Dx6i vs Dx7

[jddd]

I am currently flying rc helicopters and want to move into quadcopter. I have a Dx6i that has worked great for me thus far. However, I know that it has limitations. I wonder if I should sell the Dx6i and start with a Dx7. Can anyone tell me what benefits there are from having a Dx7. I know it has the extra channel but how does that extra channel effect quadcopter flying? Or even a Dx8? I will be building a little 250 sized quad to start out with and eventually move into fpv. Any advice is welcome. Thanks!

 

[Jackson]

You only need 4 channels to actually fly a quad, you got 2 more to play with.

 

[holtneil]

Hi mate, as Jackson said you only need 4 channels on a basic quad set up , the extra channels is for switching modes like self level on or off , lights on or off , the more channels you have that are programable the more you can add to the quad , switches you can program will be a great aid the DX8 has 3 way switches most on the DX6i are 2 way , if you looking at the new DX7 , your be better off saving the extra and go for the DX9 as this has telemetry and will tell you what you need to know as its has voice mode plus loads of other perks but you will not use most of them on a quad

 

[jddd]

Hi mate, as Jackson said you only need 4 channels on a basic quad set up , the extra channels is for switching modes like self level on or off , lights on or off , the more channels you have that are programable the more you can add to the quad , switches you can program will be a great aid the DX8 has 3 way switches most on the DX6i are 2 way , if you looking at the new DX7 , your be better off saving the extra and go for the DX9 as this has telemetry and will tell you what you need to know as its has voice mode plus loads of other perks but you will not use most of them on a quad

Thanks for the advice! I currently have the Dx6i but wonder if I need more. I have also seen that their are other brands that are more cost effective. I believe you can get a Turigy X9 for a fairly responsible price. Would it be wise to sell my Dx6i and purchase a cheaper Tx that has the channel options? Reading around quite a few people suggest them.

 

[holtneil]

Hi the turnigy X9 pro is really good ,I have never used one , I know guys that have and love them , I have always had spektrum I started with the DX6i still have it and jumped to the DX9 due to the fact I fly CP helicopter as well so need the extra channels and switches the DX9 gives me , Transmitters are personal taste really so if you like how it looks and feels in your hands go for it

 

[jddd]

Hi the turnigy X9 pro is really good ,I have never used one , I know guys that have and love them , I have always had spektrum I started with the DX6i still have it and jumped to the DX9 due to the fact I fly CP helicopter as well so need the extra channels and switches the DX9 gives me , Transmitters are personal taste really so if you like how it looks and feels in your hands go for it

Do you think I will need to jump up to more channels for a small quad copter? Cause I really like how the Dx6i feels but it is hard for me to spend $400 to stick to spectrum when I can spend much less and still get the extra channels.

 

[Jackson]

Do you think I will need to jump up to more channels for a small quad copter? Cause I really like how the Dx6i feels but it is hard for me to spend $400 to stick to spectrum when I can spend much less and still get the extra channels.

It's not so much the channels, the bulk of the quad flyers use 6. What Neil mentioned was the lack of any any 3 position switches. The 3 position comes in handy to set the usual 3 flight modes that most regular FCBs have. That said you got lotsa switches.

This seems like a solution.
https://code.google.com/p/zebacopter/wiki/SpektrumDX6i_Setup

This from the OpenPilot (CC3d) forums.

I think it was Cnut who suggested setting up multiple switches in the manual calibration tab. Go through the wizard and only do 2 pos on your flight mode switch. After finishing, do a manual calibration, move ALL you're controls to their extremes as well as the switches for your flight modes. Then go and change the number of flight modes to what you want. Never had a problem since.
For some reason the wizard struggles to recognize multiple switches sometimes.

I'd just use it, after you've mastered the fine art of building, tuning, flying and crashing a quad you'll figure out if you need more channels, like maybe you wanna add some rocket launchers and such.