Ep 307: Radiomaster MT12 Tx Deep Dive - Honest Thoughts + EdgeTX. ELRS, & 4-1in-1 Module Explained

This DEEP Dive will give you my honest impressions of the new Radiomaster MT12 Surface radio and walk you through all those confusing EdgeTX screens to show you what they do! 😎
Strap in. This is a LOOOONG one! 😲
This EdgeTX radio has a pretty steep learning curve. Fortunately, I'm here to help you set yours up just how you like it! 😏
Pick up your MT12 (and related gear) at the Affiliate Links below: It costs the same, but I get a referral commission for sending you their way. 😛
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Stay tuned for more great RC Tech info. 😍
EdgeTX Official Website: edgetx.org/
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ExpressLRS Official Website: www.expresslrs...
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Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - Build Quality Assessment
10:14 - EdgeTX History Lesson
13:18 - Radio Deep Dive
15:21 - Tx Control Capabilities
19:37 - Included Rx
19:57 - 4-in-1 Module Capabilities
20:25 - ELRS Capabilities
23:11 - Initial Model Setup
29:18 - EdgeTX Desktop App
30:04 - Additional I/O
31:15 - HW Customization
31:56 - Rx Binding
33:05 - Drive Modes
34:05 - Advanced Input/ Channel Settup
39:56 - Tip for Adding New Models
42:58 - SYS Menu Tools
44:28 - Built-In Spectrum Analyzer
45:06 - SD Card Viewer
45:33 - Radio Setup Tool
48:56 - Global Functions
49:28 - Trainer Mode Setup
49:34 - hardware Screen
52:13 - Final Impressions
54:43 - Outro

[@MadDonJuan]

I just watched this entire video and I don't even have an rc car. Lol

[@RCPhysics]

I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@andreaskassner3320]

This thing is amazing. To adjust subtrim for stearing without going to the setup menu i make a special funktion with logical switches that adjust it on the fly with the mini joystick to put in the bottom. Very nice and easy. And a lot things more from Joshuas how to and arminRC.

[@RCPhysics]

There is just so much potential with this radio and guys are unlocking even more crazy functions by writing their own LUA scripts. It's pretty exciting to see what the community comes up with.

[@wtfmimshag]

This is a great video and i think the call outs are fair. Have been supporting a few people to get their head around EdgeTX and just like the air transmitters there's guys who either get it, or dont want to put in the work. I think if we look at Radiomaster's history, there is a likely update/upgrade/customisation path at some point (e.g. MT12 MAX). A carbon fibre wrapped shell with custom buttons would be wild. I would have loved if they went with the colour screen purely for the widget/LUA capabilty that it has. I've been writing some LUAs for crawlers and, while it's amazing to even have a surface radio that supports it, the B&W screen version of EdgeTX is limited. Touch screen i can take or leave - even on a TX16 and the new Frsky ETHOS radios i find scroll wheels so much easier for navigation. The 4 in 1 is amazing, although a bit underdeveloped on the surface side of things. Guys might be underwhelmed when they find out they need to buy the MPM dev the hardware needed to reverse engineer an RTR radio. That said the features of ELRS and the low price of the 3channel receivers is low.

[@RCPhysics]

Thanks for the well thought out comments! I've been debating learning how to script in LUA to implement some cool functions I'd love to get on the radio or widgets tailored to my rigs. I really don't need another project, though.🤣 I think guys like us will be all over this radio, but there are a LOT of guys who actually want to use their hobbies to relax and NOT think about things too hard. These guys will keep buting their turn-key radios (for a few times more money) and give us the side-eye as we match them feature-for-feature by brute force. 😎

[@wasa7]

Great vid, I made my first test speedrun with this radio this last weekend. Slow progress with the transition to edgeTx but it’s showing promise.

[@RCPhysics]

With speed runs, slow progress is usually the best progress? Keep me posted. 😎

[@sto1vall]

At this price point. Not really worry about feel. As long as the connection is great I will take the leaning curve and can upgrade the feel of it which will occur with all radios

[@RCPhysics]

Very true.

[@aefanboy3464]

Great video. I’m new to Edge TX and strictly a surface guy so there definitely is a learning curve…. The end points on a steering servo threw me off since normal radios you set Left and right individually. My question is the backlight on your screen.. mine doesn’t seem to have that! I have the ERLs version…

[@aefanboy3464]

I lied.. I have the backlight.. 😂

[@RCPhysics]

It's in there. You just might need to find it in a menu.

[@RCPhysics]

🤣

[@josephmorelli3191]

Great job Rod!

[@RCPhysics]

Thanks!

