FrSky X20S vs Spektrum IX20

[@g33kfly]

A friend ordered the X20 RS and I'm sold! Just ordered one tonight and all my Spektrum gear will be sold. Spektrum has been great but bang for the buck FrSky comes out way on top with the price and the dual tx protool.

[@williamhammond3998]

I used a Dx6 when I started out. Loved it and learned so much with it. A few years later “upgraded” to an NX8. I was disappointed with the build quality of the NX8 and the software was super laggy even after updates. Being able to update over Wi-Fi was neat but was glitchy at times. However it was good at its job of controlling my aircraft and the additional channels were appreciated. Eventually I was able to find a black edition dx9 basically brand new for 100 bucks. I was happy with it. Just seemed more solid in terms of build quality and software. Eventually I was fed up with only having 2.4g with Spektrum. It was time for a real upgrade. I decided on the X20S. I have not regretted the purchase at all. Frsky is just superior in every way. Period. I love the no nonsense programming that ethos provides. It just makes sense to me and it lets me do what I want, and how I want, no limits. Plus it has tandem reliability. Also, don’t have to worry about having an entire android tablet in your transmitter like the ix series. I find that totally unnecessary. I don’t want to wait for my transmitter to boot up. X20S just turns on and is immediately ready to go. Its software is dedicated to one thing, and one thing only, which is controlling aircraft. I don’t need my transmitter to search the internet. That’s why I have a phone.

[@BluegrassStateRC]

There are some negatives that come from the Android based software, boot times are the main complaint. The IX12 was even worse. Which is just more of a small inconvenience. I still use my IX20 and X20S, both have served me well. I may do a follow up video in the near future after a year of using both. The only issue is the main points still reign true, it's hard to compare them at this point really. The X20S has been nothing short of spectacular.

[@interman7715]

In Australia we call them "Wrektums".

[@mitchilito99]

In 25 years of using spektrum I've never really seen a clear-cut case of their radio/receivers being the direct cause of a crash, nor have I seen any friend or club member have this happen either. I'm not affiliated with Horizon, just use their equipment - with all it's plusses and minuses.

[@Mrtcoltpilot56]

Just got mine being a Spektrum user. I'll be using it in the new B1-B when it arrives. It was a trip trying to set it up. 50 years in the hobby. My IX20 was really easy to set up compared to the X20. All my radios are Spektrum, DX-18, and DX-8. Trying to set up fail safe.

[@BluegrassStateRC]

It's definitely a learning curve, but I've found I actually gain more understanding of how the systems operate compared to spektrum

[@mmruma]

A minute and a half to boot the Spektrum into a cellphone OS? The ETHOS OS is designed for aircraft and is highly intuitive. I picked up my first FrSky system this winter after finally giving up on Futaba. I will NEVER regret this decision. There is also a ton of information on this platform to help first timers get going.

[@trevormiller9733]

I have not had a good experience with Spektrum. I left Spektrum because in my experience yes it is total garbage. We (me my brother and my dad) all had spektrum radios early in our rc career. Between us we owned 4 spektrum (DSMX) radios and experienced brownouts in EVERY SINGLE ONE, at multiple flying sites, multiple times resulting in many lost models. When we reached out for help or an explanation all we would get were the die hard spektrum keyboard warriors who swear up and down that it’s because of an improper setup and definitely not the radios’ or spectrums fault. Needless to say it wasn’t because we had flawless setups in every plane including antennas outside of the plane and still continued to have brownouts. I had finally had it with spektrum and switched to FrSky and never looked back. I wouldn’t put to much weight in people’s opinion on how a radio or gimbal “feels”. It’s all just personal preference and you have to try it to see if you like it (I actually prefer the feel of FrSky). I am not saying this to degrade Spektrum I just want people to be aware of the experience I’ve had with spectrum. I have very little respect for them for selling radios that in my experience are inferior in every way, at a premium price. I’m my opinion it’s straight up robbery and taking advantage of their loyaly customer base.

[@carlwill5009]

My Isaac's twhen you plug in to charge the battery. You will see a very light blue screen pop-up. That will tell you that it's being charged sometimes when you shut the radio off. You have to make sure it's turned off. It happened to me a few times that I thought it was shut off but it was still on The more you use this radio, the more you'll get used to it.

[@rperry70]

A friend of mine has found his IX20 battery dead a few times. Prevented him from being able to fly a couple of times. That is an issue that spektrum should address.

