Radio
 

Hello, I've read the thread how to select your first radio, and I've got it narowed down to a Specktrum 6si or a 7s. Can someone tell me the difference between the two other than 1 channel and the model memory? I don't want to buy a radio that I will want to replace in a year. I plan on staying with the hobby, so I want something that I cAN "grow into". Does the 7s have a lot of features that I would nerer use? Or is it a good investment?
Thanks,
Tracy????

I've got both the DX7 and the DX8 transmitters. The DX7 is a very capable transmitter. Mine was used to fly everything from a little 16 inch wingspan foamie to a giant scale Big Stick model with 2500 watts up front. After 5 years of flawless operation, the DX8 was picked up. Still got the DX7 as a backup transmitter.

Programming the DX7 on a standard four servo model is fairly simple.

The DX8 transmitter is a lot more $$$, but programming it is far simpler than my DX7. My Giant Big Stick model has two servos for ailerons, two servos for flaps, two servos for elevator, one for rudder, one for throttle. Each of them is on its own receiver channel.

Don't have any experience with programming the DX7s though.

Personal opinion, if you are planning on staying with modeling for awhile, go for the DX7s or even the DX8.

I have a Dx6i and a Dx8. I haved helped a couple of people with the Dx7s. (Do not confuse the Dx7s with the older Dx7. The Dx7 I understand is a programming nightmare, the Dx7s is a dream!) I find the 7s and the Dx8 are extremely similar, you just get the extra channel and I think telemetry on the Dx8. (Don't quote me, just going on memory about the telemetry. Maybe the 7s has it.)

There is a big jump from the 6i to the 7s/8. The 6i is good for starters, but I found after about 3-4 years, it couldn't keep up with what I wanted to do with my models. I could do the basic 4 channels, flaps, and retracts. Or if you split the ailerons for differential throws, now you used 5 channels for the basic 4 functions, and you're left with retracts and no flaps, or I'm pretty sure flaps only on the gear channel, the way the 6i works.

You also don't have as many mixes available. With the Dx8, I was able to do this to my F-35 EDF: The stabilizers were setup as elevons. The ailerons work as spoilerons, and their aileron function can be turned off with a mix switch. Sounds basic,(Well, actually a bit overboard for a model like this...) but you'll never come close with a 6i. I had to use a lot of mixes to do this.

There's also the benefit of 3 position flap and rate switches, as well as speed control for the flap movement.

If you really know you're staying with it, I'd go with at least the 7s. That will take much longer to outgrow.

Big price jump from dx7 to dx8... about 260 to 460! I don't think that I can come up with tat kind of money unless there is a big difference. What makes the dx8 so much easier to program than the dx7? It's been 35 years since I have had anythig to do with RC...So much has changed! I have read the ads in the hobby mags for both, but they don't go into much detail.
Thanks

The DX7s is a far better radio than the DX6i. It has better gimbals and it is much newer and easier programming. The system offers more mixing capability as well. It also offers updatability with the SD memory card a good thing.

I always tell folks to but the best radio system they can afford. It is one of the most important RC purchases.

Mike

Thanks xmech2k, you answered a lot of my questions while I was typeing! I think that I will go with the dx7s, sounds like it should hold my interest for a while. Since I didn't really understand what all the mixes were that you were talking about, i should have plenty of room to grow into it!!!!
Thanks,
Tracy

rcers,
What is the sd card used for?

RF and software programming updates. So bug fixes and next versions are covered.

And overall it is just a much higher component quality.

As noted above, a key difference between the DX6i and DX7s is the mixing and model memory count. The 7s is SO much more capable. If you can swing the $ then go with the 7s.

One note, which may not matter to you. While you can fly full house gliders with a 7s it does not have specific glider mixing. So, if full house (R/E/A/F) are in your plans you might consider something with better sailplane programming. If full house gliders are not on the agenda, then the 7s should serve you very well.