EdgeTX: What is it? Do I need it? 

Interestingly I've had an email from one of the lead developers this morning that concluded 'I think you are pretty much right' so the project itself agrees with many of the points and is aware that there is a lot to do - that alone is an exciting and encouraging message. Thank you to all of you who left thoughtful comment on this video. Just because another pilot doesn't share your view doesn't mean you should become abusive or rude. I've deleted those comments that are and banned some who went too far. Thanks for watching and commenting in the spirit of the channel. Happy flying!

I just want to go fly my airplane after work, that's how I relax. I'm a carpenter not a computer programmer. I'm good with my open TX for now thank you !

Love your explanation. Have a number of very good very expensive JR radios, no telemetry and built in programming, which makes things easier. Learning to understand code is frustrating. What programmers forget, imho, is that to build really good software they need to firmly believe that the end user is a complete newbie. If it takes a program background to use, something was overlooked in the process. There are builders and there are users. Users aren’t capable of being good builders. I have taken full scale helicopters apart- completely, and inspected, repaired unsatisfactory components, repainted the entire airframe and all ancillary parts, and flown in it. But opextx is still a head scratcher. Having set up screens to build a model should be easy for the talent that builds these soft wares, but they don’t remember how difficult it is for the new people who are not programmers.

I feel it was developed because we needed it - and it works, I have been using OpenTX for ages FPV. Other radios just couldn't do what OpenTX does, and thats why I use it. Recommending it to fellow fliers is fraught with disaster, you will be forever their go to to sort out all the issues they get.

OTX development has died out - ETX is it today. The ETX devs are putting in new features, and squashing new bugs - in real time. It's alive, while OTX is not. And the touch is priceless - never gonna use a Tx without touch again. Been flying ETX since June - got over 200 flights on it to date - mainly drones.

I am using it since the first release and I am very satisfied, works very well.

Quite a project there. Thats almost like creating an universal OS for mobile phones that should work from late 90s nokias to modern iphones. Not the easiest task to pull off. Fingers crossed indeed!

Great tutorials Lee we get all our group to watch these.

Developers are most certainly still learning the project and its code to figure how to add the new stuff and even improve old stuff so this first version where they added new stuff without braking anything major from opentx codebase its pretty good sign that they are trying to keep it in a good path! Lets hope for the best!

The real question about edge TX that i have not seen anywhere being addressed is.. to us the more experienced pilots who already own an expensive and perfectly working radio with various modules like an x9d+ se or something like that, does edge TX add value? If edge TX is mainly about the touch screen and comes with all the clunkiness and bugs of a new project why should people with radios without touch screen bother? Are there any tangible benefits? And what are they? Open TX for the established pilot comes with the trustworthiness that you know what you're doing and it will work cause it just works, if you pay enough attention to learn how to setup things correctly... For me it remains to be seen if Edge TX is a fork for TX16s and people with touch screens or it is the real deal for everyone with clear benefits.

I really agree. As a newbie to the hobby we need more simplicity. I cannot make a volantex g2 work with zohd kopilot lite with rx fs-ia10b and eachine tx16s. Part of this problem may be in every of the 4 parts and I have seen dozens of videos to understand what happens. We need more easy cross-platform communication, safety and simplicity. Greetings, your job is great.

Ive been so anxious for this video!

The open/edge TX interface is more complicated than less feature rich interfaces but honestly really isn't all that complicated. I find the only people that take issue with it actually just take issue with learning anything in general, it doesn't speak to the design of the interface. While I support adding configuration wizards to expedite programing new models, the current interface is honestly fantastically well designed around the large feature set, there is no way to dumb it down without removing functionality. One option could be to offer an EdgeTX-Lite with a stripped down feature set for basic applications or basic people.

Thanks for a really balanced discussion of EdgeTX as opposed to some of the more 'hyped' videos. I would move like a shot if some of your wishlist items were implemented but, till then, I'll just leave my TX16S on OpenTX. You never know, we might even get v2.4 (=touchscreen) one day! The day you judge EdgeTX ready is the day I'll switch.

