The FrSky Taranis X9D Plus is a staple among FPV pilots.\u00a0 Over the years, it’s gone through quite a few different iterations with new features being implemented while still maintaining it’s time proven form.\u00a0 This 2019 Special Edition version is no different…. or is it?[ultimate_spacer height=”20″][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5255″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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This isn’t the first FrSky Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition, but it is the first to kind of change both the external appearance and the functions on the inside of the radio.\u00a0 Some of the new changes have been developed on some of the latest generation of newer FrSky transmitters, and have culminated into the Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition 2019.<\/p>\n
On the outside of the radio, there are a few changes to take note of.\u00a0 The first is the all important power button.\u00a0 On all older versions of the Taranis, this is a slide switch, but taking a page from the Taranis QX7 and X-Lite, this has been switched to a button.\u00a0 To power on the unit, simply hold down the power button, and the LCD screen will cycle showing you it’s powering up.\u00a0 Once the screen changes, you can release the button.\u00a0 To power the unit down, again, simply hold down the power button.\u00a0 If you let it go while it’s cycling, the power will not turn off.\u00a0 This prevents any accidental shut down of the radio while you have a model in the air, which we all know would be just slightly inconvenient….<\/p>\n
Also a change to note is the scroll wheel on the right side of the controller.\u00a0 Gone are the extra three buttons to navigate the menu system in OpenTX.\u00a0 The scroll wheels allows you to FLY through the menus (and I really do mean that, it’s super sensitive).\u00a0 A push down on the scroll wheel acts as your “enter” button.\u00a0 As sensitive as it is, it does speed up navigation on OpenTX, though several times I found myself overshooting what I was trying to get at.<\/p>\n
If your eyes are keen, you have already noticed the wart on the left shoulder of the FrSky Taranis X9D Plus.\u00a0 But a wart it is not!\u00a0 It is, however, a momentary button that can be used for just about anything you can think of.\u00a0 For me, I use it to reset my flight timer.\u00a0 (Yes, I still use a flight timer, even with OSD, I’m old school like that).\u00a0 Also, the switches and pots all around the transmitter have been upgraded, with a noticeable feel over the original FrSky Taranis X9D Plus.<\/p>\n
Last, but certainly not least, the gimbal sticks come perfectly embellished with the FrSky Lotus stick ends.\u00a0 These are a definite upgrade to the standard stick ends on the old X9D Plus, and a little less stabby (yes, it’s a word… it’s my word) than the ones that were stock on the original FrSky Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition.\u00a0 Granted, the lotus style stick ends work better for thumb users, but they do give some positive reinforcement for pinch and hybrid users as well.<\/p>\n
Gone is the barrel plug on the side of the FrSky Taranis X9D Plus SE.\u00a0 Instead, it supports internal charging of Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries via USB.\u00a0 Note that no battery comes with the transmitter, you will need to source one yourself.\u00a0 I’m am of two minds on this to be honest.\u00a0 First, I’m really not too sure on the safety of charging a Li-Po inside of the radio… call me paranoid.\u00a0 Second, FrSky has made it difficult to source a battery for this radio, as there’s not many 2S options for Li-Po that deliver enough longevity.\u00a0 The older Taranis models could accept up to 3S power, but that’s no longer the case.\u00a0 While you could use the NiMH battery that the old Taranis models shipped with, the USB charging system will not charge it, so you will need to find an alternative means.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5254″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5252″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5248″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
With all these changes, you might ask the question “What hasn’t changed?”.\u00a0 Well, the overall form factor of the FrSky Taranis X9D Plus is almost exactly the same.\u00a0 With the exception of the cutouts for the scroll wheel and the momentary switch, it’s all the same.\u00a0 There are still all the switches that were there before, all in the same places.\u00a0 It fits in the hands exactly like every other Taranis X9D does, so if you’re used to the older editions, you won’t find any surprises here.<\/p>\n
There’s still the JR style module bay in the back for adding in additional modules for your models that may not be compatible with the FrSky protocols or if you want to move to TBS Crossfire or similar.\u00a0 It still supports wired trainer modes, accessible via the port in the back of the transmitter.\u00a0 Inside the battery bay, the MicroSD card slot is accessible, for adding in those extra features like upgraded voice files or extra model storage.\u00a0 There even still a SmartPort interface for upgrading the firmware on your receivers (more on that in a moment).<\/p>\n
The antenna is also still removable, and can be replaced with a higher dB gain antenna.\u00a0 My SMA was a little loose upon receiving the radio, however a simple tightening of the nut down in the antenna well fixed this really quick, didn’t even have to open the radio up for it.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5253″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5251″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
There are two features here that I feel FrSky missed out on to bring the new FrSky Taranis X9D Plus SE to the current generation.\u00a0 Firstly, they still have a mini USB port for computer interface on the back of the unit.\u00a0 This style of USB port does not have any positive engagement to keep the plug in place.\u00a0 When pilots go to use the transmitter with a simulator, the extra security of a USB-C would be much better, as well as changing the location of the port to perhaps the top, just below the antenna for better ergonomics.<\/p>\n
Secondly is the screen.\u00a0 While most pilots are not looking down at the screen of the transmitter while flying, (if you are, we need to talk) I think in 2019 we can move beyond the monochrome screen into something more colorful and pleasant to look at while navigating the menu.\u00a0 This also brings a point of pride to pilots to be able to totally customize their transmitter.\u00a0 At a $247.00 price point, I think we’re worth it![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5270″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
Much of the FrSky Taranis X9D Plus SE remains the same on the inside, at least from the surface level.\u00a0 What is nice is the excellent cable management and cleanliness of the internals.\u00a0 This allows us to dig a little deeper through the guts of this thing and see if we can coax out any changes!<\/p>\n
Here, there has been some overall clean-up of the primary board, but the biggest noticeable change is the upgraded processor.\u00a0 This is an upgrad to a STM32 F407 chip, bringing more processing power.\u00a0 Hopefully this grants an ability to run more complex LUA scripts without running into compute errors.\u00a0 The overall design of all the PCB seems to be high quality, with nothing jumping out at me as an inherent flaw.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5250″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
The secondary board on the back does have some noticeable changes to it.\u00a0 Before, the RF module was independent of the secondary board, making replacement in case of a failure less costly.\u00a0 Now it is integrated into the main board which also includes power management and the communication with the module bay.\u00a0 There is however a small PCB assembly piggy backed on the the secondary board with an antenna coming off it.\u00a0 This is the Bluetooth module for the wireless trainer function and paring with the FrSky app.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5249″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”5271″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
If you currently have the previous FrSky Taranis X9D Plus SE or have modded your Taranis with the M9 hall gimbals, this won’t be anything new.\u00a0 If not, prepare to have much better resolution and longevity out of the hall gimbals.\u00a0 The transmitter ships ready for Mode 2, but through manipulation of the screws on the gimbals, this can be quickly configured into any mode you may need.<\/p>\n