Radio Review: Spektrum/ Horizon Hobby iX12
AN INTELLIGENT RADIO THAT MAKES PROGRAMMING EASY
An intelligent radio that makes programming easy
When it comes to radio innovation, Spektrum is one of the leaders in the field. Spektrum was the first to bring 2.4GHz connection to the flying market, and from that point on, it has never looked back. The new Spektrum iX12 transmitter is a perfect example of innovation and technological advancement. To start, this transmitter has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It also has programming that’s easy to tap into—literally—with a touchscreen that is an Android-powered interface. There has been a lot of talk online about this transmitter—and for good reason: This thing is really tricked out with features we’ve never before had in a transmitter.
UNIQUE FEATURES
The first thing we need to talk about is the 4-inch Android touchscreen that makes programming this radio a snap, with easyto-understand menus that are simple to use. You can even download the user manual and read it right on the screen. I must point out, however, that I programmed my first aircraft on it without reading one page of that manual.
Wi-Fi connectivity keeps the iX12 up to date with automatic program updates, plus it allows you to download model setups and install third-party apps. You can also listen to music on Spotify or Pandora, or update your Facebook status just before flying. Its Bluetooth connectivity allows the use of wireless earbuds, headset, and speakers. In addition, Bluetooth makes it easy to share files, like plane setups, from transmitter to transmitter. While all this is useful, let’s look at the main function of this radio as a RC transmitter.
ERGONOMICS
Of utmost importance is the feel of the transmitter in your hands. The iX12 is quite comfortable and easy to hold and to operate. It has nonslip rubber grips, and both sticks are adjustable in stick length and travel range (I kept the standard setup). All the switches are in easyto-reach spots, and your fingers can fit between them and not accidently hit the wrong one. This comes into play when you’re trying not to look away from the aircraft and make the correct flight-mode changes. In addition, all the switches are assigned by the user, which is perfect for someone like me who doesn’t always use the standard switch placement for certain functions.
The overall weight of this transmitter is just right, and it feels balanced when you’re holding it. While the touchscreen is large for a transmitter screen, it is smaller than that of my smartphone; even so, I didn’t have any issues with typing or selecting function buttons on the display. As with many transmitters,
the gimbals have adjustments for tension, ratcheting, and travel, but on the iX12, they are accessible through the front; there is no need to disassemble the transmitter to make these changes. That is a nice feature to have when you make small changes to the gimbals. Working my way around the iX12 is easy to do, and when you have to use it at events, you will find that it is an easy transmitter to hang on to all day long.
MAIN DISPLAY
As I already mentioned, the main display is large for a transmitter, and this makes it simple to use. In addition, it is bright and easy to see even on a sunny day. The screen features an Android interface, which many of us are used to working with, and this alone makes it easy to navigate. The sensitivity of the screen is just about right, so you don’t erroneously hit buttons or menus while navigating the programming. While I did not need it for my initial programming and plane setup, I did eventually download the manual and read it on the iX12 screen. I am not one who is used to reading off my smartphone screen, so I figured it would be difficult, but it was, in fact, easy to do, and I read through the entire manual (more than 300 pages) in less than a week.
The main screen has most of the important information on it, such as the name of the current model (including a photo that you can upload to the transmitter via Wi-Fi), bind button, and current throttle position. In addition, it has a cumulative plane timer, transmitter battery level, volume control, trim locations, two programmable timers, and tabs to get to the Model Adjust, Model Setup, and System Settings menus. Everything is laid out so that it is easy to press and move to the needed submenu screens.
The iX12 has text to speech and macros you can program into the system that will announce an almost infinite number of phrases, sounds, and data (such as actual rpm, battery voltage, distance from transmitter, altitude, temperature, and G-force). You can also program in warnings so that when a preset threshold (like a low battery voltage or maximum temperature) is reached, a voice will make that announcement.
