It looks like a nice transmitter, and the price looks good for the feature set.

I'm actually interested to see if they'll do any of their own RF modules for it.

I was wondering when Spektrum would release a modular transmitter again. This looks very nice !
Take that Taranis !

different price point to the Taranis, $999 (in Aus), compared to $250 for a Taranis.

Or more likely will the protocol be open so that instead of long range module, some-one could make a Hitec Red, or Futaba or .... module.

Then I could fly everything with just 1 TX, even if I did have to change modules.

Originally Posted by flyinwalenda

I was wondering when Spektrum would release a modular transmitter again. This looks very nice !
Take that Taranis !

How is this a "Take that Taranis!"? It's 3x the cost of a QX7S, and all it has over it is touchscreen and a few other features are convenient, but won't be used for much more than initial setup. FrkSky offers freedom of OpenTX, better gimbals, option to use Frsky, TBS, DSMX, protocols, and receivers are tiny and inexpensive (A DSMX sat is the same cost as a telemetry RX for FrSky).

Not saying this is a bad radio, looks great to me, but the way I see it, the features only help initial setup, and I'm sure many others barely go through menus or settings after they have their plane, quad, or heli flying the way they want. I'd rather see the cost justified it the areas that make a difference while flying, like channel assignment freedom, gimbal quality, reliablity, etc.

Join the discussion already in progress and learn even more ! https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-Spektrum-iX12

Honestly, the same about "initial setup" can be said about any radio. After I have a plane setup the way I want it I have no reason to go through menus anymore, for that aircraft. Doesn't matter if it's the ix12 or an OpenTX platform at that point.

Fact is, this being a fully-functional Android device ontop of being a 12-channel radio opens up all kinds of possibilities. Android is open source too, just like OpenTX. Except Android has a much, MUCH more mainstream following.

Nice looking radio. Not sure I'd use all the features all the time, but I'd have fun playing with them. High end spektrum build quality, ergonomics and gimbals are ususally pretty good.

With that serial port in the back it's hopefully only a matter of time before someone adapts the 4 in 1 multi module sold on banggood to work with it. Then you get the cool features, and can fly whatever receivers you want.

I fly a Taranis because it gives me that freedom. If this radio gave me the same including telemetry through the multi module, then it'd be on my list for sure. It's not cheap, but neither were the fat sharks. Still happy I bought those!

Obviously, with all these features, it will need memory.
How much memory does the radio have, can it be expanded?

The main issue with these radios incorporating a complex operating system (OS) is there is more chance of failure in the software or even greater latency while the OS decides it needs to do some house keeping or what ever the software may decide to do in the back ground while your flying. In my opinion its ridiculous and just a way to get people to pay more for an over priced radio. I've no doubt Spektrum have thoroughly tested it but quite honestly give me a simple embedded Real time OS anytime. I'm not going to check my phone apps on an RC radio its absurd. Java is also an awful , buggy, interpreted programming language which is used to program Android and that alone is another reason to stay clear.

If you have questions, Many of them are getting answered over at https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...-Spektrum-iX12

The main issue with these radios incorporating a complex operating system (OS) is there is more chance of failure in the software or even greater latency while the OS decides it needs to do some house keeping or what ever the software may decide to do in the back ground while your flying.

To deal with this, you give it massive overkill in the department of processing power. And they did. It's got a quad core CPU. This isn't going to be an issue. Especially with in-flight RF-related stuff.

In my opinion its ridiculous and just a way to get people to pay more for an over priced radio.

It's only 25% more expensive than the current DX9. That's not massively more expensive than currently-available radios, for a lot more features.

I've no doubt Spektrum have thoroughly tested it but quite honestly give me a simple embedded Real time OS anytime.

Nobody's going to take these away from you.

I'm not going to check my phone apps on an RC radio its absurd.

Absurd to you. I think it's awesome. Even more awesome is the open source nature of Android, and the fact that it appears that the entire radio functions on an Android app, which means OpenTX-levels of customization. Or even better, given Android's enormous community.

Java is also an awful , buggy, interpreted programming language which is used to program Android and that alone is another reason to stay clear.

And yet, despite being so terrible, Android makes up 85% of the market share when it comes to phone OSs. They must be doing something right.

The Android system and RF system are totally separate... you could remove the Android system while flying and nothing would happen.. It would be just silly to have them interconnect and allow background services to effect RF functions negatively.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=124

Originally Posted by thepiper92

How is this a "Take that Taranis!"? It's 3x the cost of a QX7S, and all it has over it is touchscreen .

LOL. Didn't take too long for the fans to arrive ! Almost like a HK thread !
The quality of a higher-end Spektrum radio and Horizon's excellent support is worth 3x the cost over the "tinker-toy" quality and online if your lucky support of the taranis........in my opinion of course, and I own a taranis. The open software and module will hopefully evolve into an opentx type of platform . Wait and see I guess. Still exciting to see this nonetheless .