Long time user of OpenTx...Too much spare time this weekend so I updated my Radiomaster T16S to Edge Tx 2.5. Maybe its early but wow... the speed improvement I saw and felt when navigating the UI is a good enough reason to switch. The features will keep being refined and hopefully new creative ideas can be added but man... I can change models in secs vs feeling the slow lag of the previous OTX ui... Worth the upgrade for me!

EdgeTx is great. Hope one day the team will introduce minor/bugfix-only versions.

Very informative video. Well done.

Thanks for raising this topic. I describe OpenTX as “by engineers, for engineers” and have left my Radiomaster in the case for months simply because I’m in this hobby to fly, not to spend hours upon hours figuring out how to configure a model. If and when Edge or Open becomes easy to use I’ll ditch Spektrum in a heartbeat, but until then they’re more of a problem than a solution.

Hi, please clarify will edge tx bind with x8R and also how to find out which version is your X8R programmed with. Any way to find out ?. I had purchased two x8R with tx16S . Finding a way to bind it.

Hi Lee great video and you're 100% correct in your assessment. I have all the videos that I need saved as well as my knowledge of open tx. And love my radiomaster T16 but I now purchased the Frsky x20 so learning ethos and I have to say I love it as well. And with updates coming think and fast I'm really wishing I could put that on the radiomaster. Maybe the edge tx team could get some ideas from ethos. Looking forward to seeing how they progress with there project though and will send them some penneys if it ends up on my radio. 🙂👍

hi lee could you please run the batery right down. i did it and was not impressed. no bat low warnings and it just crashed need to remove battery to reset and would turn on still had 7v ish

I've been with OpenTx since I started in the hobby about 7 years ago and was a great fan of Frsky. Both organisations have made it so complicated that I will be migrating to Spektrum. I just need it to be simple with just enough finesse to make those minor adjustments. I don't expect to have to load this and that new firmware every few months just to fly a club flyer plane.

Hi Lee. My X12S with EDGETX has all the latest upgrades and works fine with ISRM internal module to talk to my Access receivers. It does not work with my R9M-2019 external module. Using Companion 2.5.0, it shows External Radio Module; protocol; that R9M-2019 is an option, however when I look for that on the radio, it is NOT there as an option, only the R9M. I did enable "externalaccessmod" in the radio profile flash. (It all worked in OpenTX) Any thoughts on this? Thx

Hi I wondering if you know how i can bind frsky receivers in redundancy system in Edge-tx? I have tried, but I can't bind one with telemetry and another without telemetry. That's no problem in Open-tx but it is a problem in Edge-tx I think.

I have the flysky fairy i6 and can’t get it to update to the 10 ch I am using windows 11 and it will not open it on my computer it doesn’t do anything can anyone help

Great review - Could not agree more about revamping that interface. Knowing how most use OTX, those items should be front and center and the rest moved behind a second layer with widgets to automate the basic. The fact that it still uses transparent GIFs instead of PNG and the resolution is low for most graphics while screens are big speaks volumes. It is time for a new way, not just more of the same now in colour. Add to that the fact that Tango and Mambo support has now moved from Fall to Spring and you have to think it’s more of the same. The one plus in my opinion is the fact that ELRS support in Edge TX allows for some settings like 500hz that are not supported in OTX.

I went from a X7 to a X20 Black & then recently got a X20S Blue I love the OS as I've never had to look at any video's ect, I'm running FLEX.

Greetings! I just updated my TX16S to EdgeTX, and am trying to change the Splash screen, but am unable to find where that image file is stored on the micro sdcard. Any help pointing me to where that directory is would be appreciated.

My TX16s has literally just been delivered and I'm looking at it wondering if I should just jump straight to EdgeTX. I'm moving from flysky.

I changed over to EdgeTX on my Radiomaster TX16S about a month ago, all went well or so I thought. I took one of my glow engined planes for a flight and the trims had all changed, my arm switch no longer opened the throttle enough to start the engine and keep it ticking over. Control surfaces all worked in the right direction but plane flew like crap! I immediately change back to OpenTX when I got home.

