Always nice to see you Bruce. It seems my review was also accurate when I said I would have a hard time trusting the controller after finding various quality issues with the one I got. The worst of which is that the gimbal design literally runs into itself. It's a design fault, not a fault just on mine. Also very happy to hear you're still able to solder such fine wires. 🙏 I also spoke to jumper about the issues and they definitely want to do good. They're not trying to make faulty products.
I haven't watched anyone else's reviews yet... I always do my reviews without perhaps being unconsciously biased by the opinions of others. Interesting to hear that you had similar concerns... so it wasn't just "reviewer's curse" :-)
@@RCModelReviews Pop those gimbal stick limiters off and adjust the screw for the vertical which is all the way out to get maximum range. The gimbal is supposed to be adjustable but with the horizontal limiters off, you get far far more horizontal range compared to the vertical. Also, the horizontal runs into itself internally when you're ~85% deflected towards the outside on both sticks. I made some notable mods to mine in order to remove these limits but there are still so many small quality issues that I just don't feel comfortable relying on the controller in any way. I do love the look, general features and basic design but it's unfortunately just not for me. I'll stick to the Boxer.
It's quite rare to have such good , pragmatic reviews; and yes, it has been a long time that you didn't spoil us with one 🙂 BTW, QA and PRC product is antinomic. But, yes, buy local.
All I can see is Johnny 5's face. Thank you for the insight on the pressure condition, I was never aware and should have been. But your _dramatic pause_ superpower remains second to none: "................... _but they haven't"_ was pure gold. Knobs are useful for most of my FC-equipped birds, to adjust PIDs on the fly, or in a new fun way in Arduplane: to adjust my VTx power level (so I don't have to use damned Pit Mode, I can swing the knob to 25mW while waiting for GPS lock). I love the irony that you ride the bleeding tech edge, but fly manually in most cases, and definitely in how you represent your transmitter needs, and glad you found a better match than the pressure-inducing Boxer. (Fellow Zorro owner suggests a nice wrist strap, connected to the neck strap mount, might do you well for those big girls?)
Thanks for your review, I subscribed years ago because of a radio review I think it was the turnigy 9x from about 10yrs ago.. and stayed exactly because I think these are one of the best radio reviews out there. Although I would personally loved seeing a little bit more of the inside of the radio. Btw. it's still kinda funny how many things you got that weren't quality controlled.
I actually find that here in the US at least where I live...21700 cells are sold along side the 18650s at most vape shops. They also sell adapters that slip over an 18650 to adapt it to a 21700 size bay.
Excellent review, Bruce. I use these modern flying radios (currently a TX16s) for my earthmovers and I do like those control knobs and switches you rightfully point out can be useless for some flyers. It really depends on the earthmover on what input device is ideal for which function. Sometimes I hate a centre detent, other times it's a necessity. I do like the bigger displays as I am programming on the radio and the 4-in-1 module gives me more access to various receivers. But I have to say, it looks like a magnificent radio and those sticks are amazing!
Fab review. One of your best for a while. Would have liked to hear you mention the fact that many users might enjoy momentary switches. Or even just one. A non starter for me because of that. Not surprised that you had problems with design and manufacture. I have an original Jumper T16 which loosened its ribbon cables whenever the haptic vibrated. I was not able to trust the radio. If you cant trust the radio then you are unlikely to buy anything from them again. I moved to radiomaster and have not looked back. Thanks for a thorough review (apart from missing out momentary switches :-))
Great overview of the Jumper T20. I ordered mine from Newbeedrone, hopefully I won't have any issues. I do have the Jumper T Lite v2, very happy with it. 😎
10:13 You've described what I did with my OG Radiomaster TX12. Cheap ass up front, I dropped AG01 Minis in it, and scored a 1 watt Happymodel ELRS module for it. The total bodge-up cost me about CDN$350 - including 4 Samsung 3700 mAh 18650s, an extra battery tray, _and_ shipping [home-rolled my own leather lanyard]. Not cheap, but not too dear. Been my daily driver for a year now. It's gotta die before I need another. This one looks like something to consider as a future acquisition - or maybe by the time I'm in the market it'll be a dilithium-powered V87. . .
