Spektrum iX14 Review - Model Aviation Magazine

[@ATCDave1]

Nice review Greg, thank you!

[@fredmillard5018]

Good review. Thanks

[@RcNeil]

IX series is the future of radio, by 2025 we are gonna see more companies switching to android, the fact that android is a lot more stable than 5 years ago,

[@rotorhead58d]

What is the function of the L/R trims at the top? They are not explained in the manual that I could find.

[@modelaircraft]

Apparently, those are programmable. One person used them for adjust the gains on the AS3X stabilization and another used them for trim on their flaps in one of the flight modes.

[@Jswizzle8r6161]

Does it have pre-loaded models like Blade, Horizon hobby planes etc.... or did they eliminate that feature? Thanks

[@janrc]

Yes, it has most of the Horizon Hobby planes as ready to use model.

[@interman7715]

Just get a Futaba, lightning fast touch screen ,easy to program ,rock solid radio link ,sbus , etc etc .

[@JPh35]

hello. What are the main differences between iX series and NX series of Spektrum Tx (except prices 🙂)

[@RomansFiveDotEight]

The iX series use Android. Some people mistakenly believe that the transmitter ‘runs on Android’, that’s not quite true. The transmitter has it’s own internal system just like all other Spektrum transmitters. However it also has a second board not present on the NX series, and of course a large color touch screen. Essentially, an Android tablet built-in to the transmitter. As he covers in the video, even if the Android system completely shuts off, the radio will keep working. What that android tablet does is allow very easy, very detailed programming of models, excellent audio callouts, and similar ‘quality of life’ features. So ultimately that’s it. It’s a flagship NX radio with an Android tablet built in which can interface with the radio to program it. Whereas the NX radio doesn’t have that and has the old click and scroll interface, and lacks some of those creature comforts like being able to type text in and have a text-to-speech voice read it to you in a pre-programmed situation (such as giving you specific alerts based on telemetry).

[@JPh35]

@@RomansFiveDotEight Ok thls Romans. IX20, IX14... but no IX8 or 10 ? For common needs 8-10 channels are enough for parametring planes or gliders. Why position radio in a very high-priced market segment?

[@RomansFiveDotEight]

@@JPh35 Well a great deal of the cost of the iX series is the built in Android tablet. So the assumption you’re making that the radio would be much cheaper if it had fewer channels is a bit misled. For starters; channels are a false economy. Something all transmitter manufacturers do which is unfortunate but there’s nothing we can do about it. It doesn’t really cost the manufacturers to ‘add more channels’. While additional logic is necessary to make those channels useful (and more switches, etc.) and that costs money; the fact is the channel number is arbitrary. So an 8 or 10 channel iX would cost the same as an iX14; because the bulk of the expense would still be there. The NX series has a simpler ‘internal’ structure so it’s easier for Spektrum to sell them at a lower price point.

[@JPh35]

​@@RomansFiveDotEight Many thks Romans. I understand better now the strategy. Currently I have the DX8e Spektrum for my FMS Ranger 1220, MPX EasyGlider4 and FMS ASW-17. Honestly 2 years ago I didn't by a model with vocal voice ; and it was an error because with a glider it is much more comfortable to have voice alerts (some flys go until more than 35-40 min). However, given the very high price of the new radios (NX or IX), I'd honestly rather buy one or two RC models to complete my squadron and their receivers than a radio for the same budget. I'll wait until my sticks get tired. The new radios with Hall-effect control sticks are particularly well suited to glider flying because you're constantly adjusting the trajectories and you're putting more strain on the sticks than you would in a plane, I think.

[@RomansFiveDotEight]

@@JPh35 I used a DX6 for like 7 years! And before that I had an 8 channel Futaba radio that was FM! It sure is nice having the iX14 (though the NX10 is a better deal, IMHO)

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

Umm, there is a video showing the ix14 versus the ix20 and the ix14 is slower still ! Yikes

[@RomansFiveDotEight]

Yes, but much faster than the IX12. Consider how expensive a flagship smartphone or tablet is; and then consider that these transmitters have one of those built in. The IX20, a $2,000 radio, has a much higher end CPU in it than the IX14. So even though the iX14 is newer, it has a ‘lower end’ CPU in it. Ultimately it doesn’t matter. Unlike the iX12, the iX14 has very fast and snappy interface. Boot times are pretty overrated, the device can be left on ‘standby’ for weeks at a time before the battery dies. Unless you’re planning to pack it up and put it into storage for 6 months; most people will just leave their transmitter on standby all the time, which means no boot time to worry about at all. Think about your smartphone. How often do you cold boot it? Probably not often. After the battery dies, after an update. That’s about it, right? Most of us just leave it on 24/7 and let it used the standby mode. The iX14 will be no different.

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

@@RomansFiveDotEight my frsky x18 boots in less than a second. Just as good and better than any Spektrum and broadcast of dual band.

[@RomansFiveDotEight]

@@iwontreplybacklol7481 So do the NX series. It’s an entirely different concept. It’s not really that the transmitter takes that long to boot; it’s the integrated Android tablet which your FrSky transmitter does not have.

[@interman7715]

Why do you need Android on a bloody transmitter? Spektrum has lost the plot imo .plastic junk with wifi ,big deal .

[@MontegaB]

Anyone interested in a radio that will do everything this one will do and more for less than 20% of the price, look at the Radiomaster line of transmitters running EdgeTX, specifically the TX16S.

[@ronhill49]

Greg did a positive review of the TX16s which is posted in the online AMA magazine. Read both and compare.

[@Dashone93]

I can’t fly none of my specktrum receiver with the TX16s mk2

[@Dashone93]

If they get elrs to work with ix14. We got a winner

[@MontegaB]

@@Dashone93 Sure you can, you just need the multiprotocol version. Or if you want the elrs version, use a multiprotocol module in the expansion bay.

[@Dashone93]

@@MontegaB I got the muti protocol