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FrSky announces the TWIN XLite and TWIN XLite S

Wayne

Administrator
Staff member
FrSky has authorized us to share some details on the new X-lite and the new TWIN 2.4 RF system.

First up a quick picture of the S version in the Silver Grey:
TWIN XLite S.jpg


I'm a fan of the Xlite radios and use the current X-lite S but have been waiting for this new version with all the trims and Ethos!! Anything else is a gift, and it looks like they packed in a number of gifts!

Non S version in Charcoal Grey looks like this with Ethos running and the screen in the down position:
x-lite twin.jpg


OK, this is what FrSky says about the S version:

DUAL 2.4G RADIO SYSTEM
The TWIN XLite S is a powerful radio system that features dual 2.4G frequencies simultaneously on the same receiver in TW mode. The TW active-active protocol is different from the general active-standby redundancy solutions, with this protocol, dual 2.4G frequency bands are active on the TWIN series RF module and receiver at the same time. It has two 2.4G internal RF antennas mounted to provide multi- directional and wider coverage for transmitting signals compared to a single antenna design. Taking advantage of these features, the TWIN system can provide less latency and higher reliability at a faster data rate with confidence. It offers resilient RF power options up to 500mW, so this system can ensure long- range control further around tens of kilometers.

In addition to the TW mode, TWIN XLite S also supports ACCST D16, ACCESS, and ELRS 2.4G (Compatible) modes, this means users can benefit from a wide range of compatible receiver options to choose from and bind to when building the RC model.

SLIDE SCREEN & UPGRADED ERGONOMIC COMPACT DESIGN
For a compact and lightweight portable design to carry with, TWIN XLite S radio adopts a 3.5-inch color touch slide-screen, which saves space and ensures the comfort of using other functional trims, buttons, etc. By sliding out the screen, the foldable tab hidden under the screen can be used to attach the strap or other potentially more flexible uses. In addition, TWIN XLite S provides a high-bright matte touch screen, which greatly enhances the visibility of users in strong outdoor sunlight.

The power button and 4 standard trims (for adjusting gimbal sticks) are positioned under the screen. The extra 2 trims and 4 customizable buttons are placed on the radio panel for the convenience of real-time and frequent operation. For example, flying an RC glider, use the extra trims to adjust the angle of the flaps/surface to adapt to the real-time air environment. The momentary buttons, sliders, and switches on the top are easier to reach, and the momentary buttons allow withstanding larger pressure force thanks to the redesigned button cap areas, which bring more comfortable feedback to the fingers.

GYROSCOPE SENSOR

With the integrated 6-axis sensor unit, users can use the TWIN XLite S as a motion-sensing controller to control the inputs of a model during flight or use it to point a camera in the desired direction.

BUILT-IN MASS STORAGE & BATTERY CAPACITY

In order to save the user the trouble of deciding the storage capacity, TWIN XLite S comes with a built-in 4G flash storage that offers plenty of file storage to meet all of your radio's storage needs. And TWIN XLite S included a 4000mAh Li-Po battery, its battery bay is easy to access for replacing the battery and also offers a Type-C port for recharging the battery.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Dimension: 197*131*68mm(L*W*H)
• Weight: 392g(Battery Excl.)/ 459g(Battery Incl.)
• Operating System: ETHOS
• Internal RF Module: TW-ISRM
• Number of Channels: 24 channels
• Operating Voltage Range: 6.5 ~ 8.4V (2S Li-battery)
• Operating Temperature: -10°C~60°C (14°F~140°F)
• Battery Bay Size: 68*44.5*13mm(L*W*H)
• Data Transmission & Charging Interface: USB Type-C
• USB Adaptor Voltage and Current: 5V+0.2V, >2.0A
• Built-in Flash Storage: 4G
• LCD Touch-Screen Display Resolution: 480×320
• Compatibility: ACCST D16 / ACCESS / ELRS(Compatible) / TW modes

FEATURES
• Ergonomic and Compact Lightweight design
• Slide Screen Design
• 3.5'' High Bright Matte Touch Screen
• 6 Trims & 4 Quick-Mode Custom Buttons
• 2 Momentary Buttons & 2 Sliders & 4 Switches on the Top
• Lite Type External Module Bay
• Fordable Tab for Attaching Radio Strap
• CNC Metal Gimbals with Integrated High-Precision Hall Sensor(S)
• Built-in 6-Axis Gyroscope Sensor
• Upgraded Gimbal Stick Ends

• Built-in Dual 2.4G Band Internal RF Module
• Less Latency with More Range and Higher Reliability at a Faster Data Rate
◦ Supports 4 RF protocols: ACCST D16 / ACCESS / ELRS (Compatible) / TW Mode
▪ TW Mode offers:
• Highly resilient RF module providing dual 2.4G signals working simultaneously
• Long-range control (Tens of kilometers, range varies based on the RF Power settings.)
• Low-latency (<4ms) supporting full telemetry
• Built-in Flash Storage
• External TF card slot for storage extension
• Haptic Vibration Alerts and Voice Speech Outputs
• Supports Recharge System for 2S Li-ion Battery
• High-Speed PARA Wireless Training System
• ETHOS Operating System

TWIN XLite: Charcoal Grey
TWIN XLite S: Silver Gray
 
So the big thing will be the new TWIN RF system. Let's discuss this a bit. Please keep in mind I have limited knowledge at this time.

First off, yes there will be some TWIN receivers to take advantage of this new setup.

Why Twin? Why not Tandem? My understanding is the Twin system will have a lower price tag, is more compact and saves weight. The X-lite has been very popular in the glider world, especially F5K where weight and space are super critical. The 900MGz antennas really are not practical in a DLG or many thermal gliders.

My understanding of the Twin system is you have a normal FrSky ACCESS connection along with something like an ELRS connection for redundancy. This is a best guess, and probably wrong, but this is pretty much what FrSky is doing with the Tandem systems, ACCESS is primary and the R9 is redundant that kicks in should the 2.4 have issues.

What is ELRS?
ELRS or Express Long Range System is a new radio control link using LoRa modulation. The goal is to give you a better and more consistent signal with lower latency and longer range. ELRS on 2.4 GHz has been tested to give over 30 km of range @ 100 mW.

A true ELRS system has a limit of about 12 channels. I do not know if that is a limit with the FrSky Twin or not. I suspect it is not a limitation on the FrSky as they are listing 24 channels.

Do you need to buy new receivers? Nope, the radio is backward compatible with ACCST and ACCESS, so your current receivers will work fine.

hope this helps.. Will keep researching.
 
I'm currently bouncing back and forth between an X-Lite Pro and a RadioMaster TX16S. I love the EdgeTX color touchscreen of the TX16S and I love the gimbals and ergonomics of the X-Lite. I've been wanting this combination for a while. Built-in ELRS compatibility is also a huge bonus (I just hacked together an internal ELRS module on the X-Lite Pro). My only concern is the handle bar shape, it doesn't look as ergonomic as the legacy X-Lite.

This radio is the golden bullet to convince me to try out ETHOS and buy another FrSky transmitter. Well done!

Will you be taking preorders at all? I want to get my foot in the door on this one!
 
We try to avoid preorders when possible. We will typically add products when we have shipping confirmation. I just hate selling stuff we don't have yet. But seems people like prebuys on transmitters, so yes, we may well do a short one once we have shipping confirmation from FrSky.
 
FrSky has authorized us to share some details on the new X-lite and the new TWIN 2.4 RF system.

First up a quick picture of the S version in the Silver Grey:
View attachment 12420

I'm a fan of the Xlite radios and use the current X-lite S but have been waiting for this new version with all the trims and Ethos!! Anything else is a gift, and it looks like they packed in a number of gifts!

Non S version in Charcoal Grey looks like this with Ethos running and the screen in the down position:
View attachment 12421

OK, this is what FrSky says about the S version:

DUAL 2.4G RADIO SYSTEM
The TWIN XLite S is a powerful radio system that features dual 2.4G frequencies simultaneously on the same receiver in TW mode. The TW active-active protocol is different from the general active-standby redundancy solutions, with this protocol, dual 2.4G frequency bands are active on the TWIN series RF module and receiver at the same time. It has two 2.4G internal RF antennas mounted to provide multi- directional and wider coverage for transmitting signals compared to a single antenna design. Taking advantage of these features, the TWIN system can provide less latency and higher reliability at a faster data rate with confidence. It offers resilient RF power options up to 500mW, so this system can ensure long- range control further around tens of kilometers.

In addition to the TW mode, TWIN XLite S also supports ACCST D16, ACCESS, and ELRS 2.4G (Compatible) modes, this means users can benefit from a wide range of compatible receiver options to choose from and bind to when building the RC model.

SLIDE SCREEN & UPGRADED ERGONOMIC COMPACT DESIGN
For a compact and lightweight portable design to carry with, TWIN XLite S radio adopts a 3.5-inch color touch slide-screen, which saves space and ensures the comfort of using other functional trims, buttons, etc. By sliding out the screen, the foldable tab hidden under the screen can be used to attach the strap or other potentially more flexible uses. In addition, TWIN XLite S provides a high-bright matte touch screen, which greatly enhances the visibility of users in strong outdoor sunlight.

