bought a tx12 and ELRS module only 3 weeks ago, so feeling very unlucky :) Planning on getting the AG01 gimbals anyways so once I have that there won't be any differences apart from the newer chipset, which I can't imagine will make a significant difference. Nice to see Radiomaster leave behind OpenTX until they get their act together! edit: also glad I can go up to 1W, had a midrange failsafe yesterday on 250 (was definitely my fault but think 1W would have given me the time to react!)
Did you get your AG01s? I'm running the exact same setup, with the AG01s and a Happymodel 1W ELRS module. Absolutely no FOMO here. One of these days, I'll probably switch to EdgeTX, but so far OpenTX is doin' it for me. And that Pocket's lookin' great for a second unit, innit?
@@billmcdonald4335 nah I moved to the boxer when it came out, better gimbals, more comfortable for me and freed up the module for crossfire/elrs 900 if and when I need it. Am definitely considering a pocket for a second radio though!
So now we just need the zorro mk2 with 18650 and switching regulators and hopefully more output power. Still waiting for a compact no compromise elrs transmitter.
Yeah if you put a battery mod on the zorro you can just buy a mambo or tx12 i think. I have the zorro and if you just use the internal module youre fine but with the crossfire nano module i get 1-2 h of battery life wich is less than ok in my opinion.
Useful review thanks...was being tempted away from my excellent Zorro towards a tx16s for the screen... realised it was too big and now about to get tx12mk2 🙂 18650 was what did it
I just did exactly that. Revealed what a sorted layout the Zorro has, plenty of buttons and the sliders just in the perfect place..the tx12 is faster to boot up and the 18650 solution better.
I recently purchased the TBS Mambo and that radio and the Radiomaster TX12 MK2 do look quite similar. The gimbals are the same as the Zorro so they are good gimbals on the TX12. Both radios have rear module bays but the TBS Mambo is a mini bay where this one is full size. I do have to say that I am super happy with my Mambo but this radio looks like it would give it a very good run for it's money! Plus it runs Open TX where the TBS Mambo runs "Freedom TX" so I say advantage RadioMaster on that one as you probably could also install Edge TX on this radio but I do not think you can do so on the Mambo. It almost seems like they have slowed down any further development on the radio and I was at least hoping they would have finished up with Freedom TX by now... still a great radio but I do have to say I am a bit disappointed especially now that this TX12 has come out. I mean shoot, the TX12 even has a backlit display - how did the Mambo folks miss that one? Come on TBS - I picked you because I felt that your name meant high performance, best in the market products, so please don't slow down, the Mambo is a great radio, it could be made one of the very top choices with just a few changes. I mean I just saw the battery bay for the TX12 - the battery bay on the TBS Mambo is tight - the first 18650 battery I had would not even fit - it was just a touch too long!!! So I had to go buy 2 more batteries that were about a millimeter shorter. And Ha! I should have waited a second or 2 as Mads Tech pulled out the Mambo and made the same observations! I am quite interested in this radio now... great review and info by the way! I agree with everything that you found and I like how you have knowledge of what is happening on the circuit board, great in depth info for us.
I have a original T12 pro with an elrs module fitted, the only thing that puts me off upgrading to this is that they have changed sw a + d from 3 position to momentry.
Just thinking Out loud........Please don't fall into the trap of rushing out product reviews. Personally I prefer reviews from those who have taken a good length of time to actually use it as "Their daily driver" for quite some time. Perhaps a t12 one month on would be worth doing.... Same with the T-lite
Great review. Very complete, including a inside overview. Wonder how compatible the TX12 radio module is would be with the radio module in the Zorro? Seem like much of the power difference was attributed to RF module. Perhaps a MkII Zorro might be planned, or a possible upgrade for those needing more battery life. Not personally an issue for me, as carry a power pack extender to boost battery life between flights.
Thanks for the information provided on this video. I am interested on a travel lite type of controller, which will you recommend, the radiomaster tx12 or the tango 2 pro. I use crossfire but I like to put information like GPS, telemetry and batteries info on the edge TX screen.
Good job!! A close friend acquired a Tx12 also labelled as Boxer. And now the problem : The duration of the RTC button battery is abnormaly short. Does anyone is experiencing the same problem? Your comments please.
