Anybody have the Radiomaster MT12?

[WickedFog]

I am curious to hear any thoughts on the Radiomaster MT12. It looks like a really good radio, even at the $130 pricetag. I have used an air transmitter with open source firmware that uses OpenTX, but I've never used EdgeTX, ExpressLRS, or the Multi-module project software. I am curious how complex the software is as well.

If you have one, please share your thoughts on the radio features and software.

 

[DavidB1126]

My buddy that tried to test the rc8x issues moved to the mt12 and he loves it. Lots of programming that I see. The only thing I like about it personally that the 4 in 1 can do multi protocols so if you have various receivers like Traxxas spektrum radio link or futaba, that transmitter can bind and work with the mt12.

Also he sent this cool video to me for one hand driving. It's like a function in the radio so if you tilt the radio forward / back the car will do forward / reverse and if you tilt the radio left / right the car will steer left/right. Kind of like a gyro, but I'm the actual radio so I find that neat. Can also help out if you have like a disability where you can't use both hands. I'll try to find the video.

Also FPV

Ahh. The gyro thing was a video on Facebook and seems like it got deleted.

 

[WickedFog]

Also he sent this cool video to me for one hand driving. It's like a function in the radio so if you tilt the radio forward / back the car will do forward / reverse and if you tilt the radio left / right the car will steer left/right. Kind of like a gyro, but I'm the actual radio so I find that neat. Can also help out if you have like a disability where you can't use both hands. I'll try to find the video.

Never heard of such a thing. If you can find a video about this, please share.

Joshua Bardwell actually has an interesting video on setting up the radio.

 

[RetroThutmose]

i've been using one for a few months now in club oval racing. I've had a couple run-aways due to a software glitch but other than that it's been great. I'd like to stiffen up the trigger and wheel resistance a little more but it's fine where it is. It feels like a much more expensive radio in the hand. I have not done much "tuning" of the radio itself. Only used basic functions to adjust DR, exp, etc. I dont think i have the reflexes to feel much difference in responsiveness between protocols, but the ELRS seems to work as advertised.

 

[WickedFog]

So I have been looking into this radio a bit more lately, and it really baffles me why it's not a LOT more popular. What I have learned so far:

The difference between the ELRS and 4in1 versions is of course the built-in module. But there is also a module port on top of the radio where you can plug in a different module. And Radiomaster does sell the 4in1 module for $60 that plugs in on the top of the radio, so you could actually have both modules. You just have to tell the radio which module to use. And I am betting you could control that with the flip of a switch. More on that later. Read on.

The built in ELRS module is specific to Radiomaster ELRS Rx's, which have ridiculously long range. Joshua Bardwell mentioned in one of his videos that they have been known to have flights using them with a 100 kilometer range!

The 4in1 module is just that. 4 modules in one. And these individual modules use the 4 most common protocols, which explains why the 4in1 works with most common receivers.

But not only does this radio work with Radiomaster plug in modules, it also works with other modules typically used in drone racing. So this one radio could do lots of different things. I don't really know a lot about the modules, but they do have them with wifi and bluetooth connectivity, whatever that's for. They also have telemetry and other features built into them.

As for the radio, it has tons of buttons and switches on it. And you can customize these buttons to do a myriad of different things. But this is where it starts to get complicated. You can setup a button to lockout the throttle trigger for example. And there is no clear way that I have found yet to learn how to do these things, other that a video showing how to do just that.

If you want to see what EdgeTX is, have a look here:
https://edgetx.org/

If you want to join the EdgeTX discord to ask questions, check out their help videos, etc, you can do that here:
https://discord.gg/wF9wUKnZ6H

EdgeTX User Manual for the MT12
https://manual.edgetx.org/bw-radios

Video tutorials:
Setting up cruise control

How to update EdgeTX

Setting up a button/switch tutorial

How to setup a multi position switch

Setting up a switch with mode announcement.

Slowing down your steering on the MT12. This is pretty slick!

Channel mixing for tank steer

Setting up an RC car with EdgeTX and ExpressLRS.

