FrSky Taranis Review (part 2) the teardown

[@christophertelford]

The silent tour was incredibly geeky and i loved it.

[@billholb1974]

I am a certified pcb inspector here in the u.s. and from what I can tell the boards components are well soldered and wires are in good specs...ipc certified. .I will be getting this radio soon ..great review friend!

[@cmavr8]

Thumbs up for the macro lens tour! It will come in handy if one wants to replace a component! Thanks

[@SuperBigCamel]

That really looks like a damn interesting radio. I just put it on my wishlist. Thank you Bruce for the reviews so far. Looking forward to the upcoming parts.

[@rayhenderson9661]

Your one top guy and best of all you know what you are talking about. Keep up the good work 10/10

[@davidmitchell988]

Great stuff Bruce,I look forward to your further reports on the Taranis hope you are well, all the best David.

[@yandenuts]

I'm another of your fans that has bought one of these, not to mention the ZMR250 Build as you prescribed, mostly all based on your reviews... Tell that to your suppliers!! Thanks Bruce..... and with respect, you're the best Kiwi I know.... :-)) Presently working myself through the wealth of knowledge, (with a touch of anger) that you have provided to those that want the info! And yes, nice to know your life has drama also!! A human!

[@RC-Heli835]

I think I would love this radio. Just looking at it it reminds me of my DX7 that I've used for 2 years now and never had an issue with. Love the Australian accent.

[@numex106]

No problem! Hope you enjoy your radio for years to come.

[@SVELFARO]

Some one send Brice a couple of alignment tools, that metal screwdriver in there was giving me the willies. Thanks Bruce for your work as always

[@Arthur_C]

Phew Bruce, When it rains, it pours on your side, doesn't it! Keep up the hopes and the good works! Thanks for replying.

[@iawnskicrew1195]

hi bruce very interesting ,im still waiting for mine ,so these reviews from you give me confidence keep up the great work

[@MyTechWebTV]

Bruce, I really enjoy your videos. You do a great job explaining things and giving an honest, straight forward review. Keep them coming! I have the Turnigy 9XR and while it works great for me this Transmitter might be on my Christmas list!

[@AdamWeld]

Wow, just stumbled on this channel, and... I'm quite impressed! Your videos are informative, concise, and well edited, and your voice is very relaxing. I'll be subscribing!

[@erezra]

FrSky have done a great job and have not forgotten the open source beginnings of the radio. IMHO, as far as capabilities it is on par or better than the top of the line radios. Not so much bling but very very capable. You have to remember that some of the most inginuative, smart and capable people in the world have worked on the software and electronics. Frsky were smart enough to listen and integrate and use their own technology. I'm glad that they did it!

[@pipeman451]

Great review. If I didn't know better I'd think you've done this sort of thing before. Always informative

[@tracar1]

nice to see your still putting out the videos, and as always, keep up the good work !

[@MittDinTube]

This video was THE decisionmaker för me getting the Taranis. I recently accidentally killed my FrSky DHT-U transmitter and was looking for replacement. Specs and software I already knew where awesome, the only question was build quality. Please measure the pots for quality, stability and consistency. Quality soldering doesn't necessarily mean quality pots. Bruce, you are the one-stop goto guy when it comes to RC electronics, keep it up!

[@alistairsutherland3006]

Fantastic Radio, it is able to do far more than I require, also easy to program, enjoy!!

[@daxdadog]

I've used up the 30 model memory slots in my DX8, so I've got Spektrum, Orange and Lemon receivers up the wazoo...but it's looking like it might be time to jump ship. I'm thinking my new planes may be sporting FrSky receivers! Thanks for bringing us this review, Bruce.

[@2007crf450r]

I must agree bruce since watching your lipo battery video I have converted all my rc land and air controllers to lipo and glad I did

[@Mulder8472]

+1 for mentioning Dave Jones... my two fav channels from down under. greetings from germany :)

[@superjon78]

As always, I appreciate your product reviews. Your perspectives weigh heavy on my purchases.