[@TheXanthoman]

Not that anyone should ever buy a radio (at any price) based on its appearance , but for me personally, aesthetically speaking , the x20 is gorgeous and the ix20 is butt ugly . Another non perfomance issue that comes to mind , although the hard case of the ix20 is probably worth more and costs more to make , i stll prefer the softer case of the x20 which would easily fit into a medium size day pack , if you wanted to fit the ix20 case into a backpack , you would probably need a very large (80L+) backpack . In addition the x20 has a module bay which offers so much more opportunity than a strictly spectrum based radio , not to mention the whole dual band / long range capability of the x20 . Then there is the whole price point issue . I know spektrum has its fans but $1600 is rediculous . You could have an x20hd upkit version , a set of goggles and still have enough $ leftover for a nice model all for the price of an ix20 , jmo+2c , just sayin

[@BluegrassStateRC]

I purchased the IX20 second-hand at a much more reasonable price point, however, still at almost double the cost of my X20S. Aside from some telemetry issues with a jetcentral ecu, the x20s so far has been nothing short of spectacular for me. But, appearances aside the ix20 does feel more comfortable to me still. But the x20s is indeed growing on me so that may change with more use

[@txkflier]

I would like to have seen the Ethos menu system. I've used Spektrum for years and also have a RadioMaster TX16S with EdgeTX. Is it "eh-thas" or "ee-thas"? ;-)

[@BluegrassStateRC]

I pronounce it as "ee-thos". The menu system is basically opentx with guidance. I picked up on it very quickly. With any edge TX experience, you will find this operating system very user-friendly.

[@txkflier]

@@BluegrassStateRC Yep, I agree..

[@scottyd035ntknow]

IX20=for people who are locked into Motion/Horizon BNFs and have 0 clue about much else. Or are sponsored. X20S can do a TON more, is 1/4 the price and quality is better too. Throw a $40 MPM in there to bind to all your Spektrum stuff if you want. I honestly cannot believe ppl are still buying Spektrum in 2022/2023. The prices are just... like... do they include a tube of lube at that price?

[@robertsprouse2726]

Motion doesn't even sell BNF models. It's hard to take your opinion on radios serious when you think that a PNP and BNF are identical. Anything sold by Motion is PNP or ARF and doesn't come with a receiver. People enjoy Spektrum for ease-of-use among other things, including fantastic support by HH.

[@scottyd035ntknow]

@@robertsprouse2726 Note I mentioned Motion/Horizon. Motion has a few BNFs but yes Horizon is the Spektrum BNFs. You're right I should specify. Other systems are just as easy to use as Spektrum and support from other vendors is awesome as well. Spektrum is definitely cool on paper and does a lot and the quality is good fit and finish wise but the prices are absolutely insane. Like holy crap insane. And the actual functionality is bleh. There is no way the IX20 should be $2k+.

[@joegf1739]

@Scott I think you're going to get a lot of downvotes from people that spent the big money on Spektrum. I agree with you. I have both Spektrum and Frsky. For the money hands down Frsky blows it away. That's not to say Spektrum doesn't make great radios, bc they do, but their profit margins must be huge.

[@hoyvintagecycles2936]

@@scottyd035ntknow the pricing for spektrum has gotten out of hand. heck, when jeti is less expensive you know something is wrong. Im very close to switching from spectrum to........... this or jeti.

[@scottyd035ntknow]

@@joegf1739 Do they make great radios tho? Buggy Android system that SHOULD work great because good Android phones are super fast and intuitive but Spektrum cheaped out on hardware. Takes 1-2 minutes to boot up and figure itself out vs literally 5 seconds cold power off to ready to go for the FrSky. Then you have the lockups, lag and crashes that ppl complain about all the time. The IX12 is so bad they had to make the IX14 and discontinue the IX12 and the 14 is still meh. Lets not get started on the fact that the Spektrum protocols are dated as hell and have very high latency 22ms vs the 4ms for FrSky ACCESS. And then they have nothing in the way of duplex or redundant signals like TANDEM does. I'll stick to my guns, Spektrum is basically "radio for dummies". That's it and I'm sorry that's harsh. The X18 at $265 is a better radio, does more and has a MUCH better protocol than a $2000 IX20. Its not close. And its sad. But like PT Barnum said...