Using trims as switches

Setting up an MT12 to control MOA (Motor On Axle) crawlers

Setting up 4 wheel steering with the MT12

Binding various receivers with the MT12

Setting up driving modes and global variables

Calibrating steering and throttle with the MT12

Setting up a basic RC with EdgeTX in the MT12

Setting up a tracked vehicke with the MT12

Setting up some Pro features on the MT12

 

[332_RC]

I'll never be able to watch 17 videos. Looks like a great tx!

 

[WickedFog]

I'll never be able to watch 17 videos. Looks like a great tx!

Just figured I'd put them all here for reference

 

[requiem33]

Yes I have this radio system. I run it in my off-road and oval cars.

Why isn't it more popular? Likely two main reasons.

1. Not widely known about yet. Yes people are "aware" of it. But there's no big names using it and no big marketing happening for it.
2. It's a complicated transmitter to setup. This system is not for the faint of heart when it comes to setup. It's going to take even an experienced person a couple hours of watching videos, tinkering and testing to get it setup right. Once you understand how EdgeTX works and ELRS setup. Then one understand the true capability hidden within this system.

One day the setup will be made easier as more adopt it and the EdgeTX team incorporates the changes and updates for Surface use. EdgeTX was created for air vehicles and is still using that terminology for the settings. I have seen in the github issues people asking for changes, and there are commits being made to update things to be more surface friendly. It's going to take time, but it will happen. Now what are the other radio system vendors going to do in reaction is going to be interesting.

 

[WickedFog]

Now what are the other radio system vendors going to do in reaction is going to be interesting.

I don't suspect they will do much to be able to compete, especially since EdgeTX is open source. The users will just keep tweaking it and adding featutes. And once they find the limits of the transmitter, they'll just come out with a new radio system.

That is unless Futaba or Sanwa want to come out with their own open firmware radio system. I don't see that happening.

Yes I have this radio system. I run it in my off-road and oval cars.

So can you share your radio setup? I saw that users can save their settings and such, and share them with others.

Or what all have you done to your radio for your preferences? I really don't think I'll have too much trouble figuring it out, since I have used a radio with OpenTX on it before. It's just as complicated as this one.

 

[requiem33]

That is unless Futaba or Sanwa want to come out with their own open firmware radio system. I don't see that happening.

I agree. I don't Futaba or Sanwa releasing an open source OS for their transmitters. They may build in more of the configurable features and function chaining like EdgeTX has though.

So can you share your radio setup? I saw that users can save their settings and such, and share them with others.

Sure. My config is nothing special. Here's a run down below.

1. Arm/Disarm button setup
   1. Voice announcement when the state is changed. Voice quality is not great and speaker could be better with more volume.
   2. Change the LED's to GREEN when in Disarmed/Safe state
   3. Change the LED's to RED when system is Armed (ready to drive)
2. Expo configured for ST/TH for my liking per car for the car handling and track setup.
3. Endpoints setup for each car

So really nothing special yet. I'm wanting to setup the dials to control ST expo and then try and do some dynamic adjustment of expo based on speed which will be interesting. I just haven't had the time for much this summer. I finally got out to the track for a race last Saturday... only 2nd time all summer.

 

[WickedFog]

I agree. I don't Futaba or Sanwa releasing an open source OS for their transmitters. They may build in more of the configurable features and function chaining like EdgeTX has though.


Sure. My config is nothing special. Here's a run down below.

1. Arm/Disarm button setup
   1. Voice announcement when the state is changed. Voice quality is not great and speaker could be better with more volume.
   2. Change the LED's to GREEN when in Disarmed/Safe state
   3. Change the LED's to RED when system is Armed (ready to drive)
2. Expo configured for ST/TH for my liking per car for the car handling and track setup.
3. Endpoints setup for each car

So really nothing special yet. I'm wanting to setup the dials to control ST expo and then try and do some dynamic adjustment of expo based on speed which will be interesting. I just haven't had the time for much this summer. I finally got out to the track for a race last Saturday... only 2nd time all summer.

This last part sounds very interesting. I can imagine that will take some mixing of telemetry with the radio output to the steering channel. Please come back and let us know what you figure out there, because that would be pretty darned cool.