[@oldmanspitfire]

Cheers Bruce, a good review thus far, looking forward to mine arriving

[@2007crf450r]

as always another brilliant review from bruce

[@sikotryne]

OOoooo. Already the internals video. Thanks Bruce !!

[@crenn6977]

Bugger, this is pretty much what I was planning to do with 'gut' change for the Turnigy 9X, STM32F205 and all! However a few differences still, but seems I need to get off my butt now! Great video as always Bruce.

[@zakovich]

awesome, Hard at work Bruce, great review as always! cheers!

[@kenthorne1777]

Great video Bruce! Keep them coming.

[@SANIZIP]

Great review again Bruce.

[@ZevHoover]

wow, this whole MFNZ thing hasn't put a stopper on you, bruce! videos are coming faster then ever! awesome.

[@izwanmohd]

man really hope frsky start distributing stock worldwide been holding on buying 9xr for this radio

[@ImYourGuiltyPleasure]

FrSky is doing everything right for us! UFL connector. Brilliant!

[@zeemanjr]

Hey Bruce, I love these informational videos telling us how good the cheaper radio's compare to the high dollar radio's and now I'm scratching my head wondering why I spent so much cash on various high end /dollar radios. From what I'm seeing the build quallity is very good and with ball bearing gimbals even, you also may find that the antena has a small type connector like the dx8 and I think the reason they hot glued was to stop it from disconnecting like some of the dx8's did. Regards, Pete

[@RoboTekno]

You sure are knocking these videos out. Thanks for the reviews! :D

[@chbiscuit75]

Good job Bruce. Thanks for the info. Looking forward to the rest of the data. Really interested in the latency on the Aurora 9 test.

[@carkeeks]

you can use it as is, it has the software on it pre loaded, however i would HIGHLY recommend plugging into a pc every so often, the software updates and fixes will be worth the trouble

[@santiago404]

Amazing video Bruce, thanks for sharing with us!

[@johnfreeman7454]

Bruce, Thanks for the video., I really enjoy them and very helpful for when my Taranis arrives. When you work on the next video any chance of explaining how you would change the aerial to a removable unit.

[@The1fuzzydog]

Microcontroller xtal should be glued down, looks like you can replace throttle ratchet with a smooth spring by reversing the part, and simple stick mode conversion. Nice.

[@dpartridge2325]

I really like the look of this radio

[@MKO2037]

True. For me it is a fit but I also like the LiFe in my 9x. I will just keep the std and have an LiFe on standby :). Must confess I am a bit of a fanboy of this radio/FrSky. But great and honest review. Thank you and keep up the excellent work!

[@danyel9256]

Damn Bruce , you are fast with a screwdriver !!! :-) great vid as Always , thanks

[@ScotsFurian]

Electric Drill with Philips or cross head bit! I keep forgetting myself and its not untill my hand is sore from turning the screwdriver that i remember.

[@Duane_A]

I have spent many hours watching EEVblog. You two sound so much alike, I have wondered if you and Dave knew each other and if they was any kinship.

[@Arthur_C]

Bruce, Thanks for the reviews of this radio up till now! You got me enthusiastic and I want to buy one, but I still like to wait for your latency review and spectrum analyser. Any Idea when this will come? KR. Arthur

[@fdaremi]

With this radio I am using Poly lipo 2s 2500 mah with no problem. Work for a week for me.

[@numex106]

there's a video on youtube that shows you how you can swithch from mode 1 to mode 2 by turning a few screws. so basically you can have both centred.

[@PagesFlyingCircus]

The Taranis I've been testing (on my channel) has U.Fl connector, and no glue. I guess we'll know what the actual production Tx's will be very soon. Soldered on makes it very difficult to remove back board PCB - with U.Fl it's not only easier to install different antenna, but also to remove that board.

[@MKO2037]

I don't think the battery is an issue. With the provided charger and the internal charger circuit you can just plug it in when you get home and it will always be charged and ready to fly.

[@iloverc]

keep up the great work sir!!

[@BelperFlyer]

I'm jealous, Bruce. I want one and they aren't available yet in the UK and those that will be are all on pre-order :( I have a number of 'old' FrSky receivers I use with the DiY module converter I made for my Multiplex 3030. So I'm concerned that I'll still be able to use them without too much trouble (or expense). I'd appreciate some comments/detail on that. Thanks for the review. Excellent as always.

