[Pete Thornton]

Horizon Hobby sent me their Xmas catalog (full of planes and boats - no steam and no trains) and I noted that Spektrum now offer a 5-channel system, the DX5e. There's a corresponding AR500 receiver. The package of both is $99.99, which is significantly lower than the Dx6i that I bought this year. And who needs 6 channels?
DX5e 5Ch Full Range Transmitter/Receiver only MD2 by Spektrum

 

[Shay Gear Head]

And if I read the specs correctly it only has memory for one model. So it cannot be setup for more than one locomotive in its memory? Somebody with more smarts than me please verify this. Carl W. feel free to pipe in!

 

[chooch]

Bruce, that's how I read it also. That is a big minus. I believe I currently use 6 memories on my unit and can't imagine not being able to customize each locomotive (boat) as required. Good price though for someone who doesn't require special setups or only has one locomtive.

 

[weaverc]

Looks to me to be nothing but a single link for a single receiver. I don't see any way to tweek the individual channels other than to reverse servo throw. Good price though if somebody wants simple control of one object. Except for the no glitching aspect, it's like going backwards to the FM days.

It just occurred to me that someone with servos already installed in a loco and is driving them with an old FM or AM transmitter and analog receiver, this would be an inexpensive way to convert to 2.4 GHz. The installed servos would work with the AR500 receiver and the receiver power supply would be the same.

 

[dwegmull]

Hi,
I am in the middle of instaling a DX5e into a Regner Saxonia (johnson bar only). I will let you know how it goes...