Spektrum DX3S or DX3R?

[ReV:-O]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a new radio, and I'd like to stick with Spektrum since they have always been good to me.

I've narrowed it down to either the DX3S or the DX3R. I've heard good and bad things about both. For example, The DX3R has DSM2 technology, but is a lot more expensive than the DX3S. The DX3S is much cheaper and has more features, and apparently has a better built steering wheel. I like the way it can read the temperature of the motor and the receiver voltage.

Any thoughts or experiences guys?


Cheers for any insight

[wallot]

telemetry is almost useless . you will use it once or twice.
3S looks cheaper and has smaller display

steering wheel can always be changed for something better. i use dynamite aluminum wheel on my radio

3S has only 11ms rate. dx3r can be switched into 5.5ms mode. if you are basher you dont need it but for racing 5.5ms is a must

[Arct1k]

DX3S is DMS2 now to I believe... But go for the R - The S only does 10 cars and has a 2 pos third channel :)

I had the S and sold it immediately it felt really cheap...

[skellyo]

I have both. The DX3R is a much nicer radio, but if you're just bashing and have less than 10 vehicles, the DX3S is probably all you need if you're looking to save a little $.

[ReV:-O]

Thanks for the replies. I'll give a little background info...

I am mainly a basher. I go to the track every so often but its £8 each time so eh. Anyways, I only ever have one car, and it's only ever electric. At the moment i'm running a converted Hyper 8.

What I like about the DX3S is that it has a temp sensor which can give readings back to the transmitter. So when I'm doing speed runs, I know how hot the motor is getting without having to stop each run. I'm sure there are other things it can do, but thats mainly what I would use it for.

EDIT: Also just noticed another feature. Apparently it can somehow remotely tell you the RPM of the motor and convert it into MPH on the radio? If it can do that, thats SWEET!

I don't get it though, the DX3R is more expensive, so should'nt it have all this extra features as well as DSM2 (which i'm not bothered about)?

Am I right in thinking the DX3R does not have this feature?

[rawfuls]

If Spektrum packed the DX3R w/ Telemetry that thing would be giant, at least that's what I think.

HobbyCity is selling a telemetry setup (Bondo has a thread on it) that looks pretty neat..

DX3R originally had DSM2 (I say originally because I don't know if the S has it or not)

---

I have the DX3R.. When I first got my EMaxx I said eh, it's only a truck, I don't need it, then I got a sweet deal on a Evader, then an ESavage, and everything went tumbling from there.

I have about 6 / 30 models filled up, but I also have test setups (to test my linkages, etc).

It's really up to you, I too would think the telemetry would be worth it, but IMHO, from pictures, it looks like a plastic toy.

[hootie7159]

If your just bashing and will only have 1 truck go for the dx3s...I had and liked it but even that had soo many features I never used...i actually sold my dx3s and got a dx3e for half price ($50 shipped)...and as for the mph thing....I used it in my rc8te and 1.) it was a PIA to find a place to mount the sensor close enough to the dot for the telemetry to work...and 2.) the mph's were always waaaay off...I'd gear for 40 on the track and the telemetry would always say I'm going close to 60-70mph....never quote figured out why....but the one thing I did use that actuAlly worked was the temp sensor for the motor....

If you are looking at either, my guess is cost is not the big deciding factor, I would get the DX3r for a few reasons:

1. DX3s is still DSM not DSM2 like the r, but is compatible with the DSM2 receivers. I can feel the delay in the controls with the DSM, I run a DX3r and you can still feel the delay when your car is far away, but not nearly as bad. A lot of people don't notice the delay on either DSM1 or DSM2 though.

2. The DX3s feels cheap. The handle doesn't fit my hand as well, the trigger gives poor feedback, the steering gives poor feedback. The 3r still doesn't feel as good to me as something like a 4pk, but that is even more money.

3. The telemetry is useless, a nifty feature, but you will more than likely not use it more than once or twice. Plus if you are using it for speed runs, it is easy for your car to get more than 100-200 feet away from you, which is the range of the telemetry.


The only advantage I give the DX3s is that you can use the marine receivers with it, I do not believe they have updated the DX3r to be able to use the marine receivers.

[ReV:-O]

By the sounds of it, the telemetry seems like a bit of a gimmick apart from the temp sensor, but hey, i can always just use my manuel temp gauge.

I've been doing some research, and one of the big issues is range. With my Spektrum DX3 (the first one) that I use at the moment, range drops after about 100 meters. Since I mainly bash, I drive WAYYY out till I can barely see it, and end up running after it since i've got out of range. Some commented on the DX3S's range to be not as much as the DX3R's for some reason. I think this might be my turning point to go with the DX3R

[whitrzac]

if anyone is up for a good laugh, take a DSM1 radio, turn the wheel to full lock, wait for the servo to go to full lock, then let go of the wheel...



if you need to stay spektrum get the 3r, but you could get the KO ex-5 with 2 tiny RXs for $180.

[ReV:-O]

Originally Posted by whitrzac

if anyone is up for a good laugh, take a DSM1 radio, turn the wheel to full lock, wait for the servo to go to full lock, then let go of the wheel...

I don't get it

[cornolio]

i have two friends who keep having range problems with the dx3s.they read the manual and it says only up to 200 ft

[Slowkrawl]

I know I know, your looking at spektrum radios...But....

I now run a futaba 3pmx on my 5b. For some reason the baja's just HATE spektrum radios. I have never tried it, but I have heard from several people that they get 1000ft at least with the futaba stuff. Plus the 3pmx is only $180. The radio does feel kind of cheap in your hand, but it is a fairly simple radio that just works really well.

[reno911]

I have both and use the dx3s for most and the dx3r only with my crawler for the three position 3rd channal. I like the dx3r a bit better to be honest , but reno gets some hot summers, 100 degrees ambient, so keeping an eye on my motor temps is pretty cool as well. Wish the dx3r could do telemetry then I would just use that radio for everything. My wife has a dx2.0 and loves it for what she does. I tried to let her take over the dx3s when i got the 3r but she said that she doesn't want to switch radios since she likes hers too much and according to her the 3s and 3r are to small.

[Bondonutz]

I have the DX3S, I mostly bash but hit the track 1-2 times month on a Non serious level and the TX has very ben good to me. My range is 200'+ easily. I used the telementry a couple times but once you have the gearing set and have good temps theres really not much need, I don't even bother w/it anymore.
I could have easily purchased the "R" but since I have zero will power about buying more RC's I thought the S would be the better choice. 10 RC's is plenty !