Spectrum DX8/DX9

[Grumpy]

The good dealers are usually pretty helpful with warranty issues but yes, anything that might be caused by crash damage is excuded.

There is an old rule in the RC hobby that says 'always buy the best transmitter that you can afford'. The DX8 is quite long in the tooth and doesnt have the features of the new generation Spektrum Tx's (DX6, DX9 and DX18) but the fact that it's not the letest generation is reflected in the discounted price, so that's fair enough. It's still a perfectly good Tx that will do all that you need.

[tomatwalden]

Nothing wrong with the DX8 - it has telemetry, 8 channels, loads of memory banks etc. The only functional advantage I see with the DX9 is the voice function - even that is a bit of a gimmick! A new DX8 is still a very good purchase ... many beginners still go for the DX6i which is much more limited.

The new DX6 is an alternative though - same basic format at the DX9 but 6-channel only.

[Grumpy]

The new generation Spektrum Tx's (DX6, 9 and 18) have a number of advances over the older gen versions like the DX8. For instance the new ones have 250 model memory (30 on DX8), they have 7 point pitch curves (5 on the DX8), wireless trainer, plus a stack of other features that to be honest few will ever use. I actually upgraded from a DX8 in large part to get programable throttle curves for fixed wing use, which the DX8 cant do.

Voice is potentially a pretty useful feature. For instance when using telemetry you end up with a number of alarms for battery voltage, Rx voltage, motor temperature, timers etc. Without voice you only have two alarm options either audio or vibrate, so you often dont know what an alarm means when it goes off. Plus voice can confirm flight modes, rates etc when you switch, which is very handy and saves peaking down at the Tx to confirm switch positions.

But i agree with you, the DX8 is still a perfectly decent Tx especially at the prices you can pick them up for these days.

[Peteski]

Inwoods are a good firm with the DX8 on special price...
SPEKTRUM DX8 TX with Nimh, MODE 2 inc CHG , Neckstrap - Inwood Models

Another dealer Hurricane Models cheaper with a better battery...Lasts longer in between charges...
Hurricane Models online - Spektrum DX8 8 Ch Radio Tx & charger

Good point regarding the battery. Mine came with the newer Li-ion battery which lasts forever and no need to nurse it like a Li-Po.
Make sure you get this newer version. I notice the description in the Hurricane Models link says Li-Po, but the spec says Li-Ion so I presume that's an error in the listing. I would check before ordering as the Li-ion battery is well worth having.

I got my DX8 from RC Heliguru in Milton Keynes as I'm local and wanted to build a relationship with a good local shop. Perhaps something to bear in mind when starting out i.e. find your nearest reputable dealer and start talking to them. I've already had some great advice and the price was competitive too.

[Peteski]

But i agree with you, the DX8 is still a perfectly decent Tx especially at the prices you can pick them up for these days.

I think you've just got to decide where to draw the line as a beginner otherwise costs can soon spiral out of control without any real benefits. I think by the time I might "need" some of the extra features of the DX9 there is likely to be something newer and better on the market anyway. Until that point I'm sure a DX8 has all my bases well covered. For me, as a beginner, it was a toss up between the slightly ageing DX8 and the brand new DX6 - both the same price. But the shop guided me towards the 8 channels as they suggested the 6 channel limitation would be a much bigger issue in the medium term than the older software on the DX8.

[AnthD]

Good point regarding the battery. Mine came with the newer Li-ion battery which lasts forever and no need to nurse it like a Li-Po.
Make sure you get this newer version. I notice the description in the Hurricane Models link says Li-Po, but the spec says Li-Ion so I presume that's an error in the listing. I would check before ordering as the Li-ion battery is well worth having.

I got my DX8 from RC Heliguru in Milton Keynes as I'm local and wanted to build a relationship with a good local shop. Perhaps something to bear in mind when starting out i.e. find your nearest reputable dealer and start talking to them. I've already had some great advice and the price was competitive too.

Good spot , I'll email them to check with a LiPo in the transmitter how long will this last in a generical sense ?

Just a a quick one regarding the 500 , do we have some Kt speed for weather you use as a guide to fly in so 500 15kts or less etc. I was just wondering also what's the 500 like at flying in low winds?

i bought my 18year old cousin a cheap Syma F1 Armour comes with a little transmitter and LCD screen ! And it's acutally good fun outdoor for what it cost for him but if some one was to sneeze you'd need to full fwd just hold ! Ha

[Peteski]

Good spot , I'll email them to check with a LiPo in the transmitter how long will this last in a generical sense ?

According to the user manual, the DX8 was originally available with 2 different battery options:- NiMH or Li-Po. However the newest version of the DX8 now ships with a Li-Ion battery, which is obviously the best option and you know you are getting the newest stock of radio. To upgrade the battery later would add another £25-30 so worth bearing that in mind when shopping around.

[AnthD]

Ok so the DX8 in 10x link is for the Li Ion included theve confirmed that .

[Peteski]

Ok so the DX8 in 10x link is for the Li Ion included theve confirmed that .

I see they've corrected their listing too! Can't go wrong for £149 and that's your TX sorted for the next few years at least. I'm getting on great with mine and starting to play a bit with the programming. All very logical and user-friendly so far.

[Grumpy]

Just a a quick one regarding the 500 , do we have some Kt speed for weather you use as a guide to fly in so 500 15kts or less etc. I was just wondering also what's the 500 like at flying in low winds?

The larger and heavier the heli the better it does inwind but to be honest it's more about pilot ability than the model so it'simpossible to give single 'acceptable' wind speed. What might be impossible fora beginner won’t be anything to be concerned about for an experienced flyer.

As an example I have 500, 600 and 700 size helis. I'd use the same maximum windspeed for any of them, sure the 500 might be a little harder work when it's blowing hard, but it will cope. CP helis actually cope very well with wind compared to the fixed wing models I flew previously (and still do). Somewhere a little over 20mph is about the limit I use but I'm guessing because I don’t usually take an anemometer with me.

[tomatwalden]

I agree on windspeed. Over 15mph winds it gets a little uncomfortable in my view - especially if it's directly in your face. A 500 heli though will almost certainly do over 70/80mph at push, so the heli isn't the problem - more that it becomes awkward for the pilot.

[AnthD]

Called my Local dealer , this DX8 was £250 and the sim was £94 ! So just need to get a good Sim with connecting whips and I'll be away ..

[Peteski]

£250! Blimey that's well out on price. I'd go with the £149 option for sure. I didn't mind paying £10 more to get local support, but I'd certainly buy online to save £100 on a radio.

On the sim I'm using neXt on an iMac with a USB cable as recommended on the sim website. All works perfectly well. But if you are on a pc, there are lots of other more popular options like Phoenix I believe (no experience of this). I paid 74 Euros for neXt and £11 for a cable. I briefly tried Heli-X too, which I believe is even cheaper. The demo seemed fine to me but most people with experience seem to prefer neXt, so I went with that.

[AnthD]

So the Phenex V5.0 is there for £84 would this be a good option for me folks? 175 options to choose etc. Comes with a Dongle that connects to the DX8 and can link this way ?

and see below I've bought my Heli! Hope I can handle this ! .. £15 on sale today couldn't resist , have a toddler it will keep amused worth every pennie !!

[waveydavey]

That's expensive Anth another couple of quid or a bit of haggling and you've got a DX9. Phoenix is fine but I have to admit to really liking Next. I haven't bought it yet as my PC is a bit limited but the demo has a nice feel about it.