Frsky X20 Tandem Clearing up The HD Nonsense 

Frsky X20: bit.ly/2RtIwR1 bit.ly/2Swa60B

I'm done with Frsky, we'll have been for 2 years. Seeing this confirms it for me.

Just got mine today (still not sure why I bough one since I'm pretty happy with the TX16s...) and : it comes with a manual (8 pages printed on a folded A3 about the radio + basic ETHOS, so still a lot of things left for the end user to figure out), it also had a 4GB SD card, a USB C cable and the latest EU firmware. It does feel solid, heavy and well made. I went for the basic version and the sticks feel nicer than on the TX16. The sliders and pots are waaaaayyyy better, with solid feel and good center detent. On the other hand the trim buttons are all wobbly and the switches feel a bit flimsy... I use the side sliders for flaps and while they are much nicer than on the TX16, they are positioned in a way that makes them really hard to reach in flight without repositioning your hands. It's a bit better when using the extra grips. The screen is clear and responsive, the speaker quite loud and ETHOS seems intuitive enough though I haven't spent enough time on it to check whether LUA are really supported or not.... This is set to become my main radio for big fixed wings + helis and the TX16 will stay with my quads and non Frsky park flyers.

Don’t understand why there would be rumours and confusion. FrSky made it extremely clear well before any transmitters were released that there would be three X20 models, they even put out a comparison chart. They stated clearly that there would be an X20, an X20S and an X20HD. The X20S adds metal gimbals and bluetooth audio over the X20 and the X20HD adds real time video over the X20S. The retail release launched with the X20 and the X20S (not just the X20). But you are correct that there has been no launch of the X20HD as yet, nor any proposed release date, nor any technical details. If I were to speculate I’d say they are experiencing difficulty with the HD system given they have made some very wild claims that it will be zero latency. Also no news of the Tandem receivers either.

Thanks for the info Andy.

it’s the new frisk, of course its using the open source system that sharkbyte uses, of course they’ll make it proprietary and screw the open source community that made them. eventually they’ll probably sue sharkbyte for implementing similar features as them in a open source system where they’re supposed to share back what they add to the code the licensed.

Thanks Andy!!

Great review, Andy! 😊 But... FrSky? Not for me. Not after they discontinued the original R9 system when I haven't even received it yet from China. Never more! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Had my x20 for a while now and love it. Ethos really easy to use. Love the keyboard which makes for speedy programming.

Always fun seeing what your up to. Big smiles Andy.

Thanks Andy!

It is a beautiful piece of kit. Minus all the essentials. No Opentx, no Crossfire, no Express LRS... I just can't see the point of that. I'll just keep my trusty Radiomaster TX16S. I'd get a TBS Tango for convenience.

I think youre right, in my opinion frsky tries to bring out a similar product to the jeti ds-12, a transmitter for LOS big model flying. it also has a tandem system, which is used to have a solid link if you are flying big $30.000 jets you dont want a failsafe mid flight xD (as most of the expensive high class radios have i guess).

Had mine over a week now love it! mine came with a SD card 4gb.

Looks really good if you need all that kind of stuff.

I used to use frsky. Ahhh those were the days.

CRSF, Multimodule and ELRS supported by the X20 now

I would get this if the jr bay was the standard and the screen was smaller. I love the qx7 feel. Cant get away from it.

Hi Andy Very nice video You know When the New receivers are going to be aveilable on the market? Regards from colombia south América

I'm going Jumper or Radiomaster now! Damn FrSky!!!

no way to go back to frsky, using my xlite with tbs until it falls appart.

Yeah closing 3 mins you asked important questions ,being myself fairly new to fpv i was very confused choosing RX system i really wanted Frsky coz it seemed a "standard" but the moment i dig more into subject it got more confusing V1 V2 EU&US versions with compatible firmware was just too much and i know thing or two about RC models, it was real struggle i just cant imagine fresh new customer trying to dig into it o.O i finally opted for jumper Tlite and jumper r1f for my TH2 freestyle and IF i upgrade i will choose crossfire/tracer nano for my radio and future LR drones if i need >1 km of range its just no brainer (need to explore Express LRS a bit more too) I understand that companies want to keep theirs business going but unfortunately outcome is very confusing for customers old ones will just "riot" and new will just buy something else from other brands.