Radiomaster should ship there preproduction to you instead of getting the feedback they would have needed a lot earlier during developement. So, the TX16S got an update, the TX12 has been released, so time for the Zorro 2 with the better batteries and integration. Beyond that I would prefer a support of a phone or tablet screen as interface cause all our phones will always have a better screen than Radiomaster can afford to put into a radio. Of cause, a basic screen in the radio is mandatory for me but android and iphone app or screen support would be very appreciated. We will never get good displays so time to move ahead and use the best display everyone has like DJI did for so many years. We have a lot of the TX16S radios purchased for the club but the kids do not wanna these out fashioned radios, they prefer the t-lite currenty which we lend to them from the very first day till they find the budget to afford their own one. TX12 might be worth to get one, but the Zorro did not work out for us due to battery issues and some minor points. Hall Gimbals is a must at this price point. I hope the roller issue of the TX12 have been fixed, I mean tthis rotating button on the right cause we had issues on TX16 and TX12 being unable to hit the OK button cause in the last millisecond the roller turned one step forward or backward. Nerve racking. ELRS is also a must have for our era except someone has a lot of older stuff and does not want to migrate
For a lot of people built in screen are good enough for them, I’ll be piss if they remove the screen and force me to connect my phone just to fly a quad, idk maybe it just me that doesn’t care about high resolution screen on the controller cuz i’m not even look at it while flying.
I've got used to having full colour splash screens, jog wheels and now finally touchscreen. Its like swapping an Iphone for a Nokia 3210 😂😂. IMO Transmitters should be getting bigger and made of metal. So we look more manly lool🧔🧔
Maybe someone knows whether FCC and LBT could be changed by flashing the radio? Or you have to stick to the version that you bought? And also if I for example have LBT version does it mean that I only could use LBT receivers? *because there is no info from manufacturer which type a receiver has LBT or FCC
I don't see the difference in the back panel. I have a mk1, and the back panel looks exactly the same as what's shown here, including the grips. Maybe I actually have a mk1.5? Also, since you have to be careful to use mk2 firmware, you'd think they'd print "mk2" on it somewhere prominent.
I would love to see some kind of TX12 Pro radio with a some kind of small full color LCD touch screen, rubber grips on the back, and the CNC gimbal. I love the touchscreen of the TX16s and the smooth gimbals, but I *HATE* the size and weight of it. If there was some way to get a small full color touch screen on a controller like this, I would buy that controller instantly lol.
@@theoztreecrasher2647 Thank you! Your suggestion would be the last resort should the receiver I ordered will not work. It's an ELRS receiver that has PWM outputs.
Do you think your crash testing avatar was due to expressltrs fail safe. I say that because I had a very damaging crash during free style that wrecked my quad. Then I had a fly away in which the quad was never to be found. Luckily you were going slow close to the ground when you failsafed. Has anybody else had this problem or is it isolated. I can’t fly it anymore. I just have a horrible distrust. After switching to ghost, I’ve had hundreds of flights without a single issue. I won’t trust anymore gear to happymodel garbage..
My daily driver is TX16S but I use my TX12 for indoor and as a backup. EdgeTX - done. ELRS full size module - done. AG01 next. Great little radio
bought a tx12 and ELRS module only 3 weeks ago, so feeling very unlucky :) Planning on getting the AG01 gimbals anyways so once I have that there won't be any differences apart from the newer chipset, which I can't imagine will make a significant difference. Nice to see Radiomaster leave behind OpenTX until they get their act together!
edit: also glad I can go up to 1W, had a midrange failsafe yesterday on 250 (was definitely my fault but think 1W would have given me the time to react!)
Did you get your AG01s? I'm running the exact same setup, with the AG01s and a Happymodel 1W ELRS module. Absolutely no FOMO here. One of these days, I'll probably switch to EdgeTX, but so far OpenTX is doin' it for me. And that Pocket's lookin' great for a second unit, innit?
@@billmcdonald4335 nah I moved to the boxer when it came out, better gimbals, more comfortable for me and freed up the module for crossfire/elrs 900 if and when I need it. Am definitely considering a pocket for a second radio though!
So now we just need the zorro mk2 with 18650 and switching regulators and hopefully more output power. Still waiting for a compact no compromise elrs transmitter.