Bruce, every time I use my Zorro i think of your review and laugh, you seem to discover all good and bad about each product like the annoying little flapper cover that flaps when you are using an aux battery. Great detailed review. Cheers my friend till the next one!
Always informative and entertaining, no matter the content. I will say you do the best reviews on the 'net. Hoping and praying for your health, sending love from central Texas.
23:20 The problem with the "buy it local" idea is a lot of stores will likely just tell you "you need to speak to the manufacturer about repairs/replacements", and then you're back to the same situation you would be if you'd bought from banggood/aliexpress.
Thank you! I use the super soft RadioMaster springs in basically all my gimbals… I actually really dislike the stock springs, makes the gimbals feel cheap, imprecise, and way too notchy in the centre, to me. I actually swapped the full size gimbal super soft springs into my AG01 minis as well. I really, really like it like that. NOTE: one (or more, depending how you like them set) adjustment screws need to be changed to a couple of millimetres longer, as the spring geometry is softened and lengthened. 👍🏻 Definitely worth the effort! FYI 15-20 grams tension is what I run on the gimbals.
Awesome review, bruce. You beat me to it in making an unbiased review. And your experience is the same with mine coz i got the 1st version and they just ditch it in a week and got my thing obsolete with the v2 t20s. But then i got it at 100usd, so i got no complaints as everything works perfectly. Just only its using the older tx18 hall gimbal and removable sma antenna instead of folding. But i have the cnc metal handle. There is no qc, and the consumers are the qc. First things first is calibrate your battery coz its way off. I have emailed them regarding the sudden unavailability of t20 and got a reply to get the upgrade. So yah, everone should take apart the back to check if everything is in correct place. Sux
Unfortunately the cheaper radios have poor QC ... One of the downsides of them being cheap. Battery calibration being off is pretty normal, I don't think any of the OTX/ETX radio manufacturers do individual calibration for things like that, it would just have stock config on it.
So, at the current Aussie dollar (hahahaha) to USD exchange rate, that $140 USD is $217 AUD, plus, as US postage generally costs more than any item I'm buying, the value takes a real dive! On a high note, the review was very good.
Caveat 1 - You need glasses to read the screen if your over 40..it looks like a cool radio, but I want all those controls on the T16S. Know one will use all those gimbal/camera drone type controls on a compact radio with no decent screen to display critical infomation. Ill stick with my T16
The assumption was probably either users would have good eyesight (hence lack of bundled magnifier sheet 😂) or wouldn't use the screen much, i.e. relying on OSD and voice prompts. Telemetry screen with big numbers isn't so bad, but sunlight legibility is an issue with inverted colour displays.
Interesting review Bruce, I received mine recently but have yet to open it up. I agree with every single point you made, and I agree it's a great feeling radio and the gimbals feel fantastic. Apparently Jumper could be a risk when you buy them unfortunately, but I have never had any major quality issues.
Was looking at this as elrs with a 4 in 1 module to replace my frsky radios. No sliders so one demerit but the qc issues, forget it. Oh well of to get an elrs module for the future rx purchases and ill stick my frsky radios.
Interesting you mentioned the latching switches on top don't latch properly, that was thr only real QC issue with mine... they do latch, just are harder to press than I would like. The onboard XTSD SPI storage chip should be a lot more reliable than a microSD due to no connector issues and integrated wear leveling. The six press buttons are like the TPros, meaning you can group and do all sorts of fancy stuff with them... Turn them into two 3pos swirches, three 2pos switches, etc. I use pots on all my radios for brightness and volume control, sliders sometimes for OSD profile selection. For the price, defintely a great radio, and yes, it feels great when using it.
I had the original Jumper t16. I had 10 models transferred over to it, went to the field to fly and,,, all the models i programmed disappeared! It Ruined the day, yet later that day they magically appeared. I tossed it in the trash
@@RCModelReviews yea for my cameraships, but this is my style LOS ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uHoFfpLSb2g.html&t or my Taz trick ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-VWkXR5B6Ajo.html&t
Thanks for the review Bruce. Detailed as usual. When I was looking for a new Radio a few years ago... and from the old Jumper/RadioMaster Quality Control marketing fiasco where the Jumper internals (cables) were built like crap.... I have boycotted Jumper and gone with much better QC RadioMaster all the way.
