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X18 vs x20s
- Thread starter lleston2
- Start date
InclinedPlane
New User
I would like to know what the differences are between the two radio's. As far as I can see is the screen resolution difference, but what else?
Very little. Other than stated above. Think there is one less slider. Think the resolution of the screen is the same, but it is a bit smaller.
My buying advise:
Budget- Get the X18. Best price on an Ethos radio. This is a really nice radio.
If you have bluetooth hearing aids and would like to pair them to the radio, then get the X20S as it has this option.
That is my simple way of looking at them.
For me I might get the X18S as the extra memory might come into play as I have a large fleet of planes I tend to store in my radios, and most of them have complex mixing that takes up some extra space. I'm not the guy that typically has a flashy radio, my current radios are an old X7S and an X-lite S. Kind of funny considering I own a hobby shop but use under $200 radios.
I really like the Ethos radios, I don't think you will regret any of them. The build quality is great, they look great, and they are easy to use compared to all other radios on the market regardless of price point. I have always said you can compare a $100 FrSky to a $2,000 radio from some other brand and the FrSky will come out the winner. With Ethos, added in, we are now easy to use too. OpenTX was a challenge for many.
My buying advise:
Budget- Get the X18. Best price on an Ethos radio. This is a really nice radio.
If you have bluetooth hearing aids and would like to pair them to the radio, then get the X20S as it has this option.
That is my simple way of looking at them.
For me I might get the X18S as the extra memory might come into play as I have a large fleet of planes I tend to store in my radios, and most of them have complex mixing that takes up some extra space. I'm not the guy that typically has a flashy radio, my current radios are an old X7S and an X-lite S. Kind of funny considering I own a hobby shop but use under $200 radios.
I really like the Ethos radios, I don't think you will regret any of them. The build quality is great, they look great, and they are easy to use compared to all other radios on the market regardless of price point. I have always said you can compare a $100 FrSky to a $2,000 radio from some other brand and the FrSky will come out the winner. With Ethos, added in, we are now easy to use too. OpenTX was a challenge for many.
getsuyoubi
Active User
I think the old advise still applies - buy the best radio you can afford!
With FrSky you have the advantage that every radio can essentially do the same - same large number of channels (24 for X18 and X20, 16/32 for the OpenTX radios - I believe the latter is still correct), and a super flexible operating system (ETHOS or OpenTX) that allows you to do pretty much anything you can think of. With all other brands you have to first and foremost decide on the number of channels, and you may always end up needing just one more than you have - be it 7 instead of 6, 10 instead of 9, or whatever.
With FrSky you have the advantage that every radio can essentially do the same - same large number of channels (24 for X18 and X20, 16/32 for the OpenTX radios - I believe the latter is still correct), and a super flexible operating system (ETHOS or OpenTX) that allows you to do pretty much anything you can think of. With all other brands you have to first and foremost decide on the number of channels, and you may always end up needing just one more than you have - be it 7 instead of 6, 10 instead of 9, or whatever.
Hill Hobbit
Very Strong User
Having flown a mate’s x20s,I bought a blue x18s. This radio is what I’ve always wanted, as I have small hands. It’s fairly light, and the cnc gimbals are superb. The build quality is, IMHO, pretty darn good, especially for the price. This is from someone that’s got two Jeti radios too.
It’s light years ahead of the x9d tx’s I’ve had in the past, although they are still a great favourite of mine due to their ergonomics, but the x18/s has the gimbals closer to the sides of the case which means no stretching when going for full stick throw diagonally.
As you can see, I like the x18/s, and so does another mate who’s going to sell his DX8 and DX9 radios to get himself one!
It’s light years ahead of the x9d tx’s I’ve had in the past, although they are still a great favourite of mine due to their ergonomics, but the x18/s has the gimbals closer to the sides of the case which means no stretching when going for full stick throw diagonally.
As you can see, I like the x18/s, and so does another mate who’s going to sell his DX8 and DX9 radios to get himself one!
Hill Hobbit
Very Strong User
You’re welcome Wayne, I’m just telling it like it is though. Internally, the x18/s is right there quality wise, and externally the trims have NO play in them whatsoever, which just feels right.
The fact that Mike Shellim’s full house sloper template is available for ETHOS sealed the deal, just as it did when I and some of my flying buddies bought x9d’s for sloping using OTX.
The fact that Mike Shellim’s full house sloper template is available for ETHOS sealed the deal, just as it did when I and some of my flying buddies bought x9d’s for sloping using OTX.
Hello. I’m currently using a Horus X10s Express. I am confident I don’t need a radio with more features than that. I would like something a little lighter, and the size/weight of the X18 and X20 are very appealing to me. Comparing to the Horus, is there any reason why the X20 would be a better choice than the X18?
Also are there any issues with transferring models from the OTX to the ETHOS radio? Thanks for any opinions or advice!
Also are there any issues with transferring models from the OTX to the ETHOS radio? Thanks for any opinions or advice!
Hawaii Sloper
Very Strong User
It literally took me less than 5 minutes to register, bind and program my new 4-6 channel Dream Flight AHI sloper last night with my FRSKY X20 and a FRSKY ARCHER ACCESS R6 Rx. Absolutely love this radio! I also bought the FRSKY USB sim stick @Wayne sells and the X20 works perfectly on my Windows 10 computer with Aerofly, PicaSim, and numerous FPV drone sims, so the kids can get a lot of stick time in before wrecking you're entire fleet of planes. I have owned Futaba and JR radios in the past and have to say the X20 is the nicest radio I have owned. I have medium sized hands and think full diagonal stick throw to the inside is just a tiny stretch for me, otherwise very comfortable to hold, not very heavy, easy to program.
Kelly
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Hawaii Sloper
Very Strong User
Buy one and then you won't have to lament not knowing someone who owns one!
I held off for a while but am really happy with the X20 from Aloft.BTW... please buy from Aloft if you're not a current customer. Best possible customer service around. Also use Zelle when you order, It saves Aloft a lot of money. I was unsure of using it at first but it has been really simple.
Kelly
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mikelansford
New User
Glad this thread popped up lol. My son just purchased me a X18 from aloft for Christmas. I am transitioning over from spektrum. Looking forward to the transition and I fly all electric planes.
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Mike
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The X18 is a little newer and they made one major change to the radio IMHO, they added some internal memory. The X18 does not need an SD card, the X20 pretty much has to have one. Other than that, pretty much the same, slightly different sizes and the 20 has a few more sliders.. The X20S has bluetooth audio and the gimbals can be rotated out of axis slightly.
