Horus X12S Thoughts & Comfort Discussion

Overview of the FrSky Horus X12S if you are curious of how the wider layout "feels" in your hands and compares in comfort to a more traditional type RC radio/transmitter. Two small issues I had with it, but easily fixed, along with a few other easy tips.
Horus X12S Opening Up & Throttle/Toggle Changes Video:
• How To Open Up A Horus...

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Want to learn more about the hobby of RC helicopters? Please visit my website: www.rchelicopterfun.com

[@wilfredocampo4215]

Hello John, do you still have your radio until now? How do you like it?

[@craigkane6199]

Thanks for this. A very informative and impartial review. I've just bought one and this has dispelled many of the concerns i previously had after reading all the forum posts and other reviews.

[@jackdaniels7913]

One of the best reviews I've seen over the last year or two of looking and researching! Thank you!!!

[@triskellian]

Great review on the Horus! I like how you covered an important and sometimes overlooked aspect of RC transmitters,tactile quality.Even with some of the minor mods you made to the case,those little problems can be annoying! Looking forward to the next video.

[@JohnFHendry]

What I've found as a 90% thumb flyer is I became a 100% thumb flyer and got the biggest change in stick response by getting rid of the outdated Futaba skinny style stick ends and replaced all my radios stick ends with the 16 star point Frsky Lotus on one TX with stronger spring tension and the 12 star point Grand Lotus on all the rest... huge change and improvement. I just wish Frsky made a 13 point Grand Lotus that was a tad finer more like the Lotus for smother axis rotation.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Could not agree more! I actually started using the umbrella ends last year and like them even more. Made winter flying easier as well - no more ice cold "numb thumb" :-) 35 years flying with skinny sticks... Never again.

[@brntwrmn3197]

Congratulations on new radio. it will be even better with the opentx firmware. So much fun to be had with all the widgets, logical switches and personaling the home screens etc.

[@Mike-01234]

Speculation on the forums X12S is going to be discontinued they are not going to offer a ACCESS protocol version of this. FrSky updated the X10 calling it the express which does come with ACCESS protocol. I have had mine for 2 years I thought I wanted bunch of switches, sliders, and knobs never use them. If I had to do it over again just get a Taranis Q X7 it has a B&W screen what do you need a color screen for looking at the model not the screen. I only paid $250 for my X12S which was cheap compared to my Spektrum I had just sold.

[@marioskalogeropoulos7054]

I'M A FUTABA GUY BUT......WHO THE HELL SAYS 1.3kg ARE ALOT!! USE THE FREAKING NECK STRAP PEOPLE,THAT'S WHY IT'S THERE!! REALY GOOD VID MAN AND I WATCH IT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF IT!

[@johnahamelv]

Excellent review! I would be interested in comprehensive comparison between this transmitter and the Jeti DS-14/16/24 radios.

[@dan77ring3]

I actually got both the X12s and the X10S but mostly use the X10S because of its smaller size.

[@rl2rem621]

John, I have started to buy one.... but they ask me what type I want.... the choices are, Non EU, EU, NON EU WITH ISRM, AND EU WITH ISRM. Can you help me figuring out what this is ??

[@GadgetMart]

I really liked the Horus Shame the flawed antenna design hasn’t been rectified. The X10 got it right but I don’t like the ergonomics

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Flawed antenna design? What's that about? Can you elaborate? Been using mine for over a year now and the lowest RSSI signal I have ever recorded was in the low 50's and that was with a big carbon shielded heli at the limits of visual contact. Seems to be working perfectly fine on mine... If there truly is an antenna design or placement flaw, can it not be changed out to a different one? It does plug into the RF board after-all by way of a ufl connector so it would be simple to change it I would think (assuming of course there is a better one that can be used). At any rate, I've have hundreds of great flights now with the good old Horus, and have been so happy with it, OpenTX, and of course the Amber voice pack :-) She's awesome!

[@chrissorlie5291]

Well it's 2022. Do you still like the X12s? Did the radiomaster replace this radio? Thanks John!

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Yep, it's still my main radio (the X12S).

[@zacksinclair5532]

This silver one it have "mode 1" means if i fly rc plane need trottle n rudder on right side.because im lefthanded person ,it have mode 1,2,3 like others teansmitter?

