NEW Spektrum DX3E 3 Channel radio!

**sailr** · 10-22-2009, 10:21 AM

Looks like AQ and their Tactic forced some hands regarding pricing! Now of course Futaba and Airtronics will have to follow suit. I wonder how the Tactic gets by without any receiver antenna. That is the best feature of the Tactic. If Tactic can do it, so can the others. Until someone else offers an antenna-free receiver, I'll stick with the $80 tactic system although the new Spektrum has a couple of features I like.

**blakybob** · 10-22-2009, 10:26 AM

Looks good. Love the price point. I was just looking on eBay at the DX3S and thinking...."if only someone would bundle this transmitter with the MR3000".

Blake

**sailr** · 10-22-2009, 10:54 AM

It comes with the 300 receiver, not the 3000.

**Darin Jordan** · 10-22-2009, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by sailr

I wonder how the Tactic gets by without any receiver antenna. That is the best feature of the Tactic. If Tactic can do it, so can the others. Until someone else offers an antenna-free receiver, I'll stick with the $80 tactic system although the new Spektrum has a couple of features I like.

I'm not sure, and I've never used a Tactic, but has anyone tested the range on one of these??

The Spektrum, Futaba, and similiar radios are designed to allow LONG ranges... Aparently, big gas boaters like to drive WAY out there...

I've tested my DX3S at over 1000ft... without loss of signal...

If the Tactic can do this, then that's great. But, I suspect that it's not really designed for those extended ranges, and that is how they can get away without an antenna... I'm only speculating, however...

I'm just glad to see that Spektrum was able to answer the call with an affordable package like this. That's awesome for the hobby!

**sailr** · 10-22-2009, 10:57 AM

Yeah, good for Spektrum! Good move. I have run my boats pretty far out with the Tactic without any loss of control but couldn't tell you a distance. I know one guy running offshore and that far buoy is Waaaay out there on the local club course. He didn't have any trouble.

**blakybob** · 10-22-2009, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by sailr

It comes with the 300 receiver, not the 3000.

Yep, you're right. I was thinking it would be nice if someone bundled it with a MR3000.

Blake

**Darin Jordan** · 10-22-2009, 11:04 AM

Originally posted by sailr

Yeah, good for Spektrum! Good move. I have run my boats pretty far out with the Tactic without any loss of control but couldn't tell you a distance. I know one guy running offshore and that far buoy is Waaaay out there on the local club course. He didn't have any trouble.

While it seems way out there... if you can see the buoy, it's not!

I didn't realize it before I tried it, but 1000ft is WAY out there... it's completely across the lake we run on... you can just barely see the boat out there.

I've been told by the Spektrum engineers that they have people in Florida, etc., that run their big gas boats WAY out there... >1000ft out, so that's what they are trying to be able to support with this new line of radios.

**Darin Jordan** · 10-22-2009, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by blakybob

Yep, you're right. I was thinking it would be nice if someone bundled it with a MR3000.

Blake

I'm sure they were trying to keep the initial pricepoint under $100.00.... The MR3000 is $79.95 on it's own...

I agree, however, and I'll mention it to them and see if maybe they can put something together.... You aren't the first to mention this.

**Steven Vaccaro** · 10-22-2009, 11:27 AM

Originally posted by sailr

Looks like AQ and their Tactic forced some hands regarding pricing! Now of course Futaba and Airtronics will have to follow suit. I wonder how the Tactic gets by without any receiver antenna. That is the best feature of the Tactic. If Tactic can do it, so can the others. Until someone else offers an antenna-free receiver, I'll stick with the $80 tactic system although the new Spektrum has a couple of features I like.

Futaba already relseased their low cost model at $105.00
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...od=dh-futk1200

But since I'm a Spektrum lover now. The Spektrum Dx3E will definitely be on my shelves ASAP!!! I know it isnt a big deal but for some reason I love the aggressive looks of new Tx's by Spektrum. The Futuba's seem old fashion.

Thanks for the post Darin!!!

**properchopper** · 10-22-2009, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by Darin Jordan

I'm not sure, and I've never used a Tactic, but has anyone tested the range on one of these??

Darin, I'm running six different boats with the Tactic/Tower Tx/Rx setup. I've gotten really "out there" - kinda' like lane 50 on the back straight with no probs. Legg has some strange "RF Traps" that affect most all other brands; no probs with the Tactic. Strange but true.

IMO that there's a huge price differential in outfitting my six boats with Tactic/Tower Rx's [ @ 17 bucks] Vs other brands. The absense of the antenna is really nice as well. No model memory is a big downside; a real pain if you want the steering to be correct for oval course running. The Tactic Tx has a real "cheapie" feel to it & the trim pots are extremeley non-linear, another downside when you have to adjust for each model every time you switch boats. The Spectrum looks great and would really get my vote if a version with model memory could be offered as a step up; as a racer with a pretty big fleet I'd imagine you'd agree.

**6S HYDRO** · 10-22-2009, 12:38 PM

I use a tactic, and a m8 w/ spektrum & 10 model mem, and a ko ex-10 w/ spek and 9 model mem.

Besides the models the tactic works just as good if not better, ive had some weird stuff happen on spektrum

**Flying Scotsman** · 10-22-2009, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by properchopper

Darin, I'm running six different boats with the Tactic/Tower Tx/Rx setup. I've gotten really "out there" - kinda' like lane 50 on the back straight with no probs. Legg has some strange "RF Traps" that affect most all other brands; no probs with the Tactic. Strange but true.

IMO that there's a huge price differential in outfitting my six boats with Tactic/Tower Rx's [ @ 17 bucks] Vs other brands. The abscence of the antenna is really nice as well. No model memory is a big downside; a real pain if you want the steering to be correct for oval course running. The Tactic Tx has a real "cheapie" feel to it & the trim pots are extremeley non-linear, another downside when you have to adjust for each model every time you switch boats. The Spectrum looks great and would really get my vote if a version with model memory could be offered as a step up; as a racer with a pretty big fleet I'd imagine you'd agree.

The no model memory and the cheap feel and other issues Tony mentions are the only issues, for the price it is a bargain. If Tactic come up with a more sophistaced model, watch out. The other manufacturers will have sleepless nights

Douggie

**properchopper** · 10-22-2009, 01:31 PM

Thing is that I just can't take my eyes off the new Spectrum; a total masterpiece of industrial design.

**6S HYDRO** · 10-22-2009, 01:40 PM

I think theyre uglier than hell, like some type of moon boot

NEW Spektrum DX3E 3 Channel radio!

NEW Spektrum DX3E 3 Channel radio!

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment