DX-7. This Changes Everything.. Again!

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Judge
	I am merely reporting what I was told directly by both Peter Goldsmith and John Diniz of Horizon. I trust that they know what the scoop is. It is true that Spektrum uses JR parts, but JR is NOT Spektrum.

True, but I would say JR is using Spektrum parts, for the SS only, but the radios are still JR. Im sure the programming, feel, and design are all the same as any JR radio in the same class, but the transmission parts are the difference. Or are you saying that Spektrum really manufactures the 7202, and the 6102 and JR just markets them?

[paffy]

	Quote: Originally Posted by bodywerks
	Well, it's a nice step toward the REAL future, but it's not for me. It is still a system that requires me to set my 9303 aside and settle for lesser features and a different feeling transmitter. The REAL future is in plug and play modules for upper-class transmitters THAT PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE! I am happy for those that are flying on 6102's or the like and now have a chance to upgrade, but it saddens me that they didn't have $600-$2000 transmitter owners in mind. The good news is that the plug and play module revolution is in our near future and will be less than half the cost of this system and you get to keep and use your high-dollar transmitter, but it will not come from SpektrumRC

I fuly understand what Horizon is doing. They take a small step and colleect feedback. I'm sure someone there screens all the "I crashed my foamy because of DX6" calls. It's definitely easier to deal with then "I crashed my $10,000 plane because of your new radio".

The next logical step is small planes - DX7 seems to be perfect for that. I'm sure once the feedback reassures viability of the system, the next step will show up.

They're also understandably milking the modellers for all they're worth in the process. A $150 module for your 9x/10x vs. $3000 for a family of transmitters that you will have to go through before you get something on the order of 12x with SS.....

P.

[Judge]

	Quote: Originally Posted by TheTank
	True, but I would say JR is using Spektrum parts, for the SS only, but the radios are still JR. Im sure the programming, feel, and design are all the same as any JR radio in the same class, but the transmission parts are the difference. Or are you saying that Spektrum really manufactures the 7202, and the 6102 and JR just markets them?

Not sure where I am getting lost here. As far as I have been told JR has no financial interest in Spektrum. Horizon/SPektrum do indeed pruchase the guts of the TX from JR, but that is the only money JR makes on the deal. They are not in business together, JR is merely a vendor supplying parts to Spektrum. A substantial part, true, but they are not financially or legally tied to each other.

Horizon is the North American marketing and distribution company for JR. They do have input to the radios, but they are not tied to each other financially.

JR makes the 7202 and 6102 radios. Horizon markets and sells them in the US under the JR brand name.

Spektrum buys the guts of thos radios from JR and reworks them into the Spektrum brand.

[RVM]

Need a 9 or 10 channel Spektrum... this 7 channel is sweet but doesn't have many of the functions I need.

[Cracky]

I think its great that they came out with a 7, get a bunch of them out there and then to make sure that everything is 100% with them.......then release a pro-class radio.

[GremlinX]

This is very big news. I am Futaba in and again, but this kind of thing even turns up the most loyal ear! Very good job and thanks for sharing Max...

[skypilot_one]

It's normal marketing to come out with a product that leaves you wanting for more. They sell more product that way in the long run. Guys that wouldn't have bought a six channel have and the same will go for the seven channel. JR could have sold a 12X two years ago but why not sell a couple thousand 9303's first and then charge a large premium on the 12X when it comes out.

I wish them luck on this venture and look forward to modules being offered for the 9303 and 10X, of course this will mean all the 72 mhz synth modules will be obsolete. Gee, goes back to the first paragraph Some just paid $100.00 for a module that will be obsolete in a couple years.

This sure will make the cell phone companies happy to get our portion of the 72 mhz band!!!!!!!

[madmax]

Thanks for all the comments guys!! I have no more info than the next guy out there, but if you look at what's happening here, it's simply amazing. It's no secret that Spektrum is OEM'ing JR transmitters, that is obvious. But look at the progression that has been made this past year with 2.4g technology...

DX6 released in Feb/Mar, HUGE success in the park flyer world. They developed the new alien probe looking receiver -- can't wait to talk to Paul about this BTW, dual diversity receivers are the cat's meow in any freq in this range, but this looks like a quad maybe?

Anyways, after extensive testing and making sure the technology is feasible for larger planes, we now see the DX-7. This is more than just an extra channel; it's a quantum leap in terms of the technology.