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Supports all modes.

[@jackdaniels7913]

After much research and debate I settled on the hours x10s carbon, it's a grate radio and the only tip I have is of you hold high on your transmitter and want to have better access to the sliders I'd probably go for the x12 over the x10/x10s... I really like the x10/x10s but I hold high and it makes the side sliders almost completely useless without a considerable movement of the palm to access the side sliders! Both are grate radios and the module bay is a must on any modern radio I have several spectrum radios dx6 dx6e dx8 ext... and for the price you will not find a comparable radio as a matter of fact you'll be hard pressed to find a 16ch radio that's expandable to 32ch with a module that slips in the back period! And if your not sold yet look up the price of the hours x12, x10 and x10s 16ch radios then check out the 12ch spectrum and try to not laugh better yet look at the price of the receivers lmfao then add to that there's no module bay and it's clear a hours x12/x10/x10s is worth every penny especially wen you add openTX!

[@jackdaniels7913]

@D town 313 I haven't tried yet but to my knowledge every frsky rx is compatible... you can always reach out to frsky them selves on there website with an email, I had to so I cooed find out of they will do the crossfire chip mod without voiding the warranty because they did the work / install ... as to be expected the answer was no and any mods will instantly void the warranty, but yes to my knowledge it is compatible with all of the frsky / compatible RX receivers... hope this helps and if you find a definite answer pleas let me know! Thanks and good luck 🍻 cheers

[@nxtgen2b416]

Any link to that spektrum antenna conversion ? Thanks

[@Rchelicopterfun]

The Spektrum DM9 module is not made anymore. The superior option now is a multi protocol module so you can fly pretty much anything under the sun including all flavors of Spektrum DSM. www.multi-module.org/ The latest firmware version of multi-protocol will even allow Spektrum telemetry feed and forward programming ability with their SMART RX's and ESC's.

[@russshanks5913]

Love the display above the controls...will not buy due to antenna problem...FrSky please put guts of X10S in X12 form factor.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

What is this antenna problem? You're the second person who has posted a comment about it. The first person never replied back to my question. I've been using the radio now for over a year (lots), with big helicopters including a turbine, and have never seen the RSSI drop even close to where I would start questioning RF robustness. Anecdotal of course, and that's exactly why I'm asking for facts about this "antenna problem." Thanks.

[@russshanks5913]

John Salt The RcModelReciews guy reviewed and took apart the x12 two years ago and pointed out that there is one internal antenna and it’s too close to metal parts. See FrSky Horus Teardown on his YT channel.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Bruce had a pre-production model and did no RF signal strength testing. He merely pointed out that "it might be an issue", and who knows if the antenna position has changed or been tweaked over the past two years of production? That is a far reach for a conclusive determination if there is truly a problem with the RF robustness of the X12S. There was a bad version of early firmware which caused failsafe triggers, but that was fixed with a firmware update (1.2.20). Here are the real facts on that problem but it has/had nothing to do with the PCB antenna placement within the radio and was also causing dropouts on the X10's as well: github.com/FrSky-OS/HORUS-X10-X10S-X12S-bug-report/issues/1 There is also the possibility of adding a second external TX antenna if you so choose to amp up the RF robustness. I did that when I was first testing my X12S while doing longer range flights with my bigger machines, but have since stopped using it because I saw little difference in RSSI signal strength with the VLOS type of flying I do. It only improved polarization diversity and then only marginally. In short, I have yet to talk to a single person who has had antenna issues with their X12S. Be it internal, external, or both.

[@russshanks5913]

John Salt That’s really good to hear! Do you fly with neck strap? If so how do u like it?

[@russshanks5913]

John Salt also does it have haptic vibration alerts?

[@muttbone01]

I love the x10s. Best radio outside of my trusty x9d Plus or even the Jeti I had briefly. The x12, however, just isn't for me. An as much as Spektrum is lauded, I simply do not like them. Also, the new iX12 was a disaster!

[@SticksAandstonesBozo]

So as a returning person to the hobby .... can you use this tx with any receiver ?

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Almost - with an important caveat; you need the correct RF module plugged into the back. Out of the box with its internal RF system, it only works with FrSky protocol.