The power button and 4 standard trims (for adjusting gimbal sticks) are positioned under the screen. The extra 2 trims and 4 customizable buttons are placed on the radio panel for the convenience of real-time and frequent operation. For example, flying an RC glider, use the extra trims to adjust the angle of the flaps/surface to adapt to the real-time air environment. The momentary buttons, sliders, and switches on the top are easier to reach, and the momentary buttons allow withstanding larger pressure force thanks to the redesigned button cap areas, which bring more comfortable feedback to the fingers.

GYROSCOPE SENSOR

With the integrated 6-axis sensor unit, users can use the TWIN XLite S as a motion-sensing controller to control the inputs of a model during flight or use it to point a camera in the desired direction.

BUILT-IN MASS STORAGE & BATTERY CAPACITY

In order to save the user the trouble of deciding the storage capacity, TWIN XLite S comes with a built-in 4G flash storage that offers plenty of file storage to meet all of your radio's storage needs. And TWIN XLite S included a 4000mAh Li-Po battery, its battery bay is easy to access for replacing the battery and also offers a Type-C port for recharging the battery.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Dimension: 197*131*68mm(L*W*H)
• Weight: 392g(Battery Excl.)/ 459g(Battery Incl.)
• Operating System: ETHOS
• Internal RF Module: TW-ISRM
• Number of Channels: 24 channels
• Operating Voltage Range: 6.5 ~ 8.4V (2S Li-battery)
• Operating Temperature: -10°C~60°C (14°F~140°F)
• Battery Bay Size: 68*44.5*13mm(L*W*H)
• Data Transmission & Charging Interface: USB Type-C
• USB Adaptor Voltage and Current: 5V+0.2V, >2.0A
• Built-in Flash Storage: 4G
• LCD Touch-Screen Display Resolution: 480×320
• Compatibility: ACCST D16 / ACCESS / ELRS(Compatible) / TW modes

FEATURES
• Ergonomic and Compact Lightweight design
• Slide Screen Design
• 3.5'' High Bright Matte Touch Screen
• 6 Trims & 4 Quick-Mode Custom Buttons
• 2 Momentary Buttons & 2 Sliders & 4 Switches on the Top
• Lite Type External Module Bay
• Fordable Tab for Attaching Radio Strap
• CNC Metal Gimbals with Integrated High-Precision Hall Sensor(S)
• Built-in 6-Axis Gyroscope Sensor
• Upgraded Gimbal Stick Ends

• Built-in Dual 2.4G Band Internal RF Module
• Less Latency with More Range and Higher Reliability at a Faster Data Rate
◦ Supports 4 RF protocols: ACCST D16 / ACCESS / ELRS (Compatible) / TW Mode
▪ TW Mode offers:
• Highly resilient RF module providing dual 2.4G signals working simultaneously
• Long-range control (Tens of kilometers, range varies based on the RF Power settings.)
• Low-latency (<4ms) supporting full telemetry
• Built-in Flash Storage
• External TF card slot for storage extension
• Haptic Vibration Alerts and Voice Speech Outputs
• Supports Recharge System for 2S Li-ion Battery
• High-Speed PARA Wireless Training System
• ETHOS Operating System

TWIN XLite: Charcoal Grey
TWIN XLite S: Silver Gray
I was waiting for this for a long time. So I'm happy to hear that, 😊
 
FrSky is kind of horrible on releases. We used to release everything for them, then they started doing it from China.

We really wish they would release to everyone at the same time.
 
FrSky is kind of horrible on releases. We used to release everything for them, then they started doing it from China.

We really wish they would release to everyone at the same time.
Dam so no idea huh? On their site it says available tho
 
Any ideas whether Frsky will introduce a full-size-footprint transmitter with the TWIN RF system in the near future, along the lines of the X18/X20? I know there is a TWIN RF module currently, but I'd be interested in an X18 with TWIN RF!
Thanks!
 
Yeah, I'll have to find out. Originally I hated the idea of TWIN since we already had Tandem, but now see TWIN has advantages for thermal glider pilots.
 
Can we not run the Twin receivers on the X20/18 TX?

Was looking at the Twin RXs the other day. I think I just assumed we could. This is FrSky though! 🤔
 
Please put me on the list for an S model. When compared to other major brands I think the price is very good for what you get.
 
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