The sport of FPV drone racing has grown tremendously in the past couple years. Its about speed, pilot skill, fast reflexes, the ability to maneuver through tricky obstacles and make sharp turns with precision. If you’re serious about taking up this sport as a hobby then its critical that you have the right RC transmitter for the job. It could be the key to your victory or failure in a race. What is the best transmitter for FPV Drone racing you ask? Actually, wait…what’s an FPV drone RC transmitter you ask?
An RC transmitter is the radio controller that will allow a pilot to control their drone, and in the case of a good transmitter creates a real connection between the pilot and their equipment. It’s important to differentiate between the transmitter for the video feed on an FPV drone and the transmitter for the radio control (RC). A good RC transmitter should allow you to control your drone accurately and with quick response time. Not every RC transmitter will work for every pilot, its not just a matter of technology, its also a matter of taste and ergonomic fit. In this article we will try to provide you with options currently in the market for FPV drone transmitters. Transmitters that will hopefully get you into the air and get you onto that FPV winning streak you’re looking for.
Before we get into the actual list of best transmitter for FPV drone racing , lets talk a bit about some basics you need to know and consider when buying one. Here are a couple topics you should read up on before buying the best transmitter for FPV drone racing:
- Channels
- Gimbals
- Transmittal Modes
- Frequencies
- Operating System (Open TX)
- Telemetry
- Range
We could spend a lot of time re-hashing these topics, OR, we could point you to some smarter people that have done an excellent job of explaining what you need to look out for when selecting the best transmitter for FPV drone racing . Check out the articles below for more information. They are definitely worth the read if you’re new to this hobby.
- All About Multirotor Drone Radio Transmitters and Receivers:
https://www.getfpv.com/learn/new-to-fpv/all-about-multirotor-fpv-drone-radio-transmitter-and-receiver/ - How to Choose Radio Transmitter and Receiver for Racing Drones and Quadcopter:
https://oscarliang.com/choose-rc-transmitter-quadcopter/
The Best Transmitters for FPV Drone Racing
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1. Turnigy Evolution Digital
This is a great transmitter for beginners and people just getting into the hobby. The model has been out for a couple years now and typically you’ll see some mixed reviews on it. There is a more recent “PRO” version that was recently released, but we’re focusing on the original. Its ideal for anyone that has limited drone or model aircraft flying experience as the feel and ergonomics is more like a typical xbox or console controller. More importantly, it’s reasonably priced making the purchase fairly painless if you’re not 100% sure you’re going to be pursuing this hobby long term. Don’t let the lower price of this transmitter relative to the others on the list fool you. Its a solid RC transmitter that will get the job done and has everything a FPV racer needs. The radio only has two switches, a touch screen, and colored LEDs under the gimbals that make it simple to use for a newbie.
Pros
• It is compact, lightweight and easy to use
• The rubber grips are soft and it fits in the hand well. Great ergonomics.
• It has a decent battery
• It supports USB charging
• Features a back-light touch screen
Cons
• Not as configurable or programmable as higher-end transmitters. It is customization options are limited
• Its compactness and the space between the gimbals make it challenging to use if you’re a pincher vs a thumber.
• You have to swap receivers to use external modes
See what other reviews say
Buy on Amazon
2. FrSky 2.4G ACCT Taranis Q X7
This transmitter is middle of the road in terms of price. It’s specifically built to meet the needs of FPV pilots but also not be super expensive. It has great features which are incredibly useful, and is more configurable than basic entry level transmitters. It features Open Tx which is highly programmable, it has great hardware, and it supports telemetry. The Taranis Q X7 maintains the core values of a high level transmitter, but makes itself affordable by reducing the screen size, removing some switches and replacing the chargeable battery for an AA option. We decided keep this transmitter on our list of best transmitter for fpv drone racing because it offers great value and its a great intro to beginners on higher end transmitters on the market.
Pros
• Good price point
• Super low latency
• High quality and robust hardware making it long lasting
• Receiver signal strength indicator
• Has quad ball bearing gimbals for precise control
Cons
• The screen size is quite small
• Has fewer control options
• Its battery needs regular replacing
See what other reviews say
Buy on Amazon
3. FrSky X10S
The FrSky X10S transmitter is a top of the line product, and all its features and quality match its price point. We highly recommend this transmitter for pilots who know they’re going to commit to this hobby. This transmitter is specifically designed with competitive drone races and leagues in mind. There really aren’t a lot of bad things you can say about the feature set of the FrSky X10s. This is the best transmitter for serious drone racers who are looking to propel themselves into competitive FPV racing.
Pros
• It features a removable antenna
• Its hardware is high quality
• Large and bright screen
• Easy navigation scrolling wheel
• Gimbals are very smooth
• Modern design
Cons
• SD card not included
• It is expensive
• The antenna connector is too small to fit the larger antennas
See what other reviews say
Buy on Amazon
Conclusion
If you’re serious about FPV drone racing then it’s important that you spend some time figuring out the best transmitter for fpv drone racing that fits your style and budget. Its not completely black and white, and there is an aspect of style, fit and ergonomics that plays into the decision. We hope the information we’ve provided will make your decision just a little bit easier!
We hope you enjoyed our review and that we helped you make a decision on the best transmitter for fpv drone racing. Have fun!
Come back sometime and check out some more of our product reviews and best-in-class lists.