Sir what can you tell me about such a 3 in 1 transmitter? If the control range is more than 60 kilo meters, which supports Pixhawk, I can connect my smartphone to that transmitter and see all the data or camera live on my screen.😶

FrSky continuing to close the doors and shut out other makes and feature. I would not be surprised to see their own HD system based of smartphone hardware. Much of the SOC chipsets for smartphones now have LTE and radio modems built in. It’s not a massive stretch to make them for use with FPV video. Keeping the latency down is the major issue but it’s not impossible. FrSky are moving to a closed property model now and this will for sure put people off, if they do it well then users could benefit but I think we know that’s probably not going to happen and people will be left with buggy issues. Interesting to see what they come up with though. Great video as always Andy.

I love the integrated display idea which helps us to fly fpv without a spotter. But frsky is dead for me because 1) of their protocol confusions and 2) their market behavior. Looking forward to seeing ExpressLRS as the new standard. Opensource is better for us hobbyists than closed source companies trying to get a monopoly. Imagine instead of betaflight having a „spectrumflight“ a „graupnerflight“ and maybe a „futabaflight“, each beeing incompatible to each other and costing $150 for a flightcontroller. Then you think twice flying over trees.

Comparing this radio to a Jetti is like comparing a Nissan to a Ferrari

2 months later, still no mention anywhere about the release of the HD :(

after all of hassle frsky created with their ecosystem, nobody believes now that frsky can deliver any hd video system on their own

I'm only interested in their new video system.

With open Tx support would be a maybe in case my transmitter died, as it is the answer is NO, they don't support backwards compatibility and most of us don't fly FrSky, we fly D8, Tbs, Immersion Rc, great review BTW.

Support now available for multiprotocol and CRSF.

PLEASE let me know what receiver to get for my dji. Fpv. I will use my dji drone for pics. I can spend 490.00 for 2 fpv drones. Bin

All off the comments are full of quality. Enjoying greatly. Best non BS opinion = Andy

Fr Sky is finished! !!!!!

hi Andy good to watch your very good and informative video , i am not drone flyer , i used to fly nitro , gas and electric plane , and at the moment using turnigy 9x V2 ,radio with opentx , will you advise me to by frsky x20 ?? or TARANIS X9D PLUS 16 CHANNEL , OR FLY SKY PALADIN PL18 which one you adive , waiting your kind remarks and guidline

Next!!!

Hi Andy I see this is already available for sale at unmanned tech. Great video as always I think I will give this one a miss

Blimey! I sometimes miss the old analogue days of radio control, the days when if you had the same frequency as your mates tamiya cheetah as your xr4 you could swap over the tx and Rx crystals!? Used to work though! Staying with my jr xg8 and hope it Carrys on working!

Looks like a really nice radio, gutted it wont take crsf.

Frsky can bite me! I only use R9m with ExpressLRS and Crossfire on my Radiomaster and Jumper. Still have my Qx7 as well which I'll keep but I'll NEVER buy anything FRSky again

This could be the final "QX7" iteration,...

Still looks like a great built radio.

I also don't know, which kind of pilots they are targeting with it. The latest Jetis also have dual mode with 900Mhz and 2.4GHz, I think it's a requirement for models above 25kg to have diversity and this would do nice. But I don't think anyone, who flies a model in that weight (and price) category will use a radio for less than 1000 bucks. It also drives out the OpenTX fans.

Looking similar to openTX i suspect they used part of its code. That reminds me to the Kalman-Filter thing back then. I hope someone decompiles the binaries and if they used openTX parts sue frsky.

Is this the one with the FPV display?

AT LEAST FrSky has a path to support all of my X-Series receivers with the X-20. Still on the fence...they seem to be having problems with telemetry sensors also.

I think this is targeting your average weekend fixed wing flyer who would struggle with open tx, & is priced accordingly, & tbh i think it looks ok for the money with more than a passing resemblance to my Jeti DS24, although obviously is competing with the ds 12. I’d like to see inside, my Jeti is a work of art and screams quality, whereas some of these cheaper systems scream ‘help’! Perhaps you could film the mode change.

strange rumors... I did not saw any decent info, that "base" version of X20 would have HD... what was publish/rumored was fact, there will be 3 versions of this radio. normal X20, X20S, and later 3rd mysteroius X20 with HD video 0-latency; some did call it X20D. if it's true - lets wait :) Not only it need to have digi built in, but also a different screen, more outputs... let's just wait and see.

Archer is the line of native Access 2,4ghz as opposed to the other accst updated lineups

No OpenTX? Closed system and locked to FrSky receivers? No thanks. I enjoy options.

frsky who not me andy i have not used a frsky radio for a while ill stick to my tx16s my radiomaster is the best radio ive ever had but the los big plane boys might like it ive watched the other half of your vid and the fact they had taken the bits they want from open tx and then closed it off is a very frsky move and the why i moved away in the first place

Tandem is also a line of receiver with both 900mhz and 2.4ghz

too fancy for Quad

Looks nice.. Will see how useful it really is.... No open TX???? Say what!

Wow, Frsky really has a control lust, hmm... and it's getting worse and worse...

OK, as the owner of two Horus X12S (with Multiprotocol Modules) and a Taranis (with FASST module), all this seems to offer is awkward poor ergonomics, especially if you fly thumbs. Side sliders that high mounted and top worked when thumbs on sticks? Nearly as bad as the Spektrum DX9 using the extremely awkwardlly placed recessed button for a safety "get out of gaol" system you cannot quickly reach! It seems a bit like cars now, they don't know what to do to actually improve, but marketing says they HAVE to do something.

Thanks Andy. Agreed. Useless of you fly hd receivers like DJI sir unit etc.. Mikey

As a guy in the market for a new radio, as i have the ?er8? That came with the novice 3. 3 minutes in i knew that unfortunately, this isnt going to make the cut, tx16s max or masterfire here i come....shame really coz i also now need the ev800Ds unless anyone can reccomend something around the £100 diversity os a must though, or is it?

This is "plainly" aimed at fixed wing pilots. You were correct in saying it is a cheaper version of a Jetti radio. Even the other version with HD, most FPVers use video in goggles, having it the radio is a gimmick for line of sight pilots.

Cyberdyne systems here already taking over. Scary! !

Awesome Andy, if I was to pick my first transmitter, it wouldn't be this, I've always loved the Radio Master TX16s, if not that 1, maybe the tango 2.. because if I had bought this, I would have been lost lol.. Good Job Tho, 💯👊

just for clarity.. IF Divimath makes them the receiver unit then yeah it will be compatible with SB BUT the price of the radio goes up another $200 FYI.. The ONLY way this get's a HD receiver is if Divimath makes them one as ALL things Divimath are created and manufactured by Divimath not FS or anyone else..

NO OPEN TX Nooooooooooo THANKS 👎 What a shame as it looks so bloody good

Not getting my money.

Great video Andy RC. What the hell is wrong with FRSKY??? Someone in product development is deliberately trying to sink the company. In addition to all the other compatibility and hardware issues. The question remains? What market is this radio aiming for? Certainly not the high end jet guys [with their JETI transmitters] - they wouldn't touch this with a ten foot pole on there 15-20K turbines.

I’m using an old Futaba 9cap. To me this Tx is an absolute gem. I don’t care about open software or not. Once the plane is set up that’s it. Looking at the set up videos, it’s a good mix of easy programming and functionality The Rx price is great, and so much more processing power.

If any crossfire user complains, that FrSky does not allow Crossfire on their new radio, they should first complain at TBS, blocking R9 on their radio.

does this work with DJI?

No more FrSky for me. Radiomaster TS16S with Crossfire from now on.

frsky is successfully digging it's grave

Just got 1, what a dog

It really is an excellent radio but ... Very expensive, excellent review👍👌🔝

Frsky really know how to piss off their customers don't they lol. Nice enough hardware, but the constant non backward compatible firmware development is just a pain in the bits. I'm glad I got a radioking tx18s cheap recently (under £80 at the time) from banggood & 2.4 & 868 expresslrs happymodel modules with 3 2.4 pp Rx & 3 868 RX's for less. I have no intention of ever buying another frsky product if I can avoid it, because of their company development strategy regarding cross compatibility & open source.

I'm so glad I don't have anything to do with FrSky any longer... What a terrible company. Even if they bring out their own digital FPV system, I won't be going near it, ever. Good review though Andy. Well, as good as it can be with all that nonsense FrSky have produced.

No Crossfire, no thanks!

Why do the LOS plane guys spend so much on the radios? I've seen them with massive and expensive transmitters but the radio protocols seem nothing special, so where's the money going?

Clearing up the hd-nonsense it will be hd-zero. As said by frsky.

Neat screen, but that's about it. Being closed ecosystem should be all that you need to know and pick something else

No OpenTX = not for me. But do we actually know that it won't take a Crossfire module? That's not obvious to me.

FRsky .... confusing N00bs on a budget with HOPE

Bro I have had my eyes on that transmitter since the release. I think it is so sexy. I want to try one out and feel the premium goodness. Keep up the great work.

I could deal with no OpenTx with a system that works. But not being able to use crossfire or ghost the two most common systems is a really bad idea. I don’t think this radio is geared towards the FPV market. Someone that fly’s FPV doesn’t really care about a radio with a big coloured screen on, he’s wearing goggle most of the time. So if you take the coloured screen away its a Taranis Q X7S not running OpenTx. Hard pass for me. On a side note if you think I hate Frsky I have 2 X9D radios and love them.

God FrSky, just log off. That sideways button labeling silk screen orientation/layout for 'sys' and 'tele' is ridiculous. Why would openTX not support this?

👍👀🇭🇷

Frsky have learned nothing. That been said love my trusty old taranis. I bypassed the whole 2.4ghz failsafe incompatibility crap. Crossfire for life shame that who ever is in charge needs sacking

FrSky is blatantly misjudging their position in the RC market if they think people will deliberately buy into a closed system that does not let them use any of the current top 4 radio protocols (which are ExpressLRS, Ghost, Crossfire and Tracer). Also, knowing FrSky's history I would be surprised if the Ethos firmware wasn't a derivative of OpenTX and in violation of the GNU Public License.

No Open TX? No interest.

Waheyy im early for once :D

Truth hurts lol! Pretty nice radio tho

Ill use my Xd9 Plus until it dies or I switch to a nice radiomaster. Frsky is useless now.

@ 3:02 - It won't support Open TX. Buh bye FrSky! Take care - brush your hair! Hope to see you......never. I only wish that I could get all my shitty receivers refunded from you. I should have wised up, and switched to Crossfire sooner than I did.

Well... I use jeti, and pigs will fly when frsky are the same quality as jeti. And jeti has customer support! Build a 1000 dollar jet, and cut corners in control? I don't think so. But for the money it's probably a good idea! As a second radio for fixed wing flyer maybe. But I don't think the high-end flyers will be interested.

I'm not sure why a mini quad pilot would buy this. Personally it's to big, too many switches, no opentx, and no support for crossfire, tracer, or ghost.

FrSky, busy digging its own grave...This is aimed at LOS pilots looking for a cheap high end Radio...Virtually useless for serious seasoned FPV pilots....🤔🤔😳😳😳🇬🇧

This guy confused the 3 X20 models of FrSky, if you want the HD, pay more and buy the X20HD, not the standard X20

I think Frsky have lost the plot with not making things backwards compatible. Got rid of all my Frsky gear after buying a X10s that arrived new with loads of issues. Jeti all the way.

NEVER MORE frsky 😠

frsky is dead

open source FatShark? Ehmmm, wut?

Endless reasons not to buy one, shame when cosmetically its a nice looking tx