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Dec. 4, 2013, 5:58 a.m.
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12/5/2013
By LiveRC Staff
LiveRC.com
Whether it's wheel nuts, wings, tools, tracks, trinkets and/or anything in between, the LiveRC staff gives their testimonial and mini-review of each every Thursday morning!
Spektrum DX4R Pro DSMR Radio
$330.00
Spektrum R/C is known around the world as one of the first to introduce the 2.4GHz radio system to R/C racing, eliminating the hassle of crystals and frequency conflicts, by introducing their plug-in modules for existing radios on the market years ago. Today, they have grown into one of the largest radio (transmitter) manufacturer's in the world, offering an entire lineup of radio systems for pilots, backyard bashers, and serious racers alike.
The newest radio in the Spektrum R/C surface lineup is the all-new DX4R Pro DSMR, which hit hobby shop shelves less than a week ago. The new radio is built upon the successful DX3R Pro radio with a handful of new features including the new DSMR technology.
What is DSMR you ask? Spektrum says, "This exclusive Spektrum technology can be used in any type of surface application, including boats. Its range and response, particularly in noisy 2.4GHz environments, are superb. It's also backwards compatible with DSM, DSM2, and marine-specific Spektrum receivers. Longtime Spektrum users won't need to replace the receivers they have unless they want the frequency-agility of a DSMR receiver for busy 2.4GHz environments."
While the DSMR technology is definitely cool, for us it was the little things that make this new radio so much better than the last (DX3R Pro).
First up is the four channel and advanced mixing capabilities. While we rarely use these functions, adding such capabilities greatly increases the overall uses for the radio, including dual throttle, dual brake, and 4-Wheel Steering for activities such as R/C rock crawling. Next in line is the easy to use navigation screen. While this isn't that much different than that found on the DX3R Pro, it is still worth mentioning, as it is one of the easiest menus to navigate and adjust on the market (in our opinion). Spektrum has also incorporated what is called the "RaceWare" software. This allows for software updates using the SD Card Reader via Spektrum community website. To top of the new radio is a fresh new stealthy black appearance with "shark fin" antenna. This new antenna is a welcome addition, as the old style fold-down antenna was relatively easy to break and/or damage.
On the track the DX4R Pro works exceptionally well. While we personally have never had any issues in the past with 2.4GHz interference, the new DSMR technology kept us feeling safe and glitch free on the track. The overall feel of the radio is similar to that of the DX3R Pro, however, the new radio features a fresh race-inspired wheel. The wheel definitely looks better than the old style Spektrum wheels, and also features a firmer foam handle. We found the stock DX3R Pro wheel to have a rather "squishy" feel, and the foam would move on the wheel. The DX4R Pro wheel is not squishy, and stays in place nicely.
Each driver has his/her own personal preference to how a radio's steering wheel and trigger feel while driving. The DX4R Pro has adjustable steering wheel and trigger tension. By simply tightening or loosening a small phillips head screw, you can adjust how "easy or hard" it is to turn the wheel and pull the trigger. These tension settings have been available on other brand radios for quite sometime, but this is the first we've seen it on a Spektrum system.
The number one feature of this radio (in our opinion) is the unique adjustable trigger. This has been seen on other brand radios over time, however, this is once again a first for Spektrum. No one has exactly the same size trigger finger, and Spektrum realized this. With the simple loosening of a screw on the trigger, the gap between the throttle and brake handle can be adjusted closer or further away. We like a tight fitting trigger, and are accustom to heating up and "melting" our trigger to fit our finger, but not anymore! This one simple feature is by far our favorite part of this radio.
So are there any real downsides to the new Spektrum DX4R Pro in our opinion? Very few. The one feature that did not change from the DX3R is the use of AA batteries. We would have like to have seen the ability to run a LiPo transmitter pack, and have an easy way of re-charging without having to replace the AA's or purchase rechargeable AA's with a recharge station just to keep the radio going. On the flip side, one set of AA batteries does keep the DX4R Pro charged up for quite some time.
