If you want to take your drone flying hobby to the next level, then it is important to invest in a good radio transmitter and receiver. The quality of these components will greatly impact the overall performance of your drone.
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a radio transmitter is the number of channels it supports. This will determine how many different aspects of your drone you can control.
FS-i6X
If you're looking for a drone transmitter and receiver that are both inexpensive, lightweight and easy to use, then the FS-i6X is a great choice. This is a 2.4GHz transmitter that features the reliable Automatic Hopping Digital System (AFHDS), which reduces interference, and also consumes as little as one-tenth the power of a standard FM system, dramatically extending your battery life.
The FS-i6X is compatible with flysky's FPV receivers, but you can also buy third-party ones if you want to get the most out of your drone. Having your own radio can help you control your drone safely and securely, especially as you get more advanced. It also lets you take advantage of features like telemetry, which allows you to see crucial flight information on your radio screen, such as battery voltage, current draw and signal strength.
Moreover, it can be used for a variety of different types of drones, including airplanes and helicopters, and it even supports multicopters and racing drones. It's also easy to program and includes a backlit LCD display for easier viewing.
Another feature of the FS-i6X is that it is compatible with OpenTX, an open source radio system. This means that you can customise your transmitter settings, which is a big deal for a newcomer to FPV flying.
It also has a lot of bells and whistles, so you can customize your flights as much or as little as you want. It also uses AFHDS 2A technology, which is an updated version of the AFHDS system that's designed for more secure communication between you and your drone.
Finally, it also comes with a flysky-compatible receiver, which is a great addition for the price. It's a bit bigger than the iA6 receiver, but it adds support for PPM and IBUS output to your flight controller.
It is compatible with all Frsky FPV quadcopters, and you can get it at a great price. However, it is a bit heavy for smaller FPV quadcopters so you might want to consider another receiver if you have a larger FPV racer. Ultimately, it's all down to personal preference and your specific needs as a FPV pilot.
Turnigy Evolution
If you’re looking for a low-cost drone transmitter and receiver, you can’t go wrong with the Turnigy Evolution. It offers great value for money and is designed to work with the latest micro and mini quadcopters, as well as gliders.
This transmitter has a generous monochrome LCD touch screen with simple menu navigation, and it’s backlit for use in daylight or nighttime. It’s also incredibly lightweight and compact for easy portability. It includes a protective case for storage and travel, making it an ideal choice for beginners or casual flyers.
It comes with an eight-channel 2.4GHz AFHDS 2A transmitter, as well as a TGY-iA6C receiver. It supports SBUS/IBUS and CPPM protocols, and dual high-gain antennas provide a stronger communication link.
The AFHDS 2A is the proprietary firmware used by FlySky, which offers reliable radio communication with the iA6, iA6C, and i10B range of receivers. However, this makes it incompatible with other brands, so you’ll need to look for another RC transmitter if you’re not a FlySky or Turnigy customer.
It’s a little on the small side for a beginner, but if you’re looking for a simple transmitter that will work with most model aircraft, then the Turnigy Evolution is a good option. It has a number of features that are useful for newbies, including elevon mixing and V-tail settings, and it’s simple to operate.
You can get it at a great price on desertcart, where you can find authentic brands and a fast delivery. It’s worth noting that the transmitter does have its own proprietary firmware, which can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re doing.
This transmitter is aimed at newcomers to FPV drones, and it’s the only one on my list that’s not shaped like a traditional radio, which can be a bit uncomfortable for those who are used to thumbing. It also doesn’t have physical trim switches and lacks support for older AFHDS receivers.
It has an excellent range of functions, and it’s a nice alternative to the Taranis X9D and Q X7, although they’re still the top options for miniquad flying. The Turnigy Evolution’s touch-screen is a big bonus, and it’s a lot easier to navigate than the Taranis. It’s also a lot lighter, and it can be used for any type of drone.
TBS X-Blade
A radio transmitter (TX) is the part of an FPV drone that allows you to control it remotely. It sends commands to a receiver, which in turn controls the flight controller. There are many different types of transmitters and receivers available for FPV flying, but it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs.
TBS offers a variety of drone transmitters and receivers at affordable prices, making it easy for beginners to start flying their drones without breaking the bank. The TBS X-Blade, for example, has all the features you need to get started with FPV and offers an excellent price tag.
The X-Blade has a lot of good features for the price, including a dual-channel 900MHz Crossfire module and an intuitive menu system that makes it easy to navigate. It also comes with a USB charger, so you can charge it while on the go.
In terms of performance, the TBS X-Blade is an impressive little device. It has a high-quality 200mW VTX that gives it better transmission than many smaller drones, and a great video quality thanks to its high dynamic range and white balance.
Moreover, the X-Blade is compatible with a wide range of DJI FPV cameras so you can get some awesome footage. It also features a built-in 5.8G 40ch video receiver and patch antenna, so you don't need to buy any additional accessories.
The TBS X-Blade is compatible with both analog and HD Digital VTXs, so you can choose the one that suits your drone best. It also comes with a PA12 material frame, which is durable and shows excellent impact resistance in drop and impact tests.
The TBS X-Blade has an integrated CRSF R/C link, which is a modern long range control link with self-healing two-way communication that provides ultra-low latency. It's perfect for FPV racers and those looking for the most connected feel.
DJI Spark
The DJI Spark is a great little drone with an excellent camera and lots of great features. It's the ideal starter drone for those looking to get into drones, but who don't want to spend over $1000 on a drone.
Its tiny size and weight make it perfect for throwing in a backpack or tossing into your bag, while its high quality camera makes it great for shooting aerial photos and videos. It also features gesture controls, which let you fly it without a controller.
Despite its small size and light weight, it's still very robust in hand and feels very solid when flying. Its motors and rotors are built with DJI's standard high-quality materials, and it's all held together by a sturdy chassis.
This drone comes in five different colours, which can be personalised to suit your taste. You can choose from Meadow Green, Sky Blue, Lava Red, Sunrise Yellow, or Alpine White.
It has a 12-megapixel camera and shoots stable cinematic 1080p video at 30fps, and 12 MP photos. It has a mechanical gimbal for stabilisation and features UltraSmooth technology.
The Spark's camera isn't quite as good at low light as some of the other models on this list, but it produces pretty decent photos in normal lighting conditions. Its large pixels help it record colors accurately and take very good images.
There's also a built-in GPS with geofencing to make sure that the drone isn't flown in areas where it may be banned. This can be a useful feature for people who are going on holiday or travelling to certain locations, but it's not always reliable.
Another feature is ActiveTrack, which lets you track the drone over long distances with your phone as the controller. It's a nice feature for sports photography or solo shooting of yourself, but it doesn't work as well in other situations.
It's also not a great option for doing FPV because it lacks the high-resolution video resolution that many other FPV drones feature, and it's very short on battery life. It's a shame, but it's the only downside to this drone.
