New radio yay

After over a year of trying to decide which radio to go for,I finally picked one up.
I fancied the DSX11 for a while but wasn't sure on the looks,I'm still not sure really.Its like a bag of twiglets.Open a bag and the first few you think,"that's quite nice.Hang on,no its not.oh maybe it is" and at the end of the bag you're still undecided.

Anyway thought I'd share a little review about what I've found over the last few hours poking around in the menu.
First up is the feel of picking it up.when you pick up the DSX9 the 2 bumps on the back where you're hands wrap around give you a confident grip,and even without a neck strap you feel that you can hold it without the fear of dropping it.
The DSX11 has a very shallow and smooth back,and as soon as I unboxed it I felt like it would be easy to drop.Not a problem with a neck strap,but I won't be using it without one.

When first switched on you are greeted with a bright sharp screen and a blue light.(always good)
A good wiggle of the sticks reveal some very smooth action,noticeably smoother than the 9.
In the menu there is 3 pages to flick through,with the usual suspects in the first 2 pages,
Dual rates and expo,
Travel adjust,
Limit adjust,(haven't quite figured out the point of this yet)
Sub trim,
Reverse,
Servo speed,(for slowing the servos if you wish)
Throttle curve,
Pitch curve,
Tail curve,(not really needed with current gyros)
Throttle hold,
Swash mix,(lots of options with all the current ccpm mixes,and a few I didn't know existed)
Trim system,
Throttle trim,
Program mixes 1 to 6,
Mix-throttle,
Flight mode delay,
Stick position mix,
Timer,(can be activated in many ways and tied into any switch)
Mix monitor,
Monitor.

System list is,
Model select,
Copy/erase,
Type select,
Model name,
Flight mode name,
Warning,
Tx settings,
All servo hold,
Trainer,
Devise select,
Swash type,
Stick mode,
Throttle stick direction.

All switches are in the perfect place if you've got suitably large hands,but people with little hands might feel its a bit of a stretch in places.
For example,the sticks actual travel limits actually travel a few mm more than the Spektrum sets and previous jr sets.If you look at the throttles notches you line up the furthest one at full throttle and can travel a little more.
I tried my old set next to the 11 and it is a bit trickier to reach the limits without altering you're grip.
Jr apparently will tweak it for you and re calibrate the throws if you wish for around £50.
All I'm going to do is shorten the sticks.

Something worth noting with setting up a heli is the throttle and pitch curves is that when you first go into them,they are only 3 point curves.Moving the throttle to 25% or 75% travel allows you to press add,and it allows you to use 5 point curves.The dsx9 allows 7 point curves if you like that kind of adjustment,but the 11 sticks with 5 points.

It comes with a 1500mah nimh pack which I'll be changing to eneloop's and hidden behind the battery is the sd card slot for expanding model memories if you need more than the standard 30 model memory,and it also allows you to download updates as extra features become available.

The build quality is very good,and the plastic case feels of good quality and is surprisingly light for its size.
Overall it's a very nice set and is a bit of a bargain for what you get.
Here's a couple of pics.



I can't comment on the plane and glider menus as they are straight over my head but I'm sure Zaide could add some bits,if he's actually read the instructions that is.

Mr Moff wrote:
I can't comment on the plane and glider menus as they are straight over my head but I'm sure Zaide could add some bits,if he's actually read the instructions that is.

Fat chance of that.

Roy

It works for me not reading instructions, it's easier to ask people in the know.

Just to second a lot of what Danny said, however there are many short falls I have encountered due to me NOT READING THE MANUAL THAT DOES NOT EXISTS. You have to search high and low to get a copy that is understandable.

But works well for the couple of gliders I have and that is why I got it in the first place

Zaidy's review !!!!! :-p

Hang on......... I didnt even know Zaidy COULD read!

He can't. He's just pretending

You need a better painter and decorator Danny

Z and Jem don`t need instructions they just ask me to do it!

Danny surprised you remembered how to turn a TX on buddy

Tim wrote:You need a better painter and decorator Danny

Haha,that's what happens when I get forced to hold a paint brush.


Danny.

Mark Barnes wrote:Z and Jem don`t need instructions they just ask me to do it!

Danny surprised you remembered how to turn a TX on buddy

Riding a bike mate.



Danny.

they are a very nice transmitter, just on that particular one the elevator stick has lost it's return spring

Lol you mean it's normal Rich.

sub I would suggest 1 always came before 2 when I went to school

Rich wrote:sub I would suggest 1 always came before 2 when I went to school

Nah,2 is always better.Remember jaws 2? Aliens? Terminator 2?

Save my number twos for the bog

I was interested to read about your new Tx and note that it is DSM2 modulation.
2/10 response, disappointing.

Does the Tx support "model match", the Spectrum feature which can protect wrong model switch on. Couldn't see that mentioned from a downloaded manaul.

I noticed from McGregor, the upgrade for your set to the revised version DSMX is not yet available and awaits info from Horizon Hobbies at/in their convenience before it appears. If that ever happens.
see http://www.macgregor.co.uk/support/dsmx-faq.htm

I recently took over a S/H virtually new JR PCM9XII but now fitted with a one piece Spectrum Mudule, this gives me the option of still using my 35 stuff in a better way and also enables running my 2.4 G stuff from a newer Tx. The module has model match but just the one Tx module itself.

Not sure if Model Match is that good really because used in a Spectrum Tx it involves rematching the receiver to another stored model in the Tx. each and every time you select a different program if you are trying different set-ups. A right pain in the b--tt

I can see the 11 you have is a development from the 9 in many ways.

Even now, JR's latest 11 (after yours) is just like your set but has their newer frequency hopping system based on the XG3 system. Not DSMX. (XG3 is quite new and still being developed and released)

Did you consider that before plumping for the 11 you bought?

Hiya Paul,
Yes I was looking at the new 11sg that is on its way,but I basically just wanted to have the dedicated version with model match and a few new bells and whistles.
I don't plan on moving to JR's DSS system when it comes out.I'm not fussy about DSMX either really.
My old set is the same as yours 9x2 with module and has worked flawlessly so I figured it's time I had a back light with a blue light at the top.
It was the reasonable price of £399 which pushed me from shopping cart to checkout.

Cheers.


Danny.