View Full Version : Just bought the X9303 for helis
srhadden
08-10-2009, 12:36 PM
I didn't need this radio, I bought because I wanted to check it out. I already have a DX7.
Programming is definately easier with the interface, larger screen. I know it is faster, but aside from that, I really don't think it is THAT much more radio that the DX7, even quality wise.
There are more mixing and programming options. Are there any interesting programming setups being used for helicopters? I don't know what I could do with those side slider switches.
I like the throttle trim, will work better as a throttle cut. I also like the 2 second (wish it were more) ramp up from throttle hold to MAYBE help reduce the severity of an accidental hot start.
Has gov and gyro mode, though DX7 and multigov couldn't be more simple to setup for multi-flight modes.
I like it a lot, but I'm almost debating returning it and buying something else that is more substantial of a change.
miglis
08-11-2009, 08:19 AM
well my opinion is to sell your dx7 and keep the x9303.
its a higher quality radio with better feeling on the sticks and so many other features.
Bayward
08-11-2009, 06:46 PM
I have an X9303 and had a DX7. I agree that the 9303 is not that big of a quality jump for the difference in price. I did not need nine channels and hence my DX7 was all the radio I really needed.
With that said I did sell the DX7 and kept the 9303. As you said, the programming is easier. There were a couple of other features I also liked better with the 9303. It has been over a year so they have slipped away from memory. If I remember correctly the ability to adjust each control surface when in flaperon mode was a plus for me when flying high speed delta wings. The DX7 did not allow all the adjustments for this that the 9303 did. For helis, I saw no difference.
Bob
Pinecone
08-12-2009, 09:48 AM
If you fly planks, being able to use teh Flight Modes to set up various configurations of D/R and expo is very nice.
srhadden
08-12-2009, 12:22 PM
It's a nice radio, but definately not worth the cost since the DX7 is out. At least for helis. I was just expecting more, and even a larger capacity battery. Same battery as the DX7.
Gyro and Gov menu don't work for 6 channel receivers, you can't change the channel that gov and gyro sense use.
Ahh well. I know someone in my club will buy the DX7, but it ain't worth as much now that the SE is out. Maybe $175 if I'm lucky?
Don't you see a big difference in how the sticks feels on the JR with respect to the DX7?
srhadden
08-12-2009, 02:56 PM
A switch of course is just a switch. The sticks themselves, well, not really. I loosened my DX7 collective stick so it is more free than standard. It is a little bit notchy when making fine collective adjustments, but the X9303 isn't that much better.
Not trying to bang the x9303, but I have to give credit to Spektrum radios, they took the best parts of the x9303 and gave it a low price. The price on the x9303 is just in denial.
I'm gonna keep the x9303 and sell the dx7. I just hope they don't come out with something new in the next 6 months, because that LCD screen is really out dated.
Bayward
08-12-2009, 06:45 PM
I did not feel any difference in the gimbals of my DX7 and X9303. Ok, yes I did feel a slight difference. The 9303 was new and the DX7 had many hours on it. If I still had the DX7 I am sure both would feel the same now that the 9303 had a good bit of time on it.
Has anyone opened up the DX7 and 9303 and taken pictures of the respective gimbals ? I wish I would have done that. What is the difference ? Are they the same ?
Bob
wickedsprint
08-14-2009, 08:04 AM
.
I know it is faster, but aside from that, I really don't think it is THAT much more radio that the DX7, even quality wise.
Actually..it was my understanding that while the X9303 has smoother resolution (2048 vs. 1024), the DX7 is actually a faster radio.
Pinecone
08-14-2009, 09:06 AM
Not trying to bang the x9303, but I have to give credit to Spektrum radios, they took the best parts of the x9303 and gave it a low price. The price on the x9303 is just in denial.
You do realize the DX7 is actally a JR radio? It is the JR 7202 radio, with Spektrum RF, and some modified programming (added a timer and some other tweaks).
And, IMO, the SE hasn't reduced the prices for used DX7s, as it is not a replacement for the DX7. And it is priced well above.
cheech91060
08-14-2009, 01:29 PM
Way more benefit to planks than helis, but I do like the additional flight modes for helis. Having up to 5 flight modes with d/r and expos is nice, but not incredibly necessary.
Having flown a dx7 for a year and now a 9303, in my opinion the "feel" is the same and adds no value. The dx7 feel isn't holding back anyone's flying skill.
If I was flying only helis, I would keep my dx7, sell my 9303, and buy more fuel.
srhadden
08-14-2009, 03:51 PM
I met this guy who said oh, you gotta get the x9303, the programming is so much easier than the dx7. Yeah, it is easier to navigate, the DX7 user interface is a little annoying, but aside from nagivating, the rest is the same.
Anyway, I like the x9303, I'm going to keep it and sell the DX7. I should've done a little more research on it rather than just assume a larger price tag is going to give me a compariable increase in features.
If I ever fly planes, which I might try sometime, it definately will come in handy though.
