Which 2.4 for t-rex 450 ?

[jarosujo]

Hi,
I am going to buy trex-450 with 2.4 radio. Everyone recommends spektrum dx7 but this radio is twice as much (in my local shop) as futaba 6ex 2.4. I don't think I will ever need 7th channel, so only advantage is timer and better display. Should I pay 200 extra for it ? 6ex should be fine even if i switch to t-rex 600 later.
Thanx

[ChasHeliCop]

I bought a DX6 first. Shortly thereafter, I realized how many more features the DX7 actually had, including 7 channels. I purchased my DX7w/ AR7000 receiver, 2 weeks ago and absolutely love it. Major difference in radios. I am now abiding by the rule; buy right, not twice. My grandpa used to say, never be afraid to buy the best, you will never be disappointed.

[jarosujo]

Looks like no1 using futaba 6ex 2.4 :dontknow
If there is some1, please share few words.
Thanx

[jtpowell]

I got the DX7 for my 450. Now that I'm finishing up a 600 glad I got the DX7.

[antennahead]

Ok, I may be in the minority here but I was faced with the same decision just a few weeks ago and I decided to go with the 6ex 2.4. here is my reasons why, I had a 6exhp, so I was already used to the programing and the feel, the 6EX only needs one RX for full range system. others that report problems with the display,and RX's dropping signals on the DX7 (see other posts on this forum) if it is an actual product problem or a user problem I don't know?? I had a chance to mess around with the DX7, it definitly feels better, ball bearing gimbals are alot smoother.better TX battery, but at $349.00 compared to $219.00 Retail(and I got a much much better price at an online shop. PM me and I'll tell you where)I shopped online and Ebay for about a month trying to find the best deal I could on a DX7. Most online places and Ebay DX7's TX only went for or bid to $200.00 or more, then you have to buy an RX on top of that, putting you at a little below the full system price. If you get the full system for a Trex, you have no use for the servos. and my final deciding factor, 2.4 is still in it's infancy, so there are going to be more choices comming soon (Futaba 7c 2.4 comming soon, which is what I really wanted but no release date yet))so I didn't want to spend the DX7 price until I see what the new releases in the market will be. I feel if JR's stuff is popular and Futaba's line becomes popular the Spectrum TX's may become somewhat obsolete especialy as JR converts their line over. The futaba 6EX 2.4 gives me exactly what I need without spending alot of money so when the better radio's start hitting the market I can upgrade with out feeling that I spent to much on an entry level system. but if you want the best 2.4 system available right now the DX7 is the probably the best choice.

[Freaker]

Looks like no1 using futaba 6ex 2.4
If there is some1, please share few words.
Thanx

Im using the Futaba 6EX 2,4Ghz with my Trex 450S, and its perfect for my needs. I have had no glitches and no loss of signal. It's very easy to setup.The only thing I maybe missing is subtrim, but its not that critical. The best thing about this radio gotta be the price. :D

[dsgalit]

I also have the 6ex 2.4 gig, coupled with Helipros Black Hawk 500 heli, I myself have had no problems with this tx, not even a single glitch! It also depends on the routing of all your wiring of course. Anyway, pertaining to the last message, the tx does have subtrim adjustments, go into the menu screen and scroll until you get to the trim menu, this is your subtrim adjustment! your regular trim is controlled by the levers on the tx. hope this helps you....

[RTDillon]

Would you please check whether moving the trim switch on the front panel changes the numbers in the trim screen? I believe that the trim screen indicates the position of your digital trims. Im my 9c the trim and subtrim are separate.

I also have the 6ex 2.4 gig, coupled with Helipros Black Hawk 500 heli, I myself have had no problems with this tx, not even a single glitch! It also depends on the routing of all your wiring of course. Anyway, pertaining to the last message, the tx does have subtrim adjustments, go into the menu screen and scroll until you get to the trim menu, this is your subtrim adjustment! your regular trim is controlled by the levers on the tx. hope this helps you....

