New DX8 - great tx but just a question on results of a range test....

[patmacca]

I don't want to be a hater, I love my dx6i and just wish I felt the same about the 8. It just seems like one thing after another with horizon products at the more. I had to return a ss carbon cub as well as the servos failed on its maiden flight. I did wonder if it was a software issue with the monitor rather than mechanical?

[jimmyhorns]

I don't want to be a hater, I love my dx6i and just wish I felt the same about the 8. It just seems like one thing after another with horizon products at the more. I had to return a ss carbon cub as well as the servos failed on its maiden flight. I did wonder if it was a software issue with the monitor rather than mechanical?

If its flickering between 0 and 1 then it means that the value is somewhere inbetween. The sensitivity of the pots in modern transmitters is incredible (just take a look at how little stick movement is needed to register an input, or course without expo dialled in). I doubt it is a firmware bug.

Given that a fraction of a millimeter movement at the gimbal registers as a stick deflection makes me feel lucky that it gets back to 0 or 1 each time, as like I said, the accuracy of a return to centre of a mechanical system is never going to be perfect.

[Swashbuckler]

If you check on some of the other "gimbal failures" of the DX8 they involve interaction between one axis and another, so very likely a firmware issue. Unfortunately Pat it isn't just on the monitor screen, all these flickers and non centres are output to the model.

[miniconverter]

I’m not a Spektrum hater more a Horizon Hobby hater. They should man-up recall them all and refund the purchasers. Unfortunatly it's to late now because of how many have been sold.

I had my first one in April 2011 had it replaced a couple of times because there was no fault found but was for my piece of mind or that’s Horizons story and there sticking to it. Also had a couple of repairs as well the last and final straw was the gimbal upgrade and that’s on a transmitter that was outside the affected PID numbers and a RF board replaced because it was out of spec.

When I questioned Horizon they wouldn't tell me what the gimbal upgrade consisted of only that it was some work they did and apparently the RF board was out of spec but all they would say was its out of spec but refused to tell me in what way.

So there you go gave them more than ample opportunity to sort it but as I have already said they can't fix the problems so I have to move on. Won't be buying any of there products again as this is a ridiculous situation where a product is offered for sale which obviously hasn't been tested correctly and then when found to be faulty the just carry on selling them without addressing the issues.


I suppose the final straw was the Horizon rep at the nationals telling me he wasn’t aware of any particular faults on the DX8 but there may have been a few isolated faults that he wasn‘t aware of. Bullsh1t just Horizon scared to admit the have f**ked up.

[scallybert]

If you check on some of the other "gimbal failures" of the DX8 they involve interaction between one axis and another, so very likely a firmware issue. Unfortunately Pat it isn't just on the monitor screen, all these flickers and non centres are output to the model.

IME, these are faulty connections between the l/r pot, and the board. up/down movement jiggles them, and gives bad l/r input.

The DX8 gimbals are mechanically imperfect (IMO). I hate that I struggle to get any two DX8s to feel the same. I doubt this is a problem that will crash you, though.

I have a particular problem that I run my sticks very light. However (as said) my SK's dead-band deals with this.

[jimmyhorns]

If you check on some of the other "gimbal failures" of the DX8 they involve interaction between one axis and another, so very likely a firmware issue. Unfortunately Pat it isn't just on the monitor screen, all these flickers and non centres are output to the model.

While they may get output to the model, it is worth remembering that the resolution of the output is much better than the 200 steps shown on the monitor. flickering between 0 and 1 may be a change of just 0.4 to 0.5 which in real life isnt a difference at all.

As scallybert says, these flickers are all within the deadband of a FBL unit, and certainly a tail gyro. For those flying flybars, this really isnt going to make any difference at all.

Another issue is how often you actually have your sticks in the centre position when flying. Almost never is probably going to be the answer.

As with all mass produced products, not every example is going to be perfect. Those with problems will moan, and those (i suspect the vast majority of owners) who have no issues quietly get on with using it. I would have no issues buying another DX8, although I would think about a DX18. I have had nothing but good service from mine.

[cjcj1949]

I had the pot problem on my DX6i a few years ago. My CX2 took off on its own. They fixed the pot problem and I bought a DX7 that has been fine. They have gone downhill since the DX7 and I can understand why JR left. Having problems with the primary controls is completely inexcusable on a tx that is meant and used to control big helis. I thought they had sorted things out. I went to Multiplex last year. It just works, like Futaba and JR.

[DALE313]

What so the 130x has a bit of telemitry with a DX8 ive got to try this as i have 130 and mqx

[MartinW]

I noticed the nano does too. Nothing spectacular but you can at least see any frame drops and holds. Better than nothing I guess

[DALE313]

Still preety good though some thing for nothing

[Stuart]

While they may get output to the model, it is worth remembering that the resolution of the output is much better than the 200 steps shown on the monitor. flickering between 0 and 1 may be a change of just 0.4 to 0.5 which in real life isnt a difference at all.

I recently took in a DX8 still have it I'm praying for a bloomen bearing to arrive tomorrow so I can rebuild a guys heli for him. Anyway I consitantly found end points and center calibration issues. I even rang HH I honestly don't buy into this idea that any flickering is acceptable in my book its not.

The guy from HH said it was the norm and my response is no it isn't these are digital calibrated and should give exacting precision every time. I never have this issue with any of my Futaba's or the DX7 when I had it so whilst yes it doesn't really effect the TX operational in terms of should it be like that without a doubt no it shouldn't.

Whenever you turn on your TX the same end points / centers everything should be exactly as you had it when you last used it. If it was my samsung phone and the radio changed frequency by a few digits every time I used it believe me it would either be back with vodafone or I would be using a different brand period.

[patmacca]

Just to update this thread since the last visit to hh my dx8 has behaved impeccably. I no longer have any centering issues and I've been using it for a good number of hours now. All range testing has been problem free also. Thanks to all of you who responded to my original problem and here's to many more hours of problem free flying