Yeah if you put a battery mod on the zorro you can just buy a mambo or tx12 i think.
I have the zorro and if you just use the internal module youre fine but with the crossfire nano module i get 1-2 h of battery life wich is less than ok in my opinion.
And flat bladed switches!
I'm very tempted to try this.
Useful review thanks...was being tempted away from my excellent Zorro towards a tx16s for the screen... realised it was too big and now about to get tx12mk2 🙂 18650 was what did it
I just did exactly that. Revealed what a sorted layout the Zorro has, plenty of buttons and the sliders just in the perfect place..the tx12 is faster to boot up and the 18650 solution better.
Fantastic review, Ian! 😃
Yeah... I'm really liking this radio! More than the Zorro!
Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Just got my new TX16 yesterday, kind of wish I would have waited for the TX12.
I recently purchased the TBS Mambo and that radio and the Radiomaster TX12 MK2 do look quite similar. The gimbals are the same as the Zorro so they are good gimbals on the TX12. Both radios have rear module bays but the TBS Mambo is a mini bay where this one is full size. I do have to say that I am super happy with my Mambo but this radio looks like it would give it a very good run for it's money! Plus it runs Open TX where the TBS Mambo runs "Freedom TX" so I say advantage RadioMaster on that one as you probably could also install Edge TX on this radio but I do not think you can do so on the Mambo.
It almost seems like they have slowed down any further development on the radio and I was at least hoping they would have finished up with Freedom TX by now... still a great radio but I do have to say I am a bit disappointed especially now that this TX12 has come out. I mean shoot, the TX12 even has a backlit display - how did the Mambo folks miss that one? Come on TBS - I picked you because I felt that your name meant high performance, best in the market products, so please don't slow down, the Mambo is a great radio, it could be made one of the very top choices with just a few changes. I mean I just saw the battery bay for the TX12 - the battery bay on the TBS Mambo is tight - the first 18650 battery I had would not even fit - it was just a touch too long!!! So I had to go buy 2 more batteries that were about a millimeter shorter.
And Ha! I should have waited a second or 2 as Mads Tech pulled out the Mambo and made the same observations! I am quite interested in this radio now... great review and info by the way! I agree with everything that you found and I like how you have knowledge of what is happening on the circuit board, great in depth info for us.
I have a original T12 pro with an elrs module fitted, the only thing that puts me off upgrading to this is that they have changed sw a + d from 3 position to momentry.
I sold my TX16S to get this. I really wiah they make more blings amd accessories for this too 🥺.
Love tx12!
Just thinking Out loud........Please don't fall into the trap of rushing out product reviews.
Personally I prefer reviews from those who have taken a good length of time to actually use it as "Their daily driver" for quite some time.
Perhaps a t12 one month on would be worth doing....
Same with the T-lite
Great review. Very complete, including a inside overview.
Wonder how compatible the TX12 radio module is would be with the radio module in the Zorro?
Seem like much of the power difference was attributed to RF module. Perhaps a MkII Zorro might be planned, or a possible upgrade for those needing more battery life. Not personally an issue for me, as carry a power pack extender to boost battery life between flights.
Great info and you got a new sub!
Thanks for the information provided on this video. I am interested on a travel lite type of controller, which will you recommend, the radiomaster tx12 or the tango 2 pro. I use crossfire but I like to put information like GPS, telemetry and batteries info on the edge TX screen.
Good job!!
A close friend acquired a Tx12 also labelled as Boxer.
And now the problem : The duration of the RTC button battery is abnormaly short.
Does anyone is experiencing the same problem?
Your comments please.
Radiomaster should ship there preproduction to you instead of getting the feedback they would have needed a lot earlier during developement.
So, the TX16S got an update, the TX12 has been released, so time for the Zorro 2 with the better batteries and integration.
Beyond that I would prefer a support of a phone or tablet screen as interface cause all our phones will always have a better screen than Radiomaster can afford to put into a radio.
Of cause, a basic screen in the radio is mandatory for me but android and iphone app or screen support would be very appreciated.
We will never get good displays so time to move ahead and use the best display everyone has like DJI did for so many years.
