Confused on Tx models

[alistair.howie]

I have a DX8, which is going on for repair a second time now. I'm losing confidence in it and now potentially looking to replace it with a JR.

I really have tried hard to understand the options by reading various threads, but I've just managed to confuse myself on the various JR models, actual and expected. I don't need 11 channels, 8 (or 9) would be more than sufficient (but I'm open to getting more if there are quality and future proofing benefits). I am electric flying using a vbar on a 550e, I like the telemetry I have with the DX8 and ultimately will be scale flying ... maybe turbine if I win the lottery.

I've read rave reviews about the 11X, but am confused now about the differences between that and the DSX11. Also not sure what the difference is between modular and integrated systems which I think might be part of the difference between them?

I've read a little about the 8XG system which is out - seems like that might be my suggested replacement for my DX8? Is there any major difference in functionality? Seems like the battery might be smaller - 1,400mAh versus 2000mAh? But it's DMSS which means telemetry, right? I don't have that on the 11 channels ones, do I?

I've also just got used to throttle hold being on the right, and flight mode switch on the left - seems like that might be reversed on a JR? Is that something I should bother about, or is it easy to get used to other positions?

I know I need to get to a hobby shop to actually feel the Txs before making a decision, but just wondering if anyone can help me navigate the current (and likely future) models out there a little bit and give me their opinion on what I might want to consider.

Many thanks.

[Mark_T]

You are stepping into a bit of a minefield right now.

JR have two ranges of radios, those using Spektrum technology (DX8, DSX9, DSX11, 11X etc.) and those using DMSS (XG7, XG8 and towards the end of the year XG11)

These are not cross compatible, you cannot use an XG8 with a Spektrum based receiver so no off the shelf BnF models like the mCPX.

Just to add to the confusion, JR make different versions of their radios for the USA, where they are distributed by Horizon Hobby who own Spektrum and the UK where they are distributed by McGregor.

Net result is you will never see a JR radio in the USA that uses a module and for now at least, you won't see a JR branded radio using DSMX in the UK.

There is a lot more to this but this is a start at least ...

[alistair.howie]

OK, that's helpful.

I can't use a Spektrum AR8000 receiver and TM1000 telemetry module with a JR 11X or DSX11 to get telemetry now, can I?

But telemetry is available now on the XG8, for example?

[Mark_T]

OK, that's helpful.

I can't use a Spektrum AR8000 receiver and TM1000 telemetry module with a JR 11X or DSX11 to get telemetry now, can I?

But telemetry is available now on the XG8, for example?

Not if you want the telemetry displayed on the tx itself, but you can use the TM1000 with the device
Spektrum have made to allow iPhone/iPod/iPad to receive telemetry if you want.

The XG8 does have telemetry but it is different to the Spektrum version and does not use the TM1000 or anything similar.

[muscleflex]

so what's wrong with your DX8 then?
and how old is it?

[alistair.howie]

So ... my DX8 was in the first batch available in the UK in October last year. It suffered from the uncommanded servo movement problem when the vibrate timer went off. I never got around to sending that off for repair until a couple of months ago, just as the gimbal service bulletin came out. At the same time as repairing the vibrate problem, they checked for the gimbal problem and found no issues. Fast forward to last weekend and my tail servo is now drifting and the centre point is flickering on the display by a couple of percentage points. Not such a big deal, I'll send it off for repair, but my DX8 was meant to be my future proof purchase that would take me well into the hobby, having just started out at the beginning of this year. As I said in my original post, though, I'm beginning to worry a little about it. At this stage, I'll be crashing my heli probably long before the DX8 causes a crash, but that will change in time as I progress and I'm keen to buy right, from the outset. I know nothing is failure proof, but I ask myself, would I be happy flying an expensive scale heli with my DX8 given all that I've read on forums like this and my answer is .... I'm not sure ... I don't think so, if something better is out there.

EDIT: I've also started getting a lot of frame losses and holds showing up on my telemetry when range checking last night. Not sure if that's normal, but it didn't fill me with confidence given the range problems others have been having.

[electricsceadu]

i don't know the jr range too well byt the 8xg sound to be what your after
but i'm wait a while as it took a little time for the dx8 to show its problems
why beta test two tx sets?
one the 8xg shows its ok without any problems then thats the radio to go for


and no way would i fly a scale model with a dx8