Spektrum satellites

[J-S-Q]

I have one of the early AR8000's that came with a satellite that says DSM2 on the casing. My understanding is that this is still a DSMX satellite and can not be used with a DSM2 receiver.

Here's my problem... I also had an AR7000 with an identical looking (but DSM2) satellite. I just sold this receiver to someone (and have sent it off in the post) and I have suddenly realised that I'm not sure which satellite I sent! Is there a way of testing if the satellite that I still have is DSM2 or DSMX? I am able to bind my AR8000 but no lights show on the satellite so I'm thinking that maybe it is just binding the main receiver and not the satellite (which I believe is possible).

Will the buyer of my AR7000 be able to bind if I have sent him the DSMX satellite? Obviously I need to make sure he is not unwittingly flying without a working satellite.

So in a nutshell... how can I tell if my remaining satellite is DSMX or DSM2?

[Tim Procter]

I was led to believe that DSMX units had the X printed on the side of them.

As you know they are backwards compatible anyway.

[J-S-Q]

Well they do if you buy one today. They look like this:
DSMX Remote Receiver (SPM9645): Spektrum - The Leader in Spread Spectrum Technology

However, when I got my AR8000, they hadn't announced DSMX so they were still selling them in the old (DSM2) cases, that look like this:
DSM2 Remote Receiver (SPM9545): Spektrum - The Leader in Spread Spectrum Technology

But my understanding is that the satellite that came with my AR8000 has to have been DSMX and should NOT be used with an AR7000 yet I have no idea how to identify if it is a DSMX satellite or not?

[bigpops]

You're right, you can't use a DSMX satellite with a DSM2 Rx, such as an AR6200. A quick google search brought up this email from Horizon, where someone was asking about such things

Hi,

First, thank you for your email.

The satellite receivers are designed to work with their intended
receiver. In other words if you have a DSM2 receiver, you will need DSM2
satellite receivers.
If you have a DSMX receiver you will need DSMX satellite receivers.
When building a basic receiver, all components must be the same, either
DSM2 or DSMX.

Now either of these receiver systems will work with either type of
transmitter. You can use a DSM2 receiver with a DSMX transmitter. You
can use a DSMX receiver with a DSM2 transmitter.

Either system will work great in your model applications. The DSMX
system was designed for use at mega events like Joe Nall, SEFF, and
IRCHA. If you are not attending these events you really don't need DSM2. (type-o he ment dsmx)

For a system to be operating on DSMX, you must use both a transmitter
that is DSMX capable and a receiver system that is designed as a DSMX
receiver.

Thank you.

Horizon Hobby

In the same thread was this little bit of info:

There is possibilty of confusion in identifying DSM2 and DSMX satellites/remotes.All the remotes that came with the AR8000 before DSMX was announced still have the exact same DSM2 case and look the same.To identify it as a DSMX remote look at the label inside the back.It will have an X in the number if it is DSMX even if it is a DSM2 case.

I have an AR8000 and satellite marked DSM2 myself, but I can't check if this is correct as it's stuck on to my Trex 500, and I don't really want to go peeling off the sticky pad at this time of night. I'll have a look tomorrow if that's any good?

EDIT: I also found a post on RR about the same thing

Since this got bumped up again Ill chime in quickly and put this out again to hopefully avoid confusion and etch the fact into everyones minds again.
When the AR8000/DX8 was released(before DSMX announcement) they were all labeled DSM2.The remote with the AR8000 was actually in a case with DSM2 cast into the plastic.
It is actually a DSMX remote in DSM2 clothing.Confusing I know but bear with.Look at the backside of the remote.Inside the case and seen through the plastic housing is a sticker affixed to the board inside.It is white with a black X on it.This reveals that it is actually a DSMX remote in DSM2 case.
Just because you have a remote with a DSM2 case doesnt confirm it is DSM2.You have to look at the back for the sticker.It is inside the case so it cant get accidentally peeled off from the outside.
Black X on sticker=DSMX No X/sticker=DSM2

[J-S-Q]

That is exactly the info I needed. Just checked the satellite that I have here and it has no X in the number which means I have posted the wrong b****y one!

Thanks for clearing that up.