[@usparktalk]

Hope to hear more about the long rage option on this TX.

[@michael919sa]

Hello Bruce, Good to see the video's are rolling again ........ was quite there for abit ! Hope you get your wings back soon....... how's Barry going ??? Also any idea when your testing the Dragon Link ??

[@tomkfly]

The test report done for FCC certification said it shouldn't be swappable, except for repair.

[@tomkfly]

The story is the potentiometers are made by the same company that make Futaba ones, but they are to a slightly higher spec than those in the TZ14.

[@Pono421]

cant wait to get mine.

[@vyoufinder]

I actually prefer the NiMH battery. In fact, I went out of my way to find a 2600 mAh NiMH battery using the same technology as the Eneloop Pro's for mine because I never worry about it being in the wrong state for storage or losing charge if I don't use it, or it exploding into flames while I'm away. Plus charging is convenient for me just using the supplied charger.

[@one4stevo]

Dont turn it on.... Take it Apart.. Great video Bruce.

[@zero00tolerance]

WE WANT PART 3 !!! BRUCE !

[@pilot140467]

Bruce, I think that every transmitter has to have an hardwired antenna to be FCC certified. That might be why the Taranis Antenna is like it is. I wouldn't call it a negative point ;) Another thing, It's getting more and more difficult to ship Lithium Batteries. It was wise from FrSky IMO to ship the radio with a NiMh battery. At least you will be able to fly with the radio from day one without any mods.. Many couriers already refuse to transport that use Lithium batts. Just my 2c :)

[@RCllamadude]

wow, that was beautiful. i have never seen build quality this good before, even when repairing my friend's dx7s (which costs $100 more than this and is one of the better spektrum radios)! it wasn't zip-tied inside, the gimbals were shit compared to what you've just shown us, and it didn't even include flappy paddles! can't wait to see the next video, maybe if I show him this thing he'll stop going on about how "spektrum is the best radio manufacturer out there" which is just a lie anyway.

[@CrapItWorked]

The empty LED hole on the RF board at 3:56 is interesting...

[@DistantFilms]

Great great great review!

[@simonhahnel8092]

Think you have sold me. Using 9xR at the moment and this looks much nicer with telemetry on-board.

[@Rchacker]

Looks like some sort of sound module on the right of the MCU. Perhaps that unpopulated chip is for a voice synthesiser. Future version perhaps.

[@jonathanwells7389]

Bruce, My Taranis has a U.FL connector on the RF.

[@usukie1]

as always awesome

[@gluino]

I accidentally flattened my LiFe Tx battery once, both my regular chargers refused to start charging it. I used a bench powersupply to slowly make up the voltage, over about 2 hours, then I let the regular charger finish it off. Seems ok so far.

[@mortennrgaard8144]

1:19 R2D2!!!! :-D

[@Mrlizz67]

Hy Bruce you have been a great help as I am new to the rc world and was wandering what state of this great country you are from.

[@goriverman]

Thank you, I'm looking to buy one

[@eatmykwad]

Any Idea when the next vid will be up ? I'm looking to buy one next week but would be awesome to get the inside scoop before I do, keep up the good work :)

[@ManuelMcLure]

I wonder if under the blob of hot glue there's one of the little gold connectors - FrSky uses them on their other products such as their receivers so maybe it's not such a big deal to replace the antenna? There does seem to be a hint of gold...

[@michael919sa]

Thank you Bruce

[@trevorw019]

I have a Futaba T16SZ much the same as the Taranis, the Taranis is a whole lot better to set up models than the Futaba. I had a Taranis, but when I charged the battery the battery went up in flames with the transmitter. But I do like the Taranis over the Futaba.

[@samselectronic4548]

Great job!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@philg6757]

Thanks Barry.

[@eversoaringhigher]

great video but what happened to part3? did you chicken out? i know, move took too much time but many would live to have your unbiased opinion especially if it changes our minds to buy. are you going to report on centering? put something out. too many have been waiting weeks for your results.

