New Spektrum DX3r Observations

[BrianG]

I don't see too many people talking about this radio, so I thought I'd post my observations. That and Dicky asked what I thought about this radio in another thread.

First of all, the sr3100 receiver is SMALL! Should be easy to fit in any receiver box. Makes the older Spektrum receivers seem large by comparison.

I'm not sure I like the bind "plug" though, I think I'd rather have the old button style. The plug is just something that can easily get lost. Not too hard to make one, but still.

Maybe I'm not good enough, but the reaction speed seems to be on par with the DX2/3/2.0/3.0. It might be a tad faster, but I don't know if it really is, or if it's just my knowledge that it should be biasing my perception. It would probably be easier to see the difference if I was using two identical systems side by side, and/or maybe in race conditions.

The DX3r transmitter is amazing! I LOVE the LCD screen and the scroll wheel interface. One button does it all to change settings (other than trims of course). Changing the user/model name is a PITA because you have to scroll through letters, but that's just a one time deal really.

It only takes 4 cells so it is really light. Since the top is small, the balance feels good. Fits good in my hand too, but TBH, I've always like the way the stock Traxxas transmitter grips felt the best.

One last thing to note: if you ever reset the parameters, make sure you fully recalibrate the steering/throttle throws and save! I won't go into how I found this out, but it wasn't pretty. I suppose I could have RTFM, but what's the fun in that!

[Arct1k]

Did it come with any rx?

Like you I have a couple of DX3.0's with Rx's and wouldn't mind consolidating to a DX3r...

[BrianG]

Yeah, it came with one receiver. The box also contained a 4-cell receiver battery holder, the bind plug, and the various parts to convert to left-hand use.

Older Spektrum receivers will work, but only in the "slower" DSM1 mode. The newer sr3100 receivers are the faster DSM2 mode. The transmitter knows which is which and sends the correct protocol accordingly (so the manual says). I'm not sure how true this is because for the system as a whole to know what receiver/transmitter combination is being used, there would have to be 2-way comms between them, and AFAIK, there is only 1-way comms (tx to rx). Personally, I think the manual is a bit misleading. The new DSM2 signal probably has the old DSM1 signal embedded as well to be backward-compatible with the older receivers. That's just a hunch though.

[Arct1k]

Well I will wait until your's goes and then will put up I think 2 DX3.0's and 2 Rx's - should get me close to a DX3R...

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by Arct1k

Well I will wait until your's goes and then will put up I think 2 DX3.0's and 2 Rx's - should get me close to a DX3R...

Go ahead and post it now if you want, no big deal. Mine may be hard to offload because I don't have a receiver to go with it.

When I get home tonight I'm going to search my parts bin - maybe I do have an extra receiver (SR3000) to make it a more appealing purchase. If it doesn't go, I'll just keep it for my sons Stampede if I ever convert that to BL.

[skellyo]

Originally Posted by BrianG

First of all, the sr3100 receiver is SMALL! Should be easy to fit in any receiver box. Makes the older Spektrum receivers seem large by comparison.

I assume you're comparing it to the SR3000 or SR3001? Because the SR3500 Micro Rx is smaller than the SR3100.

[BrianG]

Yeah, I'm comparing the SR3100 (comes with the DX3R) to the older SR3000 (comes with the DX2/2.0/3/3.0).

[Arct1k]

I bought a losi 2.4 setup cheap for my son (5) - doesn't need all the gizmos on his crt .5...

[wallot]

there seems to be one issue with dx3r . receiver sometimes unbinds. happened to me again this weekend twice after maybe a month of working ok. other people experience the same issue.

[BrianG]

That issue is known: http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/S...ProdID=SPM3100

[jhautz]

I'm lovin mine. I switched from the M11 w/ Spektrum Module to the DX3R back when it was first released. ( havent had any "unbinding " isses thank goodness) It just seems to be the right amount of radio for me. It has everything I would ever need in a small light easy to use format. The main reason I switched was the M11 had to many things on it that I didnt use or even know how to use. It was confusing even after a year of using it. As far as the speed. I cant really tell a difference from the old Rx to the new DSM2 Rx speed. I use the new Rx that came with it and the all 3 of the older versions as well. The original grey, the Pro, and thie micro Rx. From my perspective, the speeds that any of these things run are are faster than my reaction speeds. I never felt like my old M11 Spektrum setup was slow. I really think you have to have some serious skills to even be able to tell the difference.

Overall I really like the radio and would recomend it to anyone looking for a upgrade to the basic 3 model radio.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by jhautz

...Overall I really like the radio and would recomend it to anyone looking for a upgrade to the basic 3 model radio.

BTW:
The DX2 and DX2.0 have a 2 model memory.
The DX3 has a 3 model memory.
The DX3.0 has a 4 model memory.

if you lower the frame rate setting to 5.5ms you'll notice the speed difference... you need to have digital servos howerver... i'm running ace 1015 servos in my losi 8's... also i'm using lipo rx pack without a regulator... at 6v they're rated at .10, at 8.4, silly fast... with the 5.5ms setting you can't even see the wheel... lol

[jhautz]

Originally Posted by abiye

if you lower the frame rate setting to 5.5ms you'll notice the speed difference... you need to have digital servos howerver... i'm running ace 1015 servos in my losi 8's... also i'm using lipo rx pack without a regulator... at 6v they're rated at .10, at 8.4, silly fast... with the 5.5ms setting you can't even see the wheel... lol

I am running digital servos and the 5.5 frame rate... Still cant tell a difference. The faster frame rate doesn't make the servos move faster, it just reduces the latency from when you turn the wheel to when the servo starts to move. When these things start getting measured in mili-seconds its beyond my mortal abilities to tell the difference. I'm sure there is probably sombody who can...but not me.

[DRIFT_BUGGY]

Im looking at getting one of these radios but haven't seen many people use them to ask for feedback. Since you only have 4 cells does the batteries last 1/2 as long as other transmitters?