TBS Mambo review. Part 1: Radio setup and features

Today, we'll be taking a look at the TBS Mambo radio - aside from its main feature of having a built-in Tracer module, there are a few other differences between it and the average OpenTX based radio.
This Radio was kindly supplied by yourfpv.co.uk/ so be sure to check them out if you are in the UK. You can find this version of the radio (along with the Ethix version, and various starter kits) here yourfpv.co.uk/...
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[@nullx8]

thats literally the first video (after watching countless ones from the "big ones") that actually tells peoples stuff!! great work, ordered me a Mambo already ;)

[@CurryKitten]

Enjoy!

[@ReggieRailSystems]

I really enjoyed this video as well as TBS products. I always look forward to their advances in FPV TX units and their receivers. I feel this particular radio is very well constructed, but I cannot see the need for my flying quads from my current TX16S.

[@CurryKitten]

The number of radios always coming out does surprise me, as it's not something people just throw away and buy the next thing going. Most people hang on to their radios for years and unless something is an absolute must have, then I guess most radios are sold to beginners/new pilots

[@Rich-TeaFPV]

yourfpv also have the ORT antennas for 2.4ghz ELRS RX and TX. much better than the antenna which come stock. Great video Wayne👍

[@CurryKitten]

Nice - I might have to take a look at those (depending how I get on with stock) Certainly the antennas supplied with BetaFPV are a completely random length so I'm not expecting anything too great from those !

[@sburnham3]

Physical access to the sd card through the side grips don't own this so assume the sides are intended to be removed and snap back in.

[@killiansred40]

Is this a proprietary radio running only crossfire?? I’d like a 4 in 1 radio that would bind other receivers like ( frski, frysky, D8, D16, etc)

[@FlyNasty]

try updating using TBS Agent M??

[@SeeFPv-qm6ie]

how do you get into tracer I installed a crossfire module now I forgot how to switch back to tracer please help

[@arkimedes4728]

FreedomTX is just temporary build until OpenTX adds support for Mambo and CRSF v3. After that FreedomTX will be discontinued. btw: I'm not sure if it's mac problem, but try to update it with web based Agent M. btw2: you get carry handle with Ethix version of Mambo or you can buy it separately.

[@CurryKitten]

Yeah - I saw it was a temporary thing. OpenTX does seem very slow at getting things into it's main branch.... else things like EdgeTX wouldn't bother existing. I have the feeling it's devices appearing/disappearing on USB on the mac - it works a bit differently there to Windows. I've not heard of a web based Agent-X though (and couldn't find it when I just looked) where do I find it?

[@arkimedes4728]

​@@CurryKitten ok, my comment dissapeared again,.. it seems I can't even mention link to other website :D go to TBS site and add slash agentm to the address bar.

[@DrohneschweizCh]

Hi, I have a problem with my mambo with my sixty9 tracer. I cant change the vtx to race and 1watt. I do can change from the radio, but when I go exit ( or back ) and then back to the oagenof vtx is again in default and my setup is not saved. Why can that happen? Thanks !

[@CurryKitten]

Have you checked if you have said you wanted to change the VTX via Radio or VTX? Sounds confusing, but you can set the 69 to set the VTX from it's own section in the LUA script, or the general Mambo LUA. Although both places let you change it, it'll only actually change if you do it from the one it's set for

[@jumpstartfpv]

Does any of the module have any power issues? Being powered by only 4.3 v? I have a 5v fan on my elrs. Don't know if it'll work with this.

[@CurryKitten]

In a word, no. There's a 6v pin on the module bay connector, so I assume there's the necessary power regulation to supply this accurately. I'm using the Namimno module in my Mambo that goes up to 1W and has a fan, and that doesn't have any issues

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome review, Wayne! 😃 It really looks like a fantastic radio! I'm just not sure about Tracer... But it's another option and as more options the better. Right? Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@CurryKitten]

Yes indeed - more choice can only be a good thing for us all. Take it easy out there !

[@SeeFPv-qm6ie]

how do you get tracer back

[@DoctorrMetal]

Very nice review! Just got mine and I really like it. Really interested in ELRS. Have used it a little bit with a t lite, want to have the option with the mambo. Does it work? Edit: Alright watched your other video. Gonna get a JR module now.. Maybe the Namimno. Thank you so much!

[@CurryKitten]

Glad you saw the answer - the only thing that it won't do is the 500hz mode. Perhaps the Mambo will get updated with a later OpenTX or EdgeTX that will provide this, but to be honest I couldn't tell the difference between 250 and 500 with my reactions

[@deepintotravels]

are you using velocidrone simulator ?

[@CurryKitten]

No, I'm using my own sim (as mentioned) find it here store.steampowered.com/app/1331330/CurryKitten_FPV_Simulator/ or on github, or play store or Apple app store

[@dronefilmsgermany]

Isnn my it better than the radiomaster boxeer. Im getting a used one for around 100€

[@CurryKitten]

Isnn? It's a decent radio for sure. I happily ran mine with ELRS as well

[@FlyturboKwad]

Dang just got mine and went to flash latest firmware and now its bricked. Bootloader mode doesn't work either. After flashing new firmware it doesn't power up. Seems like am not alone. This radio is like a ticking time bomb...

[@CurryKitten]

Ouch - I haven't seen this. My original Crossfire module broke on an update, but I was able to recover in bootloader mode and went from there. Have you sought help from TBS to see if it can be rescued ?

[@FlyturboKwad]

@@CurryKittenOuch indeed and TBS will be replacing the PCB which am not to thrilled about. Funny is that I can downgrade to 1.29 via bootloader and unit powers up but with errors in display in several menu settings.

[@FlyturboKwad]

@@CurryKitten 2 weeks later and still waiting for replacement of some sort.

[@robertf8645]

Market at radios is harsh. You have a lot of good choices there, Jumper and Radiomaster making quality and not expensive radios. There is Frsky with some good options in that price range. And also others like Radiolink could competite here. I hardly see that TBS Mambo could beat all of choices on market(it's not video about that, just as customer I wish always get the best for the money). While I hardly see that any radio based on quality and price could beat Jumper T12 Pro. That radio for me is almost perfect cos I like traditional shape of radios. While some others more prefer game pad shape and for them Jumper T-Lite(great price for quality) is perfect radio. So I hardly see that any other option could beat that two. They are flexible, you can do everything with them. A lot of videos is there for help in flashing, making SD content,... for beginners. Jumper is still better then Mambo. I said that Jumper T12 Pro is almost perfect. If anyone put Jumper T12 Pro components into FlySky Fs i6 shape, then would be perfect radio. Fs i6 shape works for my hands better in sims. While all other things at Jumper T12 Pro are great. I have x9d+ with hall gimbals and I think those at Jumper T12 Pro are better, more smooth and are 2 times cheaper then ones at x9d+. Switches are so nice easy and not loud if you flying sims and need to be quite environment. Opentx works great, could be used 2S lipos, it's light,... For me just what I wish at radio and I don't see that Mambo could beat it.

[@cyberneticinterfacemodular3996]

Crossfire?.

[@EnglishTurbines]

Be great once you can load it with real Open TX Wayne..😀🤨🤨🇬🇧

[@CurryKitten]

It's coming. FreedomTX is just there until OpenTX include all the stuff that TBS want in there.

[@EnglishTurbines]

@@CurryKitten Still a strange product from TBS IMO...It's a very competitive market game controller type TXs...They need to focus now on cheaper receivers, ELRS is biting them on the arse ...🤔🤨🇬🇧