FrSky Q-X7 - an F3F-ready transmitter for £100!

The FrSky Q-X7 may not have the looks - or price tag - of a premium radio, but don't let that fool you : it punches well above its weight. In this post I'll highlight key aspects of this transmitter, and explain why slope flyers should give it serious consideration.

FrSky Taranis Q-X7

Operating system and features

The Q-X7 comes with OpenTx already installed. It offers the same programming capability as with the X9D, X10 and X12S. In other words it's extremely flexible.

Other features include: external bay for JR-style modules, audio/speech output, vibration alerts, integrated telemetry, and data logging. Pretty darned impressive for a £100 radio!

Widgets

The Q-X7 comes with six switches and two rotary knobs, sufficient for most slope soaring applications. If you need more switches, or sliders (for example for my F3J and F5J templates), then you should be looking at the X9D+.

Batteries

The unit is supplied without batteries. On the positive side, it means you can choose your favourite chemistry (NiMH, or 2/3S Lipo) and use your existing charger. A battery hatch provides access for charging and swapping packs.

Menus

Due to the smaller screen, the programming menus are organised slightly differently compared with the X9D, X10 and X12S, however all the functions are there. A nice touch is the scroll wheel in place of the +/- buttons on the X9D.

Gimbals

The gimbals on the Q-X7 are ball raced and equipped with potentiometers. If you really must have the latest Hall gimbals, then you can replace the stock units with a pair of M7s. Alternatively go for the Q-X7S which has these pre-installed.

FrSky Q-X7S - similar to the Q-X7 but with Hall gimbals and angled switches

RF link

The RF link and supported protocols are the same as that of the X9D Plus.

Ergonomics

If I can find a fault, it's in the rather unergonomic shape of the box. Thumb fliers will find the angular form less than optimal, and pushing the stick in the corners is more of a stretch compared with the X9D.

Summary

All in all, the Q-X7 is an inexpensive but highly capable transmitter. It has all the controls needed for slope soaring, along with the flexibility of OpenTx. The lack of sliders does however limit its use for electric models.

The Q-X7 supports my free F3F template v5.0. Adrian Chapman Law is planning a return to competitive F3F with this combo, here's his video:

Here's Ade again, this time dynamic soaring the Tango:

The total cost of the Tango + Q-X7 is just £900. In conjuction with my F3F template, it makes for an affordable and effective package for F3F - a fact which I hope will encourage more people to dust off their hiking boots, and try out this exciting branch of the hobby.

Links

F3F Template (OpenTx Clinic)
FrSky QX-7