I'm looking for opinions on running Ethos versus OpenTx. I'm considering buying a new radio and will have a choice of which OS to run. I've been using OpenTx for about 10 years so I'm very familiar with that. Are there advantages to switching over to Ethos? If there's already a discussion with this subject please point me to it.
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Ethos vs OpenTx
- Thread starter Laury415
- Start date
Both OpenTX and Ethos are very good operating systems.
Development of OpenTX has come to an end with further development now being done in a variant called EdgeTX which is still moving forward with a different group of Open source developers.
Ethos is a FRsky only OS and has taken what was done in OpenTX and moving it in a new direction. Some would say Ethos is a simplified version of OpenTX operationally and utilizing all of the new FRsky hardware in a single hardware platform. So Ethos does not run on all of the other clone hardware platforms.
The FRsky X20 series and X18 series radios only run Ethos. These are very good radios and can still operate with all of the previous X series receivers as well as the new Archer series receivers. FRsky is doing a lot of development on this new range of receivers. One of the very big developments is the X20 and X18 can run both 2.4g and 900meg receivers at the same time using one of the new TANDEM receivers. The previous X10 and other clones cannot offer this function directly and would require plugging in an additional module in the module bay.
The FRsky X10 series radios can run OpenTX or Ethos but cannot support TANDEM format.
So there is a choice if you are in the market for a new radio.
Development of OpenTX has come to an end with further development now being done in a variant called EdgeTX which is still moving forward with a different group of Open source developers.
Ethos is a FRsky only OS and has taken what was done in OpenTX and moving it in a new direction. Some would say Ethos is a simplified version of OpenTX operationally and utilizing all of the new FRsky hardware in a single hardware platform. So Ethos does not run on all of the other clone hardware platforms.
The FRsky X20 series and X18 series radios only run Ethos. These are very good radios and can still operate with all of the previous X series receivers as well as the new Archer series receivers. FRsky is doing a lot of development on this new range of receivers. One of the very big developments is the X20 and X18 can run both 2.4g and 900meg receivers at the same time using one of the new TANDEM receivers. The previous X10 and other clones cannot offer this function directly and would require plugging in an additional module in the module bay.
The FRsky X10 series radios can run OpenTX or Ethos but cannot support TANDEM format.
So there is a choice if you are in the market for a new radio.
Thanks Henny. I'm currently using a FrSky X10s Express radio with OpenTx. Lately I've been getting "low or critically low" RF signal messages which is making me think about the Tandem freq. feature of the X20 radio. That's why I was interested in hearing about Ethos. The only other question would be transferring over my existing OpenTx models to Ethos. Is there a way to transfer or do I have to rebuild all of my models?
OK - to compare OpenTX and Ethos, they both have about the same features and functions. The basic concepts are the same, but in Ethos things are much easier, and a lot less page flipping to dial things in. A LOT LESS!
In Ethos you have pre-defined mixes like flaps, butterfly, aileron to rudder, etc. There are a bunch of them. In OpenTX these sorts of mixes do not exist, you but they can be created manually. This saves a ton of time. Something as simple as an elevon mix for example, it is there and it works. Woohoo. When messing with curves for example, it is right there in the mix, not need to change pages to adjust the curve.
Now if you want to program the same way you did in OpenTX, no problem, all of that power is there!
The best thing I can say about Ethos compared to OpenTX is that we used to have a steady return rate on OpenTX radios. Some people just HATED OpenTX. That is now a thing of the past, we do not have any complaints from folks running the X18 or X20 radios or even the X10S radios on Ethos. Rock solid radios with a great programming environment that people seem to be able to use without too much trouble.
I am still surprised with all of the nice little things that are tucked away in Ethos.
Hope this will help some..
In Ethos you have pre-defined mixes like flaps, butterfly, aileron to rudder, etc. There are a bunch of them. In OpenTX these sorts of mixes do not exist, you but they can be created manually. This saves a ton of time. Something as simple as an elevon mix for example, it is there and it works. Woohoo. When messing with curves for example, it is right there in the mix, not need to change pages to adjust the curve.
Now if you want to program the same way you did in OpenTX, no problem, all of that power is there!
The best thing I can say about Ethos compared to OpenTX is that we used to have a steady return rate on OpenTX radios. Some people just HATED OpenTX. That is now a thing of the past, we do not have any complaints from folks running the X18 or X20 radios or even the X10S radios on Ethos. Rock solid radios with a great programming environment that people seem to be able to use without too much trouble.
I am still surprised with all of the nice little things that are tucked away in Ethos.
Hope this will help some..
Ethos presently does not have a companion style of computer interface. There is a computer interface but this is mainly to perform firmware updates.
I agree with Wayne in that operationally Ethos is easier to program compared to OpenTX. Some of the function naming is the same as OpenTX so moving from Opentx to Ethos will have a much shorter learning process. With regards to low or critically low RF wont change with Ethos. Unless you are flying at great distances 2.4g is up to the task. You must have some other issues that is causing these errors.
I would also note that you should be able to load Ethos onto your existing radio to try it out. I like Ethos for the reasons mentioned above, it has a very similar setup style, but with the additional ease of a friendlier UI and more canned mixes. The other thing I REALLY like is the touchscreen. I bought the X20S and love the ability to do everything from the screen. So much faster and easier. As noted, there is not yet a "companion" but I don't find that it is really as required as I felt it was on OpenTx. I think that is due to both the friendlier UI and the touchscreen, as the pair of them make it very quick and easy to get what I want done.
That is a good point. In OpenTX I always wanted to do my big work in Companion and then fine tune in the radio. With Ethos I have no such desire, perfectly happy to stay on the radio.
I just purchased an X20 because it was an Ethos based system. Fifty years ago I was very fluent in IBM assemble language, but today I was not ready to tackle OpenTX. Ethos seems just right for old guy like me. In the past I have flown Spectrum, Airtronics, Futaba radios. Looking forward to a new X20 Ethos radio. Chuck
Hi Charlie most of us are older gentlemen so join the crew. There are plenty of Videos on Youtube to help you. Or in Australia my wife calls them old farts.
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