Great review! A problem that arises when applying the good advice of buying locally to mitigate the QA issues somewhat, is that it wont be $ 110 or $ 150 or what ever it is in the China stores any more!
Thanks for the review! I think I have missed how exactly antenna cable got squeezed (20:18), maybe you could share a picture of that (i.e. in the description)? Thanks in advance!
I have perfect eyesight too. My arms are just too short. People who can fix things are getting rare. People who can diagnose things are getting even rarer. Once you find the problem the fix tends to be easy.
The T-20s is RDC90 which from my understanding is potentiometer and not hall sensor 7:38 I have a Qx7 and I’m wondering if it’s worth it cuz I fly planes, FPV quads, and eventually FPV planes. Or maybe I should wait for Radiomaster to come out with a better one even 😂 Btw how much of a scratch magnet is that glossy middle part where the knobs are? And how cheap do those knobs and sliders feel? 20:27 if the co-ax is shorter but the end of the antenna the same, is the range shorter? Or is the range just dependent on the mW? Can’t wait for part 3!!
The dials are sometimes used for configuring flap -> elevator. You set a switch to extend the flaps and add the dial's value to the elevator. Then when you throw the switch the flaps drop and the value from the dial is added (or subtracted). After a few tries with different dial settings you now know how much elevator to add when flaps are deployed, and can make that value permanent. *Edit:* Spelling.
Ah... I never bother doing a flap/elevator mix because I just use my thumb to compensate when flap is applied. I'm old-school and enjoy the challenge of *flying* the model rather than using technology to steal some of the fun -- for that reason I also never use aileron/rudder mixes and the like.
Twiddly knobs are great for adjusting PIDs in flight during tuning. The problem is its a 20 channel radio being reviewed by someone who only needs 6. Which all opinions count and are good feedback but would be better reviewed by someone using ardupilot or other setups that actually take advantage of the extras.
I stay away from Jumper since T16 because of their QC problem. I hope Radiomaster can come up with their version of this form factor with a bit bigger monochrome screen (like zorro screen) and better quality buttons and sliders.
I've been trying to use mine for the past 24 hours with two different sets of brand new 21700 batts with no luck. First thing is that the onboard charging won't work with most of the newer charging outlets/blocks/rates. Plugging it into an ancient USB hub for several hours...it finally would start up but instantly say it had low battery and shut off. My next step is to try a separate 21700 battery charger I just ordered to hopefully get them charged but this is unacceptable in a radio not to be able to plug it in and charge it without removing the batteries... Curious if this is just my radio or everyones experience as I have seen folks complain about the low rate charging they put in the unit.
I got one last week and it was defective out of the box. Jumper support basically just said I must have done something to it to break it because “it’s impossible that it was defective” They have since just stopped replying to my emails.
Thanks for the Review, Bruce! Do you happen to have some idea about their RF circuitry for 900MHz version of the transmitter? SX1278 can be used on 433 freq (with a minor elrs reflash), but I'm not sure about the RF PA and LNA (if present).
Hey Bruce, Have you ever bound the Jumper radio to any of the XK brand planes like the T28 or P40. It works fine for me but I can not disable the gyro. Tried channel 5 and channel 7 in mixing.
While you're correct it has 32 mixer lines, ELRS tops out at 16 channels. I'll have to ask what the 20 actually refers to, as not counting the function switches, counted around 24 inputs, more if using trims as inputs, etc. I guess they could have just been counting number of switches (even the 5way hats), gimbals knobs, etc.
This is about as out of the box you can get to a fully decked out tango 2 with ELRS 1W happymodel pcb addon + alloy gimbals, except in this case runs full rate 1khz ELRS, has edgetx and nicer button options.
I am considering this JumperRC T20S ExpressLRS ELRS 2.4GHz/915MHz Hall/RDC90 Sensor Gimbal Full Size EdgeTX Radio Transmitter for FPV RC Racer Drone Airplane Car Boat - 2.4G RDC90+JP4IN1 Micro Module. As far as I understand, it works for most drones. Can you recommend a good site to buy a drone on.
