Spektrum DX6i

[wibblywobbly]

I have a couple of questions about the DX6i, and I am hoping that someone knows the answers. 

1. Do you buy mode 1 or mode 2? Mode 2 is what flyers use but Mode 1 would be better for tanks. Can they be swapped over by the user?

2. Assuming that I had a mode 1 and the throttle was on the right, this would be self centering. Can I get a kit to self centre the left stick as well?

3. For those that have them, do you recommend them for tanks?

All advice greatly appreciated.

Rob G

[grim_marmazet]

I know the DX6i is very popular amongst the Tamiya guys. I use the Futaba 6ex, which is great for all the functions you could need for a tank. Im going to upgrade to the 7c though and I need one more channel.

I know there is a kit to make the Futaba self-centering, its fairly simple to do. I imagine there is one for the Spektrum. If I upgrade at the end of the month, my 6ex will be going cheap.

Cheers,
Rik

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

1) purely personal pref. I buy mode 2 (throttle on left I think) because I use the ratchet for setting the gun elevation on my tank destroyers (self centering would point the gun at the sky).

2) throttle is the one that does not self center. You can ask horizon UK for a kit to fix that - see Mike B's thread (I need to get some more myself...)

3) Yes, you can program multiple receivers into the memory and switch control between them at the touch of a button. I haven't had any trouble using mine with DBCRC2HL's or 3rd party ESC's. Hopefully it will also talk to that El-Mod Tiger gathering dust at your place

4) if you were planning on getting it for just a DBCRC2HL equiped tank, a cheaper option could be the Dx5E - tho it doesn't have the model memory function, so is less useful for heli's and planes.

I'll have a right old mixture at Cobbo, so you can take a look there

[grompix]

Hi Rob

My Spektrum DX6i's are Mode 2 (throttle on the left) because that's the way I prefer to control my tanks. I think it may be possible to swap the sticks over but I'm not sure. You can get a self-centering kit from Horizon Hobbies UK for free but I've had no luck in figuring out how to install it. I've had my Spektrum transmitters in lots of pieces trying to fit the darned things but it's been no-go. They appear horrendously complicated and no one on this forum appears to know the answer (hint, hint!)

My Spektrums work with everthing I have, Elmod(old versions), Tamiya, DBC/DBU  - no bother at all. I particularly like the 10 model memory. You can quickly switch from one model to another at the press of a selection button so you can have multiple tanks battling with each player/transmitter - gives another dimension to RC tank combat!

Hope this helps.
Cheers
Chris     

[Ex_Pat_Tanker]

Hi Chris,
I have to write up a 'how to' to install the spring kit  - sorry I forgot so far!

I'll try to do that tonight for you

[wibblywobbly]

One reason for me raising the question is that I have the Hitec Eclipse 7 QPCM. It has every bell and whistle that an air flyer could want but it is overkill for a tank. It is running on a 40mhz channel that is very close to a friends frequency that he uses on his Tamiya. We sometimes get interference between the two tx's. If I want to install 40mhz rx's in all my tanks it will cost a small fortune as they need to be compatible rx's. The Spektrum ones are cheap, and I won't get any interference.

I like the Hitec as I now have throttle on the right, all ratchets removed, and both sticks spring loaded/self centering. It works great on the Elmod 4 channel set up. However, if I sold it to offset against the cost of the Spektrum it would be worth the swap.

I have also seen these http://www.rctank.de/product_info.php?cPath=61&products_id=647
and wonder how they work.

I should also mention that a long standing problem I had, eg the tank going into perpetual circle mode, which I thought was down to either a flat battery or an interference problem was nothing other than the loose motor connector block on the Elmod pcb. Talk about a hard to trace intermittent fault? If my soldering trick doesn't work I may remove it and solder the motor wires directly to the board just like an RX13/14.

[971wright]

Hi I have a mode 1 which is now nill mode with a conversion kit very easy to install a bit fiddley but simple just copy the other stick ,kits can be obtained free from spectrum main dealer U.K.they also have them for DX5e And other spektrum transmitters .

  regards pete

[grompix]

Hi Chris,
I have to write up a 'how to' to install the spring kit  - sorry I forgot so far!
I'll try to do that tonight for you

That would be really great Mart.
Thanks mate.

[r32]

I have a DX6i on mode 1. The left stick comes self centering on all axii(sp?) but the right stick doesn't centre for throttle.

So I have my gunner station on the left stick, and my driver station on my right stick. During battling it makes sense to do that if all you want to move around is your turret. In such a configuration I use the DX6i's throttle cut button to "dip the clutch" to engage drive when I first start the tank up. With the dual rates set up properly for the auxiliary functions (eg. gun firing, light switches) I don't have to fiddle with trims, I just need to flip the dual rate switches to get them.

The fact it is a 2.4ghz system means that it has really short receiver wires and is one less wire I have to route up through to the turret.

Great battery life, as well. It has only four AA cells powering the Tx and I accidentally left it on for about 6 hours, with only a 0.4v drop in voltage.