Well, I am finally getting my flight sim tomorrow and really just have one thing left undecided for when I move on to a real plane. From everything I've read it seems like either the Spectrum DX7 or JRx9303 would be the controller that I will use... I just can't decide which one.

The JR is more expensive, and almost seems like a lot more than a new pilot would need, while the DX7 really seems perfect for a new pilot who doesn't want to replace the controller any time soon. So I have been leaning towards a DX7, just because after reading a lot I am left with the impression that it would be pretty much the perfect controller to start with.

Am I right in this, or should I really think more about a JRx9303? Does the JR not have the "battery issues" of the DX7 or are they in exactly the same boat on that issue. Are the additional mixing abilities of the JR something I won't be likely to use for years anyway, or will I be wanting them soon? I'm pretty sure I'll go with a DX7, but if my assumptions here are wrong maybe the JR would be a better choice. I'm just looking for input from experienced pilots who know the actual answers to things I am just making guesses at:-)

The 9303 is going to have the same issues as they use the same Spektrum receivers.

As far as which radio to choose. The 9303 is going to cost a bunch more ~$700+. I've been flying for 11 years and I got a 9303 last spring. It's still more radio than I will ever need. For somebody getting started I would say save the money and go with the DX7. It should be plenty of radio for your foreseeable future. Use the money you save to buy the rest of the stuff you need to get start, like you flight box contents

Ken

At your stage of the game and choosing between those 2, I'd say go with the DX7 and be sure to use an adequate RX battery for whatever plane you put it in. The 9303 and DX7 COULD have the same battery issues if they are allowed to, that's up to YOU to control. Down the line you can buy a 9303 TX and still use your existing receivers so it will be a relatively small cost. Install a properly sized battery pack and monitor it prior to each flight.

I love the X9303 but for a beginner it's like going deer hunting with a Howitzer. I'd stay with the DX7 it will do everything you should need it too for the next year or couple of years. At some point if you need the extra channels or programming I bet they will be a lot cheaper than they are now. One other thing the X9303 will work with AR7000 RX's so if or when you would upgrade you can still use the X9303 with most of your planes.


Spend the extra $20-30 and get a good RX nimh battery...


DX7 at myrcsupply.com is 291.58 + shipping might be cheaper other places

Cool, you guys confirmed what I was already thinking. Just wanted to hear it from people who actually know what they are talking about to make sure I was interpreting things correctly. I keep delaying myself on this to spend more and more on my new super-gaming computer, but now the computer is truly finished (bought a new desk chair for the computer last week instead of the flight sim software) I should be getting the sim next week and an Arrow 40/DX7 combo about a month after I get the sim. Just in time for winter! :-)

I've got experience with the DX7, 9303, and one you really might want to look at, the JR7202.

The DX7 and 7202 are actually almost the same radios. I've got a student who has both. No fooling. He got one for Christmas and one for his birthday. Truth is, his most valuable possession is his wife, who gave them both to him. whatever....

His 7202 is a synthesizer one. So the guy is rolling in tech.

For the next year or so, he figures he'll be using the 7202 almost exclusively. He likes both but the DX7 is limited to using the special receivers those need. And he couldn't even buy one back when he got his 2nd airplane (backup trainer). And then he found out what they cost. So he's using the 7202 and any RX he wants to.

Turns out the 7202 is no trouble to use and the synthesizer capability avoids conflicts with frequencies. Yeah, it's hittable, but that's actually not much probability, if any with our bunch.

And since the 7202 and DX7 provide almost exactly the same future growth for you, it'd be worth looking at.

I'd go with the 7202 if you I were you. I like to use the ability to have more than one airplane and all that I have in one TX. And I can do that with either, but the RXs to work with the 7202's can cost as little as $25. Most I fly now are $50. So I'm building a Corsair, and just finished a Tiger60 and both RX cost less than one would have for the DX7. Just something to consider.

Does the DX7 have a trottle cut like my Futaba 6eax. I really like that feature.

Not really. You have to do some programming tricks to fool it into thinking it has one, sort of. This has been covered in the radio forums.

Hey Bruce where is the radio forum? Don't see anything listed like that

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_157/tt.htm

There are also direct support forums for Futaba
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_125/tt.htm

and JR/Spectrum
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/forumid_116/tt.htm

Goirish - now if you go though that thread you just posted in, there are references to other sites that have a lot of DX7 "work-arounds" and set-ups that come in handy.

I say go with the DX-7.. however.. there is something that appeals to me about what TXDivebomber said.. "(x9303) but for a beginner it's like going deer hunting with a Howitzer"..
brings out the Tim Taylor in me....

We do it very easily on my student's DX7 radio:

Throttle Recovery
The DX7 has a unique throttle trim recovery feature. Throttle Recovery stores the last known throttle trim position
before the trim is moved to the full down (closed) position. That stored position is then recalled by moving
the throttle trim up (open) one notch. This makes shutting off the engine and restarting it with the correct trim
position easy.

Truth is, it's so easy it's surprising. And you don't have to learn where the throttle cutoff switch is. Which bothers you when you've fiddled with a number of different TXs that have them different places.

And no trickery involved. Use the radio just like it was designed. Simple beyond belief. You want to shut off the engine after taxii-in? Hold the throttle trim down and it shuts off. How does that differ from holding down an engine off until it quits? Beats me.

I got my 8103 because it's got an analog throttle trim which I like way better than a digital throttle trim, and darned if I don't like this just as much.

BTW, the JR7202 has Throttle Recovery too. Great feature. Like I said, I think the DX7 and 7202 are basically the same.