What motor size do you recommend for a tarot 650 frame? Thx

I switch one of my rc’s over and got everything set up but I must be missing something cause the quads got nuts on certain stick movements. Switch back to open TX and problem gone. I use TBS crossfire

Thx a lot for this video!! so you would wait a little bit before switching? If I understood it correctly? in the meanwhile, keep up the good work!!

Nice review. Does Edgetx compatible with yaapu script?

As someone who has recently returned to the hobby from a long break and has just got a Radio Master TS16 and having watched this I take it I will be better placed persevering with Open TX for the time being or do I take the plunge and start with Edge?

What program succeeds OPENTX Companion. I have a QX7 and firmware changes cannot be downloaded.. For instance I have a 4in 1 module and a transmitter that doesn't recognize it. Need to reconfigure the TX.

Great video 👏👏

I feel like you forgot to mention 500 hz stick polling! I am personally gonna wait a few releases after the Tango 2 support is out to switch.

Hallo I need your help I have xm+ and r9m mod elrs. Before I install firmware edge tx everything normal. But after I use firmware edge tx my receiver not binding (xm+ and r9m mod elrs). What should I do? Thanks for answering 🙏

I’m so frustrated, may sell my new FRSKY X9D+2019! I’ll start with Zadig 2.7 and windows11. Nothing works for me! New computer won’t recognize the radio!

Hi Painless360, is it possible we damage the radio while installing edgetx on process? iam affraid to flash my radio because of that. Thanks

HooRah! Made my decision for me. Been using Radiomaster with no updates for a couple years. Been wanting to switch to Edge buuuuuuut. . . . . Now I won't for a while.

As soon as I see anyone hold up that Eachine radio, I know they're not using it on their main Tx! 🤣 I have an SD card with the upgrade on it, but haven't made the leap yet. 42 models on my TX16, the thought of going through all that and recreating all the widgets (which is a best-case scenario) gives me the willies!

Promises, promises. It is very easy to port ideas for a new Operating System from all the innovations of previous systems but behind these community developments there is usually one person with all the ideas in his/her head. Once they get all the basics into the system they start to run out of steam and energy and development slows to a standstill. Most of the open community systems owe their existence to one person - Mike bland. Thankfully Mike has had the foresight to attack the ACCST compatibility problem from another angle and has now developed a universal ACCST firmware that addresses all the glitches and compatibility issues as well as incorporating the FCC and EU-LBT requirements into one Firmware that ensures compatibility of existing Frsky gear across ACCST versions 1 & 2 - without the need to upgrade existing TX and module FW.

Coming from a long time non FPV RC pilot open TX was a process to learn I'm an IT professional for 30 plus years. I can see why many hate it younger FPV crowd likes it. Some want to just configure a few settings and fly where this thing has so many bells and whistles. IT's like I remember when put a amp sensor in my EDF jet had it tell me the amps going out I ended landing at 2 1/2 minutes. A friend said why bother with all that just put a timer on your radio goes for 2 1/2 minutes and land.

I tried switching to Edge a few weeks ago, and lost models. Do you have a video on how to recover the models?

Any point in upgrading an X9d to edge tx?

Lee: In the past year, I have purchased a bunch of hardware (transmitters, mini-warbirds, receivers, trying to acquire fairly state of the art equipment so that I can hit the ground running and not have to wait a month for the next essential piece to set up my transmitters with compatible models, update my firmware, and start having fun. Nearly every configuration video I watch admonishes us to back up our transmitter firmware, model configuration, etc. even before we start to use our transmitters. However it occurs to me that a well organized hard drive directory structure will help avoid a huge tangled web of directories containing configuration and version zip files for each new update. The question is what directory structure makes the most sense to navigate these installation files without getting buried in the minutia? I mean for installation of 1) OpenTx & its companion 2) EdgeTx & its companion 3) Express LRX versions 4) Airplane model definitions, INAV, Pixhawk, Flight Controller boards, Receiver updates, and the like. Could you do a video suggesting a logical table of contents for backing up all this stuff and then being able to find it again when we need it? Thanks for the sanity and logic that your videos provide to the rest of us who are trying to get our heads around all these details! - Jim

@painless360 would you now recommend switching to edge exclusively?

