TBS Tango

[Gundummy]

Any thoughts on trappys latest offering?

http://www.team-blacksheep.com/products/prod:tango

[Bertie]

Waaaaaaay overpriced especially when you consider it doesn't actually come with a module!
I`m pretty sure I saw these a while ago and these have been rebranded with TBS moniker etc.
If it was half the price I could be tempted.

[BlueFlyer]

I had a massive rant on his product thread over on FPVLab...

It's not a "normal" tx.... it's purely for miniquads only. Instead of assigning the channels yourself like you would in a taranis or 9XR, you select a "model" in the menu which corresponds to the flight controller in your miniquad.

This chosen pre-configured model already has the sticks and switches assigned to the "modes" in that flight controller... all changes are then made within the flight controllers GUI.

So you couldn't fly a fixed wing aircraft using this TBS Tango, unless you had one of the "supported" flight controllers between your RC receiver and the servos/ESC.

There's no way of creating a blank model and being able to assign channels yourself, no way of reversing channels on the handset if they're going the wrong way, no way of adding expo or dual rates or changing endpoints.

The handset itself is actually quite "dumb" and to be honest, it's a massive gimmick in my opinion. Someone would be much more better off spending half that sum on a Taranis.

I confronted trappy on his thread and he flat out admitted that this handset is geared towards miniquads only and people who either a) can't be bothered learning how to configure a "normal" tx, b) too stupid to configure a normal tx or c) more money than sense type NOOBS who just want things to work.

Basically, it's designed to be able to be bound to a pre-configured miniquad and to fly it within minutes.

Oh, but it has a built in 5.8 receiver and a monitor that won't be used for flying from as everyone will be wearing goggles with those diversity modules... so yet more "tech" in an item that you're paying for but won't need.

If you like the games console style handset, but want to pay a sensible price... check this out, comes with RF module built in, and a receiver to go in your model.

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/fpv-racer-radio-mode-2-black.html

[Bertie]

I wonder if they hit the bargain bin if someone will rework the firmware and make it useful?

[Gundummy]

So.... actually arse then!!! Lol

[BlueFlyer]

It's great for people who give zero f#&@s about the hobby, and just want to get into drone racing.

Or good as a gimmicky item for people with lots of money.

But for the rest if us...  Pants

[Benrat]

I think your jumping the gun with your TANGO review.  The tango makes things simpler, its the anti Taranis.

When it came out Trappy said it would be limited at first, then would be updated in the coming months.

As of just today it does just about everything you say it does not.
(For all the TBS Tango users I'm happy to announce a new BETA including all the tasty stuff you were waiting for!

V1.11 2016.12.12
- added: Flying wing mixer
- added: Free mapping for each channel function
- added: Min, Max, Mid and reverse setting for each channel
- added: FrSky S.PORT telemetry based voltage warning
- added: Adjustable buzzer volume
- improved: Center deadband for Dial E and F added
- improved: Exponential trimm for better stick center accuracy
- improved: Countdown timer settings are stored by drone, start trigger set to 20% throttle
and timer doesn't start in USB joystick mode

As a lot of things changed internally please make sure everything is working properly before you fly.
I'd like to say a big thank you @cracymarc for your support on this release! )

i have a Spektrum Dx8G2, It's garbage. I got a Tango / Crossfire to control my Wings and FPV Quads.

The 5.8ghz VRX on the tango is really impressive. I plug my fat sharks directly into the tango for my video and power. The reception is far superior to my Laforge Diversity. Check out this vid of a guy in a parking garage with a quad receiver ground station. In the video it shows his Tango's Video feed.

All my buddies with Taranis called it a game boy and mocked it like you are doing now. After they used it once they were sold on the ergonomics, & Video Feed. Now that is will also show FrSky RSSI & Flight Pack Voltage there is no reason to get a Taranis.

[BlueFlyer]

I think your jumping the gun with your TANGO review.

Not really, considering it was factually correct when I typed it... if it was only today the new update was released

there is no reason to get a Taranis.