[@GreasypoleNation]

Good review. Edge is not that difficult. MT12 crushes all the others due to price alone. If you drop your 500 dollar Sanwa...MT12 you can have a backup tx and still have cash to spare.

[@RCPhysics]

Thanks for the kind words! I agree whole heartedly. However, I'm a part of an MT12 FB group that's filled with guys who love the idea of the MT12 but can't seem to wrap their heads around setting up EdgeTX. It just reminds me why Spektrum, Sanwa, Futaba, etc. all still exist. Some folks just want a "turnkey" solution, and that's perfectly fine. I prefer being able to dive in and make things my own... and save a boatload of cash at the same time. 😎

[@GreasypoleNation]

@RCPhysics oh for sure it seems to be more difficult because we didn't have these open source scripted radios...I was a ground guy since my teens, 2012 started building and flying tri-copters then fpv and fixed wing. I'm no expert at open or edgetx but it's really not too hard to set up a simple car or drone with basic functions...then you have an endless ceiling to learn....I get it most don't get into the hobby to the depth due to time constraints. The extra money for the tx GUI simplicity would make a huge difference. That MT12 and edge has soooo many youtube vids that its easy to learn.

[@RCPhysics]

@@GreasypoleNation Agreed. I learned everything I know by playing around, trying stuff out, and looking at online resources.

[@FYRC15]

Great video. I’m new to the edge TX world so this is very frustrating for me. However I’m determined. It would be helpful if you made a deep dive into 4WS, re routing buttons or switches, and knowing when you have use global functions and logical switches.

[@RCPhysics]

I've already filmed a video discussing some of that that I should be posting soon. However, I've already learned some new stuff since then, so I might be reshooting it to include the new information too. I will probably drop that video later this week so keep an eye out. 🤓

[@FYRC15]

@@RCPhysics I can’t thank you enough! You da man!

[@RCPhysics]

Just trying to be helpful. 😎

[@dennislilley5562]

Hi I'm having trouble with my mt12 4 in 1 r85c receiver the signal cuts out at about 30 meters seems strange I thought this would go at least 500 meters Could it be something in my settings Or do I need to upgrade the receiver? I'm new to rc I've checked out some of your videos. They are cool. Very informative.

[@RCPhysics]

You may need to tune the frequency for your Rx. I believe these Rxs are based on FRSky models and may need to be tuned for best performance. The other thing is to double check to make sure you are not in low-power transmitter mode. I'm pretty sure you would have noticed this, but I had to point it out as a possibility, just in case.

[@dennislilley5562]

@@RCPhysics You are absolutely right. I was in low power mode. Thank you, brother.

[@RCPhysics]

@dennislilley5562 Happy to be of help!

[@johncarold]

Hi , I purchased the MT12 multi radio and I have problems with binding it to my Spektrum SRX300 receiver. I have asked several people who reviewed this radio. Yet No one has been able to help me. Do you have a website or Discord that I can get you to help me. Thanks for the video

[@RCPhysics]

The MT12 4-in-1 is a great radio if you are running a supported Rx protocol. Unfortunately, most of the support (right now) for the 4-in-1 module is for the aircraft-derived protocols. The multiprotocol module devs are working to add more protocols, but apparently they are a small team. There is a multiprotocol module group over on the RCGroups forums that a few devs monitor. You could try posting over there and see what answers you get. In the meantime, it might be worth investigating a different low-cost high performance Rx protocol. I run the FlySky 2A protocol. You can get telemetry capable Rx's for less than $20 USD.

[@davidseychell]

great video but pls swich of the music pls

[@RCPhysics]

🤣

[@leomarloedicang419]

Hi, just wanna ask what would you recommend for a crawler like me for MT12 would it be the ELRS or 4-in-1, i would like to re-use my spektrum dsm2 receivers if possible?

[@RCPhysics]

Hi! I just replied to someone who asked a related question. The MT12 4-in-1 is a great radio if you are running a supported Rx protocol. Unfortunately, most of the support (right now) for the 4-in-1 module is for the aircraft-derived protocols. The multiprotocol module devs are working to add more protocols, but apparently they are a small team. In the meantime, some DSM Rx's are supported, but you'd have to check around to make sure your Rx really is supported. I use Spektrum DSM Rx's in a lot of my aircraft, so DSM is definitely supported, but Spektrum has a lot of flavors of DSM, so I'm a little nervous about giving you a 100% guaranty that it will work for you. It might be worth investigating a different low-cost high performance Rx protocol. I run the FlySky 2A protocol. You can get telemetry capable Rx's for less than $20 USD. The ELRS version is good choice if you are starting from scratch or don't mind replacing all your Rx's. The Radiomanster ELRS receivers are pretty cheap and are available with built in main-battery telemetry for no additional cost. (I have to run a separate telemetry module with my FlySky setup to get voltage data on my radio.). I hope this helps.

