Product review (5 stars): Spektrum DX8 is great...and very complicated
After flying my very first R/C helicopter (a Syma S107 micro heli) for 2 weeks I bought a Blade 120SR "BNF" as my next step up. I didn't realize that BNF means it comes without a transmitter. Yep, I am new to the sport of R/C and have a lot to learn.

After receiving the Blade 120, sans transmitter, I decided to pick up a good one so I can continue upgrading to more complicated heli's without worrying about having a transmitter that could handle all of the features of the new chopper. Well, I can say that the DX8 is certainly overkill for a new guy, but I am getting comfortable with it and love it. I have had it for a week. Even for a 'newbie' like me, it is pretty easy to use the basic controls, and the more advance stuff (gear lever, flaps, rudder, etc.) are sufficiently out of the way that I don't get confused by them, but they are located in a way that will be easy to use once I get into the more advanced features of heli's and fixed wing aircraft.

The DX8 plugs right into Phoenix R/C Pro flight Simulator&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Phoenix-R-C-Pro-Simulator-Version-3-0/dp/B004IYCMFK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Phoenix R/C Pro Simulator Version 3.0</a>&nbsp;and works extremely well. In fact, I would recommend buying just the transmitter and this software before buying your first R/C model, as you can plug your Spektrum transmitter directly into the flight software using a provided USB adapter, and this combo very realistically simulates the flight characteristics of dozens of heli's and fixed wing aircraft, so you can get used to the transmitter and explore different R/C models before you buy one.

The DX8 battery is rechargeable and has lasted for more than an hour of flying, whereas the heli battery only lasts 5 minutes. The extra-long levers (6 of them) seem fragile and if you are the type person who gets excited when things go wrong and tend to push hard on switches, you will be in for a big repair bill. However, for I like the long levers as they are VERY easy to locate and to flip.

I am glad I bought it.