The TANGO is aimed at miniquad racers... there are still plenty of reasons other parts of the hobby would want or need what a Taranis provides.

At the end of the day it's a TBS product, so of course it's going to be overpriced and over the top.

I have no need or use for one as I already have a Taranis, if I want a smaller form factor TX for flying my mini wing or even a miniquad, I'll not be spending hundreds of quid on a TANGO, I'd get a Turnigy Evolution for £60 which I won't have to pay extra for a RF module and receiver.

[English Turbines]

  That Turnigy Evolution looked ok for the money Blue...I agree....I was thinking it would be great for doing indoor meets its so compact.

  Ok, its a bit gimmicky, but for $70 and you get a sppm capable receiver.....That's not so bad.......I dont suppose for a minute its in the HK UK Warehouse though.

           :vulture:

   

   

[BlueFlyer]

.I dont suppose for a minute its in the HK UK Warehouse though.

It certainly is... but only in black

[Ratty]

  That Turnigy Evolution looked ok for the money Blue...I agree....I was thinking it would be great for doing indoor meets its so compact.

  Ok, its a bit gimmicky, but for $70 and you get a sppm capable receiver.....That's not so bad.......I dont suppose for a minute its in the HK UK Warehouse though.

           :vulture:

   

   

A few of the quad guys have tried the Evo, and they all agreed the stick tension is too loose. That and the shorter sticks makes it feel a bit twitchy to fly.

If you do want one, i think some of them will be selling theirs on so can always ask if you would like.

[BlueFlyer]

Stick tension can be changed easily by taking the back off and tightening some screws inside. Also, the sticks are adjustable like most TXs I know.

But by all means, I'd quite fancy one if someone is willing to let one go for a good price... let me know please :) I almost pushed the button on one yesterday to take with me when I take my mini hornet out.

[Trappy]

Waaaaaaay overpriced especially when you consider it doesn't actually come with a module!
I`m pretty sure I saw these a while ago and these have been rebranded with TBS moniker etc.
If it was half the price I could be tempted.

They absolutely have not been rebranded. I worked on this for 2 years myself, EVERYTHING you touch and don't touch in the tango has been made by TBS. The only thing we didn't make was the batteries. If it was half price it would have half of the features.

[Trappy]

I had a massive rant on his product thread over on FPVLab...

It's not a "normal" tx.... it's purely for miniquads only. Instead of assigning the channels yourself like you would in a taranis or 9XR, you select a "model" in the menu which corresponds to the flight controller in your miniquad.

This chosen pre-configured model already has the sticks and switches assigned to the "modes" in that flight controller... all changes are then made within the flight controllers GUI.

So you couldn't fly a fixed wing aircraft using this TBS Tango, unless you had one of the "supported" flight controllers between your RC receiver and the servos/ESC.

There's no way of creating a blank model and being able to assign channels yourself, no way of reversing channels on the handset if they're going the wrong way, no way of adding expo or dual rates or changing endpoints.

The handset itself is actually quite "dumb" and to be honest, it's a massive gimmick in my opinion. Someone would be much more better off spending half that sum on a Taranis.

I confronted trappy on his thread and he flat out admitted that this handset is geared towards miniquads only and people who either a) can't be bothered learning how to configure a "normal" tx, b) too stupid to configure a normal tx or c) more money than sense type NOOBS who just want things to work.

Basically, it's designed to be able to be bound to a pre-configured miniquad and to fly it within minutes.

Oh, but it has a built in 5.8 receiver and a monitor that won't be used for flying from as everyone will be wearing goggles with those diversity modules... so yet more "tech" in an item that you're paying for but won't need.

If you like the games console style handset, but want to pay a sensible price... check this out, comes with RF module built in, and a receiver to go in your model.

