X9503 Gimbals

[Pinecone]

I saw a comment over on RC Groups that the gimbals in the X9503 are the same ones as the DX7, not the ones in the X9303.

Anybody got both to compare?

This would be a good news/bad news thing. Bad news, doesn't have the nice 9303 gimbals. Good news is, you do the ball bearing mod to them. :)

[mediclavina]

I took it as bad news. It was a hassle to make my DX7 gimbals to move as smoothly as my DX6i. The following are other issues/complaints I've read about the new X9503 (excluding the subjects of recall):
- Made of lower quality materials compared to the X9303
- Weakening radio signal or range
- Recall units supposedly serviced already before shipping to customers still had to be sent to Horizon for servicing.

I had my back order for a X9503 canceled this week for fear of more issues coming out. Anyways, because of the excellent service I get from Horizon, it was not difficult for me to look for another Horizon-supported radio to get in place of the X9503.

[Pinecone]

I haven't heard anything about weaker signal. Where did you see that?

[ualdrivr]

- Made of lower quality materials compared to the X9303
- Weakening radio signal or range
- Recall units supposedly serviced already before shipping to customers still had to be sent to Horizon for servicing.

The quality of the 9503 is the same and maybe better than the 9303. As far as the radio signal weakness goes, I have not heard anything about it and it makes no sense that JR would lower the quality of an "upgraded" version of the 9303:roll:.

My only complain for this $550 radio is the analog throttle trim, I mean, what up wit dat?:thumbdown:. The $300 DX7 has all digital trims. If I was JR, I would change that and maybe offer a free upgrade to existing customers;)

[mediclavina]

I haven't heard anything about weaker signal. Where did you see that?
I've read it in R.C. groups forum.

[mediclavina]

The quality of the 9503 is the same and maybe better than the 9303. As far as the radio signal weakness goes, I have not heard anything about it and it makes no sense that JR would lower the quality of an "upgraded" version of the 9303:roll:.

My only complain for this $550 radio is the analog throttle trim, I mean, what up wit dat?:thumbdown:. The $300 DX7 has all digital trims. If I was JR, I would change that and maybe offer a free upgrade to existing customers;)
I've read about the lower quality plastic material used on the body. That was a description made by an owner comparing the new X9503 with his X9303. An upgraded version with a lower price than the previous already gives a hint on the build quality of a product. Where was the X9303 made?

[Pinecone]

The quality of the 9503 is the same and maybe better than the 9303. As far as the radio signal weakness goes, I have not heard anything about it and it makes no sense that JR would lower the quality of an "upgraded" version of the 9303:roll:.

My only complain for this $550 radio is the analog throttle trim, I mean, what up wit dat?:thumbdown:. The $300 DX7 has all digital trims. If I was JR, I would change that and maybe offer a free upgrade to existing customers;)

The 9303 has had analog throttle trim back to the 72 MHz days. The idea is, it makes it easy to use to kill a nitro engine. Full low trim, full down stick, engine shuts off. Why would you want digital throttle trim? The purpose of digital trims to to be able to save different trim settings for each model and each flight mode.

The lower RF makes NO sense as the should have been no change to the RF deck, which is pretty much the same deck as used in the DX7.

[Pinecone]

I've read it in R.C. groups forum.

I haven't seen anything in any of the threads I have seen. Any specific link?

[Daman691003]

i actually own a 9503 and my flying buddy has a 9303 and they are identical hands down.. dont believe everything u here.. and mine was not a recalled one. Im very happy with it and i switeched over from futaba becaseu my lhs talked me into the switch and they carry more jr stuff.. all in all im very happy and the controls feel silky smooth...

[Pinecone]

I found the reference to reduced range, the anteanna connector had come off the RF deck. So isolated problem.

So the gimbals feel exactly the same? Are you willing to take the backs off and see if they look the same? :)

[Ah Clem]

"The $300 DX7 has all digital trims."

The less expensive radio (DX7) has some less desirable features.

The more expensive radios (9303/9503/12X) have the more desirable features including the rolling selector, simplified programming, and analogue throttle trim.

[ualdrivr]

"The $300 DX7 has all digital trims."

The less expensive radio (DX7) has some less desirable features.

The more expensive radios (9303/9503/12X) have the more desirable features including the rolling selector, simplified programming, and analogue throttle trim.

