I am not in the market for a new radio, I am very happy with my X9503, however I have a friend who is about to finish his 33% H9 Cap and needs a new radio. I told him to go to his local hobby shop and buy what ever radio fits best in his hand. He says he is fond of JR though.

Can people who have experience with both radios add their comments to help make his decision a little easier?

Personally i prefer the JR, the Spektrum just feels cheaply made and a bit trailer trash for my liking and if that makes sense, do not take it the wrong way as it is just an observation. I also think the screen is a bit small for my taste and I do not really like the way it feels in my hands.

The JR in my opinion just feels like a much more professional unit, I have Futaba and JR radios and the JR in my opinion is the much better made of the two, the Futaba probably has the better operating software with FHSS.

I do not own a DX8 and I am not really interested in telemetry, but i have flown and test flown planes for people with the DX8, I have also helped people with programming and the dam screen is a problem for me.

Ultimately though it is all personal preference but if it were me I would stick to JR or Futaba unless funding is a problem.

Having used JR/SPEKTRUM for almost 30 years -I really feel the DX8 is the all around best setup I have used
This includes all of the 10 channel JR -9 channels - DX7 etc..
nuthin cheap feeling about it - and it is really easy to use . I sold both of my 9303 /x9303 radios and DX7s -
The balance and weight is "just right" -for me-I fly with a neck strap or a tray for glider. hand held for put put stuff.

I have owened both Spektrum and JR radio's and personally like the JR best. I love my 9503 and am happy with the programming. For some reason, Spektrum radio's feel like cheap junk that could fall apart anytime. No bashing intended, I am just saying what they feel like to me... Both will de the job though.

I agree with Michael and Hughsey, having owned JR and Spektrum, IMHO the JR is much better quality, the spektrum look and feel like plastic fantastic. Deal breaker for me with my DX7 was that there was no throttle curve, the deal breaker for the DX8 is the pots issue.

Sorry dick but the DX8 just feel cheap, especially when compared to a Futaba, JR, Airtronics or even a Hitec.

Hughsey, have to disagree on the funding issue, the Futaba 8FG is probably the best value for money radio on the planet!!

p.s. Dont own a Futaba, but my friends do, DX9 man myself!!

Pots issue? When does it come, new or alot of use? Just bought one but never heard of this issue before. Is this problem verified by Spektrum or from users experience? Thanks. What happens when you have a pot issue?

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1404818

The stick centers but the control surface doesn't.

My mates Radio had the pot issue from brand new, he sent it back and the distributor replaced it with a Futaba.

personaly for me the dx line of radios feel cheap. they dont use jr boxes anymore and thats because they are not made by or apart of jr. they are a line of horizon radios. i like the feel of jr. i have owned almost every radio jr has made and this 11x is one of the best. but as others have stated get what you feel compy with, and try and get what others at your field are using if new to this game as they can save you alot of time learning the radio

Originally Posted by OZSamE

My mates Radio had the pot issue from brand new, he sent it back and the distributor replaced it with a Futaba.

He replaced the pot with a Futaba?
interesting
price sounds about right.