I have A T14SG I'm looking for a Mini drone to fit it. I guess the futaba go out business. I really don't want to buy anymore radios. But I'm having problems finding drones to fit my radio.
Hey I'm 45 but I love/need light springs; same problem with Boxer - either they do not center or springs are too tense. I wish I could solve that too. Do AG01 gimbals have same issue?..
Help, my jumper t20 won't turn on after I disassembled one gimbal and the USB type C board above. please give a solution how to fix it? I don't know which part of the board is the problem.
I use a TX16S and Zorro. I fly airplanes on the TX16S and quads on the Zorro. Although I like the Boxer I can't justify buying it because what I have works. I had a Jumper T16 that developed the cable issue. Why roll the dice on Jumper when RadioMaster is reliable and well designed? Plus the trims and screen on the T20 are a non-starter for me anyway. The Boxer is a better choice to me in that size.
This radio is quite a bit smaller (in height) than the Boxer. The Boxer is a great radio but the sticks just don't work for me -- neither do the blingy CNC gimbals from Radiomaster -- they don't actually feel any different to me.
Looked like a great radio aside from the QC issues. I purchased mine as suggested from local RC shop and it has failed and broke twice in the last 4 weeks. First it fried the power board and the local shop refused to replace it and insisted that I install a new board sent from Jumper. I complied and it worked for another two weeks and now today it won't turn on, take a charge or attach to computer via USB. I'm not sure what they will do now but I'm convinced these guys make total junk and this radio should definitely not be recommended in my opinion. I've been flying for 15 years and never had a radio go out (maybe just lucky?) but this one breaks twice in a month and it's brand new!! This goes beyond poor QC!! Shame because I love the size and features!!
He mentions that the radio manufacturers are producing these smaller radios because they are concerned with stagnant sales. The real problem for Jumper and RadioMaster is that they simply don't innovate at all. All the features and functionality are based on open source projects that don't require updating your radio. At least FrSky and Spektrum create products with truly new features. Whether those brands appeal to you is a separate question, but at least they innovate. RadioMaster and Jumper are now pushing ELRS since it fills in for their lack of innovation, and for line-of-sight PWM applications it's not ready for prime time. Can you imagine if a company like Spektrum were to release a new long range protocol that required LOS users to map around channel 5? I'm guessing it would be laughed out of the market. RadioMaster and Jumper are just packaging the work of several open source projects without attempting any real system-level improvements. ELRS could be the foundation for this, but it needs to improved to be a little more professional. First, they need to separate the arming feature (AUX1) from the traditional channels. It *is* separate in the actual data packet format and there's no reason to have it be considered as a traditional channel in the transmitters or receivers. It's an awkward artifact of the quad-centric beginnings of the ELRS project. Then they should create a new bidirectional digital protocol (or update an existing one) between receivers and ESCs. This would mean selling ESCs, but there's no other way to modernize the completely inadequate PWM ESC control signal. ESCs can easily provide a wealth of telemetry data and have several control parameters that could be set during flight, but there's no standard way to do this even though it's not technically difficult. Spektrum now has a wide variety of receivers and ESCs that offer these features. It's quite cool, and it's possible primarily because they market all of the products involved. RadioMaster and/or Jumper could work to integrate some of the open source projects into a more cohesive and professional system, but I think it will mean selling more than just transmitters and receivers. Or they can continue to offer new sizes of transmitters and different switch/gimbal colors, which currently seems to be the extent of their innovation.
It’s a big no from me, too much of a worry for my liking, I’d rather have a radio that I know works straight out of the box. Thanks for telling it like it is Bruce.
How do the hall effect gimbals center stick compare to radiomaster gimbals? I love my zorro but I hate how radiomaster makes the center detent so stiff. Even at full looseness, center detent still throws me off at times. Iv been itching to buy the t20 since I saw it on aliexpress.. if it had a 4 in 1, I totally would
There is a super-thin multi-protocol module that fits very nicely on the back (I'm covering this in part 3). I find the Jumper gimbals to be better than Radiomaster right across the range... but that's because I prefer very light sticks and Radiomaster's tend to be quite strongly sprung.