[Steelman]

Hello fella freaks, I have an MX450xs, 6EXHP,R146ip, one month past year warranty Rx went out maid me crash $200.00 in parts, 6 months later, Tx is loosing signal every now and then, makes me crash, and more $$$$$. I am thinking of getting the new 2.4G 6EX, not sure I want onther Futaaaaaaaaaaba!!! I like the price at tower hobbies at $219.99 for Tx and Rx, and $30.00 off coupon, but don't want to waist money on junck, that cost you more later!!!! So for now just drive my RC race truck, with JR that has never had a problem.MX can sit and collect dust til I know what I am spending $$$ on.Hope this helps save you $$$ in long run'
still smoke'n

[hurleybt]

I went with the DX6 ($130 used with the AR6000) for my t-rex 450, and I'm quite pleased. Some complain about the interface, but I didn't have a problem with it at all. Just scroll through the menus and make changes on the settings with the right orange button.

Now that I've been flying for a while, I would like to have 3 positions on the idle switch, 5 point curves, and expo on my rudder, but I found a site that has the DX7 for $205 by itself, so I could easiliy sell my dx6 and upgrade to the DX7 in the next month or so... but for the newer flier, those things wouldn't even make a difference. I doubt I'll really see a difference, aside from the 3 point idle switch.

[txflyer]

I went with the DX6 ($130 used with the AR6000) for my t-rex 450, and I'm quite pleased. Some complain about the interface, but I didn't have a problem with it at all. Just scroll through the menus and make changes on the settings with the right orange button.

Now that I've been flying for a while, I would like to have 3 positions on the idle switch, 5 point curves, and expo on my rudder, but I found a site that has the DX7 for $205 by itself, so I could easiliy sell my dx6 and upgrade to the DX7 in the next month or so... but for the newer flier, those things wouldn't even make a difference. I doubt I'll really see a difference, aside from the 3 point idle switch.


same thing as me, i have come to not like the 3 point curves, or no model match, and not having full range. but i havent got a dx7 yet. eflite has a new rtf heli due out soon, that has a dx6i. wich from the details is pretty much a redesigned dx7, with a few changes. i want to hear if its going to live up the spektrum name and be a true radio, or if its going to be a crappy rtf 2.4 radio.i do plan on running a bigger heli off my dx6. but nothing over like a hurrican 550. any bigger and im going to the dx7...

[kgfly]

It is more than just the extra channel, the DX7 gives you far better CCPM performance, better UI, ModelMatch and ServoSynch, more features, better gymbals, better Tx runtime and probably better resale value. IMO you will outgrow the 6EX/FASST and the lack of sub-trims is a weakness especially for helis. You can get a DX7+Rx for only about $50 more than 6EX so I really don't know why you would buy the 6EX. In a year's time you won't notice the extra $50 spent on the radio but I believe you will be much happier with the radio and no nagging doubts about whether it is good enough for your next heli.

You might find this summary interesting:

FASST 6EXH vs Spektrum DX6/DX6i/DX7
===================================

Can any one tell about the Futaba fasst radio. Is just as good as the spektrum dx7? Other than the number of models. Or should I just spend the bucks for the DX7?
As a technology FASST is comparable to Spektrum's DSM/DSM2. They do things slightly differently but both work well. Which works better, if either, will only become really apparent when there are more in use. Certainly there are thousands of Spektrum surface and air radios in use over the past couple of years with overwhelmingly positive results. Futaba FASST surface radios have also been around for a while and successful but their air solution is brand new and there is not yet a lot of field experience, although I expect it to be good.

The ModelMatch feature of the DX7 (and the new JR X9303 2.4G) is extremely popular and a good safety feature that is widely acclaimed. Futaba's FASST does not have a comparable feature.