PROGRAMMING
This is where this iX12 transmitter really shines. Programming is intuitive and flows well from menu to menu. Most menu screens have some type of visual representation of the function you are changing. If numbers or percentages are needed, you can use the slider to make large changes or the plus and minus symbols to make single-digit adjustments. Dual rates and exponential have numbers and a visual representation of the exponential percentages entered so that the pilot can see exactly what is being programmed in. Menus that have directions, such as the Range Test screen, have the text instruction along with a simple pictogram showing the progress. The color touchscreen has good contrast, which makes it easy to see what you are doing in any light.
As mentioned previously, I programmed in my first plane without ever looking at the manual, and it was easy to do. The progression from setting to setting is well organized in the menu structure, and setting up the servos and all their functions was a breeze. The System Settings menu is not needed for the setup unless you need to calibrate the sticks or want to read the manual.
The Model Setup menu is where I started. It has the Bind menu, which is much easier than the way we had to do it when we first started flying 2.4GHz. This also includes the Aircraft Type, Flight Mode Setup, and Channel Assignment menus, along with timers. There is an extensive and customizable Telemetry menu that provides just about any monitoring you want on your plane, as long as you have
the sensor for it. Other menus that can be used after the initial plane setup are the Frame Rate, Analog Switch Setup, Trainer, Range Test (use this before your first flight), Model Start Warning, Trim Setup (to adjust the trim steps), Serial Port Setup, and Audio Events.
When I had the aircraft type selected and did the binding, I moved over to the Model Adjust tab and did most of my plane setup there. This has the Servo Setup menu, which has submenus dealing with reversing, travel, subtrim, speed, absolute travel, and balanced adjustments for all the channels. The next menu in the list is the Dual Rates and Exponential button. When you’re in this screen, you can select and adjust these functions for the elevator, ailerons, and rudder. The next two buttons deal with the throttle cut and throttle curve. An AS3X button opens up a menu that allows the adjustment of the gains and rate for all the channels for the AS3X system. The Flap System screen lets me set my flap switch, adjust the flap speed, and select how much mixing I want for my elevator. If needed, there is a mixing screen button (with 15 different mixes) as well as differential, sequencer, and video transmitter buttons for the appropriate screens for making these adjustments.
Finding and making the correct adjustments on this radio is incredibly easy. Even though I did all of the programming without reading the manual, once I sat down and read it, I found many shortcuts and more efficient ways of doing things.
USING THE iX12
One of the nice things about having adjustments that are easy to make on the transmitter is that it allows for onthefly programming at the field, such as readjusting exponential rates or finding the appropriate throttle curve. Another perk is having a transmitter that can accommodate 250 models; it is easy to switch between them, and you can quickly make any adjustment you need.
When I first started the transmitter, it took about a minute and half to come into the main screen, and I thought that might be a downside with this radio. But I soon found out about the Sleep mode, which works much like that on our smartphone. When I get to the field, I boot up the iX12. When everything is running, I doubletap the power button, and a Sleep Mode screen comes on. A long press on the screen and the transmitter goes into Sleep mode, so the radio frequency is not broadcasting and the screen goes off. The Spektrum LED indicator lights have an off/on glow to them to signal that the iX12 is in powersaving mode. With a single tap on the power button, the transmitter instantaneously powers up and is ready to go. At the end of the flying day, a long press on the power button turns off the transmitter completely.
The 6000mAh lithiumion battery is fantastic, and you won’t believe how long it can run; I had the transmitter on all day and it only went down to 58% power! In addition, one nice feature (that I didn’t realize at the time) is the USB charger. It is easy for me to keep this transmitter at full power using the same connections I have for my phone and tablets.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It is difficult to write in just a few paragraphs about all the features that this groundbreaking radio has to offer. This could literally be the very last radio you ever need. The Spektrum iX12 can easily be updated with new features, which may not even be available as yet. To keep this transmitter on the cutting edge, you’ll want to update it as soon as any improvements are available. Add to that the large 250model memory and ease of programming, and you really have to ask yourself, “Why haven’t I already ordered one?”