X9303 or DX7 ? [Archive]

WellGrounded

12-23-2007, 10:56 PM

Hey Guys,

Trying to decide what to do...here's the dilemma. I have a DX6 now, and I'm
going to be upgrading soon. The decision is down to two radios, X9303 or DX7.

Since I spend a fair amount of time on the sim, how each of these radios work with Phoenix is a major consideration for me. I've handled both at the LHS and can see
that each has it's advantages and disadvantages. I like the "quality" feel of the X9303,
and the DX7 seems to "fit" in my hands a wee bit better...I could be very happy with
either radio.

So, is anyone using the X9303 with Phoenix yet ? If so, what are your impressions of it (as far as it's interaction with the sim is concerned)..any issues with set-up ? I did notice that there is no option for it in the radio set-up...:shock:

Thanks in advance for your input guys

Larry

Danal Estes

12-23-2007, 11:37 PM

Sorry, you still have a decision to make... these two radios are going to be ABSOLUTELY IDENTICAL in Phoenix or any other sim... All mixing and other features in a radio are off in a sim; the radio is just a set of gimbals putting out a 4-channel PPM stream.

Buy whichever one you want! Or buy one and buy a cheap-o "buddy box" for use with Phoenix and save the wear and tear on your "main baby".

jrohland

12-23-2007, 11:54 PM

As I understand it the X9303 is a 9 channel, DSM2 radio. Phoenix can use those extra 2 channels (the DX7 is a 7 channel) in some models. I recommend the X9303 for the 2048 bit data packets and the 9 channels.

The 2048 bits will not matter for Phoenix but, I assume you will use it for your model(s) as well.

jrohland

Ade_Law

12-24-2007, 03:10 AM

the x9303 is basically the same beast as the old 9303 which is the same as the JR 9x2.

phoenix has a 9x2 profile built in.

Ade

Pinecone

12-24-2007, 07:04 AM

When I bought my current radio (9303) I looked at the 7202 (base radio of the DX7) very closely.

I ended up with the 9303 because it has better programming options, better display, and feels better.

I am going to move to a native 2.4 (running Spektrum module in my 9303), but am looking between the X9303 and the 12X. :)

WellGrounded

12-25-2007, 11:10 AM

the x9303 is basically the same beast as the old 9303 which is the same as the JR 9x2.

phoenix has a 9x2 profile built in.

Ade

Thanks Ade_Law, and to the rest for your input and information :thumbup:

Fired up the sim yesterday and found that I lost a channel on the DX6 :bomb:

Guess I'll have to make my decision sooner than expected......

Larry

leslie

12-25-2007, 05:18 PM

Hi all,

I recently upgraded from a jr6102 to the x9303. I love the x9303 and it's very intuitive to setup. I had a couple hiccups setting it up for phoenix, but I asked a question here and then got my calibration spot on. I used the JR PCM9X model for the basic setup.

Cheers,
Leslie

BikeNBoatN

12-27-2007, 12:22 AM

Get whatever radio you want. But keep the DX6 to use as your sim transmitter. That's what I do. Keeps wear and tear off my primary tx. You'll never have a chance to forget your tx at home, or forget to select the right model, or run out your tx battery before flying, or....

If you remove the rf module, the stock DX6 battery will last for hours. The sim doesn't really care how fancy a tx you use. But your real life heli will.

WellGrounded

12-27-2007, 10:42 AM

Get whatever radio you want. But keep the DX6 to use as your sim transmitter.

I would probably do that, had my DX6 not lost a channel the other day....I'm going
to tear into it and see if it's an easy fix but at this point I just need a new TX. :mad:

Again, thanks for all the input guys :noteworthy

Larry

Pinecone

12-27-2007, 02:25 PM

You should look into getting it fixed, not only for simming, but you can use it as a buddy box also. :)

raylepper

12-31-2007, 03:27 PM

Pinecone

12-31-2007, 03:37 PM

Exactly. I run pitch and throttle curves, Idle Up and Throttle Hold on my Tx with Phoenix. That way my fingers learn the switch motions also.

cbdane

12-31-2007, 04:18 PM

Does anyone know whether the timer on the 9303 is triggered by the throttle or do you have to remember to manually start it like with the DX7?

