Mads had a long chat with Lee from Painless360 and a question stuck. Why did the Taranis get the basics right, and why has nobody cloned that formula for the FpV hobby market?
TL:DR
The Taranis hit the balance of size, controls and price. Modern handsets add features but lose ergonomics and sliders. An updated Taranis with ELRS and EdgeTX would sell to the FpV hobby crowd like hotcakes.
What made the original FrSky Taranis special
The Taranis combined full-size gimbals, an accessible switch layout and side potentiometers. It worked equally well for planes, quads and ground rigs. That versatility matters to the FpV hobbyist who flies varied craft.
Design details that still matter
Sliders and pots let you fine-tune trims and aux functions without menu gymnastics. Trims sit between gimbals. The arming switch lands on the back. The monochrome display stays readable outdoors. These are practical choices, not nostalgia.
Where current radios miss the mark
Radios like the RadioMaster TX16S and GX12 add power and screens. They also bulk up the chassis. That extra height and depth breaks the ergonomic sweet spot the Taranis hit. Bigger is not always better for everyday use.
Mid-size entrants such as the TX15 and Boxer aim for portability. They suit racing quads but often drop sliders and sliders-like control. That trade-off makes them less useful for fixed-wing pilots and anyone who values real-time analog control.
The simple wishlist manufacturers should copy
Keep the Taranis footprint and ergonomics. Keep side potentiometers and multiple three-position switches. Add a built-in 1W ExpressLRS radio, modern battery bay, and EdgeTX firmware. Resist putting a glossy colour screen in the middle of the ergonomics.
Practical notes for buyers today
You can still buy a Taranis today. It runs OpenTX 2.1.9 and remains capable. If you prefer ELRS, the TX16S accepts JR-size modules. But expect different ergonomics and deeper cases. Choose function over fashion if you fly mixed craft.
Is the Taranis still a good buy for new pilots?
Yes. The Taranis remains mechanically robust, affordable, and versatile. Its firmware may be older, but the handset's controls still outshine many newer radios for mixed use.
Can I add ExpressLRS to a Taranis?
Yes. The Taranis has a full-size JR module bay. You can install an ExpressLRS module and keep the original ergonomics. That gets modern range and latency without buying a new transmitter.
What would a modern Taranis need to sell well?
A better battery bay, built-in 1W ELRS, EdgeTX and the original switch and slider layout. No colour screen, please—keep legibility and the control layout intact.
Takeaway: The whole-works ergonomics of the Taranis beat spec sheets. Keep the layout; update the guts.
Takeaway: For the FpV hobby, sliders and tactile controls speed setup and save headaches mid-flight.
Takeaway: If you make a Taranis 2.0 with ELRS and EdgeTX, you will sell to pilots who still value tools that work.
This article was based from the video Why Don't They Make More Radios Like This ? - The FrSky Taranis