If I had to make a prediction based on the trend we've seen, I betcha they fast track a Spektrum DX-8/and/or DX-9 (9303), and possibly jump directly to a Spektrum DX-12 like the 12x that was just released in Japan. Legacy 10x models will most likely be skipped. Again, just my prediction.

And just a commentary, as far as speculation if the 12x spektrum in Japan, doubt it. The 2.4 ghz international "sister" frequency is 1.2ghz. I could be out of my mind though, hopefully this techology makes it to the rest of the globe.

Again, this is all very VERY exciting news that is great for us modelers. We're gonna try to get Paul on the horn for a "Madmax cast" later today.

Thanks!

MD

[faces0fdeath]

Is it safe?

[Green-Giant]

looks wicked but i am not 100% on 'spektrum' ???? is this just synthesised with a new name????

[GremlinX]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Green-Giant
	looks wicked but i am not 100% on 'spektrum' ???? is this just synthesised with a new name????

I think it is more redundant than just a synth rx/tx setup.

[MomoBrut]

Spektrum website updated ...
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/D...ProdID=SPM2710

[madmax]

	Quote: Originally Posted by faces0fdeath
	Is it safe?

Yes. Respected manufacturers the size of Horizon would not release something like this untested.

[bodywerks]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Judge
	I agree about the aftermarket solutions that are being talked about. One, XPS out of Lake Havasu, AZ, has made all kinds of claims, but to date has only done a public test with a foamy and a 29% electric Giles. Yet the vendor talks like it is already out, available, and well proven. Oh well.

Well, if memory serves, the 'public test' that you speak of was an electric event, which stands to reason their choice of planes for it. Beyond that you nor I know exactly what planes they have done testing with - same goes with SpektrumRC. We know that the DX-7 can handle a turbine jet because they 'tested' it 'publically'. But I guarantee you they tested other aircraft situations privately that you don't know about either.
I am no radio wave geek by any means, but I don't see how much more interference you can expect from a 'typical' giant scale gasser. Being that the system operates at 2.4 ghz, it is WAY out of the interference wavelengths of anything on the airplane. The only semi-valid concern I have heard of is how 2.4ghz would handle a 100% carbon fiber airframe, of which there are very few in giant scale.
As for the claims of XPS, have you been able to prove any of them wrong? What about all the claims of the DX-7? Have you been able to prove them right? The answer is no. I am just as leary about putting this system in a $2000+ airframe as I am the XPS. I think anyone who immediately trust this system to their most expensive aircraft before doing some beta-testing of their own is taking a huge risk.
The nice thing about the XPS is that the receiver is small enough and light enough to put in a foamy or park flyer, which is where I will be using this system for the first 100 or so flights just to make sure for myself that it is solid before trusting it to my $3000 planes.
Also, I don't know where you heard that they were claiming that their system is already out, available, and well-proven. I have been to their website and also read the 70 page thread on RCGroups and saw nowhere where they said anything of the sort. I do know they are very confident in their spherical radiation technology and it's reliability, but they are still not saying that it is 100% reliable and well-proven - nothing is.

[bodywerks]

	Quote: Originally Posted by paffy
	I fuly understand what Horizon is doing. They take a small step and colleect feedback. I'm sure someone there screens all the "I crashed my foamy because of DX6" calls. It's definitely easier to deal with then "I crashed my $10,000 plane because of your new radio". The next logical step is small planes - DX7 seems to be perfect for that. I'm sure once the feedback reassures viability of the system, the next step will show up. They're also understandably milking the modellers for all they're worth in the process. A $150 module for your 9x/10x vs. $3000 for a family of transmitters that you will have to go through before you get something on the order of 12x with SS..... P.

You may very well be right. Why not make money while getting valuable beta testing? The fact is that it was a good business decision to go with the DX-7, I can understand it. But I am sure they could have come up with a way to convert your existing radios, either by plug and play, or even by sending it in for an upgrade. Like you said, though, why do that when you know people will drop $400 plus for a complete system?
I am sure that no manufacturer would blatently come out and say that they are milking the consumer for every dollar, but I think you have more or less hit the nail on the head! I am not saying it is a bad way to do business, as it is likely very profitable for them, but it is definitely not the way to cater specifically to the consumers and their needs.