Another thing I am interested in is can you combine the tilt feature of that extra module (David mentioned it earlier in this thread) with something like 4 wheel steering, but have the tilt feature be applied to only the rear axle servo? I am betting you can do that fairly easily, but I haven't seen anybody try that yet. That is something I bet @MVRCA and other crawler guys would find pretty interesting if it can be done. And based on what I have seen so far, if you can think of a feature to add, it can be programmed into this radio.

 

[Greywolf74]

You guys are making me want one of these radios!

 

[requiem33]

This last part sounds very interesting. I can imagine that will take some mixing of telemetry with the radio output to the steering channel. Please come back and let us know what you figure out there, because that would be pretty darned cool.

Another thing I am interested in is can you combine the tilt feature of that extra module (David mentioned it earlier in this thread) with something like 4 wheel steering, but have the tilt feature be applied to only the rear axle servo? I am betting you can do that fairly easily, but I haven't seen anybody try that yet. That is something I bet @MVRCA and other crawler guys would find pretty interesting if it can be done. And based on what I have seen so far, if you can think of a feature to add, it can be programmed into this radio.

I'm hoping to get some time soon to start tinkering with things again. I'll post updates about the progress and things I do with the MT12 for anyone that's interested.

I've seen the tilt/motion tracker and videos but I don't have the module. I don't have any crawlers so I've not thought about any of the stuff that can be done with 4WS. Sorry.

You guys are making me want one of these radios!

It's a cool transmitter but as I've said before it takes time/effort to learn how to configure it. Considering how cheap it is I figured why not?

 

[WickedFog]

I'm hoping to get some time soon to start tinkering with things again. I'll post updates about the progress and things I do with the MT12 for anyone that's interested.

I've seen the tilt/motion tracker and videos but I don't have the module. I don't have any crawlers so I've not thought about any of the stuff that can be done with 4WS. Sorry.


It's a cool transmitter but as I've said before it takes time/effort to learn how to configure it. Considering how cheap it is I figured why not?

Oh, I see the gyro module is sold separately. $10 for it isn't bad at all. It's crazy though - on Radiomaster's website, you can buy every component of the radio. So if anything breaks, boards go bad, whatever, you can buy parts. And replacement parts are relatively cheap for it.

I'm grabbing one

 

[WickedFog]

So you can play games on the MT12. I saw you can download Tetris for it

 

[DavidB1126]

Like that idea. While waiting for people to come out to the track to get checked in to your race, you can play some short games!

Sounds something that new spektrum ISXR should add. Especially since that radio is touching screen. Imagine playing candy crush shortly while doing the walk of shame to flip yo car over

 

[WickedFog]

It's just a by-product of the radio's powerful firmware. I think it's more meant for showing off.

So far, this radio looks pretty awesome. I will be adding to my guide and such here over the next few weeks. I spent a bit today playing with the settings, and this radio has a ton of stuff you can do with it.

I really want to get the ELRS module for it eventually, along with some of there ELRS receivers to play with some of the telemetry stuff on this radio.

 

[Greywolf74]

OK! OK! You twisted my arm... Now I have one comin'!!!

 

[RetroThutmose]

Oh, I see the gyro module is sold separately. $10 for it isn't bad at all. It's crazy though - on Radiomaster's website, you can buy every component of the radio. So if anything breaks, boards go bad, whatever, you can buy parts. And replacement parts are relatively cheap for it.

I'm grabbing one

i think i saw on the FB page someone had programmed their mt12 with a drive mode to steer by gyro effects, tilting the radio forward/backward and side to side.

i need to setup a drive mode where i can easily adjust the throttle end point for breakout racing.

 

[LibertyMKiii]

I have one and sold off the Noble NB4 which I thought was a really great radio.
The Radio master is so very capable, it can do anything you can dream up. The eLRS is amazing and the RX are small without needing and external antenna (very nice for boats and high speed cars).

The biggest challenge is the menu system is just not intuitive or easy. You need to be a highly technical user to use it. You can see in the videos it is never click into a menu and set the value you want to edit like other radios can. It seems to always be 6+ steps to get in and adjust what you want along with lots of searching to find it because it is always inside of another menu which is inside of another menu.