Thanks in advance.

WellGrounded

12-31-2007, 04:37 PM

From all that I've read, you have to start it same as the DX7

One of the only missing "goodies" on the radio, near as I can tell...

Larry

leslie

12-31-2007, 06:48 PM

hi all,

I have a new x9303, you have to hit the timer button to get it going. you can set it as a count down timer our stop watch. but it triggers off a button not the throttle.

Cheers,
Leslie

Pinecone

01-01-2008, 10:31 AM

Only Futaba has the timer on throttle.

Danal Estes

01-01-2008, 09:13 PM

Throttle linked timer is a feature of Futaba and Multiplex, and Graupner if you set it up.

Graupner software features 4 software "switches" that can 'associate' with ANY position of ANY input and can then trigger anything to happen when switched, such as a timer, a mixer, etc. But, now I'm on my Graupner soapbox again... :) I hope there is an MX22 with dedicated 2.4G someday. Given their association with JR (The MX22 uses a 9303 case, just different software) I can hope...

As much as I like JR/Spektrum, they are one of the few "big names" that doesn't have the throttle/timer feature. Drives me nuts. Having said that, you get used to starting the timer pretty quickly, just as a step in your normal startup sequeunce, if you fly that kind of radio all the time.

Pinecone

01-02-2008, 09:08 PM

Cool, nice to know.

Yeah, I spool up in Normal, start the timer, and flip to Idle Up.

vulture27

02-08-2008, 03:48 PM

You've both written that you use a DX6 with Phoenix. I have the newer DX6i I got with my Blade 400.

Can you either of you give me a quick overview of the initial setup for this TX? I've saved a new model as "Phoenix" and turned off 120 degree swash.

Vulture27

Takeoffs should always equal landings.

JKos

02-08-2008, 04:04 PM

> Throttle linked timer is a feature of Futaba and Multiplex, and Graupner if you set it up.

> Graupner software features 4 software "switches" that can 'associate' with ANY position
> of ANY input and can then trigger anything to happen when switched, such as a timer, a
> mixer, etc.

This is available on the Airtronics Stylus as well. It is also said to be a feature on the new JR 12X.

- John

Raven_darkcloud

02-20-2008, 06:46 AM

I can tell you that the x9303 has a more conected feel over the dx7. only 8 chan show on sim.

OhDonPiano

02-29-2008, 01:40 PM

I have seen quite a few replies from people on various threads stating that they don't like using their main Tx on the sim to save wear and tear. This seems contrary to the strategy of Phoenix being sold without a Tx so that you use your own to get use to it when flying at the field.

Currently my only two choices for radios in Phoenix are my brand new DX7 and a slightly less new Esky 4 channel. I know people use the Esky 4 channel on the sim and use the keyboard for idle up and flight modes, etc... but for me (as a relative newbie), it seems makes more sense to train on the DX7 so that I learn the muscle memory for the switch placements as well as the standard 4 channels of control.

So I guess the question is... How robust is the DX7. Is there truly a limited life-span on the gimble controls? Lets say I spend 10hrs a week training and flying. What is the life expectancy of the DX7?

widower

02-29-2008, 04:43 PM

There is one forum where people have been replacing the bushings on the dx7 gimbles with ball bearings. Wouldn't hurt.

WellGrounded

02-29-2008, 10:08 PM

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it...by the time you
wear out your DX7 putting in Sim time, you'll be
ready to move up anyway...

I would rather "fly" the sim with the radio I'm going to
use in the field, than try to adjust to the differences
between the two....

Just my nickels worth...

Larry