Spektrum DX5 Rugged

[Xx Losungen xX]

DX5 Rugged now available in green.

https://www.horizonhobby.com/dx5-rugged-dsmr-tx-only--green--spmr5200g?clickpath=HOME_rot2_05072020

Touch screen is different than the other DX5 Rugged versions - "features better feel, control and operation." Not sure if there are any other changes.

Green is a nice color but not very practical as it is more difficult to find in the dark or on the trail. I'd prefer glow in the dark, yellow or, better yet, hot pink but that's an extremely unlikely colorway, unfortunately.

Just a heads up, it's transmitter only.

 

[rbronco21]

I'm building a Capra and I'm new to digital radio adjustments. It's set as 3 position with 4WD, dig, and freewheeling. Freewheeling is in the center, then you go either direction for dig or 4WD. Can the order be swapped? Can I start in 4WD, click once for freewheel, and again for dig? Or put 4WD in the center so I can go directly to one of the other modes?

 

[rbronco21]

More newbish questions...

On the RF quality screen, what do the F, H, and A mean?

I'm cruising around the yard on my initial test and it works fine for a few minutes, then the motor stops. The servos continue to respond and the radio shows that it registers throttle, but no movement from the motor. I've rebound the receiver and recalibrated my ESC (TorqueMaster BR-XL). What else can I check? I think it started responding after a few minutes last night without any action. Today I just unplugged the battery and plugged it back in and it immediately responded.

 

[Voodoobrew]

I didn't notice it on a 3 position botton, but the dx5r has an actual 3 position switch that can be set how you are asking.

__________________________
Handy gearing spreadsheet

 

[Voodoobrew]

More newbish questions...



On the RF quality screen, what do the F, H, and A mean?



I'm cruising around the yard on my initial test and it works fine for a few minutes, then the motor stops. The servos continue to respond and the radio shows that it registers throttle, but no movement from the motor. I've rebound the receiver and recalibrated my ESC (TorqueMaster BR-XL). What else can I check? I think it started responding after a few minutes last night without any action. Today I just unplugged the battery and plugged it back in and it immediately responded.

Check batteries.

__________________________
Handy gearing spreadsheet

 

[Voodoobrew]

Also never store your rc with the battery plugged In!

Review the manual. The esc has leds that can tell you quite a bit.
__________________________
Handy gearing spreadsheet

 

[kevin_noorlander]

Look what showed up today!

And before any of that lame “seeing how it feels and checking the build quality” crap, I started hacking on it.

Actually, very little hacking was needed to fit this 2s LiFe pack from my Futaba 4PV. Just needed to cut the leads off the AA holder and crimp on a male servo connector. Unlike old Spektrum radios, there is some good space in there for a battery pack, about 80mm x 50mm x 20mm from my measurements.

I’ll form thoughts on the radio later but at least now it has a battery that fits the whole “ultimate adventure radio” thing.

i got the same nanotech battery for my rugged.
do you fully charge it and can i leave it plugged in?
the AA's are ony 6v in total a full 2s lifepo4 is 7.2

 

[JSterrett]

i got the same nanotech battery for my rugged.

do you fully charge it and can i leave it plugged in?

the AA's are ony 6v in total a full 2s lifepo4 is 7.2

I'm also running the same battery. I just charge normally. I've had no issues leaving it plugged in, been using for well over a year now.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[svt923]

i got the same nanotech battery for my rugged.
do you fully charge it and can i leave it plugged in?
the AA's are ony 6v in total a full 2s lifepo4 is 7.2

Fully charge it and plug it in, no problems. The only time I unplug any of my LiFe radio batteries is to charge them.

A 2S LiFe pack will only stay at 7.2V for a short time after it comes off the charger, it will drop to it's nominal voltage of 6.6V within a few minutes of use.

 

[kevin_noorlander]

Thanks for the answers!
i never used life batteries for my radio before
so i wanted to be sure

 

[rbronco21]

Is this the right one? Fits the Futaba T14SG & 4PK?
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWIKG7K/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AM8UWXBKQ70BE&psc=1

 

[twentyniner]

I just got one of these also. Love it so far, not having any problems with the touch screen. Thought the thumb lever would be closer to the grip but it’s not too bad. Has anyone installed the receiver in an SCX10-II radio box? I didn’t run my antenna out of the box, just wrapped it around the inside. Figured I’d never be more than 20 feet or so away. I’m just using Panasonic Eneloops in it now, but like the idea of a battery pack.

 

[Xx Losungen xX]

I just got one of these also. Love it so far, not having any problems with the touch screen. Thought the thumb lever would be closer to the grip but it’s not too bad. Has anyone installed the receiver in an SCX10-II radio box? I didn’t run my antenna out of the box, just wrapped it around the inside. Figured I’d never be more than 20 feet or so away. I’m just using Panasonic Eneloops in it now, but like the idea of a battery pack.

My antenna is wrapped inside my SCX10ii box, always done it way this regardless of model, never an issue for me.

 

[lonleycreeper]

I just got one of these also. Love it so far, not having any problems with the touch screen. Thought the thumb lever would be closer to the grip but it’s not too bad. Has anyone installed the receiver in an SCX10-II radio box? I didn’t run my antenna out of the box, just wrapped it around the inside. Figured I’d never be more than 20 feet or so away. I’m just using Panasonic Eneloops in it now, but like the idea of a battery pack.

Mine is does this way too...

 

[kevin_noorlander]

Is this the right one? Fits the Futaba T14SG & 4PK?
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWIKG7K/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AM8UWXBKQ70BE&psc=1

yes that is the same one

 

[Drm31078]

Currently have Futaba receivers, debating the switch to Spektrum. With kids, I kinda liked the idea of "rugged" vs. a 3PV let alone the fact that it has two more channels than the 3PV. Will be curious if this new touch screen is an improvement.

Would you suggest staying with futaba or migrating to spektrum?

 

[OnTheTrail]

Anyone have experience with the DX5 Rugged in the new Green color? From HH website, it looks like the green version attempts to correct the issues with the selector buttons. Just curious if that's the case.


"...Updated touch panel - from previous DX5 Rugged releases - features better feel, control and operation..."

Thx......

 

[twentyniner]

Anyone have experience with the DX5 Rugged in the new Green color? From HH website, it looks like the green version attempts to correct the issues with the selector buttons. Just curious if that's the case.


"...Updated touch panel - from previous DX5 Rugged releases - features better feel, control and operation..."

Thx......

I don’t have a green one, but pretty sure it’s updated. I thought I saw an Instagram post from RCDriver mentioning that the green one was updated and worked better than the original. FWIW, I have a black one with the updated touch pad and it’s been working fine for me.

 

[rbronco21]

Yeah, it's upgraded and looks nice.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=spektrum+dx5+rugged+green

 

[OnTheTrail]

FWIW, I have a black one with the updated touch pad and it’s been working fine for me.

How did you update the touch pad? Bought a later version of the black one or sent back to Horizon for an update?