Think, the developer did until now a really great job. With the EDGE bootloader you can change in between OTX and EDGE in just a minute. OTX sd card out and EDGE sd card in. Easy like that ....

Yes tried it it’s ok, but reverted back to other!

I'd like to switch to Edge, but it doesn't support X10-ismr access

I haven't heard the term share ware in a long time. For me, it has a slightly different meaning. I notice your radio is perfectly shiny. How? I'm jealous.

bug or not yappu not working with Edgetx ( at least for me )

this stuff is insane! super complicated i just want to fly a plane and bind other models to radio..i have a flysky with 15 rc vehicles on it setup was a breeze..i dont know why this has to be soo complicated

"Smartphone OS" should be simple to learn/use. At least for me.

Waiting for trappy to get the edgeTX devs to add the Mambo and the Tango2 Frustrating wait as I’m using CRSF on my T-16s and ELRS on my Mambo.

Don't see the advantage if you have no touchscreen and only fly with flight controler on your copter/plane

I just couldn't get my head around OpenTX, which is why I changed my FrSky gear for Spektrum. If this had come out earlier, maybe I would have had to spend mega bucks on a completely new RC system for my flying hobby. I still have an Frsky Q7S in my box, as no one wanted to buy it, together with 2 stabised receivers, so may just give this a go when it gets nearer completion. Thanks for the info Lee. Best wishes, Dave W 👍

Software engineers should never design GUIs. We suck at it. The things we think are interesting most users do not. They just want a simple interface that is intuitive and "Just Works". Apple and others pay the UI people a lot of money to develop a seamless, powerful UI. Not an easy task.

What is is?…🤔😃

I think the main problem with both OpenTX and EdgeTX is that they are made by developers who like to develop new and completely (almost) useless functions complicating an already unnecessarily complicated system even further. 95% of OpenTX's functions, options are unused, unwanted and not needed by 95% of users. I think this is why Spektrum products are so popular because of the ease of the interfaces, and why they can charge the exorbitant prices for a slightly better than average product. And the Frsky debacle hasn't helped.......

No, I don't need it. OpenTX is fine for 90% of those who fly.

hi lee - have really enjoyed and learned so much from your channel over the years, cheers. re: the OTX project evolving to radically improve and simplify the interface for general users, i dunno... afraid that would seem to be extremely unlikely and unfortunately i'd expect it's just as unlikely for EdgeTX as well, maybe even more so. the problem is really the same one that has folks leaving OTX to work on EdgeTX in general - i.e. the developers are mostly interested in inventing and introducing new technology at the code level, which is a very, very different skill than either developing great documentation or developing a superb user experience (UX). neither seem likely to happen, but of the two the improved documentation would seem more likely because the bar to doing that work is comparatively lower than the UX work - i.e. it's not fun and it's not easy, but it is doable to a reasonable degree with enough concerted effort. in contrast, great UX starts with great UX design which is a deeply creative discipline distinct from great technology feature development and folks with the ability to design and develop great user interfaces are far rarer than developers with the ability to work on incremental feature improvements. the counter example here would be stepping back to look at the proprietary user interfaces from companies like JR, Spektrum, etc. that you're alluding to as providing what OTX should be considering. those systems may not have the unlimited flexibility of a system like OTX, but crucially they do cover the vast majority of needs for nearly all users, beginner and advanced alike. and to get that depth of functionality and breadth of end user coverage, those companies invest a great deal of time and money in designing, developing, testing, refining, documenting and maintaining those systems which they know they must do because they are in the business of selling radio systems to anyone, not just folks like you and me who actually enjoy the flexibility and programming bent of OTX for it's own sake. and we see this idea coming right to our doorstep now with FrSky moving seriously towards their own proprietary system with Ethos. at the end of the day working at cutting edge technology is fun, generally self-contained and comparatively painless while nearly all these other less sexy facets of software development that result in great applications for users are not. all that said, i truly hope i'm wrong here and OTX or EdgeTX do evolve to become great user applications beyond the capable and flexible platforms they are.