UPDATE: The manual included with my radio states that one can choose between three "warnings": Speach, Tone or Vibe. As I quickly discovered on the initial testing, there is no Vibe (vibration) feature. Horizon Hobby has been made aware of this, and I expect the downloadable manuals (and future printed ones) will be edited. Reference: Page 18 in the DX7 instruction manual under "warnings".
UPDATE: The official product name of this new 2015 DX7 is the "Spektrum DX7 G2"
UPDATE: The EU version of the Spektrum DX7 G2 comes locked on 22 ms frame rate and DSMX. You cannot manually select 11 ms frame rate or DSM2 modulation. If you want to have these features, you will need to get a US version.
I bought my DX7 from
http://www.fast-lad.co.uk for £166.66 (approx $257)(plus local taxes). This is the version without an included AR8000 receiver (I didn't need any extra rx's).
Why a DX7? Well, as it turns out, there's not that many reasons to drop the DX6 as there used to be. I believe Spektrum is modifying the "hierarchy" to make room for more models. In the past, a jump from the 6-series to the 7-series was a large one - not anymore. Spektrum has narrowed the gap between 6 and 7-series. My primary reason for choosing the DX7 has roots in how it used to be; the DX7 was once superior to the entry-level DX6, and I'm not a entry-level pilot
New DX7 vs DX7S The new version has been noticeably upgraded, except for one detail; the vibrator has been removed! Why? Why? Why!? I LOVED that feature. Because I live in Norway I use a transmitter mitten half the year, and this is when you find good use of the vibrating feature - it's hard to hear the timer alarm through the radio mitten. When that's said, there are some other changes worth mentioning...
The stock NiMh battery pack has been replaced with a LiIon one. This is good because the Nimh packs gradually loose their total capacity over time. After a good season of flying, a nimh pack may be ready to be replaced - a LiIon pack will endure much longer use. There is a three positioned flight mode switch as well as three positions on all D/R and expo switches - as opposed to the DX7S's two position switches. Voice feedback is new. Backlit screen with higher resolution (about the same size). More options for customization than the old version. Easier menu system - no need for button trickery to access certain menus like on the old version. The scroller is more finely geared than before (there has been some issues with these scrollers on the old versions, let's hope it's been fixed).
Something that bothers me is the SD-card feature (an SD card is no longer included with the radio btw). Before getting rid of my DX7S, I made sure to copy all my models on the SD card - but when I try to copy them over to the new DX7 it's not compatible! What's the point with copying models when there is no compatibility between radio series?? I tried copying a model from my DX7S to a DX8 once and that didn't work either. Let's hope Spektrum can fix this on future models.
The carrying handle has become narrower, I just barely get my fist through. On the DX7S there was just a simple 5mm stainless steel rod handle with plenty of room for the beefiest of fists. The new handle looks slightly cooler, but it's less practical. The included stick ends are very good for both "pinchers" and "thumbers" alike, although they are a bit too long for my taste (I'm a thumber). When using the included neck strap (which I find to be a bit too short), the radios angle is almost completely flat. I imagine that pinchers will like this, but for me as a thumber I like it to be tilted forward - so I have mounted a neck strap adapter. The grips on the back side of the radio has become more slanted which makes the new radio quite different to hold than the old one - this is going to take some time getting used to.
New DX6 vs New DX7
This is what the DX7 has that the DX6 doesn't:
- Comes with a 2000 mah LiIon battery pack (DX6 comes with AA batteries)
- Slightly more options for customization like the "digital switch setup"
- One extra flight mode (making three in total)
- Three position switches on D/R and expo
- Dial knob
- One extra channel (aux channel)
- Slightly better screen (not sure about this one)
With the new versions of the 6 and 7-series, there are not many reasons for going with the DX7 in my opinion - at least for heli pilots. The new DX6 is a VERY good radio compared to the old one and is probably the absolute best choice for beginners. Being an intermediate level heli pilot I would still choose the DX7, as the 7th channel can be used for auto level on e.g. the Ikon flight controller. The third flight mode is also nice to have.
Conclusion, the new DX7 A very nice radio. Would have been a GREAT radio if they had kept the vibration alarm. Looking back at my findings I now slightly regret not getting the DX9... Anyhow, I look forward to getting to know my new radio through the upcoming season
