Is Spektrum DX7 worth it for a newbie?

[cyberman]

I am considering a Blade CX2 and/or either an mCX or mSR to get me through the winter and get some indoor practice alongside using the sim software that arrived today.

But my question is this, would it be extravagant or unwise to get a decent transmitter like the DX7 to use with these and the sim software (Phoenix)?

My thinking is that using only one TX means I'll get used to the feel of it quicker rather than a number of different TX units which might have a different feel.
I was also think that come the new year and I feel ready to go outdoors flying and get a bigger heli that I can continue with the same TX unit for all three helis.
Is this thinking flawed and should I stick with the TX units supplied with the Blade CX2? Or should I be looking at something cheaper like the DX6i instead?

Finally, the Phoenix says it is supplied with the lead for Spoektrum TX units, is this the jack plug on the end of the USB device or am I missing something? Sorry if this is a dumb question!

[cupracing]

I think it depends how far you see yourself going with the hobby as a dx7 is designed for nitro helis, if your going to stick to electric a dx6i will do you.

You are correct in that pheonix will come with a jack that just plugs into the tx

[Holst]

If there is any chance at all you will end up buying a nitro in the future then get the DX7.

Personally I decided I would never want a nitro so I stuck with the DX6i, which has been excelent so far, but the DX7 is much better built and will last regardless of where you go with the hobby.

If the DX7 seems a bit to expensive or you cant make your mind up then you can pick up a DX6i second hand for a good price and sell it on if you need to upgrade.

A good quality transmitter is important, the DX6i should be a bare minimum as it has all the computer control you need for an electric heli, anything cheaper isnt worth bothering with (IMO)

[Disc]

Dx-7 Wins on many front's over the DX-6i thing

1. Buy the right tranny 1st time so don't waste money (the DX6i....)
2. Battery pack is better in the DX-7 than the dry cell batteries in the DX6i
3. Better mix options, more channels for gouvners etc etc
4. DX6i at the risk of being flamed is like the futaba 6xea... naff

[SadSack]

say you do buy DX7 only do eletric you have extra switch for retracts.
Get a dx6 want nitro your buying again.
Get Dx7 cover everything planes/helis what ever you want and has better re sale value. Ask how long they take to re sale on here!! Just look after it and get TX case.

[SadSack]

oh may appear to little dearer but buy only TX combo set servos are pants for nitro helis. Shop keeper will say here fine for nitro (not all but some)

[heliboy]

I would buy a dx7 mate,Its a great transmitter and if you do decide to go to nitro then you dont have to upgrade.

Like you said in your own words ,buy one transmitter...

i used to have a dx6i and then upgraded to dx7.and its much better trust me...much smoother feel.

I hope this helps.

[Orfink69]

If your budget can stretch to it I'd highly recommend the DX7.

I started off this hobby in May and have since got a couple of heli's in the collection, see below.

All of mine are on the DX7, it's dead easy to configure and is a lovely tx to use.

I have no idea if I'll go the nitro route, but my budget could stretch to one so I did

[moyesboy]

you can gert the DX7 combo from some shops without the servos.
The servos are much talked about as not being up to much - but there is no problem with their centering, speed, or torque. When the DX7 first came out the servos had some output shafts that were brittle and snapped off easily - many were broken before they were even fitted to models.
The servos got a bad name and a lot of people will not ever fit them to helis - not even for throttle. However there are many of these servos working on throttle and they don't seem to fail for that.
Quite a few people are using them for the swash servos on up to .50 size. There don't seem to be any recent reports of them failing. The shops that supply them as suitable for the swash on, say, a 600n, don't seem to get any custmers coming back with broken servos. so it would seem the problem of the shaft failing is in the past ... unless someone posts here with recent evidence?

However it would be perfectly sensible to avoid the spektrum servos just for piece of mind and spend a little more.

Anyway thats off your topic really.
Get a DX7 and the money wont be wasted becuase you can sell it on more easily than a DX6i. I've found it a poor idea to have a dedicated sim tx (except when my 5 year old is playing with it). Better to have the feel of your real tx on the sim.

Get the Dx7 with an Rx or the rx will cost extra afterward. If you do choose to get the full outfit with the servos then they are probably OK to use at least up to the point where you are starting aerobatics.

[Holst]

Dx-7 Wins on many front's over the DX-6i thing

1. Buy the right tranny 1st time so don't waste money (the DX6i....)
2. Battery pack is better in the DX-7 than the dry cell batteries in the DX6i
3. Better mix options, more channels for gouvners etc etc
4. DX6i at the risk of being flamed is like the futaba 6xea... naff

I just checked the prices and the DX6i is £130 at fastlads.
The DX7 is £235.

I didnt realise that the DX6i was that expensive.. I thought they were like £80 new!!
I think for the extra £100 the DX7 is worth it.

However, I only paid around £60 for my DX6i on ebay, if you can get one for a similar price then its a big saving over the DX7 and for an electric heli its perfectly capable.

So if your buying new get the DX7, but if you can find a DX6i second hand for a good price then it will do the job when you are learning on the sim and for your first electric helis.. if you want to upgrade then you probably wont lose any money if you sell it on again.

[BigBeard]

I read somewhere that the DX7se doesn't have the trainer connector so you can't use it with a sim, can anyone confirm this ?

[sacko]

Its the DX7SE that doesnt have a trainer port, but the standard DX7 does.

Back on topic, buy the DX7 if you see yourself sticking with the hobby, its a cracking Tx.

[Mart61]

I moved up to a DX7 from a DX6i and am loving the radio. If you can afford the DX7, go for it...

[Gate88]

If you're at all interested in getting into this hobby seriously then invest in the DX7. If you're not in a hurry there are god 2nd hand ones out there. I brought one a few weeks back from a glider flyer, imaculate condtion with the charger & spare battery pack for £140 and if you saw it you'd thik it was new.

I love my blade MCX but it's like "methadone" for "heroin" addiction, it takes the edge off the craving but it's nothing like the real thing! So it's only a matter of time before you'll want a bigger, faster, exciting model, we've all been there, and if you think you are going to be drawn into this hobby then buy right the first time and get a TX that will cater for everything and get the DX7.

By the way if you do decide to ignore this advice I have a DX6i for sale!

[Tosh]

The TX is the only bit you wont crash. Might as well get a good one.