@RCModelReviews I agree, I also like soft sticks. I didn't realize jumper had a 4n1 till recent. Still not sure tho, I'v been growing a liking to small tx lately. I Originally thought the t20 would be a bit smaller. Still tempting tho
I found one supplier for this product in Australia so far. FPV Faster. I emailed them asking to speak with some one about this product. I was politely informed this business dose NOT have telephone support for customers. Seriously, a business with out phone contact? What a joke. Cant trust that business model. Well if you can't speak with potential customers, do expect to get customers. I couldn't find any other Australian suppliers. Guess I'm not buying this product then. Plenty other options.
Friends don't let friends buy Jumper. I've had two t-lites a few years back that broke after short use and will never trust any of their products again.
Damn, sounds like you lost the Jumper lottery. I actually quite like the TLite, and have both the V1 (with a HappyModel ELRS TX fitted to the back) and the V2 (with built in ELRS). Touchwood both have been great.
I've had a T16 for years, never a problem. No sense throwing the whole brand under the bus. You don't have to buy them, but this is an innovative radio for a good price, and I support that. Radios were all starting to look the same.
Unfortunately the socket also has a retaining metal piece also soldered to the PCB that is supposed to stop it from ripping off the board and that can't be moved. Without it then there's the risk that the traces will rip when rotated 180 degrees. It would be much safer just to solder the wires directly to the traces if needs be.
@RCModelReviews I ordered a 915 rdc variation. 1w and good gimbals, 62 t4-t5 spine injury and a jumper radioking with rdc gimbals is my favorite even with .5 to 1 jitter. The Echine tx16s has zero jitter but the have the spring problem... Can't take it with you.
Another F for jumper that didn’t have to happen. Why don’t they consult advice from people like you BEFORE taking this stuff to manufacturing? 😬 radio looks good but that connector issue is a non starter for so many. I’m convinced jumper will never learn…
@@Mikeylikesit1968 Issues like this happen pretty consistently with Jumper products. Those who know Jumper’s history, and more importantly, how they handle these situations understand exactly what I mean. But hey, if you want to buy it go ahead. 🤷♂️
The deal breaker for me is that those beautiful gimbals are potentiometer gimbals🤯 quick story. 2 years ago it was a challenge to do orbits. I couldn't get a lock like the pros. Till the day I got hall sensor gimbals. True story
Who cares what gimbals are on there. I guess you never flew Kraft radios back in the 70's as I didn't even wear them out. You guys are spoiled with non needed stuff
@@Mikeylikesit1968 Im simply responding out of experience. I had to replace the gimbals in my very first radio due to the throttle pot wearing out. There are little brushes in there that rub on a sensor and they do go bad vs hall sensor with no contact. Just the sensor detecting the magnet with extreme accuracy.
I'm still using an old Taranis QX7, works fine with EdgeTX, an ELRS module, 4in1 module, inverter mod and rechargeable 18650s. However if these multiprotocol radios had been around back then, I'd never have bought the QX7. I do get the feeling from reviews though, that of Radiomaster and Jumper, maybe Radiomaster has the better QC. A friend just bought a TX12, and it really is excellent. Watching this review though - and I admit I skipped some bits - didn't see a lite or JR module bay. Has it got one?
Yes, Radiomaster's QC and design is generally better than Jumper. It's like Jumper has a good idea, gets it to market as fast as it can (with bugs) then Radiomaster brings out the same thing but at a higher quality level. There's a nano-module addon but no standard JR bay.
There’s a port where you can attach the (flat) Jumper micro 4in1. There is an adapter for other newer nano JR modules and another adapter beyond that if you have the normal sized module.
You can fit a CRSF nano-module using the optional adaptor. However, I see that there is a 915MHz version of this radio using ELRS and that would be a really viable alternative.
I bought it and the levers wires break from the solder, my God, put silicon wires and the worst thing they sent me the radio without the lid of the barbershop and without the piece for the batteries.
Jumper, where is your reply about your missing quality control ? If you do not reply in public, you are screwed cause the radio is crap as we have seen here and no one should buy it cause you missed to address the issues in time. Sad but true. Looks like you can buy a Radiomaster nowadays but not a Jumper anymore.
