Dissapointing Range!!!
 

I just finished purchasing a Spektrum DX3R radio and two extra receivers for my Nitro 4-Tec,Jato and my T Maxx.I have everything all installed and all 3 binded.No I have not altered the antenna's or have them pinched.I am finding the range noticibly shorter than the stock Traxxas radios with the telescopic antennas.I notice this with all 3 vehicles.Is this common because the DX3R has the stubby antenna??

I'm talking probably around close to at least 100 ft. shorter.Please tell me I've done something wrong that has caused this!!

........gosharpie97.:cry:

That "stubbie" arial is a 2.4ghz and should be stronger (signal wise meaning longer range) there are many thing that could have shortend the range

No offence but could some one expand on what the issue could be or what I might look for or try to fix this issue.

thanks..........gosharpie97.

try transmitter and receiver batteries. I bet that fresh ones will solve this problem.

and re-bind them after you install the fresh batteries.

Did you buy the gear new or used?

When you say 100ft shorter.. How far are you used to going?

I take it from the types of cars you are not racing.. just bashing.. because a 100ft shorter for most of us would be like the size of an average driveway for racers...

Just curious...


Jerome :nod:

I run at a couple different places one is an old Home Depot parking lot and another is a banquet hall which is around a city block long.With the old factory radios I could stay at 1 end and run all the way to the other end.With the new DX3R which is all brand new including the extra 2 receivers I got around 100 ft short of the other end and the failsafe kicked in.

I did NOT put brand new batteries in the radio,but the batteries in the 3 cars are only about 3-4 month old nmh that are all charged up.

I WILL install new batteries in the radio and retry.Do I have to rebind after changing batteries in the radio??I will post my results.If there are any other possible answers to this issue pleas let me know!!

thanks............go sharpie97.

That's a pretty big area to cover.. I'd try fresh alkaline batteries for higher voltage. The DX3R seems to eat batteries around our track. With only 4 AA it could be more critical that with 8 AA on most other radios.

Most of the guys that have these radios are hardcore racers.. not sure if they would notice that kind of range difference.

You shouldn't have to rebind every time you change batteries!?!?

I am curious to see what others have to say about this. I was thinking about getting one and retiring my Spektrum M8.


Jerome :tire::tire:

I had to bum receivers with mine 1st when I got it. Sent them back to horizon and they were replaced no problem. Borrow another that you know is good and range test it with your radio, same batteries in your truck and transmitter. I 1st thought it was my radio until I borrowed a receiver that I knew was good.

What is your definition of "eating batteries". Everybody including myself gets about 15 hours of use out of a set of alkaline batteries (duracell in my case).

Not sure of the actual time on a set of batteries.. I just noticed that it seems like the DX3R guys are the ones always scrambling before a race to get new batteries....

Jerome :tire::tire:

Could you put a 2s lipo pack in one or is 8.4 volts a little high for that radio, assuming its the lower voltage nimh batts that are causing his range concern.

But like JeromeK99 mentioned try some fresh alkalines and see if that cures it, they should bring the voltage up significantly higher than the nimh's.

Keep us posted man.

I will try new batteries.The voltage meter on the radio shows 5.1-5.0 Volts.

thanks again.........gosharpie97.

New batteries show 5.7-5.8 volts.Still have to try it for range!!

..........gosharpie97.

What is the odes of three receivers being bad?

Did the range test again tonight-no different.So I came home and called Spektrum.I told him all 3 vehicles failsafe shut them down within 25 feet of one another.All 3 were approx 80-maybe 100 yards away.
He wants me to send radio in for testing.I'm kinda pissed and think I should bring back to lhs for an exchange.He told me "good luck" that the lhs will say I must return to factory for warranty.

I'll let ya know how I make out.

..............gosharpie97.:cry: