Radiomaster MT12 @$150 annihilates Futaba and Sanwa at 3x the price 

Haha! "Is that all you do is play with toys?"😂

You should do some more RC car/boat content. Not just product reviews. But like a 3d printed, long-range, FPV, or whatever. You would have to solve a few different technical issues than you are used to with drones. I think something new like that would make some great videos to watch.

I've been in RC cars since 1978 and was only a car guy until I discovered FPV Quads in 2020. At the end I was doing speed runs with a modified Traxxas Slash 4x4 turned into a GT car. My best speed was 138mph or 222KPH. I had to mod my Spektrum radio and add a signal booster to get the necessary range to do speed runs. This radio would have helped me greatly back then, it's a game changer!

Yes I have been waiting YEARS for this radio. Already pre-ordered and it shipped from a local company yesterday I am so freaking excited

5:30 "Welcome to the world of ExpressLRS. It's never that simple." Truer words have never been spoken 😂

Quick note, not ONLY are those switch and joystick plates included with the MT12, but they also include an attachment that adds a standard Nano module bay!

I got so excited when the MT12 was introduced I too got 1/10 basher in prep for it. I went with the TA Rival MT10. My first RC as a teen was the RC10 so maybe it's fitting that my last RC car should be Team Associated too lol

mate that laugh at 0:15 is nightmare fuel, imagine walking alone through a corn field at 2 am and hearing that

Fantastic ride and review, Joshua! 😃 But put proper FPV in the truck and test the range!!! Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊 And happy holidays!

I can't wait for the video where you put an FPV camera on the car 😎

A fpv range test would be really cool :) maybe with more obstructions in the way? like from inside the house to the outside

This is the king kong of land rc radios and i think it is the perfect radio for fpv on the rc car/truck i really hope you make a vid on how to make your rc FPV i have been wanting to do that for awhile 😁✌🏼

BTW, the additional joystick you can use for a servo gimbal with FPV! So you can look to the sides and up and down!

Oh god, the power up x3 trick to bind still works!!! I would be lost on elrs without that trick.

Yeah man I'm an FPV racer and an R/C car racer and I love how this radio bridges the 2 hobbies together! I can't wait to show up to the R/C race track and show the guys there and teach them about OpenTX and ELRS and Open Source baby!

I think the reason this is so exciting (To me at least) is the opportunity to use head tracking via the trainer port.

I love that radiomaster is doing this. I got started into RC after ELRS was released so it's all I've ever used and I have no interest in using anything else. I'm comfortable with it, I like how it works, the performance and especially flexibility. If i ever decide to get a ground vehicle this is definitely the radio I'll be using.

I was the last decade a dedicated RC car racer. With those 3.5ccm nitro cars which cost a furniture to obtain and an other to simple drive and maintain them. Basically those, which can reach up to 130kph and pull off 0-100kph in easily less than 2 seconds, while pulling off around 5gs in the corner. Anyway. I went to FPV a few months ago and was wondering why there was never an ELRS for RC cars and here we have it and it’s as game changing as I imagined it! I’m using Spektrum hardware on my cars and I was expecting the ELRS to perform very decent, but the range test you showed just blew away everything I know from this hobby in this manner. Insane!

Brooo. Thank you for doing this review. I’ve been telling EVERYONE at my local hobby shop who’s dropping 400-700$ on radios that this radio is going to be the best competition to all things rc car at a fraction of the cost and with greater range/power. I am getting one for my self as well. (My son races cars I don’t but I’m gonna race with him). Again thanks for the awesome Video!

So, I recently acquired the Radiomaster MT12 with the intention of replacing all my TRAXXAS and Losi RTR transmitters. This decision seemed logical to me for several reasons: 1. Many RTR transmitters get the job done but lack ergonomic comfort, prompting my search for a more user-friendly option. 2. Stock RTR radios often limit customization options, necessitating the use of a Bluetooth dongle to connect the radio to a phone for parameter adjustments. While I seldom modify settings once my cars are set up, the inconvenience of switching the Bluetooth dongle between transmitters or purchasing multiple dongles for each radio seemed impractical and expensive, especially considering the number of radios I own. 3. Several of my cars feature receivers with built-in stability management. Swapping them out for receivers from brands like Futaba or FrSky, which lack built-in stabilization, would require adding an external gyro. However, the challenge lies in the waterproof receiver box, making the addition of a gyro somewhat tricky, though I'm considering if it's possible since the gyro doesn't necessarily have to be inside the receiver box. 4. The accumulation of numerous radios from each car's purchase led to the inconvenience of managing and storing around 15 radios. 5. Consolidating to a single radio would allow me to sell the surplus radios. 6. The built-in 4-in-1 module of the Radiomaster MT12 would enable me to retain the original built-in receivers, which vary among TRAXXAS, Losi, FrSky, and some unknown brands. However, my plan encountered a setback when I discovered that the Radiomaster MT12 only supports ONE TRAXXAS receiver, and I don't have that particular receiver in any of my cars. Additionally, it does not support LOSI receivers, at least not at the moment. To proceed with my original plan and use one radio for all my RC cars, I would need to invest in 15+ compatible receivers and numerous gyros. This investment doesn't align with my preferences. Given these considerations, I'm now contemplating whether to keep the Radiomaster MT12. Excluding the 4-in-1 module, I'm questioning what makes this radio special and whether it still holds value for me.

The time that you didn't do the live streams due to your traveling, I purchased an Arrma Typhon 3s buggy and the first thing i did to it was i installed an ELRS PWM receiver in it and i'm using my Radiomaster Boxer radio with it. I also installed a Walksnail Avatar system to it. The range i get with ELRS is amazing. I am having a blast with it.

I have been using fpv on my Traxxas Summit for years. I use the Dji system and my quad transmitter ( radio master) . I have gone out close to a mile out in the desert. When we go out dirt biking riding and I don't feel like putting on all my gear and my daughter wants to ride I just send my car out and I sit in the shade next to my toy hauler.

Extra range that ELRS offers would be great for those that do high speed runs. Seems radio range is what high speed runners need from a radio link.

With my Futaba 3VCS on my 1:5th scale 27cc FG ModelSport Dodge Viper with independent servos for front and rear disk brakes I found it highly amusing to use a button to lock the front brakes and do burnouts at the racetrack. Looking forwards to re-creating that experience when my (shipped!) MT12 arrives soon. Being able to adjust the front/rear break-bias on the controller was pretty nifty too. Generally you don't go that far away with LoS RC cars, as they're more fun when you can see what they're doing! :D

Big asterisk on the 4-in-1 module (either internal or external, it's the same thing on the inside): the 4-in-1 multi-protocol project is massively slanted to airplanes, and the protocols that are usually found there. Specifically, to my knowledge they have not reverse-engineered DSMR (Spektrum, very common RTR and very popular on the ground in general unlike in the air) or TQi (Traxxas, another huge brnd for RTR and the protocol in the Slash or Rustler that you bought). Also, the "toy" type mini cars typically use really random protocols that are often hard coded to their radio and not able to be picked up by the multi-module. So while the promise of binding to all the cars you have is neat, in reality for most of the things that it would be ideal to bind with, it will not work and you will need to put an ExpressLRS receiver in it. If you're the type to use Futaba or one of the protocols that is supported, you will either be wanting to swap your receivers to the "correct" receiver anyway, or you just won't use this radio. Maybe this radio will get popular enough that there will be some weight behind getting the multi-module project to support some of these more common ground protocols?

Just got mine today and programmed it for my crawler. From a racing standpoint the size of the ER3C-i is perfect for all classes and the battery telemetry will be very useful. My plan is to switch all my race cars over to ELRS. Heading over to your customization videos now to continue learning.

10/10 remote for FPV RC cars!!! Let's go 🙌

Currently converting my helicopter fleet over to ELRS/EdgeTX thanks to these amazing new receivers from RadioMaster!!!

I have recently bought my first ELRS setup and been playing with RC with a PWM receiver so far I am very impressed.

I started with RC cars, and got into drones because I found your RU-vid channel a few years ago. So nice seeing you doing a video on RC car tech, even if it’s an exception for this review. You should really put an air unit into that thing (disable low power mode, so it does not wait for the FC command to wake up) and really test the range of that thing. Ground based FPV is really fun. :-)

I can't wait to get one for Onroad carpet racing. I just helped build the floating plywood floor in our new building! I can't wait to race Sunday!

I like the neighbor part that you left in; "Oh, you play with toys all day!" Priceless...

For loner range suggest switch to "50Hz" refresh and you add 10dB for receiver sensivity, and increase transmitter power to max in menu.

My MT12 4-in-1 should be here this Saturday. I'm stoked. I've used a Devo7E flashed with Devention and then modded with two additional RF modules internally for my flying for a few years. Having the versatility of multi-RF modules and thus a WIDE option of protocols to bind to, I've wished for a long time that something like that could be available for my RC cars and RC rock crawlers. Thankfully Radiomaster has decided to change the game. Couple of things...we surface RC guys call a vehicle that comes with everything ready to drive an RTR (ready-to-run). Actually RTRs can also be vehicles that don't come with a battery and charger as well. There's no such designation for bind-and-drive. :) Also, at the end of the video you talk about the two add-on modules for the radio. Both the dual two-position switch add-on and the joystick add-on are included with the MT12. Batteries are not, however. The radio comes with the battery tray for two 18650 cells (purchased separately) or you can buy Radiomaster's 5000mah 2-cell 18650 pack.

Futaba guy through and through and very happy with it, very few problems and many national wins (a while ago though) but I guess I will give this a try. Great review from a non-car guy Joshua. Thank you.

My MT12 will be here tomorrow and it's going in my brand new Redcat Machete 6S, along with a Walksnail Avatar HD Pro on a gimbal. I picked the Machete because it has two battery trays and will hold very large capacity batteries without weight distribution being a problem.

Thx Josh! Excellent class!

I was waiting for a sign when I would enter the RC car hobby...This is it!!!!

You are so excited about this :) I like it :)

Surface guys call ours RTR, Ready to Run (with radio/rx all electronics etc) and ARTR (almost ready to run, often has no radio system and kits having no electronics at all. often no body or wheels on ikits as well.

Speed run RC guys need a lot of range. With this there's no more need to add a signal booster.

we need a video of your fpv RC car setup !

"Like how far do like, RC car drivers actually go?" Full throttle into the jump. She goes as far as she goes. "Big Air" is a relative term I guess. For your property 4x4 would have been ideal and if you stick with it past the honeymoon period, you'll probably want brushless. Can't go wrong with a slash though. Been using air radio for ground RC for years. Originally switched for the extra...err...switches. The travel of full sized gimbals allows for much more manual resolution. It may be time to revisit ground radio world. Really miss being able to drive one handed. BNF = RTR ReadyToRun

Hopefully the speed run guys are noticing this radio. With the range, low latency, and programming capabilities it's a great choice.

Sweet, I cant wait to use my Radiomaster Boxer on Ground vehicles to drive Old School style.

Cool that you have discovered RC cars. If you start racing you will be hooked.

Mine is getting delivered today!!!

Those new receivers are just what I need

You should definitively try out rock crawlers. It's like meditating, hiking and fun at the same time. And you barely need to repair anything.

This radio is an excellent option for people doing rock crawlers, which require some weird configurations to do front, rear, crab, winch, etc.

That lady in the car! 😂😂

I’ve been waiting to see this…..okay Bardwell, show us your RC driving skills. I’ve gotten pretty good with my little rally car of late. 😁

lol. That’s great bardwell I just got a arrma outcast 8s. And it’s bad ass. Get all new aluminum upgrade parts for it and upgrade the esc and motor and you will have a real blast but now you showed me I’m going to have to switch my car over to Elrs and setup some jumps or go to a skate park and play with it. Best place to take them and bash 😂🎉

Bind and Fly RC Cars. Nice!

Being an airplane guy, and FPV guy who just got in to RC rock crawling I was very happy to see this on RDQ with a pre order sign next to it. And multi protocol.

@12:41 You don't know who Joshua Bardwell is? One of the FPV greats!

This interests me for boats. I've been trying to figure out what radio to get. I'm just starting to get into model boats. Thanks for the review.

LMAO the lady stopping to talk was so wholesome

Great Reaview As Always

Dude W- for the neighbor lady. Literally made me crack up lol 😅

2 sanwa airtronics m-8's for sale.All kinds of adjustability. Ran Schumacher back in the day, hpi. Tamiya. Ran 3 cars on Saturday night for 10 years, on road ozite carpet and asphalt. Different track every week. Lots o fun

You have been missing out sir. Get a crawler and put a fpv setup on it. It's great.

If you dont have that car fpv'd by the end of the video I will cry a little bit

I love the neighbor interactions, lol

Not only did we learn something, but it looks like the lady in the white van learned something too!!!

Came back to comment about combat robotics. If you watch competitions like NHRL(National Havoc Robot League; for all intents and purposes minor league BattleBots) or the newer seasons of BattleBots you will quickly notice that they are chock full of RadioMaster radios. The Zorro is super popular(usually used with buddy boxing) with a ton of drivers also using the TX16s. Trigger radios are also popular, but often times concessions like dual radio systems have to be made to get it working well. Looking at the MT12's features and realizing that combat robotics has a budding love affair with RadioMaster(and by proxy EdgeTx and ELRS) has me thinking that if combat robotics wasn't the focus of this radio it was at least very high up on the list of possible use cases.

"Reach down here and work the joystick with one hand" is the important takeaway here.

Cool …..love Radiomaster and expressLRS now build it with FPV head control 2 axis gimbal with DJI 0 3. Teach us please. I need one for rounding up my chicken at dusk. My drones make them duck and seek out cover. I’m getting the controller for my ground rc habit. Thanks, Pops Fitch

19:09 Rig the Mini Joystick up to a FPV camera on the windshield of your truck so you can have Look Around mode.

Nice JB, I watch ADHD RC. And always wanted to know how he builds his cars. This ELRS thing will make it a reality with a gimbal'ed O3 and a beep beep horn. I'm dreaming of headlights and maybe a pass through radio speaker.

I'll hold out for the "pocket" version but this looks awesome. I hope there are many more options for ELRS RC car controllers

Now I need to replace the controller on my Traxxas! Heck yeah! Ha, Bardwell. Yes, throw on an FPV camera like I did.

Waiting patently for my preorder - absolute game changer for surface vehicles. Ps. nomclature is "ready to run"

Loving the newer rc car content, i think this can be a big new flex for bigger companies if they have money to invest into new tech. I found exactly the same issue with elrs receivers and rc cars, there are literally none with an 868 rx that elrs modules can bind to 😂 so like you i end up always adding my own rx and/or elrs pwm converter with nano rx, then just use my tx16s for driving about, i hope i see some new goodies coming out soon aimed at long range fpv car driving, i feel like it’s a large market that’s not really been explored yet, still almost a niche Nice video mate, as always :) Kindest regards Shado

You should get a brushless rc car! So much fun!

get an fpv camera on it!!!

Hell yeah bruh speed runners need this at 150+ mph we cover a lot of Real estate

Little does she know JB is the O.G. FPV drone RU-vidr. No shit!

You should FPV it and do a more serious range test, would be fun to see. I think getting this radio with the 4-in-1 is the way to go. Then you can get an external ELRS module. The nano ELRS modules are on average 40 dollars while the 4in1's are 60. So it's cheaper to get internal 4 in 1 if you plan to use both modules in the end anyways. Plus you end up with a 1000mw capable elrs module instead of just 250mw. Be interesting to see how much transmit power elrs needs to go a mile in a surface vehicle. Also be interesting to see if 900mhz even helps with a surface vehicle. I think I remember reading that lower frequencies have a larger fresnel zone so being close to the ground should effect them more than higher frequencies.

Might be great for something like a nitro car. You can have one steering trim, one for throttle and brake (same servo generally), then one that acts to alter how strong the brake is or something. Could give more precision if the brakes are really strong and they lock up easily. I wonder if it's possible to set the failsafe on the receiver to make the car brake. Could be a neat application. Of course, not the best idea with electric cars. I'd imagine the servo port on the radio is a way to program receivers that can't connect to the computer with wifi directly, among other things.

Please make this an FPV/o3 car and push it to its limits There is such a limited amount of GOOD information on making FPV cars and its great coming into the cold/wet weather when its often not suitable to fly.

Besides the guide being awesome.. that lady has me dead rn 😂😂

You should check out something from Arrma's 6s line. The kraton and Notorious are beasts.

Just an FYI: Matek has been making ELRS PWM receivers for a while now. I have had the R24-P6 for almost a year now and they also have a version with a variometer.

Bonus, you can use the elrs air rx and attach into your inav rover and run off pwm servo from there. Best get a 5v bec to power up servos though.

no way, i was watching this vid and when you were showing the receiver connected to the radio via the signal bars, i noticed the time was exactly the same on your radio as it is for me rn

I got my MT12 last night and worked through these setup things myself. Thanks for the guide this should help those new to edgetx / expresslrs get started quickly. I think one good thing to point out is surface receivers typically have steering as channel 1 and throttle as channel 2. This is opposite by default in edgetx.

make it FPV!

Please make a tutorial on making your slash fpv🙏🏼😁

Now, all we need is Raz Shifrin to get onto the MT12 and ExpressLRS in his speed runs. I know for a fact that he has occasional issues with range on his cars, so this is a perfect solution for him. Oh, and for shits and giggles, I want to see Kev Talbot play around with this as well.

So glad Radiomaster & ExpressLRS are getting into surface radios. The MT12 looks amazing. Do they plan to make ExpressLRS receivers with integrated gyros?

I got one an so glad i did! Theyre almost as awsome as this vid! Cant believe my rc cars run on ELRS and Xfire! I can highly recommend gettin one! 'No s**t'!!

You should make an FPV RC car!

If this takes off, ExpressLRS will start to come standard on all RTR hobby-grade cars. Manufacturers at that point would stop including transmitters, lowering the build cost. The surface market is bigger than the FPV market, so there's a good chance this will happen.

Haha ... im about to install a 1s walksnail into my tamiya subaru brat.. .. soo much fun ...

I put fpv on this exact car so much fun but i went with the radiolink

Danke!

Actually super excited about this. This is the perfect radio for us speed run guys, not to mention fpv crawler guys. Radiomaster about to steal sanwa and futaba lunch money

For a system not dependant on changing settings on esc or gyro on the fly, this transmitter is awsome. But in drifting community we are bound to use sanwa (code 10 capability) or futaba (mailny accuvance) where i can get access to full settings for esc and some more gyro functions apart from gain. Otherwise i will definitelly switch to RM

wow that interaction was pure agony and reminded me half the world out there believes we use vr googles