Ihave looked at a lot of controllers and decided that the DX5e controller is the one that i want. The questions i have are:
1. What is the difference between mode one and mode two?
2. What does full range" mean?
3. What is the best for a beginner?

Any answers would be greatly appreciated, and if you recommend a completely different Tx, thats okay too. I want to fly a 4 channel plane with this Tx, so any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance!!!

The DX5 is not a full-range transmitter. If you intend to fly only park flyers, then that's ok... but if you wish to do both park flyers and full range RC, meaning flying glows and more powerful and capable electrics, then you want a full range transmitter. The DX6i is probably a better choice.

Mode two has the throttle and rudder on the left stick with the aileron and elevator on the right stick.

What is best for the beginner is a good radio that you can fly with, and expand to more than one model. The Spektrum series are fine for that. And, they can be matched up with another similar radio as a buddy-box which allows you to work with an instructor on the main transmitter with the student on the "buddy box" transmitter.

CGr.

As he said... but I'd advise you to go one further and consider a DX8. Yes it's more expensive, but you will NOT regret spending the extra cash on that radio.

With the DX5, you'll be kicking yourself for getting such a limited TX. The DX6 is much better, but again as you move on you'll reget not having spent a bit more for a radio that will serve you through many planes, and with features that let the radio pay for itself in short order.

If you later decide that you want out of the hobby, the DX8 will be easy to sell. No one really wants to purchase used entry level radios... but good used radios are always in demand.

I fully agree; DON'T make the mistake I made, go with a DX7 or DX8. As you progress, you will be glad you spent the money upfront. Nothing is more expensive than the cheap stuff!

 I have both adx6i and a dx7 if you are unshure about wheather or not you really want to fly and are on a budgit the dx6 is ok but if you are committed to fly and will move on to bigger and better then a dx7 or dx8 will work for you much longer. the dx6 only holds 10 models 20 for the 7 the extra chanel is very handy also. If money is no object I think I would go for a JR 9503.

THhe DX8 looks good, unfortunatly its quite a bit of money that i dont have. Thanks for the help though!

 One thing I did not mention if you go with a spectrum RX use plenty of batt on it they black out if voltage gets to low. A lession learned the hard way.

If you want a totally different aspect to consider, the Airtronics line of radios are both affordable and great quality. I have been using an RDS800 8 channel radio and it has been awsome. The other aspect to consider with a radio is the recievers. The airtronics recievers are very affordable, which is a good thing when you have 10 flyable planes. I use the RX500 recievers currently and they are flawless in use. Considering your getting an 8 channel radio and receiver for $199 and the extra receivers are about $50/reciever compared to the $79/$89 per reciever with Spektrum and also not having to worry about the brownout issues with Spektrum, the Airtronics is a very good and respectable radio that will last you quite a while.

Just another thing to consider..................

Do consider that the DX-5e is a one airplane/one transmitter radio. It has no model storage for other airplanes. You will soon be in the market for another radio as soon as you want to add another airplane.

Here is my suggestion for an affordable 2.4 intro radio and you get inflight battery pack telemetry with it and two Rx's Plus the lowest standard priced Rx's on the market among the majors at fifty bucks. This system is rock solid.


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXXCZ8&P=RF

John

I'll second the suggestion for the DX6i. The exponential and dual rates alone make it worth the extra money. Truth be told, the programming will likely save an airplane for you since it lets you adjust the feel to be just like you need it. In that way, it'll be cheaper than the DX5. And given that there are so many people getting into the BNF park flyers, a DX6i is very easy to sell.

Yeah, I have to say that this would be a good suggestion. My first 2.4 was the DX7 and my second was the DX6i. I bought the DX6i as sort of a back up 2.4 and use it on some of my newer models. The extra capacity (channels available being 7 for the DX7 and 8 for the DX8) provides for added capabilities later on which is something you won't regret in the long run.

Let me add this: Any... any... of the newer 2.4GHz radios are just fine. Pick and choose any of the major manufacturer systems and you won't go wrong. But, no matter what you decide, go with the 7 or 8 channel radios. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the DC6i... if you don't plan on going more than 6 channels, but if you stick around in this hobby long enough, you will eventually want to "upgrade".

CGr.

If you're on a budget, take a serious look at this controller. Most people completely dismiss this deal as being too good to be true. But it's not. Do a google search on this controller and you will find that there are many satisfied owners. A friend of mine that wanted to get into the hobby on a budget, bought this controller and I installed the Rx in a 40 size trainer. I have to admit that I am impressed with it so far.

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/s...idProduct=8992

If you are wanting something "name brand", save some extra cash and get the DX7. They have come way down in price in the last few months. Just set the servo end points and run a 6V (5 cell) battery and you will NEVER have a problem. Scoot

Can someone please tell me what the difference is between DSM2 and DSMX? Also, can I use a Spektrum AR7000 Rx with a DX7 or DX8?

DSMX is the new method of doing spread spectrum for Spektrum radios. A DSMX transmitter can work with any Spektrum receiver, whether it is DSM2 or DSMX, but a DSM2 Spektrum transmitter can only work with DSM2. For the end user, it doesn't make any difference in performance.

Eh, not quite true ( though your general gist is correct ).

A DSM2 transmitter WILL work with DSMX receivers just fine, but the receiver will fall back to DSM2 mode when it binds.

That means if you own a DSM2 transmitter and have not yet upgraded it ( most of the Spektrum and JR's ARE upgradeable!!! ) you CAN go out and get DSMX receivers NOW, and upgrade the TX later.

I'm flying with a couple of DSMX RX's on my yet to be upgraded 9503 DSM2 TX.... it works fine.

Have to agree that getting a computer radio with model memory is the right approach, so don't get the DX5e. That said, the DX5e (at least new ones) is full range.

From Spektrum's website.
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The DX5e brings together the unbeatable control of Spektrum 2.4GHz DSMX technology with a simple, easy-to-use design that's ideal for anyone who is new to RC or the avid modeler on a budget. And while it is one of the best values in RC, it is anything but a stripped down transmitter. In fact, it boasts many features you simply won't find on most transmitters in its price range. Things like a Hi/Lo control rate switch, an extra function switch and available Delta wing mixing.

And because it's a full-range 2.4GHz transmitter, you can use the DX5e with everything from ultra micro helis and airplanes to bigger scale trainers and sport planes. It's a great way to try out the exciting world of Bind-N-Fly aircraft, too. It's 5-channels and extra functions will allow you to fly just about all of them.

I heard someone say, "only the rich can afford the inexpensive, because you have to replace it so often"