Comparison iFlight Commando 8 vs TBS Tango 2

The presence of a display controller in the design and the type of installed matrix.

The screen in remote controls for RC models can play different roles. Thus, it is possible to display a picture from the camera in real time on a color display, and service parameters are often superimposed on top of it (for example, flight altitude, speed, remaining battery charge level, all sorts of service notifications, etc.). Monochrome screens are usually assigned other tasks - first of all, they are responsible for tracking telemetry (for more details, see the corresponding paragraph).

It is customary to equip advanced controllers for RC models with a display. Simple remote controls are often presented without a display. And according to the types of matrices, there are the following screen options in controllers:

- OLED. In the context of control controllers, OLED screens usually mean the simplest solutions with a black backing and white symbols for displaying settings and/or various service information. Such displays are based on organic light-emitting diodes, and their key advantage is the ability to easily read the displayed information in poor ambient lighting.

- LCD. As a rule, these are the simplest monochrome screens - either segmented to display a limited set of characters, or based on a...single-color LCD matrix, suitable for text and basic graphic information. LCD screens provide additional convenience: they can display various important data, for example, the flight altitude of a conventional quadcopter, the speed of movement of the RC machine, the signal level, the remaining battery charge, notifications of problems, etc.

- TFT. A TFT display means a screen consisting not of segments, but of full pixels and suitable for displaying various types of data: graphic symbols, images, and even streaming video from an installed camera. TFT screens provide the most extensive visualization of settings; they are used in controllers for controlling drones and other RC models in FPV (First Person View) mode.

Display size in dots (pixels) horizontally and vertically. The higher the resolution of the screen, the more detailed the image can be displayed on it and the smaller objects will be clearly visible. It makes sense to pay attention to this parameter in controllers that are used to control the RC model with a first-person view in real time. The display resolution of such copies can correspond to the Full HD format (1920x1080 pixels) or even exceed it (for example, Quad HD - 2560x1440 pixels).

Communication protocol (standard) used by the controller to connect to the controlled RC model.

- ELRS. An open protocol for wireless communications developed by the drone and amateur radio community. Express LRS comes in two frequency options: 868/915 MHz and 2.4 GHz. The goal of the protocol is to provide stable and reliable communications over long distances (up to 40 km) with low latency, which is especially important for FPV flights.

- 4in1. 4in1 is not a specific communication protocol, but the controller’s support for multiplatform. The same remote control can be used to work with multiple protocols, switching between them as needed. This is convenient for pilots who want to be able to control their drones from a single controller.

— TBS Crossfire. A two-way wireless communication protocol developed and implemented by TBS (Team BlackSheep) to control copters and other remote control drones. Crossfire is known for its ability to maintain a stable connection over significant distances (often tens of kilometers), and the protocol also provides fast data updates with low latency and telemetry transmission, which is critical for FPV piloting.

- TBS Tracer. Wireless communication protocol from TBS (Team BlackSheep) for use with the proprietary Tracer drone control system. The emphasis i...n this protocol is on performance and reliability in long-distance flights (including when piloting in FPV mode - first person). The Tracer system provides a long range, guarantees stable communication in conditions of interference, and is characterized by minimal data exchange delay, which increases the accuracy of drone control.

—FrSky. A proprietary protocol from FrSky Electronic, used in its radio control systems. Reliable communication is ensured over short and medium distances with low latency in data exchange between the controller and the receiver. At the same time, the ability to transmit telemetry has been implemented. There are several varieties of FrSky protocols, in particular, D8 and D16 (named for the number of supported channels), as well as the more modern FrSky ACCESS standard.

- FlySky. The FlySky protocol, developed by the company of the same name, ensures the transmission of control signals from the control panel to the receiver installed on the RU model. It is worth noting that there are two main branches of the protocol: AFHDS 2A, which works in the cheaper segment, and AFHDS 3A for more expensive models. Automatic Frequency Hopping Digital System automatically switches frequencies to minimize interference and ensure stable communications. Telemetry data is also transmitted along with control signals.

The frequency at which communication takes place between the controller and the RU model.

In cars and radio-controlled special equipment, the most widely used analog standards are 27, 35, 40, 49 and 75 MHz. The base frequency is considered to be 27 MHz, and other options are used as an alternative to it, which ensures that signals from different remote controls are not mixed when located in the coverage area of several transmitters.

The 915 MHz frequency (or 868 MHz for certain regions) is often used in controllers to control drones using the ELRS protocol (see “Communication Protocol”). It provides increased range but requires large antennas.

Digital data transmission for controlling RC models and quadcopters can be performed at frequencies of 2.4 GHz, 5.1 GHz, 5.8 GHz. A significant advantage of these options is the channel separation technology, thanks to which the remote controls can operate in close proximity to each other without creating problems. The gigahertz bands differ in their communication range and throughput. Note that theoretically the 2.4 GHz frequency may be more susceptible to interference, because Many modern Wi-Fi modules work on it. However, thanks to the aforementioned channel distribution, such problems rarely arise.

Rated power of the transmitter installed in the controller. This is an important parameter for ensuring reliable control of the RC model at a distance. The power of the transmitter is measured in milliwatts (mW), and the higher the number, the further the signal reaches and the more reliable control will be over long distances or in conditions of interference. In professional models of remote controls, the transmitter power can exceed 1000 mW (1 W).

The operating range of the transmitter in the control panel, in other words, is the maximum distance that the RC model can move away from the transmitter without losing control. The greater this distance, the more convenient it is to operate the car, but at the same time, powerful “long-range” transmitters have corresponding dimensions, weight and cost. In practice, the range may be less than stated - for example, due to the presence of obstacles in the signal path or due to weak batteries. Therefore, it is best to choose according to this parameter with some reserve.

The option to connect an external transmitter to the controller via micro or nano connectors allows for expanded functionality in managing RC models by supporting various communication protocols (see the relevant paragraph). For example, the default remote control operates on the TBS Crossfire protocol, while using an external transmitter allows for operation on the ELRS protocol.

Open source firmware for RU-model radio transmitters. They are supposed to be used for piloting drones, model airplanes and helicopters. Currently, the following options are widespread:

- OpenTX. Software firmware with wide capabilities that allows you to flexibly configure various controller control parameters: channel functions, feedback, switch logic and much more. OpenTX has a large community of users and developers, ensuring continuous development and support of the firmware.

- EdgeTX. A fork from the original OpenTX firmware (see above), released to introduce new features. Thus, EdgeTX debuted touch screen support on transmitting equipment, and in general the firmware offers a more intuitive user interface. EdgeTX provides advanced RC customization options for quadcopters.

—FreedomTX Firmware based on OpenTX and EdgeTX (see relevant paragraphs), but with its own unique features. In particular, its main goal is to create open source software for radio control, which is completely free from any restrictions of patents and licenses. FreedomTX strives to provide complete freedom and independence from the external framework provided with drone remote controls.

The number of control channels provided in the radio-controlled model.

Each such channel is responsible for a separate function: pressing the gas pedal, rudder operation, climb, etc. For the simplest models of cars, boats and special equipment, two channels are enough; airplanes and helicopters will need at least 4 - 5 channels - for control of height, direction, roll, engine thrust and auxiliary functions. Drones often need even more channels. At the same time, thanks to the division into channels, there is a higher probability of finding a free subband within the main frequency. This is especially important in conditions of intense extraneous radio traffic and interference. Thus, advanced controllers for drones can provide as many as 16 communication channels.