FrSky X12D "Horus" radio...

[Jim (Chairman)]

All,

Found out some information about the upcoming FrSky X12D "Horus" transmitter.

One of FrSkys employees has confirmed that they are developing a successor to the X9D "Taranis" called X12D "Horus":

The new radio coming soon called X12D, the specific parameters of it has not been determined.

Now I've found some photos of a real Horus on the web. These are new and I haven't seen these before this week and I do (sadly) search regularly:





I'm trying to get more information on price, spec, features etc etc out of the FrSky guys on the forum.

Two LCD screens, I guess one for programming and the top one for telemetry data (?)

If they can make and sell these for less than £200, they would sell like hot cakes!

I mean, the Taranis is good, but the case is a bit cheap. The case on this looks excellent!

Update 04/09/2014

There is a rumor that FrSky will announce the X12D Horus at the International iHobby Expo (otherwise known as the Chicago Model Fair) October 2nd to 5th 2014.

They are certainly shown on the exhibitor List here: http://www.ihobbyexpo.com/2014%20Current%20Exhibitors%208-27-14.pdf

Cheers!

Jim

[Jim (Chairman)]

All Taranis fans...

A "Horus" annoucement....?

Some possible developements: http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=6111&p=87521#p87521

Definately a CGI mock-up, so not very convinced....

Cheers!

[Chairman]

Up on the FrSky website now, two new FrSky transmitters.

No photos suggests to me that we're a long way off release date yet.







Features and specs look amazing though. http://www.frsky-rc.com/product/pro.php?pro_id=144

[Jim (Chairman)]

Chris,

I didn't even check the FrSky website because it's usually so far behind...

It would appear that these are what they're going to announce at the Chicago Model Fair this coming weekend, but the real question is....

... will they have a REAL radio / prototype or just some CGI images....?

We'll have to wait and see...

I think that the specs point (for me) towards:

X9E: Lower price point. Hopefully about £150 - £200. More traditional OpenTX type design and functionality.

X12D "Horus": Probably £200+ More professional functionality. Possibly an FrSky produced firmware(?!). I really like the over-engineered power / "start" switch!

Interesting...

[Chairman]

Posted on RCG by Aloft Hobbies

"Just hop on the next flight to Chicago, and you can hold one in your hands this weekend. Same goes for the X9E and some other cool new FrSky gear. "

[Jim (Chairman)]

WHOA!

They're real! I wants one!

Do you have a link to the RC Group post?

The OpenTX forum will be interested I'm sure, and I have a thread running concerning the next FrSky radios...

Cheers!

[Chairman]

Here you go Jim

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1866206&page=2381&highlight=Horus#post29574883

[Jim (Chairman)]

Chris,

Constantly monitoring various forums for chatter.

This post suggests that photos might be taken of the real radios: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=29576982&postcount=35714

This thread that I started a while back on the OpenTX Forum: http://openrcforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=75&t=6111

Will continue to monitor...

Jim

[Chairman]

Jim I've been adding up a few hints and had decided that first photos might appear on this page.

None just yet, but it seems I might be right.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=21108

[Jim (Chairman)]

Chris,

I concur. That's the same Forum Member that I've been following.

He's saying that he's at the Chicago Show to "help FrSky"

Problem is that he might be under an NDA that FrSky have used in the past....

Someone will post photos I'm sure...

[Jim (Chairman)]

Update: PHOTOS!

Here is the X12D "Horus" radio running with stuff on the screen:



And here is the X9E "Taranis++++" radio obviously running OpenTX firmware with a telemetry display:



Observations:

1) Everyone is saying that the X9E looks like a "tray radio", but judging by this it could used handheld.
2) The screen on the X12D does not look like it's running traditional OpenTX firmware. Maybe a mockup, but certainly looks like colour to me!
3) The X12D has actually got that sexy Power / Start switch that was on the CGI images. I thought that was just a design concept!

Excellent!

[Chairman]

ooh look at the extra pics they just posted.

More info about operating systems too

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2257301&page=2

[Jim (Chairman)]

Chris,

If you want to install OpenTX or another firmware, you will replace the FrSky firmware.  No plans for a dual boot system as they tend to get messy.

I got no problem with this. OpenTX will soon catch up with extra features and colour LCD etc...

I bet someone will hack a dual-boot system together...

Speaking of sliders and knobs, the center knob is a  6 position switch.

This is good for me, used to change flight modes on Quads, and for you, different lighting sequences on your RadJet?!

All very positive!

[Jim (Chairman)]

Chris,

Here's a Q&A from the OpenTX developer forum, answers are by "Kilrah" who's a massive contributor of code etc...

Question: Is the intention of the OpenTx developers to make a version for Horus?

Answer: Yes, if we can find time. 2 of the main project members are going through big career changes right now, it's not clear how much time they will be able to devote to the project in the future. Ideally other developers would join the efforts.

Question: Someone have started the project for a new OpenTx version for Horus?

Answer: No.

Question: I hope that there will soon be a version of OpenTx for Horus.

Answer: Don't forget that what has been shown is a prototype. The production version will probably not be available before 6 months or a year.

If anyone is going to have dealings with FrSky regarding timescales, Kilrah is one of them...

[Jim (Chairman)]

More info from Rotozuk via RC Group, talking about the X12D "Horus":

Estimated 6 months until production.  Estimated price will be about $500.

US$500 is £320 right now, so over twice the money of the Taranis.

Think about the major components / hardware...

Taranis: Case, gimbal, switches, motherboard, transceiver, mono LCD, battery.

Horus: Case, gimbal, switches, motherboard, transceiver, bigger colour LCD touchscreen, battery, Wifi module, Bluetooth module.

It's gonna cost more...

Six month will probably become twelve though...