The other downfall, for now anyways, is the same new "shark fin" antenna we praised earlier. The new antenna is very trick, and very durable, HOWEVER, it does make it hard (if not impossible) to fit the DX4R Pro in any current Spektrum radio case or carrying bag. We suspect this problem won't be around for long, as manufacturer's are usually quick to release new radio cases and carrying bag inserts when a new radio is released.
Pros:
- New DSMR technology eliminates "glitching" even in busy environments.
- Adjustable throttle trigger and steering wheel tensions.
- Firmer steering wheel that also looks super rad.
- Plays nice with older style DSM and DSM2 receivers.
- Adjustable trigger.
Cons:
- Takes AA batteries instead of rechargeable pack (not included).
- Won't fit in most existing Spektrum designed radio cases and/or carrying bags.
Conclusion:
Overall the new Spektrum DX4R Pro radio is among the top radios on our list. This radio is designed for serious racers, however, costs considerably less than some other "serious racer radios" on the market today. The adjustable trigger that can be adjusted to fit tight on our throttle finger is enough to sell us on the DX4R radio, however, for those looking for more than just a nifty trigger, Spektrum has delivered an excellent combination of appearance, race inspired features, adjustments, and capabilities.
Beacon Rating: 4/5
THURSDAY TESTIMONIALS - RANDOM ITEM OF THE WEEK:
Each week outside of the R/C world we test out and use a variety of items in our daily routines that have absolutely nothing to do with R/C, and THIS is what we think of them!
Bait Station Bear Bait
$11.99
Recently my friends and I made a trip to the local Bass Pro Shops. For those of you who aren't aware of what Bass Pro Shops is all about, it is basically the all-in-one monstrosity of a store for anything outdoors. Inside Bass Pro Shops they have everything from fishing stuff, hunting rifles, and camping gear all the way to fresh made fudge, rare fish aquariums, and a shoe department.
While weaving in and out of the seemingly endless aisles of products, I was attracted to a television display setup and running over and over. The television display was for a product called Bait Station Bear Bait. A man that looked like Santa Claus wearing a construction orange hunting outfit was on the screen sitting next to a stuffed bear. He looked directly into my eyes and said, "Wanna catch bear? Wanna catch big bear? Then the new Bait Station Bear Bait is for you!"
Do I want to catch a bear? Of course I want to catch a bear! Who wouldn't want to catch a bear? I continued watching his demonstration and was sold on the product. I grabbed me the biggest bottle of Bear Bait they had, and headed straight for the check out. I raced back to the office and set me up a little pile of food (recommended by the hunting Santa Claus) and poured on the Bear Bait. I didn't want to actually hunt a bear, I just wanted to see one...maybe chill with it for a bit, so I went and hid a few hundred feet away until my bear arrived.
Pros:
- It sounds super rad to say, "Be back soon, just picking up some fresh Bear Bait," when someone calls you.
- A pet bear that you caught for using Bear Bait for only $11.99 would be epic.
Cons:
- Bear Bait smells something like berries, old meat, and cough syrup.
- Hunter Santa on the TV makes it sound easy, but 4 hours later the Bear Bait attracted zero bears.
- Bear Bait is "Jelly Donut Flavor" according the bottle. Who feeds a bear jelly donuts?
- Despite the label it does not taste like jelly donuts.
- Upon further investigation, bears do not live in the city, and prefer a more rural lifestyle.
Conclusion:
I guess you might say I'm a sucker for a good infomercial. Something about a Santa Claus dressed up in florescent orange hunting gear, while sitting next to a giant stuffed bear will get me every time. I'm not exactly sure why they sell Bear Bait in a place where bears do not live, and/or why they assume bears want jelly donuts, but regardless I bought it. While Bear Bait does not attract bears where there are no bears, it does attract a variety of city wildlife including several cats, a dog, three birds, and one curious old man who was jogging by.
Beacon Rating: 2/5
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