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[jonny shoreboy]

Is this radio set any good for simple model boat use? I know there are several other brands in the 2.4 family out there, but this question is purely about the Spectrum DX5e.

I mainly ask because on the box and in the instructions it only talks about model aircraft use. I don't know much about the 2.4 radio equipment but I do know that with all of my R/C cars, I am only allowed to use 27mhz or 40mhz as 35mhz was ONLY to be used in model planes. I don't want to use this set if i am going to break any laws..

The other reason I ask is because I hope to join a local model boat club. With my R/C cars, it was a real hassle even with just me a couple of friends trying to keep track of which car is on what crystal. I'm hoping with the Spectrum DX5e I will be able to go to any lake/club and be able to sail without too much hassle.

Also, the Spectrum DX5e is really cheap and simple to use. Hopefully perfect for someone just starting out in the 2.4 family..

All comments welcome!

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

There should be no issues running it in a scale model boat.

FE and gas/nitor guys have found that the huge rooster tails can put
enough water into the air to block or cause momentary signal loss.

The only real drawback to the 5 series, that I noted, is that it can only
recognize one model. If you want to run a second model on a different reciever, the
binding process has to be done each time you switch models.
Not an issue for the beginner.

[andyn]

One word, Yes...

I'm putting one in my Crusader race boat, see thread about it in the racing models section on here, and one in one of my new multi's, which will be even faster... (niether of which will have exceptionally big rooster tails, seeing as they wont actually spend any time on the water, they'll be flying over it )

[craftysod]

Guy Bagley (Wideawake on this forum) did a review of this set in mmb mag.
No problems for a boat,but not a sub.
So go ahead and float your boat
Mark

[Bob_V]

Go for it!

I have a DX5E and four boats each with a AR 500 receiver. There is no need to bind each time I change models once the receiver has been bound initailly to the transmitter. Just a case of switching off one model and switching on the other.

No problems at all using on model boats.

Bob.

[wideawake]

Guy Bagley (Wideawake on this forum) did a review of this set in mmb mag.
No problems for a boat,but not a sub.
So go ahead and float your boat
Mark

Guy Morgan actually    however that's right.  For most users the DX5e is a good entry into 2.4GHz equipment.   Plenty are already in use and I think they're still good value in spite of the price rises due to the exchange rate changes.

The rebinding issue only exists if you use receivers of different types, specifically if one is DSM2 and another DSM.   As Bob_V has found, any number of AR500s will stay bound.   There are no model memories as such. 

HTH

Guy

PS The full review hasn't been published in MB yet.   It may well be in the next issue and there are a couple of other tips in it that I can't talk about until after publication.

[craftysod]

Sorry Guy ,hanging head in shame 

[rem2007]

Make sure you get a mode 2 though so your throttle is on the left stick, as opposed to mode 1 which has the throttle on the right, confusing to a model boater, hang on,....check out MMI Dec/08, full article on them, if you want I can scan it and send it to you.


Robert

[andyn]

Make sure you get a mode 2 though so your throttle is on the left stick, as opposed to mode 1 which has the throttle on the right, confusing to a model boater, hang on,....check out MMI Dec/08, full article on them, if you want I can scan it and send it to you.


Robert

I prefer mode 1 with my cars actually, my DX6i is on mode 1. Replaced the ratchet with a spring, and it makes for very easy adjustments to your throttling whist turning. With a scale boat or simalar this won't make any difference whatsoever, but it does make it easier with the cars, and I may switch over my DX5e to this too.

[jonny shoreboy]

Make sure you get a mode 2 though so your throttle is on the left stick, as opposed to mode 1 which has the throttle on the right, confusing to a model boater, hang on,....check out MMI Dec/08, full article on them, if you want I can scan it and send it to you.


Robert

If you could scan that article and send it to me I would be most greatfull!

[rem2007]

no problem, send me a pm with your email.

[wideawake]

One thing you'll see in the article from MMI (if that's the one you mean) confirmed by my own investigations is that if you feel the space on the front panel to the right of the slide switches, you'll sense an indentation.   If you carefully cut the plastic membrane away, you'll find another slide switch.   That's a Mode1/mode 2 selector.   Useful?

HTH

Guy

[jonny shoreboy]

A big thanks to rem2007 for sending me a copy of the article. Printed it out for safe keeping!

Also a big thanks to everyone else for their replies. You have put my mind at ease..

[wideawake]

A big thanks to rem2007 for sending me a copy of the article. Printed it out for safe keeping!

Also a big thanks to everyone else for their replies. You have put my mind at ease..

Just to keep the advertising balanced, my full review of the DX5e will be in May MB published on 20th April.   A couple of iteresting tips included I think!

Cheers

Guy

[rem2007]

I'll read that one as I subscribe, or should I say, my sister thought it a good gift for me. Keeps me out of trouble, wait I buy an Graupner RTR Hood, I wish!

[jonny shoreboy]

A big thanks to rem2007 for sending me a copy of the article. Printed it out for safe keeping!

Also a big thanks to everyone else for their replies. You have put my mind at ease..

Just to keep the advertising balanced, my full review of the DX5e will be in May MB published on 20th April.   A couple of interesting tips included I think!

Cheers

Guy

I'm looking forward the the next issue of MB because I think it has an article about putting a steam engine in a revell Corvette (the boat I am currently building!). I also look forward to reading your tips!

[wideawake]

A big thanks to rem2007 for sending me a copy of the article. Printed it out for safe keeping!

Also a big thanks to everyone else for their replies. You have put my mind at ease..

Just to keep the advertising balanced, my full review of the DX5e will be in May MB published on 20th April.   A couple of interesting tips included I think!

Cheers

Guy

I'm looking forward the the next issue of MB because I think it has an article about putting a steam engine in a revell Corvette (the boat I am currently building!). I also look forward to reading your tips!

Quick plug for Colin's revamp of the MB site.  If you look on the front page you'll find the cover and a link to the contents pages of the next issue and yes you're right there is an article on a steam powered Revell Snowberry.

Guy

[mjed]

I purchased the DX5e for a Fairy Huntsman and a twin motor Cyclone. The first problem is that the throttle lever is not self centering and then I found that the right joystick is not at zero in the centre detent. I have to pull the lever towards me to get the motor to stop. It seems to me the only obvious option is to reset the potentiometerbehind the joystick. I hope this is a simple mistake on my part before I get to the Huntsman with a Graupner 700 motor. Has anyone sorted the centre postition of the left stick or experienced a problem with the zero point of both sticks?

[wideawake]

I purchased the DX5e for a Fairy Huntsman and a twin motor Cyclone. The first problem is that the throttle lever is not self centering and then I found that the right joystick is not at zero in the centre detent. I have to pull the lever towards me to get the motor to stop. It seems to me the only obvious option is to reset the potentiometerbehind the joystick. I hope this is a simple mistake on my part before I get to the Huntsman with a Graupner 700 motor. Has anyone sorted the centre postition of the left stick or experienced a problem with the zero point of both sticks?

Hi there

I'm not an electrics man so not sure what a twin motor cyclone is (possibly an ESC?) but I'd have thought you should be able to get neutral to the centre detent using the trim slider beside the joystick.   It's also possible to swap the friction and centre zero components if you want to.    There are a couple of other tips contained in my article in this month's MB.

Another thought.  Some ESCs have automatic centring of the neutral on switch on.


HTH

Guy

[Tom@Crewe]

where is the best place to get one at the moment. UK

[wideawake]

where is the best place to get one at the moment. UK

A quick google shows a number of UK suppliers  with sets at £75 - £80.   Sadly the price has gone up considerably since my review was written due to the pound/dollar exchange rate.   Mind you that's affected everything not just Spektrum.

HTH

Guy 

[Bob_V]

Got my DX5e from here:-

http://www.phoenixmp.com/acatalog/Spektrum_Radio.html

Excellent service.

Bob.

[jonny shoreboy]

Just to keep the advertising balanced, my full review of the DX5e will be in May MB published on 20th April.   A couple of iteresting tips included I think!

Cheers

Guy

Great article about the DX5e, with some great tips!

[wideawake]

Great article about the DX5e, with some great tips!

Thank you kind Sir 

Guy

[jonny shoreboy]

Hi everyone, just a quick update..

As most of you will know the DX5e comes with a ratchet on the left stick as it comes set up for model aircraft. I wanted to change mine to have both sticks to self centre so I rang Horizon Hobby UK yesterday to ask about the parts needed to do the conversion and they arrived today in an evelope so I wanted to say a big thanks to John Norris at Horizon Hobby for all his help!