Curious about Radiomaster TX16s

[trillian]

When it comes to radios I must admit I have been something of a luddite. I have flown Spektrum since the very first DX7.

So - fast fwd, and now I have moved almost all my helis to Spirit FBL. A while back I got a DX18 to have the option of integration, and perhaps some telemetry, but I haven't moved any helis over to it as yet, and in general my start back into flying this year has been very slow.

I was aware of FrSky and openTX but never paid much attention. What I did not realise is the Radiomaster is multi-protocol and is supposed to be able to communicate with DSMX.

If I was to make a move, I'd also want to look into the best option for telemetry RXs. I used to hear that openTX is very difficult to get used to, not sure if that has changed now.

I'm just curious what your thoughts are, if it's advantageous enough to change.

[Made2Fade]

Sheryl, ive used the Radiomaster TX16S for some time now and tbh it is a fantastic transmitter, especially when you consider its price. Currently i use it for flying my fixed wing foamies but also my smaller helicopters like the OMP M1 & M2 plus my racing drones.
It was originally purchased for my racing drones and the convenience of the multi-module. It also replaced my Taranis 9XD which is another OpenTX radio that i mainly used for racing drones.

Recently i flashed my TX16S with EdgeTX which gave it touch screen capability. Now its an even better bit of kit. I would have no issue using it on any of my big models but i simply like the quickness and easy programming using my ix12. Saying that, once you get used to the OpenTX programming you realize quite quickly that the possibilities are endless with it. Far more capable than most if not all of the more common Radio brands that we generally use.

My recommendation would be to buy one as a backup radio and play with it on some small models and it will not be long before you realize how good it is. A massive thumbs up from me. TBH i dont think you'll hear to many bad words about that radio if im honest.

[trillian]

Thanks! Yeah, as I am still using my original version DX8 , and doing more 'wrenching' than flying lately due to the weather down here - I 'll go ahead and get a 16S and start playing around with it, once I know my way around it, maybe bind one of the 450s to it, just see how it goes.

Taranis was the other open TX brand I knew of, but had forgotten the name. One of the guys at Epsom Downs had one. Now at my current club there's someone with the TX16s, so I had a look at it the other day, then started reading up...

[Made2Fade]

Sheryl the best TX16S version to buy would be the Max or the SE. They have all the extras, touch screen, hall gimbals, fancey metalwork etc. The taranis is a powerful radio also but reall it has been now surpassed by the TX16S imho... mainly due to the colour touchscreen and therefore it is able to output nicer menus. Its not to difficult to get used to the TX16S so if anything dont let that put you off, it just works alot different to your DX8 (but for good reason).

And FRSky receivers are fantastic value for money and have almost double the range of a spektrum receiver. I have personally tested that myself. They will bind straight up to the multi module in the TX16S. The Multi Module guys are also constantly bringing out firmwares to give new receiver protocols etc.

For reference Radiomaster Receivers use FRSkys protocols and are great also (regardless of the cheap price tag). The TX16S and the FRSky stuff just show that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a good featured powerful and reliable radio. I would happily stick one of the larger FRSky receivers in my big aircraft even know they cost pennies. Alot of people think that because the gear is cheap that it dont work well or is terrible quality... that train of thought is sooo oldskool now imho.

Look forward to hearing what you think of it if/when you get one.

[trillian]

It's here! For now I just got the standard black TX16S because there are lots of them going quite cheap 2nd hand. Then I can always upgrade later on. First things I noticed about it physically, is that there's no timer button, and the TH switch is a momentary type (I supposed it could be swapped with the one on the other side, which is the mix switch on Spektrum).

Soooooo, I will dive in...

[Mike Sanders]

Good luck. Let us know how you get on with it.