Horizon’s website indicates shipping late this month, although we all know how that works. The official JR site has yet to be updated at this time.

A couple new features myself and many many others really wanted to see got incorporated as well:

A backlit LCD display 

The ability to trigger the timer with the throttle. No more forgetting to start the &$%@ flight timer!

Manufacturers Advertised Price for the radio & 9-channel R921 receiver w/no servos is $549, $80 less  than the previous MAP of the X9303. Considering the R921 is worth $169 alone, it’s a good bundle.

Then again, not everyone sells for MAP – “add to cart” and you’ll see what I mean. I would imagine this reputable vendor should have the X9503 radio priced similarly.

The radio retains %100 of the legendary 9303 programming, which was introduced with the 72Mhz S/PCM XP9303. Naturally it is compatible with all Spektrum aircraft receivers.

Add. model memory, more features (and useful ones at that) @ a lower price.

Although I won’t be in a hurry to replace my X9303 with this upgraded model it will be quite tempting!

-Zeke

So today is my b-day and yesterday my gift to myself arrived from Todd over at www.toddsmodels.com – a JR X9303 radio + goodies!

Following the JR naming convention this is a (9) channel, (30) model memory, (3) type TX – air / heli and sailplane. This is effectively the XP9303 w/integrated Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM/DSM2 technology. It’s been on the market since approx. late ’07 if I recall correctly and is regarded as a highly flexible radio. It came bundled with a JR R921 receiver.

I also picked up the USB interface & PC software, you’re able to backup model definitions and theoretically fully configure a model via the GUI then commit it to the radio. Naturally I had to get a neckstrap and the dual TX case from JR as well – the same one Eli uses.

I’ve unpacked it and charged the TX battery overnight, and hope to start playing with it this afternoon. More to come!