Spektrum DX7... Good radio except!

[n55w131]

I like my DX7, I have 3 AR7000's in 3 helos. Recently I broke my antenna. Guess what, you can't buy a replacement. A simple single screw and 5 minute fix and yet you are forced to send your radio in to Horizon, pay their minimum labor rate, and wait 3 weeks for your radio to come back.

Not acceptable to me!

I think I should have stayed with Futaba and purchased their new 2.4ghz radio. At least you can order spare parts for it.

In the mean time, I super glued the weak plastic base back on. Guess I live with it till winter comes along. Wait. Guess what! I found a replacement for the 2.4ghz antenna. Yep sure enough its a specktrum under the hood, only cost me $15. Yep I voided the warranty by doing so. (I did a 1/2 mile range check just to make sure there were no issues.)

If anyones interested I'll let you know when I post my DX7 and 3 AR7000's on ebay. Summers almost over so i am going to fly with what I have for now.

Live / Crash / Learn

[stevehonn]

You can certainly buy them in the UK, I had one delivered this morning. I think this antenna for the Blade CX http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=EFLH1058 will also fit.

[johnjohnston]

Ready Heli stocks replacement antennas that will work on the DX7.
Just remember to swap out the plastic shaft that is used to screw the antenna from the inside. It will fit better than the new one.

https://www.readyheli.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=EFLH1058

[n55w131]

Yes the eflite CX2 replacement antenna will work, but the post that I broke is the problem. The CX2 antenna has about an 1/8" longer post and the plate and scew do not seat all the way resulting in an antenna that will twist. Also the antenna wire is about 4" longer on the CX2 replacement than the DX7. Although they do operate on the same 2.4ghz frequency, one length is correct and the other is not unless they happend to cut each to perfect wavelengths. There could be a range problem with the longer wire. I have range checked it out to about a 1/2 mile with the AR7000 and I would be more concerned if I did not have an additional remote receiver.

Thanks for the replys.

[mgg1]

I too ran into the frustrating no parts availability with Spektrum on my DX6.
They wanted me to send the radio to them to repair too.
If I had known that I would not have purchased it.
Will be Futaba next time.

Can you imagine having a Trex that you had to send back to a repair center each time you needed parts?

[n55w131]

I have been informed by Horizon that a direct replacement antenna has been shipped to me today. No charge for the Antenna or the Shipping.

In this case Horizon (Spektrum) has come through for me. If this is a true indication of how all specktrum customers will be treated then I take back everything I have said as one could not find better support.

Thank-you Horizon.