Official Spektrum DX8 Thread!!!

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by JetPlaneFlyer

Yep, exactly.. You would just adjust the throws in precisely the same way as you would if the elevator and ailerons were separate.

H'mmm
I've got my DX8 setup for two channels for ailerons, two channels for elevator. Now, tried to set up "flapperons" on the ailerons, don't seem to have a command for doing that.

Anyone out there figure out a way???

(Yeah, I know, flapperons are not that great, but my DX7 could do it.)

[Turner]

Pretty sure that is done on the wing type screen. Select flaperon.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Turner

Pretty sure that is done on the wing type screen. Select flaperon.

Yup, I noted the flaperon setting, never tried it.

And the flaperon setting is the command that does it!

Thanks

[bstarkey54]

To select Flaperon on the DX8 you go to the model you have already named if you have done that. Then either way, turn off your radio and turn it back on with the wheel selector held down. You can then scroll down to wing type, click on that and then scroll through the various types of wings to select elevon if thats what you want. You can go to Youtube and enter Spektrun DX8 and there will be tutorials on the initial setup for the radio.

[bstarkey54]

Correction. the last message was for setting Elevons not Flaperons. Sorry

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by bstarkey54

Correction. the last message was for setting Elevons not Flaperons. Sorry

No problem, I didn't realize the "Flapperon" setting in the DX8 transmitter also covered the normal aileron commands.

Once that was noted, programming that DX8 is an order of magnitude easier to do than setting up the same thing in my Spektrum DX7 transmitter.

[Fig]

So has anyone ordered from Ultimate Hobbies (The link on the first page)? I am curious how they can basically sell this for the cheapest price I can find anywhere. I understand someone has to have the lowest price, but so many others are going by what looks to be a set price, including my LHS. We are talking about a significant difference when you add in things like local tax. Another of my worries would be support. If I buy it local and something goes wrong, I drive back and we work it out. You know the drill.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Fig

So has anyone ordered from Ultimate Hobbies (The link on the first page)? I am curious how they can basically sell this for the cheapest price I can find anywhere. I understand someone has to have the lowest price, but so many others are going by what looks to be a set price, including my LHS. We are talking about a significant difference when you add in things like local tax. Another of my worries would be support. If I buy it local and something goes wrong, I drive back and we work it out. You know the drill.

I bought my DX8 from our LHS for $399. It included two full range receivers and one park flyer receiver, plus the telemetry module and usual Nih battery and wall charger.

We're lucky, our LHS usually beats the lowest price found anywhere in the internet.

[Mainuh]

Originally Posted by Fig

So has anyone ordered from Ultimate Hobbies (The link on the first page)? I am curious how they can basically sell this for the cheapest price I can find anywhere. I understand someone has to have the lowest price, but so many others are going by what looks to be a set price, including my LHS. We are talking about a significant difference when you add in things like local tax. Another of my worries would be support. If I buy it local and something goes wrong, I drive back and we work it out. You know the drill.

I bought my DX8 from them at $364 compared to the same thing at my LHS for $439. I actually tried to buy it at my LHS and they were too busy (with only 2 other customers in the store) to wait on me and after almost 30 minutes of not being waited on, I left and went home to start searching the internet for best price and found several threads about people talking about Ultimate Hobbies. Shipping cost was reasonable as was shipping time from CA to ME. When you factor in tax (less shipping costs) I saved $86.

[Fig]

Appreciate the replies. I am going to give the LHS a chance. I will at least go put my hands on a couple of radios and see what feels the best in my hands.

[mclarkson]

Hey, guys. I'm looking into moving up to a DX8, but I've seen lots of reports of problems with the radio (loss of control, bad pots, weird mixing malfunctions, etc.). Most of these are from some time ago, and may well have been fixed by HH by now, but I thought I'd ask.

[JetPlaneFlyer]

I've had no problems at all with my DX8. There were a couple of recalls due to teething problems on the early versions but those were sorted a long time ago. The serial numbers of the Tx's effected are on HH's web site which would be something to check if buying second hand but not an issue if buying new.

[Mainuh]

Originally Posted by mclarkson

Hey, guys. I'm looking into moving up to a DX8, but I've seen lots of reports of problems with the radio (loss of control, bad pots, weird mixing malfunctions, etc.). Most of these are from some time ago, and may well have been fixed by HH by now, but I thought I'd ask.