Pinecone
08-15-2009, 06:33 AM
It does have more features. It is just that you don't use them. :)
More model memories. Glider fuctions. More mixes. More channels. etc.
I currently have a DX7, would it be a waste of money to upgrade to a 12X? All I fly are my two helis.
zeb29
09-06-2009, 12:35 PM
I currently have a DX7, would it be a waste of money to upgrade to a 12X? All I fly are my two helis.
Depends....;)
Do you NEED a 12X? Certainly not.
Will you LIKE a 12X? I'm betting yes.
Can you fork over $1500 for an additional "toy" and not lose sleep over it?
It's a great radio and I really like mine, but I didn't buy it because I "needed" it either. I bought mine because I WANTED IT!....:YeaBaby:
CNCjunkie
09-06-2009, 05:38 PM
For me the 12x was a matter of future expansion. I will need 10 chan for my next build so the x9303 falls short.
As zeb29 indicated, the want would have won out over the need anyway.
Do I like it? Absolutely Yes! :thumbup:
Am I loosing sleep over it? Absolutely Not! :D
I guess I was asking from a technological standpoint. I certainly need more than 7 channels, but do I really need 12. So maybe a 9303 would suit me better. It really isn't a matter of economics driving my decision, but praticality. Unless the 12x has more programming for a heli.
zeb29
09-10-2009, 04:20 PM
Why don't you just take a look at the manuals and decide?
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/Files/JR_12X_Manual_Low_Resolution.pdf
http://www.horizonhobby.com/ProdInfo/Files/JRP_12X_Applications_Guide_Low_Resolution.pdf
mmarian
10-03-2009, 08:43 PM
I did not feel any difference in the gimbals of my DX7 and X9303. Ok, yes I did feel a slight difference. The 9303 was new and the DX7 had many hours on it. If I still had the DX7 I am sure both would feel the same now that the 9303 had a good bit of time on it.
Has anyone opened up the DX7 and 9303 and taken pictures of the respective gimbals ? I wish I would have done that. What is the difference ? Are they the same ?
Bob
I only had the 9303 in my hands once. Wanted to feel the gimbals difference in oppose to my DX7. I did the ball bearing mod in mine when the radio was fairly new, so I have now 2 ball bearings on every axis, total of 8. I have to say that I did not feel any difference between both radios. If anything mine felt a bit smoother to be honest which brings me to my question. Does anybody know if the JR radios have full set of ball bearings installed as standard ?
Bayward
10-08-2009, 06:05 PM
Does anybody know if the JR radios have full set of ball bearings installed as standard ?
My JR X9303 2.4 has bushings.
Bob
Flip465
10-08-2009, 09:13 PM
My JR X9303 2.4 has bushings.
Bob
From what I've read elsewhere, the JR X9303 2.4 & the JR DSX9 DSM2, (my rig) both only have bushings on their gimbles, replacing those bushings with ball races in not going to be as easy as with other brands of Tx's.
So far haven't seen anyone who has been able to come up with a quick & easy DIY way of changing them over.
Would be a sweet improvement though.
mmarian
10-09-2009, 01:21 AM
From what I've read elsewhere, the JR X9303 2.4 & the JR DSX9 DSM2, (my rig) both only have bushings on their gimbles, replacing those bushings with ball races in not going to be as easy as with other brands of Tx's.
So far haven't seen anyone who has been able to come up with a quick & easy DIY way of changing them over.
Would be a sweet improvement though.
It was not a straight forward -easy to do swap on DX7 either. Fiddly, but well worth, IMHO. I can't imagine that it would be so much more difficult on 9303 ???? The engineering of the gimbals might even be identical on both radios
cd_edwards
10-12-2009, 04:23 PM
So we spend $500 on a radio and then it has bushings on the gimbals? That sucks. I should have just purchased another DX7 in that case and I could do the bearing upgrade on it. Anyone ever looked at the 9303's bearings to see if the DX7 upgrade works?
srhadden
10-12-2009, 05:12 PM
x9303 is overpriced with the DX7SE available. The pricing just has not been realized yet. I'm only talking about heli users, this radio nowhere near provides enough features to justify the price.
I'm sure this radio will be a dino in couple years with color LCDs and touch screens getting cheaper. Old LCD tech is looking really 1980s.
helihathnofury
10-21-2009, 01:05 PM
This is an interesting thread, as I am looking to upgrade my TX in the not too dim and distant.
Currently have a DX6i, and am deliberating the DX7, DX7se or the DSX9/X9303 [ and I assume the latter are one and the same ].
Not being an electronics genius, I am happy with what I know/understand about the Spektrum/JR logic, so seems unnecessary to go look at Futaba at the risk of cluttering my poor brain.
A couple of extra channels would be good future planning, but at another £200 or so? The DX7 seems the default TX for a nitro heli, and the se version would be a "no-brainer", were it not for the fact that you cannot buddy up with it. DSX9 looks great, but you guys give the impression it is not that much better than the DX7. Also, will I really get the most out of the DSX9s functions with my type of flying - sport and some aeros?
Keep the observations flowing boys please........