I also own a DX-7 that I have flown with since 2007, and again no problems.
Bob
Bob
09-17-2015, 07:04 PM
#15
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Tom, I have one of the earlier DX18 Stealth Edition Radios. I knew nothing of the bulletin regarding range issues until just a few minutes ago while reading through this post. I was flying a FPV Ready Made RC Anaconda via a full range DSMX receiver a few weeks ago and twice experienced sudden loss of signal. Both were very brief but long enough for me to notice it through my goggles. At the time I didn't think much of it since control was gained very briefly after the "incident." I wasn't at any "extreme" range and probably wasn't much more than or equal to a quarter mile away. A range test was performed prior to flight and went well. Now having read the bulletin, some testing will be done on my DX18 Stealth very soon and hopefully the issue will be found. Thanks for posting the question in the first place. Glad I found it.
09-18-2015, 04:18 AM
#16
http://www.spektrumrc.com/ProdInfo/F...e_Bulletin.pdf
The Spektrum service bulletin. Mine too is and early version, it passed the range check with no problems, but I still have some concerns. The info being posted is great. Hey guys, thanks for helping!
The Spektrum service bulletin. Mine too is and early version, it passed the range check with no problems, but I still have some concerns. The info being posted is great. Hey guys, thanks for helping!
09-18-2015, 05:28 AM
#17
I have one of the early G2's that despite working fine with my 4.2 meter gliders, when the bulletin came out I did the ground range test and it failed at about 60% of the minimum distance.
They replaced the RF board and turned the radio around door to door in 8 calendar days.
My Stealth came with the green dot and passed the ground range check in the service bulletin.
As an aside, the low power ground range check bypasses the RF board and doesn't give you a true picture on the G2/Stealth, do the range check as outlined or send it in letting them know you don't have a half mile of open space and have them bench check the board.
They replaced the RF board and turned the radio around door to door in 8 calendar days.
My Stealth came with the green dot and passed the ground range check in the service bulletin.
As an aside, the low power ground range check bypasses the RF board and doesn't give you a true picture on the G2/Stealth, do the range check as outlined or send it in letting them know you don't have a half mile of open space and have them bench check the board.
09-18-2015, 06:01 AM
#18
I bought a Gen 2 this year. It was NOT a Green Dotted model. Flew it all year with no problems. Went on a month vacation, so I sent it in to HH for testing. It was tested and there was no problem with the radio. I trust it. I also use the telemetry on all my giants and jet. I have yet to see a hold or a frame loss recorded. But I do use at least 3 remote receivers on all these planes.
If you have any question at all about the Transmitter, send it back to HH for testing. They do it free and pay the shipping back and they turn them around very quickly!
If you have any question at all about the Transmitter, send it back to HH for testing. They do it free and pay the shipping back and they turn them around very quickly!
09-18-2015, 06:11 AM
#19
Just like you I went from the 12x to DX-18 I held out until Best in the West last year and at that event I couldn't turn around without seeing a DX-18 in someone's hand. I talked to all the guys in the know and heard great things so I bought 2 DX-18 G2's. Like you I am diligent in RX setup, dual batteries and checking data. One of my 18's didn't have great data so I sent it back and they replaced the board problem solved. I range checked both radios after the service bullitan and I had solid connection over a mile no problem. I don't know of any incidents second hand either. I have been very happy with them.
09-18-2015, 07:24 AM
#20
Thanks guys. This is turning into a good thread, no bashing just good info to pass between modelers. Great job. I'm starting to feel better. Just updated telemetry on both my jets. Altitude and airspeed on Excalibur (ECU too old for data) and the full monty on my big FB Dolphin. Alt, Airspeed, GPS, Turbine and G meter.
09-18-2015, 10:12 AM
#22
Tom, I once knew a guy, who knew a guy's neighbors cousin who said you were ugly and your feet stunk!
I think that guy had a DX18 that crashed his spaceship, but don't quote me on it.
But seriously, I'd be more worried about a mid air than your radio, now put your beer down and go fly!
I think that guy had a DX18 that crashed his spaceship, but don't quote me on it.
But seriously, I'd be more worried about a mid air than your radio, now put your beer down and go fly!