Thinking about a Taranis Plus

[Derek]

Hey guys...I'm starting to consider getting a Taranis Plus for my FPV purposes instead of my 72mhz 6 channel Futaba tx. Without a doubt, the Futaba tx is working and working well but the buttons just "feel weird" and there isn't a whole lot of "computer programming" that can be done with the Futaba tx. I think I'm just spoiled because of my DX8.

That all being said, how does the Taranis work for FPV? I realize that's probably an "odd" question because it's probably self explanatory and I'm just missing it.

I'd buy the tx and then buy the module that plugs into the back. Which module would I need to buy in order to safely run my 1.3ghz video system as well as a 5.8ghz (in the near future)?

[Graham Lawrie]

Derek, the post i put on about my work video on my Youtube, it was a Taranis they used:)

[Stambo]

Derek the Taranis has a built in module to run all the FRsky RXs.
You could get a plug in module compatible with your existing RXs and fly everything off the Taranis if that's what you want.
I am biased as I am a very happy Taranis owner but if you get the right telemetry capable RX it will speak flight pack voltage to you from a switch, a timer or both.
To me this is perfect for FPV.

[Derek]

So, the Taranis initially comes with a module? I didn't know that. Shame I don't have anything that's on FRsky, lol.

I did see that there is a DSM2/DSMX OrangeRx module that can be purchase. I probably wouldn't hesitate to fly my foamies with that but the module would have to earn my trust before I flew my Trex's with it.

To get some "very good long range", should I be looking at the 433mhz module? and would that simply be "plug n play"?

[Stambo]

I am not familiar with the 433mhz stuff but as long as you fly with a module compatible with your current RXs there should not be a problem.
I would imagine the range would depend on the module and the terrain but 433 will definitely penetrate obstacles better than 2.4.
Most of the modules are plug and play.
You turn off the internal module in your model setup and turn on the external one.
If you really want, you could have both running and use a 2.4 RX as well for some extra functions.

[murankar]

Long range folks like the frSky setups. They seem to have a great distance they can go. I have yet to go the range but so far I have not had any issues that I am aware of.

[Derek]

I am not familiar with the 433mhz stuff but as long as you fly with a module compatible with your current RXs there should not be a problem.
I would imagine the range would depend on the module and the terrain but 433 will definitely penetrate obstacles better than 2.4.
Most of the modules are plug and play.
You turn off the internal module in your model setup and turn on the external one.
If you really want, you could have both running and use a 2.4 RX as well for some extra functions.

So, the Taranis has an internal system "and" has the capabilities of the external modules? Did I understand that correctly?

[Derek]

Long range folks like the frSky setups. They seem to have a great distance they can go. I have yet to go the range but so far I have not had any issues that I am aware of.

Yeah, I've heard that a lot of people using the frsky stuff get some really good range and they are very happy with the system. I don't really plan on flying FPV very far. Maybe a mile or two but, the way that I understand it, I should be able to get 1-2 miles with the Futaba 72mhz tx that I already have. I'm simply considering the Taranis, instead of the Futaba, because of the modern computerized functions....and I'm curious as to how the Taranis is capable of up to 16 channels, lol.

[Stambo]

So, the Taranis has an internal system "and" has the capabilities of the external modules? Did I understand that correctly?

That is correct, and you can use both at the same time with 2 RXs if you really want that many channels.

[Derek]

Thanks for that! It sounds like the Taranis would work out real well for me. Now...where did I leave that $200??? lol

[Graham Lawrie]

Did you get one Derek?:)

[Derek]

No, I haven't gotten the Taranis yet. I did speak to the wife about getting one and she asked that I wait until March.

[Tony]

This is very interesting thread. Those taranis plus tx's are under £150 here in UK. I could do with a new TX, this 6 channel DX is a bit limited now.. Especially when I get the Naze board for my quad...

[Derek]

Without a doubt, the Taranis Plus definitely has it's place and is definitely showing that it's better than other tx's available. I'm still strongly thinking about selling my 72mhz Futaba 6 channel tx and getting a Taranis Plus.

[Stambo]

The Taranis is an amazing TX, it is capable of doing things way beyond TXs 3 times the price.
It has a bit of a learning curve but whatever you want to do with it someone else already has and there will be a video on youtube.
Do it guys, you won't regret it.

[Derek]

Stambo...can you give me a link to the module and rx's that you use?

[Stambo]

Don't need a module, they have a built in one.
You can fit modules to make it compatible with other radio systems though.
I use the 9x module so I can fly my v911s.

Here is the link to the RXs I use on my mini's.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... oC7m7w_wcB

Only 4 channel but if you use it in ppm mode you can output 8 channels to the Naze32 through just one servo lead.
Really small and light and sends telemetry data back to the Taranis.
For larger craft that cannot take advantage of ppm there is 2 choices for telemetry capable RXs.
D8R-II plus http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... etery.html
And the X8R http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... _Port.html

[Derek]

Cool! Thanks! I'll have to do some reading up on it.

[murankar]

The D8R-II plus needs a telemetry module on the aircraft. I was looking into this myself and discovered it does not have a module built into the rx. When you do get the radio and need help understanding the basics of the menus I did a how to on RCH with pictures explaining the menus and a super basic heli setup. if you need more I am sure Stambo knows how to do quads in the firmware.

[Tony]

Can I ask a dumb question as I've seen the review Bruce done on Rcreviews. It looks like the left stick is cyclic and right Is collective, opposite to what the dx6 is! Can this be changed? I could never get used to a change in sticks now...