Also, to switch the 7202 to any channel is simple too.
When you turn it on, first screen up tells you what channel you're on. You hit one button to OK that. If you are going to switch to another channel, you simply select your new one right off. Simple. Most synth's require you manually turn dials or such.

BTW, both the DX7 and 7202 have a 1500mAh battery in them no extra charge. Beats the usual that comes in lot's of even more expensive TXs. Like the 9Cs that're around $350 for just the TX and the TX only 9303. Both have 600mAh batteries. Something to consider.

Hey guys, i just got the x9303 and i have a small problem, while using dual elevator servos , when programmed the slave servo does not have the same range movement as the master, i can't find anything in the manual that helps me fix that, does anybody know how to do that? I tried all the mixes and all the aux channels, same problem, maybe i'm not doing something!!!

Yeap, same basic firmware.

I'm surprized that jr does not have a FAQ site like futaba or maybe i dont know where to look?

Hi guys! I am not absolutely sure if what I have to say fits this thread, but here goes.

I am new at this also. I have the same dilema as Kavik Kang with the exception of cost and model. Cost does not matter. I try thinking ahead. I am looking at the Hangar 9 P47d Thunderbolt w/Retracts, Saito 150 Golden Knight 25cc 4 Stroke and, because it requires 10 servos I think I have to go with the JR X9303? I am not sure exactly what I am doing so I will get personal help from the guys at my club. Since just about everyone has an opinion I would like to solicit some opinions here. I am starting with an RCM Trainer 40, Magnum XLS 46 with a Futaba 72Mhz radio and 4 servos. I already have these from a previous attempt. *LOL*. I am planning ahead like I said. Once I get good enough I will fly the P47D. I am also buying 5 other different aircraft. I guess my real dilema is this: can I program and bind all of them to the JR X9303? From what I have read, I believe it is possible to do so with the DX 7.

I know I am getting a bit rambunxious for a beginner but I really want to do this while I have the means to do it. Something may happen (Heaven forbid) and I can't afford it next week. I would really like to thank everyone for their response ahead of time. THANKS!

Paul

I see no reason why not. The 9303 has 30 model storage so you should be able to bind 30 different receivers to it.

I have a bunch of JR TX's 7 channel units on up.

What "battery issues" are you referring to, as I've never had any...

Though I always install higher capacity batteries on all of my TX's...

The default batteries are good for over 2 1/2 hours.

I often see 9 to 11 hours of flight time on my TX's with a full charge on the larger packs I use.

If the two elevator servos you are using match within mfg specs, there is a problem either in your mechanical setup or in the way you have the programming setup in the radio.

The key things are to be sure that your subtrims are still set at zero to start, your ATV's are the same (ideally at the highest number possible) and your servo arms are in the exact same position relative to one another. If the servos are mounted on the fuse side the servo arms should be 90 degrees to the front to back centerline of the elevators at neutral and if they are mounted to the elevator halves they (the servo arms) should be parallel to the hingeline. Since this means that the servos arms are 180 degrees opposite of each other so one or the other is going to be about 1 spline off of center. On the servo that does not line up regardless of what spline you put the servo arm on, once you get it as close as you can get, use subtrim to get it in the right position if moving the servo arm one spline will not correct.

Also, be sure that you are using one of the Pmixes that are designed to trim both surfaces when you trim the master elevator. I think this is 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 I cant remember for sure.

One you get the servos moving in perfect harmony as mentioned above then you know that all thats left is mechanical adjustment. Here are the very simple KEYS to having even throws.

1. Control horn pivot point holes (the one you attach the pushrod clevis to) must be dead center over the hinge line or at least the exact same relative to the hinge line on both elevator halves.
2. Control horn pivot point holes must be the exact same height from the centerline of the control surface (hingeline). I do not always trust the top of the elevator surface as sometimes one side has been sanded thinner than the other.
3. Control horns are both positioned the exact same distance from the side of the fuslage.

Once you get all that setup, then LEAVE THE RADIO ALONE and do this,
Tape the elevator halves so that they cannot move. I usually tape at the tip or tape the counter balance.
Now turn on the radio system and with the pushrod connected at the servo adjust the length of the pushrod by turning the clevises until the control horn clevis will connect to the control horn without binding. Once the length is adjusted properly the clevis will easily fit right on.

Now remove the tape and test. If you followed these instructions the throws will match everytime.

I have probably setup 100 airplanes in the last year and this works every single time no matter what plane and what radio. Its all in the setup.

All you electrical engineer know-it- all techhies bear with me on this post , this is just a common mans explaination basis practical experience and a little study.

Yep,
the problem was not with the recievers, the problem is using the wrong batteries for the application. This is true with any radio system. I would say that if you are performing aerobatics on a plane with several high output servos (100+ ounce rated output) then you might need to use a 6V setup and high capacity batteries especially if you are not very aware of what to look for and when you are at "no go" voltage. The problem is that if the voltage gets too low you hit the reboot voltage of the receiver. This can happen on 72mhz or 2.4ghz. On most planes that relative beginners are using for aerobatics if you use a 2000mah 5 cell NiMH battery pack you should be fine as long as you keep it charged. The risk is letting the battery voltage drop too far on a 4.8V (or any battery) and hitting the shutoff voltage.

Yup, the poster stated a problem with the DX7 e.g. "battery issues".

AFAIK there ARE NO "battery issues".

Even standard servos can draw upwards of 1800mA at full stall torque, and higher torque servos even more.

That means that ONE fully deflected servo hitting a limit can quickly deplete a battery, or push a battery beyond it's capacity to supply current, exactly as you said.

However this is NOT a problem with the transmitter as Kavik alluded to... nor is it a problem with the receiver or radio system...

Rather it's a "user error", where the pilot has not calculated the required battery capacity needed and adjusted accordingly.