+1:)

The 9303 has had analog throttle trim back to the 72 MHz days. The idea is, it makes it easy to use to kill a nitro engine. Full low trim, full down stick, engine shuts off. Why would you want digital throttle trim? The purpose of digital trims to to be able to save different trim settings for each model and each flight mode.

The lower RF makes NO sense as the should have been no change to the RF deck, which is pretty much the same deck as used in the DX7.

So, are you saying that with low stick and down analog trim the servo won't bind?:confused:

[Pinecone]

So, are you saying that with low stick and down analog trim the servo won't bind?:confused:


HUH???

What I said was, with an analog throttle trim, it is very easy to shut down a nitro or gasser engine. Just flip to normal, full low stick (which you normally do when landing), then move the trim to full low the engine stops.

[10inja]

so.. what's the point of this thread?
are the gimballs good or bad compared to the x9303?

[nexgen]

what is a gimbal.

HAHA, j/k

[Pinecone]

so.. what's the point of this thread?
are the gimballs good or bad compared to the x9303?

Some people have said they feel the same, others (on other forums) have said they don't feel as good.

[JC]

I have both X9303 & X9503. The gimbals feel the same to me. Everything about the two looks and feels the same (case/plastic, gimbals, switches, etc). I'll be taking the back off the 9503 soon enough (just got it yesterday) to fine tune the spring tensions to my liking, so I'll make a comparison.

Also, I HAD a DX7 for a few years and sold it a few weeks ago so I know what those feel like too.

Like Daman said - don't believe everything you read. Heck, don't believe this post either. :P

[mediclavina]

Yeah, when I started reading conflicting information it became hard which one to believe. I wanted to upgrade from DX7 to the X9503 just for the throttle-activated timer and the hope of better gimbals. But when I started getting info on X9503 gimbals being exactly the same as that of the DX7, plus all these recall issues, I gave up waiting for the X9503 to get back in stock. I ended up buying a 12X instead. :shock: :WOW

[Pinecone]

Getting a 12X is one way of dealing with the situation. :)

But the reason I started this thread is to get some info from people I tend to trust more than reports on other forums. :)

[JC]

Other than they are installed upside down compared to the 9303, I see no difference.
Maybe inverted backwards flying will be easier now. :P

The wiring to the boards on the back case of the 9503 is a little tighter and more tidy than the 9303. Wire twists are tighter on the front case of the 9303. There are quite a few blue marker marks on the 9503 which I would guess are markings that certain areas have been double checked, but that's only a guess.

Anyway... these are not DX7 gimbals.

*Note* The 9503 is on the left in the side by side photo.

[mediclavina]

Now, that's a report we can trust. :thumbup:

[Pinecone]

That's what I was looking for. Now to beat up my LHS for a good price on a 9503. :)

[ualdrivr]

I'm beginning to like this radio more and more and I got over the non digital throttle trim, especially when you can setup the trim stepping to your liking.

I got a G-Force neck strap balancer for it today and the radio hangs on your neck like a dream:YeaBaby:
http://www.gforceheli.com/c291071_en/c377972376/p17028061.html

The one thing I still can't figure out is how to activate the rotating switch on the left side of the radio. The one on the right is AUX3 and you can assign it as AUX4 or INH, I can't get the left one to activate, or at least I don't see it in the servo monitor.

Any help on this, Pinecone maybe?:confused:

[JC]

The one thing I still can't figure out is how to activate the rotating switch on the left side of the radio. The one on the right is AUX3 and you can assign it as AUX4 or INH, I can't get the left one to activate, or at least I don't see it in the servo monitor.

Any help on this, Pinecone maybe?:confused:You would change it in Device Select. You can activate Pit. TRIM (normally inhibited) and it will show change in your monitor under PIT. (along with collective), or assign it to Aux 2, 3, or 4.
In Device select for Aux 2, 3, or 4 it reads as PitT LEV. With those selections, it will show movement in your monitor screen on the channel you assign it to.

[ualdrivr]

You would change it in Device Select. You can activate Pit. TRIM (normally inhibited) and it will show change in your monitor under PIT. (along with collective), or assign it to Aux 2, 3, or 4.
In Device select for Aux 2, 3, or 4 it reads as PitT LEV. With those selections, it will show movement in your monitor screen on the channel you assign it to.

So that's what Pit Trim is...hmm:thinking I thought it was one of the little toggle switches on the face of the radio. I will try that because I want to setup Throttle cut off on that switch.

Thank you JC :D