ORIGINAL: bigedmustafa

It seems to be quite a coincidence that Horizon and JR appear to be reworking their distribution arrangement for North America at the same time that Horizon is announcing DSMX modulation.

Since DSMX was announced, Horizon Hobby has started taking pre-orders for the Spektrum DX10t here in North America:

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...odID=SPM2800US

When this product was first introduced, folks were told this radio wouldn't be offered to North American customers because of contractual restrictions between Horizon and JR. Spektrum radios could only be marketed as 8-channel or fewer, while JR would have the 9-channel and higher market segments. That's why North America didn't get the Spektrum DX10t or the JR XG7. Now, all of the sudden, we're getting the DX10t at the same time DSMX is popping up.

Of all of the Spektrum-branded transmitters offered by Horizon here in North America, the DX7/DX7 SE was the only one reported to be manufactured for Horizon by JR. The DX7 appears to have been adapted directly from the JR 7202 radio platform, while the DX5e, the DX6i, the DX8, and the DX10i are reported to be manufactured by a third party supplier under contract to Horizon Hobby. Now, with the DSMX announcement, comes the news that the DX7 and DX7 SE are discontinued.

How has the introduction of DSMX impacted the relationship between Horizon Hobby and JR? Will Horizon introduce a new radio to fill the giant gap between the DX6i and the DX8 in Horizon's product line-up? Why does Horizon suddenly wish to offer the DX10t to North American pilots? Why does JR no longer wish to manufacture the DX7 for Horizon.

I don't have any answers, or even any good inside rumours to pass along. I'm hoping some of you do, though. Let the rampant speculation begin!