Upgrade a TREX 450 to use the Specktrum DX9

[chrisleematt21]

I am thinking about investing in a new transmitter and I was looking at the DX9, as I want something that will work when I get a larger heli. My current heli is a 450 plus DFC.

Currently I am using the standard T6 transmitter and the 3gx as the receiver. If I were to upgrade to the DX9 would I need to buy a separate Receiver or would I still be able to use the 3GX?

[Mark_T]

If this is the standard Align RTF kit then you probably have the 3GX MRS, it is usually yellow I believe.

With the DX9 you will need to add a Spektrum satellite which will replace the receiver function of the 3GX MRS.

[SGD]

Check out Jeff Fassbinder video on the subject

[chrisleematt21]

Cheers guys, mine has a black 3gx mrs does that make a difference or should it still work? Didn't now if they had ifferenct versions.
Do you need 2 satellites one for each side or is one enough?

[chrisleematt21]

Just answered my own question I have the 3gx MR not the MRS which doesn't seem to be compatible with the Spektrum trasnmitters.

[Mark_T]

Sadly you are right, if you have the 3GXMR that isn't going to work with a Spektrum TX.

[gazmk2]

You just need to connect the 3gx to a spektrum reciever do you not?

[tomatwalden]

The cleanest solution would be to get an AR7200BX integrated spektrum receiver and flybarless unit. There's usually one or two going cheap in the "for sale" section.

[MarkG_R1]

^^^^^^^^

I agree with this man
An AR7200 is a neat solution and very easy to set up and tune

[JoeBailey]

Or take a look at the futaba 8fg/14sg tx

[Mark_T]

You just need to connect the 3gx to a spektrum reciever do you not?

This is a special version of the 3GX (3GX MR) which doesn't have the pins to support an external receiver, it only has 5 sets of pins for the 3 swash servos, ESC and tail, no way to connect an external receiver.

It also has no port for a Spektrum satellite, that is on the 3GX MRS which is a different unit again.

[chrisleematt21]

Thanks for the help its answered my question, but raises another if I wanted to get the 3gx MRS, DX9 and a spektrum satalite Its going to cost around£400. I know that in the long run it would e worth it IF I purchased a larger heli but in the short term is t worth upgrading to a better transmitter? Does any one know if the DX9 is that much more "Better" than the align t6? by better I mean more precise and accurate. I understand that it has a lot more functionality and expandability but that's not what I mean by better.

[tomatwalden]

The align t6 is a rebadged futaba. Quality should be top notch. The dx9 would be a functionality upgrade only I would imagine.

[DaveJones]

Ask yourself honestly why you want to buy another transmitter. You can fly pretty much any Heli with the radio you have big or small, the more expensive radios may be better quality and slightly smoother but I'm pretty sure your flying won't improve significantly with a new radio.. Your money might be better spent on more batteries, a better charger and power supply or a bigger helicopter. You could buy a 500 size Heli on here secondhand for £400.

I've been flying for a couple of years (but still a beginner) with a DX6i flying a TRex 500 and it works just fine, I get the same urge to spend and upgrade my radio but not convinced it would make any difference to my flying, I bought batteries, a charger and another Heli and spend more time in the sky.

Without wanting to start another brand battle Futaba are considered to be a quality radio.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[tomatwalden]

Just to expand a little on my previous post now I'm in front of a proper keyboard. The Align 6T is in reality a Futaba 6J, so the quality of the unit should be absolutely fine. You won't notice any difference in flight performance or ease of use with more expensive TX. With the exception that some radios are just better for some than others. Personal preference, hand size, etc. just means to some prefer one TX to another. Best advice always seems to be - try one out "for size" in a hobby shop if you can.

Your Align 6T therefore is perfectly capable of flying larger helis. But you may find that ultimately, there are functions that you want to have. To be honest, I don't know what the Align 6T/Futaba 6J is actually like to use, but I ultimately upgraded my 6-channel TX because I wanted more "idle-up" modes, and a backlit LCD screen, which my Spektrum DX6i didn't have.

But, you should not expect any kind of change in "performance" or "feel" by changing your TX.

HTH. T