[@leomarloedicang419]

@@RCPhysics hey.. thanks for the info appreciated much, and more more power to your channel.

[@jhue73]

would the elrs have a slower response if i got the module instead of built in the radio? i was thinking i would use the 4 in 1 more than elrs but i want the elrs for speed.

[@RCPhysics]

No, the Express LRS receivers will have the same latency regardless if you have the 4-in-1 version of the radio or the ELRS version. Inside the radio, it has a couple of different serial ports that can be used to talk to different peripherals. The 4 in 1 module and the external bay just use just different serial ports so there's no speed difference from using one or the other. The FPV drone racers have proven this because many of those guys use ELRS expansion modules as their primary racing links where they need super low latency. In fact, ELRS has modes built specifically for super low latency, so you should be good.

[@jhue73]

@@RCPhysics ok thank you!

[@gammagonad1657]

Its is by far the fastest/lowest latency protocol on the market. Limitless programing possibilities @@jhue73

[@theodoreberry3486]

Great video

[@RCPhysics]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@theodoreberry3486]

@@RCPhysics as usual you make great technical content.

[@RCPhysics]

I really appreciate that. Making these videos is no simple task, but comments like that make it a little bit more worthwhile. 🤩

[@theodoreberry3486]

@@RCPhysics I’m glad to give you your flowers while you can still smell them.

[@dc9808]

yur backgroung music is too loud for me to understand some of what you are saying.just an fyi.

[@RCPhysics]

Noted. Sometimes my editing SW mucks with my levels and I don't catch it before publishing the video. :-( Thanks for the feedback.

[@user-nx3wq6rn5i]

The Video is very infomative but THE MUSIC IS USELESS

[@RCPhysics]

Actually, there was a TON of background noise when I recorded it, so the music helps mask it. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's better than the alternative. 🫣

[@user-nx3wq6rn5i]

😪@@RCPhysics

[@todd92371]

It's awesome and thanks!@@RCPhysics

[@RCPhysics]

Thanks for watching!

[@SentinelGames]

As it stands, this isn't the radio for me. The user interface is horrendous with common and important features hidden behind pages and pages of menu systems. It's not ideal for surface vehicles which benefit from quick, efficient and intuitive menus with easy and understandable access to common feature sets. Open sourced software isn't always ideal. It lacks consistency and continuity. Too many people with different abilities and ideas working on a common goal leads to what you see here, a cumbersome and bloated end user experience. I like the idea behind it however I feel the execution of it isn't up to standard yet. Perhaps it can be improved upon in the future, with a second or third generation product reaching an acceptable standard. It needs to be more focussed on surface vehicle requirements with a major overhaul on the user interface. In its current form it's basically a system designed by FPV pilots who occasionally dabble in crawlers. It needs to be the complete opposite, a system designed for surface vehicles by people who primarily use surface vehicles.

[@RCPhysics]

The developers are on the verge of a new software biuld which should be a little more attuned to the surface community, but you are pretty much dead on your assessment. I look at this as an early adopter tax. The system should only get better as more surface people enter the community. There are already people writing Lua scripts to improve the interface and add features that we surface people want, so it's only a matter of time before it gets a lot better. So maybe this isn't the right system for you now, but you should probably check again in a year or so.

[@RobinCernyMitSuffix]

I think you got a few things backwards. OpenTX/EdgeTX was and is developed to not have any arbitrary limitations but to be as open and configurable as possible. That is not bloated, that is just giving you all options you possibly could want. The learning curve for simple setups is not that steep, you don't need to use the more advanced features if you don't need them right now. But it will let you configure everything that you want and how you want later as it grows with you, as you get in to more complex models and setups. It's an investment that pays off later. Also it doesn't lack consistency or continuity, it works like OpenTX in the past, the setup is pretty much the same today as it was 6ish years ago when I started using an OpenTX radio, and all the skills from back then are applicable today, even across multiple manufacturers. I would say it actually way more consistant then everything else on the marked. I suppose too many people got sick from brands like Spektrum who charge an insane premium just to have 2 channels, and two switches more on a radio, or locking advanced features behind very, very expensive Radios, even tho the hardware is basically the same. And look to what it lead to. An open community which develops the firmware, manufacturers working with said community to bring cheap, but high quality fully fledged Transmitters to the market. It's a win-win.

[@RCPhysics]

Good points!

[@fulltang1]

Price should be a part of this conversation. what even comparable at this price range?