[@Miguelpiloto03]

good afternoon AKI BRAZIL, magnificent your video. Intending to buy FRSKY TANDEM X20, DO YOU RECOMMEND? AND IF IT IS RELIABLE TO FLY 60CC AND 170CC MODEL AIRCRAFT AND COMBUSTION TURBINE JETS, HIGHER VALUE?

[@philiplewis957]

Many turbine jets flown with FrSky, I fly high value pattern planes and have done for years, not a single glitch, what I would do if I flew spark engines would be to only use the R10 PRO reciver which is designed for gas engines and I would use a 900 mhz as a back up to it, just for some cheap insurance to boot.

[@BluegrassStateRC]

I'm trusting the X20s with a turbine jet, as far as with large scale gassers a quality IBEC and redundant receiver setup should work just fine.

[@cgcgcg69]

.... So what is the Vs for?? 😊

[@davidbrianmomewood7512]

HI - FIRST - PLEASE EXCUSE CAPS - BUT I AM PARTIALLY SIGHTED AND IT HELPS - I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN COMPARE THE TWO RADIOS - IN THE UK I COULD BUY 3 !!!! X20S FOR 1 SPECTRUM - I AM A HUGE X20 FAN - DESIGNING VERY COMPLICATED TEMPLATES FOR F3F GLIDERS ETC - THE X20 CAN DO JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING - AND WELL - IF YOU ARE HAVING P-ROGRAMMING ISSUES WITH THE SPECTRUM - GET RID OF IT - THESE DAYS YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH RADIO SOFTWARE - HOPE THAT HELPS - NOW SAVING FOR THE TRAY VERSION OF THE X20 - THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST RADIO ON THE MARKET - THANKS - CATCH YO LATER - TAKE CARE - HAPPY FLYING - DAVID

[@BluegrassStateRC]

Appreciate the comment! I honestly do love both transmitters. I use both on a variety of my models, mainly the IX20 as of right now as I do instruct quite a bit and most people have spektrum at my local field. The only issue I've ran into with the X20s involved turbine telemetry, which I don't believe is the transmitters fault at all ( RDT or software bug)

[@Rantanplan-0815]

When u will feel really high qualiti plastik,look at the multiplex products,like the profi Tx...its a world between the plastik... I buy the v20 from kavan,,i expected much more for 600€(its 1200mark😮)

[@kennyirish5021]

Not Bashing spec or you. But Just navigating through the menu on spec is crazy long. And you don't need to hold down the FrSky botton like spec just a momentary push and its on, You need to hold down for off..Almost bought an NX-10 and I got a X20-S for a little over 300 bucks cheaper, That's 14 more channels,,,OH Yea haha

[@BluegrassStateRC]

No bash taken my friend! I'd agree when comparing NX series to the X18/X20 it's definitely in FrSky's favor. Without taking the price into consideration, you have to go into the IX series to really compare. But, considering the FrSky X20 offering is about as much as a NX6/8.... yeah 😂

[@Rantanplan-0815]

You cant compare these radios,its a thousand dollars between😂😂😂

[@FlightheroRC]

X20s>>>> spektrum

[@richardmiddleton7770]

Fr who?!

[@itta-pupu2]

Hey, so I'm a little confused. I just bought the x20s but I can't see anywhere where I can bind my spektrum dsm2/dsmx receivers to it, even with the module that plugs in the back. Is this true? I upgraded from the frsky taranis qx7 and I had a hobbyking module that worked great but this new x20s confuses me lol. Thanks in advance

[@BluegrassStateRC]

The tandem series of transmitters using ethos is different than open tx, you can't use it with non-frsky protocols. So spektrum recievers can not be bound to the tandem line of transmitters.

[@lightbulbjim]

@@BluegrassStateRC MPM support was added in EthOS 1.3.0

[@BluegrassStateRC]

@@lightbulbjim I'm assuming it will require the use of an external module for the MPM? Internal Modules are Tandem/Access/Accst from what I've seen

[@lightbulbjim]

@@BluegrassStateRC External MPM module, yes. I believe the TBS one doesn't fit, so you'll need either the IRX4 Lite or the Vantec version (Vantec stuff is actually made by FrSky).

[@skrub6969]

You can purchase a IRangeX IRX4 external module, its a 4n1 which allows you to use many different protocols including all Spektrum receivers. I have one and use it all the time, I also have the Radiomaster tx16s MKII which has the same 4n1.