Review: Spektrum DX8 and DSMX

Is the DX8 and the new DSMX 2.4GHz RC system from Spektrum as good as they claim?

I put the DX8 and DSMX to the test in order to find out.

Is this a radio you can trust your RC plane or RC helicopter to?

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• RC plane
• model airplanes
• RC helicopter
• Spektrum
• DX8
• DSM2
• DSMX
• radio control
• remote control

[asadasif]

Bruce, you mention DX8 in the title on the website article but don't even mention the 2-3 recalls in effect on this transmitter (in the written article) and which issues the recalls remedy. You don't even comment on the build quality. Going soft on Spektrum? :)

Also, does the use of the telemetry module alter the RF hopping any?

[RCModelReviews]

@asadasif The web article is focused mainly on DSMX rather than the DX8 itself.

[Delaunay73]

Niceeee review, as usual at RCmodelsreview! Now put it against the JR-XG8, Turnigy Frsky 9ER and Hitech Aurora to see how they compare! That would be the ultimate telemetry review on the 8ch transmitters market of 21st century!!!!!

[RCModelReviews]

@Delaunay73 The A9 and 9X (also with ER9X firmware) reviews will be up shortly.

I don't have access to a JR-XG8 (JR, like Spektrum, don't seem to want to part with any of their systems for review purposes -- at least not reviews performed by me) so that may take quite a bit longer to organize.

The telemetry capabilities of these systems will be the subject of a future "shootout" -- again, once I can organize to borrow some more systems.

[just4playin1]

Myself & Everyone I know who has used Spektrum for FPV has crashed due to lockouts and we weren't more than 500 meters away. Spektrum radios are good for park flyers but FPV requires a radio with strong power & solid frequencies. Turnigy 9X & Futaba radios are awesome, using those now. JR are good too, but seriously over priced. Looks like Spektrum is finally getting with the program, but as a pilot who has picked up the pieces of many expensive aircraft I would say it's a little to late.

[RCModelReviews]

@just4playin1 Most of those will have been using DSM2 which I have been warning people about for quite some time (much to the disgust of Horizon/Spektrum). DSM2 just isn't suitable for FPV because it has no agility and picks its two operating frequencies by listening to the band at ground level where the model is launched. Once in the air (especially with FPV) the model may encounter strong noise on those frequencies and be unable to shift to a clearer part of the band - CRASH!

[orandaboy]

lol a grumpy old man wow shame on horizon.

[Raptor50aus]

I've been using a DX6i for 4 years with no problems at all.

with heli's and planes and quadcopters.

[Search4Truth]

"Old man who does not know anything." LOL. In another year you will be adding them to your waiting list for reviews. :)

[destroyerbmx]

I like how you get so technical in your review and test everything, I did not know how each company used the 2.4 band until I watched your stuff. I would like to see how the FAAST system is spread out. I am thinking of getting a Futaba 10CG or Spektrum DX8.

[ArcticRc]

I had mine for about1.5 year now. Love it. And never had any problem. But there are alot of brands out there that will suit everyone. I sent in my first cause the shop wanted me to. Got a new one but never had any problem. Great Radio

[MrKleenexDude]

I'm glad you get into such great detail. Now I have to go back and watch all of your videos. Thanks for the review!

[Bunnykiller6969]

Picked up one of these DSMX radio it is Great hardware, no more getting shot down =)

[Crazylogie]

I have had my dx8 now for a few months and I love it ZERO issues

[hyperon4]

Great videos bruce!!!.. please hurry with Hitec Aurora9 review. been waiting for months now!. keep up the good work!

[thedoorsbiggestfan]

The only flappy petals I ever needed was to drive a friends 599 ferrari :D But it was a good review nevertheless.

[bnrusso]

Thanks Bruce. Too pricey for me too.

[RCcunuk]

@Raptor50aus I do

[RCcunuk]

@Raptor50aus Hello?? I said out, not up. lol restrictions. I routinely fly over 1000m away and over 300m up. I have also flown 1000m out and 1m off the ground. With a Dx6i I was restricted to 500m out and had enough glitches that I will never fly one again and I can't even bring myself to sell it to anyone because I feel it's crap. You're happy with it, fine. I wish you continued success

[xjet]

@Raptor50aus Those who fly FPV I guess.

[Raptor50aus]

Unless you fly large Gas planes yes

[Raptor50aus]

Who the hell flys R/C planes normally at 1640 feet (500M)??

What a stupid comment

[Raptor50aus]

@RCcunuk

Well that's easy since my club has a casa height restriction of 200m

Unless I was flying FPV I would not be flying normally at 500m Hello ??

The only aircraft that fly that high are 30% and 50% IMAC Gas planes which can still be seen that high.

[RCcunuk]

@Raptor50aus fly out past 500m and tell me how happy you are with your Dx6i. I had one with a AR6000 Rx and won't touch Spectrum with a 40 foot pole

[RyanNX211]

The official word is that DSMX is only necessary if you fly in environments like Joe Nall or huge indoor events.

This week at Muncie, we had 4 crashes with AR500 receivers when total control was lost, AFTER QUALIFYING FOR THE ANNUAL NATIONAL CONTEST BY TYING FOR 1ST PLACE in each event

Flights were made in DSM2 even though on the last crash I loaned out my upgraded DX8. (backwards compatibility) If Spek would acknowledge there were more reasons for the switch, I wouldn't be looking at others

[gruntboy50]

As an Engineer I really appreciate your data driven reviews. To think Horizon and Spektrum call you a grumpy old man.

[garrrbo]

I think one of the best things about this radio is that you can download the setups for all of the newer models from Horizon at there site and tons of setups from friends. You did not say anything about that and I think it is what makes this radio the one I bought.

[RCBuzzboy]

Great review! I have been considering buying this radio for larger planes I want to fly. I agree with you about having to take your thumb off the stick to lower the landing gear/flaps, also the expensive receivers! I'm leaning more to Hitec now.

[asadasif]

@RCModelReviews And one of the recalls is about DSMX having backward compatibility issues with certain DSM2 receivers. After all, backward compatibility is a much touted 'feature' of DSMX. :)

[vanepico]

horizon sent a member of my club two DSMX receivers to say sorry for a rather large crash he had, they didn't point out that his dx6i would require an update for it to work on dsmx, i feel a bit betrayed with spektrum but I'm also fed up with futaba for their lack of cheap fasst receivers. It seems that we are being forced to pay a premium for a device that barely operates effectively.