DX7SE vs. DX6 vs. 14SG

I got Lucita a new Spektrum DX6 radio for her helicopters and multirotors and thought I'd share some photos and thoughts on it compared to my Spektrum DX7SE and Futabe 14SG.

Some side by side photos.



I still haven't spent any time programming the Futaba 14SG other than messing with the menus. Since I had the Spektrum DX7SE first I am used to the Spektrum programming menus which made finding my way around the DX6 pretty easy...so far.

I do like the sliders and knobs of the Futaba 14SG and will need them for my latest models. Neither the Spektrum DX7SE nor the DX6 have any sliders or knobs.

As far as ergonomics go the Spektrum DX6 is (for me) a clear winner. The rubber grips feel best of all three, however the DX7SE is only plastic. I liked the Futaba grips a lot until I felt the DX6 grips. Now the Futaba grips feel pretty lame to me.

I also like the feel of the DX6 overall. The side shape fits my hands best of all three but this is certainly subjective.

I like the styling of the Spektrum DX6 best of all three. The look is to my taste and it just feels solidly made. Spektrum has had their barrel switch for the menu navigation for a while but this is the first radio we've owned with it and it feels easier to move around with than the Futaba touch ring and certainly is better than the DX7SE buttons only navigation.

I really like the Futaba sticks and gimbals and they seem "deeper" or lower in the chassis than the Spektrum models but how this translates to flying comfort I can't say until I get some hours on them.
Certainly the DX6 sticks/gimbals feel better then the DX7Se sticks but the DX7Se is older and has a lot of milage. They say the DX6 has quad bearings on the gimbals so that might be a reason they feel better also. I've never liked the DX7SE gimbals and the throttle stick has a bit of "sticktion" that makes fine throttle adjustments difficult.

One this the Futaba radio has that I will make use of is the SBus 2 interface. I hope to eliminate some servo wires with this wherever I can to make the model configuration cleaner.

More after some flying!

Speaking of the new Spektrum radio styling...I received a message today from Horizon Hobby regarding their new DX9 Black Edition. Very sexy.





Source:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/dx9-black-edition-system-with-ar9020-receiver-SPM9900