I have just ordered a Turnigy 9XR from RCTA. I am so pleased with my 9X with the ER9X tanker firmware that I thought I would give this a go too. It comes with self centring sticks and the tanker firmware which makes it very tank friendly.
I also plan to swap some of the switches to self return ones as I find this works well with my set ups. I will post again when I have received it an had a chance to muck about with it
I have had this Tx now over the weekend, and I am impressed with it, great service from Kevin at RCTA as always. Now, please bear in mind that I am new to RC in any form and so this will only constitute my opinion based on my limited experience.
First of all the cosmetics, now this is always going to be personal preference I guess. Personally I find it a bit cheesy, to me it looks like it would go nicely with a high priced RC toy. The blue "Ready" symbol which lights up with the power I find annoying. I prefer the look of the old 9x if I am honest.
The build quality I would say is good, better than the 9x. It feels more solid in the hand, and the gimbals and switches seem to be better quality. The module on the 9XR is truly interchangeable allowing for more choice and flexibility. The 9XR also has a socket for a USB programming cable (sold separately) to allow the Firmware to be flashed easily and for backups of models to be kept. This again is an improvement over the 9X which has to have the USB socket added as a mod, and then has to be opened up each time you want to use it. I have ordered the required cable now and will report back again when I have had a chance to try it out. I will also be replacing 3 of the switches on the top of the 9XR for ones which are spring return as I find these better with tank functions and I won't be using this Tx with anything other than tanks. The Tx comes from RCTA with both gimble centring which I find is ideal for using with tanks.
The Tx does not come with a battery and is designed to work with a 3s LiPo/LiFe. So you will have to factor this in if you are considering this Tx. I bought the purpose made battery from Hobbyking which seems to be ok, and cost about £9 from their UK warehouse. I have had the Tx running a lot this weekend, and the battery has performed well.
Performance is good and what I would expect from a 2.4Ghz system. No loss of signal and everything runs smoothly, this side of things will be as much about your choice of Module and Rx as anything else.
The real advantage on this Tx I feel is the Tanker ER9X firmware that it is flashed with. This makes this a very flexible Tx as it is completely programmable, meaning that any function can be mapped to any gimble or switch. I find it tricky to remember the left stick commands for each system, but this Tx allows me to set all of my tanks up with the same controls regardless of which system I am using. The system seems a little daunting at first but it is really easy to learn, and I was able to programme 5 tanks into my new Tx in an afternoon. It is also possible to set up and store models via a PC with the USB cable which apparently offers even more flexibility, more on this when my cable arrives.
Overall I am very happy with this Tx, and would recommend it. It does the job it is designed for very well and you can choose a module which will work with your exhausting Rxs so it does not have to be a complete change of kit.
The negatives for me are the looks (a mater of personal taste) and that it does not come with a battery (I wonder if this is as much to do with postal restrictions on shipping LiPos as much as anything else though)
I will post again when I have had a chance to use the USB port and eePe software, and of course feel free to ask any questions.
Hey scallywag, thanks for posting this up. I've been looking at the turnigy 9x etc as a replacement for my other various controllers, and for my model sea vixen (don't trust my dx5 or the 40mhz furans 6 ch I have).
I think you have confirmed what every review seems to make, an excellent value Tx that nobody likes the look of!! I too prefer the look of the 9x, go so far as to say the FS-TH9XB looks better again, is cheaper and also has the removable modules.... but build quality is at the worse end! So no one perfect Tx in this family!
Anyhow, it is good you like it, and thanks for posting your review.
Undoubtedly the 9XR from RCTA offers a great, straight out of the box Tx for Tankers in mind.
I am waiting for a second 9XR to arrive at the moment. I was that pleased with my first one that I ordered another.
I am now using the latest release of the TankER9X firmware available from RC Tanks Australia, which is now even better than before.
Sticks are now labeled in a more tank friendly way, no more aircraft control labels (Ail, Ele, Rud, and Thr). The sticks are now labeled as Tur, Gun, Mtr, and Str. Due to the programable nature of the ER9X firmware these of course can be assigned to any axis on any stick.
The switches also now have more Tank friendly labels too, such as Eng, Can, Mgn etc... Very nice as you can now match the labels on the switches to the tank functions, no more Trn switch to fire the main gun etc...
I have also found my way into the TankER9X firmware file and have been able to change the switch labels myself so that I am no longer tied to the label that is assigned to a switch, I can change it to suit.
one further Mod I have made to the actual 9XR itself is to replace all of the 2 way toggle switches with momentary toggle switches. This makes it great for use with IBU2 and clark systems as it does away with the need to turn a toggle switch on and off for the assigned function. Just pull the switch until the function activates and then let it go. Also eliminates switches being accidentally switched on and not back off again.
The 9XR is now also available from the Hobbyking UK warehouse.
Still think this is a great Radio, and this Firmware upgrade makes it even better for us RC tankies.
I think with P&P it worked out about £95. A bit more than from hobbyking but the self centring stick mod is done, and it comes flashed with the latest firmware too, and a module. You will need a 3S LiPo for it too as it does not come with a battery.
I think I paid about £55 from hobbyking, that was with a replacement gimble to be able to do the stick mod. The 9XR comes with ER9X firmware as standard, but its the aircraft version not the tank version. You would have to flash it yourself but that is really easy once you have the USB programmer. Of course the 9XR from Hobbyking needs a module too.
That said I am still waiting on my new 9XR to be delivered from Hobbyking international. It was absolutely typical the week after i ordered it they got it into the UK warehouse.
Paul
Last edited by scalawag on Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Does the 9Xr need 3S Lipo or you can get away with regular AAs ? Also, when you say the labels are all "tank" based, what do you mean by that ? Do you mean that the labels on the radio control itself is "tank" based or do you just mean that on the display it is all tank based ?
I have been looking at getting another radio, but I already have two 9x so 9Xr would be definitely interesting, and it looks like Kevin can ship with a module that will work with my existing receivers (Turnigy and Hobbyking ones).
Thanks for the update....... Very useful and Kevin might some of my business......
I too prefer the look of the 9x, go so far as to say the FS-TH9XB looks better again, is cheaper and also has the removable modules.... but build quality is at the worse end! So no one perfect Tx in this family! 