We have a lot of the TX16S radios purchased for the club but the kids do not wanna these out fashioned radios, they prefer the t-lite currenty which we lend to them from the very first day till they find the budget to afford their own one. TX12 might be worth to get one, but the Zorro did not work out for us due to battery issues and some minor points.
Hall Gimbals is a must at this price point.
I hope the roller issue of the TX12 have been fixed, I mean tthis rotating button on the right cause we had issues on TX16 and TX12 being unable to hit the OK button cause in the last millisecond the roller turned one step forward or backward. Nerve racking.
ELRS is also a must have for our era except someone has a lot of older stuff and does not want to migrate
For a lot of people built in screen are good enough for them,
I’ll be piss if they remove the screen and force me to connect my phone just to fly a quad, idk maybe it just me that doesn’t care about high resolution screen on the controller cuz i’m not even look at it while flying.
Nice one mate!
tbs mambo any update sir?. . hope can make any video abiut tbs mambo
Does it bind on s-fhss receiver on my micro heli, or a dsm2 receiver ?
I've got used to having full colour splash screens, jog wheels and now finally touchscreen. Its like swapping an Iphone for a Nokia 3210 😂😂.
IMO Transmitters should be getting bigger and made of metal. So we look more manly lool🧔🧔
The QX7 is the best form factor an has the right number of switches.
Yeah I like the QX7. I can't get used to the small gimbals on the mini radios.
Why does my tx12 doesn’t power up will full battery charged but the power button is lighting up boue
Maybe someone knows whether FCC and LBT could be changed by flashing the radio? Or you have to stick to the version that you bought? And also if I for example have LBT version does it mean that I only could use LBT receivers? *because there is no info from manufacturer which type a receiver has LBT or FCC
bateries 18650 includes?
No
I don't see the difference in the back panel. I have a mk1, and the back panel looks exactly the same as what's shown here, including the grips. Maybe I actually have a mk1.5?
Also, since you have to be careful to use mk2 firmware, you'd think they'd print "mk2" on it somewhere prominent.
Does it matter what top is on the 18650 batteries for this? Button top or flat top?
I use flat top on mine - they fit the mounting easily and firmly. I remove them for charging.
no 4in1 and u still say no compromise
Darn it, I bought a TX12 a couple of months ago.
They will probably sell most parts for people wanting to upgrade but already have the original tx12.
How do you update the firmware
Hi, this radio have hall gimbals or no?
Out the box yes.
You ought to actually watch the review...he clearly talks about them several times! 🤷
I would love to see some kind of TX12 Pro radio with a some kind of small full color LCD touch screen, rubber grips on the back, and the CNC gimbal. I love the touchscreen of the TX16s and the smooth gimbals, but I *HATE* the size and weight of it. If there was some way to get a small full color touch screen on a controller like this, I would buy that controller instantly lol.
I’m reading this comment now I’m thinking the exact same. Bought the TX12 mk2 as alternative for my tx16s, but it feels like a kids toy lol..
Does the mk II support Flysky AFHDS receivers? I hate to part with these cheap micro receivers that i use in my 3D planes. anybody? T
Only if you buy the ELRS model and add a 4in1 module in the JR bay. The CC2500 version does not cover Flysky or Spektrum.
@@theoztreecrasher2647 thanks. Bought the tx12 mk2 elrs already only to find out it is ELRS mode only. Or am I right?
@@nadrojgansi1345 Yep. You need to buy a 4in1 module - such as the iRangeX IRX4 or IRX4+ to use all the usual protocols plus ELRS.
@@theoztreecrasher2647 Thank you! Your suggestion would be the last resort should the receiver I ordered will not work. It's an ELRS receiver that has PWM outputs.
@@theoztreecrasher2647 does this (IRX4+) particular module fit in the tx12 mk2 module bay?
Heh, the logo is still crooked 🙃
Do you think your crash testing avatar was due to expressltrs fail safe. I say that because I had a very damaging crash during free style that wrecked my quad. Then I had a fly away in which the quad was never to be found. Luckily you were going slow close to the ground when you failsafed. Has anybody else had this problem or is it isolated. I can’t fly it anymore. I just have a horrible distrust. After switching to ghost, I’ve had hundreds of flights without a single issue. I won’t trust anymore gear to happymodel garbage..