[@adrianongoco5840]

you can use the xr8, now they have theISRM, which enables you to use ACCESS and ACCST

[@fabianmoser5284]

Wehr can i get ah modul for spektrum i dont find dose

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Here's the one I'm currently using: www.banggood.com/custlink/mDGGvFWyft Here's my review on it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6ndaK2pa6xgoJI

[@rl2rem621]

So to use this TX with Spektrum and Sbus, I need to use Open TX and get an external TX modual with an external antenna as you show ?

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Yes, if you want to run any other RF protocol other than FrSky's, you need to be running OpenTX and have some sort of external RF module to support that protocol such as a multi-protocol module like the iRangeX / similar. I do have two video's on the iRangex if you're interested: PPM mode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6ndaK2pa6xgoJI Serial mode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp64epeDqKehkKs I'm a little confused with your Sbus question however because Sbus is not an RF protocol. It's a serial communication protocol. If you want Sbus connectivity to your flight controllers/FBL systems, the built in FrSky D16 RF protocol works fine for that provided you get one of FrSky's receivers with S-Bus output. I for example run most of my larger helicopters with FrSky X8R receivers that have the SBus output to hook into my various flybarless systems. For that, I don't use any external RF module in my Horus.

[@rl2rem621]

@@Rchelicopterfun I Guess I need sBus just to be able to "talk to" the HW H1 Flight Controller. So all I really need then is the Horus X12s and their receiver. Does this transmitter then support telemetry and voice sound like switch position reports Native on the TX as it comes ?? Sorry for the Newbie type questions, just trying to make an informed decision.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Yes on S-bus - you can use FrSky's built in RF protocol and one of their S-Bus RX's. I however have no idea how telemetry works with the stock FR-OS system because I've only used OpenTX on this radio. The stock FROS voice pack is of course different from the Amber voice pack I'm using. BTW, why are you considering the X12S as a "newbie" radio to start with? That's a big investment and fairly steep learning curve after all if you are just starting out. I of course don't know your background or your level of RC experience, I'm just going by your "newbie" comment and the X12S is not a radio system for Newbies for the most part.

[@rl2rem621]

@@Rchelicopterfun Well remember I said, Sorry for the Newbie TYPE questions. I have been flying for 30 years or so. With a 10 or so year interruption, back in it now.... I think...... Started with Airplanes, don't hold that against me... Big stuff.... 150" span C-130, 120" B-25, 96" F4U.... etc. Left the hobby to be with family more. Now... trying to get back into it.. and be near the family too. I have been flying Heli in the big back yard. I have been the "mechanical set up go to guy" in the past. Lots of changes since I have been out... including my ability with my hands to function well on the sticks. I believe the Fly Wing H1 will help with that. But have been using Spektrum and cant figure how to hook my Fly Wing H1into my Spektrum systems. Maybe I should break down and buy a Futaba TX just for Heli... but I am not sure even Futaba has the programable Voice announce I want with the telemetry too. Just want switch reports and flight battery warnings. Nothing fancier than that I believe..

[@Rchelicopterfun]

As I mention in the description of the H1 setup video I did, Spektrum users are flying the H1 using the Spektrum AR7700 RX which has a PPM output.

[@thisisyourhouse7082]

Which one is the best, X10S or X12S???

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Which ever ticks off the most boxes for the specific features you are looking for.

[@adrianongoco5840]

when did the x12s come out as we as the x10s

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Sounds like a good Google search term.

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Its a Jeti clone, isnt it?

[@Rchelicopterfun]

Nope, FrSky has a completely different protocol and allows OpenTX Firmware to be used. Certainly the design of the Horus X12S has likely been "inspired" by the DS-24 :-)

[@atomicskull6405]

They're both inspired by the JR XP8103 from 1994.

[@Rchelicopterfun]

If we are harking back over 2 decades, what about Futaba's 2 stick ground Field Force lineup? Think they came out in 91 or 92 if memory recalls. I suppose if we really want to consider "first" upper info display inspiration, basically every radio that had an analog voltage meter, as most, if not all were located above the neck strap attachment point...

[@andreswanepoel4923]

Yes it is a copy of the Jeti. The only thing original coming from China is the Corona virus.