Futaba's only integrated 2.4G radio (so far) is the 6EX which is a very low end radio, not recommended for a heli really. IMO the Spektrum DX6 is superior as it has a better feature set including digital sub-trims, dedicated throttle-hold pitch curve and more model memories. The new DX6i looks even better again with 5pt curves, graphical UI and DSM2 it really looks like it will wipe the floor with the 6EX, although it is not out yet so we have to reserve judgement until it gets into users' hands.

The rest of Futaba's announced FASST offering is a set of Tx-modules for their modular Tx (9c/9z/12mz/14mz/12FG). There is an integrated 2.4G version of the 7c on the way but I believe the UI, features and performance of the DX7 will be superior. All the 6ex/7c/9c/9z family have been shown to have much poorer CCPM performance than most of their competitors, although this has not affected their popularity much. You can see the test results summarised (and updated) in the first post here: http://www.runryder.com/helicopter/t172571p1

In terms of direct comparison, the DX7 is far superior to the 6EX in lots of ways. Better features, better screen/UI, better performance by far, longer runtime. ModelMatch, ServoSynch, mode memories. No comparison. Here is a partial summary:

Note this is not comprehensive but simply indicative of some of the major differences. The DX7 has many, many more features than either of the others and is included just for reference for those features mentioned.

Comparison of the new Futaba 6EX 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio to the Spektrum DX6 and DX7

Feature 6EX DX6 DX6i DX7
==================== ============== ============== ============== ====================
Radio usage Full range Park Flyer Full range Full range
Channels 6 6 6 7
Model memories 6 10 10 20
Model types plane/heli plane/heli plane/heli plane/heli
ModelMatch No No Yes Yes
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Digital sub-trim No Yes Yes Yes
Expo Ail/Ele/Rud Ail/Ele Ail/Ele/Rud Ail/Ele/Rud/Swash
Heli p/t curves 2 x 5pt 3 x 3pt 3 x 5pt 4 x 5pt
P-mixes 2 3 3 6 (2 with linked trim)
Heli flight modes 2 + Hold 2 + Hold 2 + Hold 3 + Hold
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Aileron->Rudder mix No Yes Yes Yes
Aileron differential No Yes Yes Yes
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
Timers
- Runtime per model No No No Yes
- prgrmbl up/down No No No 1
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------
US Price $219 $199 $? $349 $269
- Rx 6ch 6ch 6ch 7ch 6ch
- Range Full ParkFlyer Either Full Either
- servos 0 4 micro ? 4 digital 0
- Tx batt 700mAh NiCd 600mAh NiCd 4 x AA 1500mAh NiMH 1500mAh NiMH
- Rx batt no no no 1100mAh NiCd no
-------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------------

The Futaba 6EX and Spektrum DX6 are entry level sport systems.
The DX7 is mid-range not really the same ballpark.


If you want to go high-end you can pre-order the exquisite new JR x9303-2.4G with 9ch Rx for ~$629. This is the well known JR9303 with Spektrum technology integrated (just like the DX7 was based on a JR7202).

I presume this is your entry point to R/C ? If so, it is frequently considered worthwhile buying more Tx than you think you initially need, many folks tend to regret the limitations of an entry level radio. It depends a bit on your personal style (prefer a bargain or prefer a treat) and expectations for the future. All these radios will do the job but the DX7 will do it better and for only a little extra compared to the 6EX, to me it would be more than worth it.

If you already have a radio that you like you have the option of converting it to 2.4GHz with a Tx-module. Futaba announced theirs for their modular Tx. Spektrum are shipping theirs for Futaba modular Tx plus Hitec Optic/Prism and the JR modular Tx. XPS is shipping theirs for Futaba/Hitec/JR modular Tx and soon to release their "universal" module for almost any Tx with a trainer port (cool idea). The XPS solution is the cheapest by a considerable margin and has some technical advantages over the others (for example it is bidirectional and will support a soon-to-be-released telemetry display).

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