[@GadgetReviewVideos]

Despite being an old video, I was wondering if this was the one that gave you a problem shitting down or not? Then I realized the dates on the video and this is probably your first one they sent you. But if you look at your thumbnail and the beginning of your silent macro tour in the top left corner with component U10 that looks like a voltage regulator. It seems this was a bad solder joint on the heat sync/ground. Of course one of the legs is also a ground but I can see this over heating under certain conditions if the regulator gets to hot and turning off since I think it's a CMOS voltage type regulator. Maybe the way it was soldered the board cooled down faster then U10 causing the solder joint to break, lead solder would have worked better but everything is ROHS compliant these days with lead free. I know this radio is a few years old now, that is if you still have this one and that would be amazing for how much you fly. But incase you did still have it I just wanted to point that out to you.

[@gwxyzzy]

Bruce Did I see a tension adjuster screw for the gimbal springs? Are the springs removable and replaceable? Great information.

[@2bSurfing]

Hey Bruce, fantastic radio want one really bad, but frustrated that the price you say of $199 really seems only to apply to the usa, had looked at the FrSky site for dealers 2 NZ 1 Aus with a the radio listed price in Aus of $310 & then delivery so you would probably be looking at $400 NZ. Maybe you could talk to your friends at FrSky & get us & are dealers a better deal; we always seem to pay so much more. :-( Good luck with the move, hopefully have a bigger man cave for all you stuff

[@2bSurfing]

Thanks found it!

[@PopularWebz]

When is part 3 coming? I understand if you are busy but since there are later videos...

[@Gotenham]

edit: please dont throw the transmitter battery in the bin, they need to be disposed of properly..

[@TommyShlong]

Thanks for such a great review. Would you or have you reviewed a Futaba 10 channel or greater controller?

[@numex106]

You'll need to get some extra parts but you can do it because thats how they switch between mode 1 and 2

[@alistairsutherland3006]

Hi Bruce, Great video. I'm interested to see what you replace the nimh with. I've been using1500 LiFe in my MX22 with great success which you recommended some time back along with FrSky 2.4 module, great success, Thanks, Ali.

[@AnotherLameYTchannel]

Ah man....I was gonna hydro dip my face plate but seeing all those screws I'll just leave it well alone.

[@VSUPARHAM]

How about a head to head with the Taranis and the Spektrum DX9

[@GadgetMart]

How about a race to program a model. I will use the DX9, you can use Taranis. Not to mention the DX9 has around half the latency of the Taranis.

[@shoominati23]

I got a nice 2500ma Nimh battery pack from Onlybatterypacks on ebay for my JR, could fly for 2 days with it and I'm never going back to ni-cads!

[@aldenorabrantesfilho4086]

Where is the taranis part 3 video? oscilloscope test ????? thank you.

[@JaredReabow]

What was the board above the bottom rite connector tatblooked like the tx module but you completely ignored it?

[@vanepico]

It'd be great to find out how you think it compares to the Aurora 9, it looks like it has similar features. Two of my mates have just got them and I got to try, it feels very nice and the onboard battery voltage was great! What kind of price are frsky thinking for the receivers? Because the only reason I got frsky was because the receivers were £10 - £15.

[@PopularWebz]

I can buy the Futaba 7C for the same price as the Tanaris. Which would you recommend. I only need 7 channels for the DJI Phantom. Thanks and great videos!

[@AndyClayton]

the word screws was said in an interesting way

[@EpicNightCrawler]

I would not have though you could practically use that high resolution due to the amount of moment it would translate to on the transmitter sticks, ie 1024 res vs say 2048, would it really be noticed on the transmitter sticks?

[@PagesFlyingCircus]

Sorry, just read the comments -- and yours does have the U.Fl. Of course you know that denatured alcohol will cause hot melt to release immediately...right? :-)

[@rayhenderson9661]

Any chance you could give a review of the FAI mode and how to use voice alerts on switches, Thanks

[@QiW]

hi bruce ... the X8R rx .. is the rssi output analog or digital and/or both ? gonna use that rx to connect to an OSD which of course requires analog rssi .. for short range fpv