I've had mine for a year now. Put the lipo battery in it. Absolutely love it and have had no problems at all. It was probably more than I needed at the time I bought it but I have grown into it nicely. No regrets and what I spent for it. See my earlier post on finding it for a low price. Good luck.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by mclarkson

Hey, guys. I'm looking into moving up to a DX8, but I've seen lots of reports of problems with the radio (loss of control, bad pots, weird mixing malfunctions, etc.). Most of these are from some time ago, and may well have been fixed by HH by now, but I thought I'd ask.

Yup, picked up mine last spring with the DSMX software. After many flights, it's been absolutely flawless.

Methinks a lot of those "issues" came from just one person, a guy that has since been banned in www.wattflyer for complaints that had absolutely no basis in fact.

[mclarkson]

Alrighty then. Thanks!

[Turner]

There were some real issues and an official recall but that has all been finished with for over a year.

[Victory Pete]

I had one of the very first DX8s, I didnt have any obvious problems but when my date code matched the "Lemon List" I returned it. That was right before the huge fiasco. I waited for the smoke to clear for 6 months and then bought the 1st version that came out with DSMX from the factory. I have not had any problems at all. My biggest criticism is the trim display is too small and illegible. It has a better "reaction time" than my DX6i, my inputs to the sticks seem instaneous control of the airplane.
VP

PS: I almost forgot to mention the "Inactivity Alarm", although it is now settable up to an hour, myself, and many others wish we could disable it entirely.

[mclarkson]

Is that a 'Hey, stupid! You left the transmitter on!" alarm? Cuz I could really use that. I can't count the number of times I've been testing/setting up/debugging a plane setup and forgotten to turn off the Tx, leaving it to run itself dead in my workshop.

[rcers]

Yes it has that capability.

Mike

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by mclarkson

Is that a 'Hey, stupid! You left the transmitter on!" alarm? Cuz I could really use that. I can't count the number of times I've been testing/setting up/debugging a plane setup and forgotten to turn off the Tx, leaving it to run itself dead in my workshop.

Well, if the alarm doesnt give you a heart attack, walk off a bench, annoy others at your field, it just may very well run itself dead because you are not near the DX8 anymore. In its case, in another room, I cant hear it anyway. User-configurable in all respects is the only logical solution. Everyone can do what they want with it. In my case it would be disable.

VP

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

Well, if the alarm doesnt give you a heart attack, walk off a bench, annoy others at your field, it just may very well run itself dead because you are not near the DX8 anymore. In its case, in another room, I cant hear it anyway. User-configurable in all respects is the only logical solution. Everyone can do what they want with it. In my case it would be disable.

VP

I've left my DX8 on twice now. After its timeout, it makes noise, vibrates all over the place, and after another timeout, it shuts it self off.

If you're within 30 feet of it, you can't miss it.

[Victory Pete]

Originally Posted by kyleservicetech

I've left my DX8 on twice now. After its timeout, it makes noise, vibrates all over the place, and after another timeout, it shuts it self off.

If you're within 30 feet of it, you can't miss it.

Are you sure it shuts itself off?

VP

[JetPlaneFlyer]

I don't think it does shut off automatically, at least not until low voltage causes a shutdown. I tested mine and the alarm/vibrate went on for 10 minutes without stopping, I would have got a headache if I left it any longer!

Personally i think the inactivity alarm is a great feature and cant see any reason why you would want to disable it completely? However I'd prefer if it was possible to make the alarm audio only and not vibrate. The vibrate seems pointless because you are obviously not holding the Tx if it's been inactive for ages, and has been known to vibrate the Tx off of workbenches etc.

But this really is a not picking minor detail.

[kyleservicetech]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

Are you sure it shuts itself off?

VP

Good question, I'll have to check it out. Methinks it's much better to NOT shut it self off though, don't need anything that could fail, and shut off when its not supposed to.

[Mainuh]

Originally Posted by Victory Pete

Are you sure it shuts itself off?

VP

Here's what the manual says... No mention of actually shutting it off:

INACTIvITY WARNING
The DX8 features an inactivity warning that warns if the transmitter is left on preventing draining the batteries. If the transmitter is left on and no input is given to the sticks or switches for 10 minutes, an alarm will sound and warning screen appear. Moving any stick or switch will clear the alarm. Normal RF modulation continues throughout the alarm maintaining the RF link.