M9 Gimbals in a Spektrum?!?!?!?!?!

Taranis Fanbois gonna be mad!!!

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[esmithga]

I just followed this and upgraded my Spektrum DX8 Gen1 to the M9 Frsky Hall Effect joysticks. My throttle POT was wearing out. I have been flying RC off and on for about 50 years, planes, helicopters and recently drones and have a number of transmitters all using potentiometers (POTs). I had sent an email to Horizon asking how much to replace the POT on the throttle but all they said was to send it in. They did not provide an estimate of the cost but said they do not just replace the POTs but replace the entire joystick. Since this is a very old transmitter with lots of hours on it I did not want to spend hundreds of $$$ to get the POTs replaced with just another wire rubbing POT in new plastics joysticks so I opted to use this method. The M9 FrSky sticks fit quite well but as you can see they need to be spun 180 degrees to fit in the case to not impact the circuit board. But when you put them in this way things are reversed. You can live with it but that means each time you boot up the throttle stick has to go full up even though you have it reversed in the model profile you have selected. Also the other issue is the trims are revered for aileron, rudder and throttle. Elevator is fine. So what I did is turn the magnets on the throttle, rudder and aileron 180 degrees and it now works perfectly. Turning the magnets is not very difficult. I fly quite a bit at my home. Almost every day that it is decent outside. Comparing the feel of the sticks between the original DX8 and the M9 FrSky is quite amazing. The transmitter does not feel like the same transmitter. Changing the sticks does require a bit of work but in the end $30 each for two sticks ($60 total) and a few hours of work is better than sending the transmitter in for what I assume would be at least two weeks and no estimate of the costs. I purchased them off A m a z o n.

[dougmcpheters]

Just joined the RotorQuad Squad! Thanks for having me...I'm wondering if you've picked up a RadioMaster since the posting of this video? 📻🙂

[jacobboone]

I just did this upgrade on my NX8 after the stock throttle pot crapped out. Few notes for anyone else that may benefit:
- I used "FrSky M9 Hall Sensor Gimbal for Taranis X9D & X9d Plus" from Amazon for both gimbals

- Locked out the throttle spring return using screw that came with gimbal
- Both mount "upside down" in the transmitter
- Both have to be trimmed down a bit on top to fit, I just used a metal file took 10 minutes each
- Throttle wires up exactly like original
- Rudder, Aileron, Elevator all three need the polarity reversed, just swap the two outside wires.
- Gimbals feel better than stock for sure, but once in the air my thumbs don't notice a difference. I do almost feel like my plane is doing what I want more now though...

[martinrcflyer]

Thanks for posting this YouTube video. I’ve attempted the same upgrade of M9 Hall Effect Gimbals on my Spektrum DX9.
I’ve found a few things, which I’d like to share:
The M9 Gimbals have the same layout as the Spektrum, but fitting them into a DX9 has its own issues. It does work, because the Hall Effect sensors use the VCC and GND power connections, which are provided in the Spektrum Radio's Gimbal PCB connectors. However...
1) the upgrade involves loosening the PCB screws too (quite a few screws) and taking off the L & R Trim Boards (2 screws each), in order to make room to get the gimbals in and out.
2) On the DX9 (note it’s not like this on the DX8), I'm using a Mode 2 setup, the polarities of the cables are reversed, apart from the left-hand stick outer-axis, Throttle, which is upper triplet of wires in the left-hand (as seen from the front) connector. So, the connections are Red-to-GND and Black (or Brown)-to-VCC, apart from the Throttle, which is Red-to-VCC and Black-to-GND. In other words, for the DX9 in Mode 2, you’ll need to swap the Red and Brown cables over for all the axes, except Left-Hand Outer axis (Throttle). [B][U]Best check the polarities of each VCC/GND pin on the circuit board yourself, before connecting the wires to the M9 gimbals.[/U][/B]
3) It’s not just the wires that need reversing. The M9 Gimbal doesn’t fit in the space in normal orientation, and needs to be turned upside down. This means that the Throttle is reversed and that is a big inconvenience - causing warnings on start up. I’ve created a workaround for this - take off the hall effect sensor holding and loosen the centre screw holding in the round magnet. Then rotate the magnet through 180 degrees. It’s probably got a black pen mark on it, if not put a mark on there yourself with an indelible ink pen. Rotate the magnet around its centre, so the black mark is at the opposite end relative to the Hall effect sensor. Tighten up the screw and replace the hall effect sensor. The readings will go the correct way round now. I only did this for the Throttle gimbal only, so I then had to reverse the Elevator (or Pitch for Quads) settings FOR ALL MY MODELS, in the DX9 menu - Servo (or Control for Quads) Settings, Reverse (page 3). If you’re using a Collective Heli Mix, then change the Elevator percentage to minus in the Swashplate menu instead.
4) Another thing to note is the metal Gimbal Sticks are not interchangeable between the DX9 gimbals (3mm) and the M9 gimbals (5mm); they use a different screw diameter.

[benye]

I just did this mod. A few quick things. The M9 gimbal can be reversed by removing the sensor, pulling off the magnet, and flipping the magnet 180 degree. They are held on by friction using a small piece of plastic and this is very quick to do. This way you don't have to reverse any channels and your trim will work correctly.

Additionally the throttle not staying up has to do with the wiring pressing against the friction springs. Pull the wires to give it some slack and it will stay up.

[francescolocorriere]

Hello i have mount on my spektrum dx6i the stick m9 and is perfect now.
First i have problem with pot original stick but now with stick m9 my radio is perfect.

[MXXMXD]

Thanks a lot for the video i installed them a couple of days ago and they are amazing

[dholicpilot]

Thinking of the same for my DX9... Which currect gimbal will fit inside easily ? Does M10s suit DX9 ?

[BlownVSC]

I might do this on my DX7s =D Thank you for this!!

[rockdean]

I replaced the right gimble with a M9 in my spectrum DX8G2. Every thing works except the elevator trim. How do I reverse the trim switch? Please Anyone.

[ddegn]

Do you know how often the DSM signal is refreshed? Those "stair steps" could be caused by the limited update frequency. If this is the case, the gimbals wouldn't have any effect on it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. It's always fun to see people modifying their radios.

[flyingjunkies]

Holy Sh!t i am banging my head on the wall searching for Spektrum Gimbals that are guarded in the company vault :-D. Even spektrum turned me down saying i'll need to send it in? Bull Donkey... I'm feeling hopeful again because of this video
thanks for the insight

[nacomadre]

Hey I broke my dx9 will it be ok to buy the m9 as remplacement? also Would ot be ok to have one original and one m9 since only one of my gimbals broke . no warranty

[tinywhoopjapan]

I could do the modify for a DX6i That's awesome!! Thank you!

[BadWallaby]

Thank you so much for this! So you in the Bay Area? Saw the MRM sticker haha. Thanks again! Might be doing this too!

[drumrboynoid]

I have the same two radios. If anything I'd like to put the dx8 gimbals in my tyranis. I don't like how big of a stick deflection the tyranis has. Right now I just use the dx8 for my planes, and I'd use them for my drones too if receivers weren't so expensive. Still you gotta admit the tyranis gives you options that you'd have to pay $ 1000 for in a spektrum. Thanks for the video.

[TheMasterhazard]

i bricked my dx6 trying to upgrade, swapped back to original gimbals and now it needs factory maintenance :(

[ecwhite]

Ok, inquiring minds want to know. After 2 years have there been any issues with conversation? Do you still like it, would you do it again, etc?

[brendan]

Great Video. Will the M9 gimbals work in my dx6i?

[interman]

I hear what your saying about the taranis, they could have styled it a bit better.