Our receiver outperforms diversity modules, you can connect goggles to the Tango and you won't even have to power them anymore. So, it directly replaces your diversity modules, and that will save you $100 already. The battery another $20. The monitor is a nice extra to have when you're setting up stuff, or testing. A lot of people also fly their tinywhoops through it, as wearing goggles at home for extended periods of time may not be comfortable, or very social (there's a lot of tinywhoop parties being thrown these days).

the Tango was built to just work. If you like setting things up and having customization options every step of the way - please, go overboard and do just that. But, what I don't understand and what makes me think you're just in this to trash the Tango, is why you would recommend the Taranis or the Evolution as a replacement. First of all, the Tango is exactly the same price as a Taranis + Diversity module + Goggle battery vs. Tango + XJT. So you're not saving any money, you're just moving money around, and you get less convenience on the VRx vs. more programming options. The TGY evolution won't have the capability to run anything except for flysky, which we all know is nowhere near as good as the FrSky protocol, or the Crossfire. So, you actually have LESS options, especially for wings and other FPV planes, where you are extremely likely to go out beyond 1-2 miles. And if you want to fly a micro quad, guess what, you'll still be buying a Taranis or a Spektrum remote.

On top of all this, you now have mixer functions, stick reversal functions, and all the other stuff that shouldn't even be available on a remote but some people just can't seem to live without. So, you can go and knock yourself out and lose resolution by setting Expo, breaking cross-compatibility between models by reversing channels, etc etc. I know I will not be using any of these features in my Tango, because when I fly with friends, I can just go "hey, can I try yours?" and grab their RF module. And then fly with my remote control. Or I can bring 2 Tangos to the field, and in case I forgot to charge one, I can just move the RF modules over to the other one and continue flying.

It's these things that are moving the industry and the way we play forward. If you think about it a little bit more sensibly, look at how the technology on the drone has changed. 10 years ago nobody would have dreamed that you could connect your R/C plane via USB to your computer and configure everything. Yet the programming options and every interaction you want to have with the model not only hasn't changed, any introduction of new ideas seems to be shot down as "NOOB" ways of doing things. The arrogance in this way of thinking is mind-blowing :) It's in line with the stupidity of still claiming we "re-brand" stuff. The only stuff we sell as rebranded comes with a very clear indication of where it came from in our store.

TBS now makes everything except for FPV goggles, batteries, screws and motors in our very own facilities here in Hong Kong. Yes, we lay up carbon fiber. Yes, we solder PCBs. So, when I look out into the production floor and I see all this amazing shit being assembled, when I walk through our engineering office and I see the next 6-12 months of the future of FPV, I can't help but wonder where these allegations of re-branding come from. I mean, someone had to have the ill intention of accusing us of doing things we clearly aren't. And then there had to be someone sufficiently stupid to regurgitate this crap here on the forums. And you're doing it not to some company that is sucking this industry dry by offering break-neck prices with zero re-investment into the hobby or R&D. You're actually doing it to TBS, the very company that has thought of most of the things that you are using now. You're calling us out to be re-branding. You say our stuff is overpriced simply because we are the ones who actually pay engineers to develop stuff, rather than imitate our way out of a serious engineering department. It's sickening and hilariously stupid at the same time.

The TGY Evolution is a FlySky i6 in a different case. The FrSky Taranis is an exact replica of the JR MX22, with code developed by the community for a Turnigy E9X. Where are all the rebrand allegations for Taranis and i6? Or is that just not "anti-TBS" or factually incorrect enough for ya ...

That will be all for me. Have a nice day.

[CurryKitten]

It seems to me that if the Tango also had the ability to program every switch and setting like a 'normal' radio like the Taranis, then nobody could really find fault with it.

I get the idea, it's an easy entry for this new lot of people coming into the job keen to race mini quads without getting involved in the longer learning curve of a more traditional radio.  But I don't understand why you wouldn't just want to keep this very instant setups it has for a Betaflight quad and the other presets, but then also have a "pro" mode where you can change everything to be everything... much like the OpenTX firmware manages.

Best of both worlds surely... why not offer it ?

(Hopefully Trappy will answer, as it looks like he's gone off in a bit of a huff)