First Impression Review: FrySky X-Lite Transmitter

I finally got my FrySky X-Lite radio in the mail this week.  This revolutionary radio blends the functionality and reliability of FrSky radios with a compact gaming-style controller. The X-Lite is ergonomically designed, featuring 4 switches and 2 sliders.  It just feels right in the hands.  It is well balanced and has some weight to it that makes it feel like a quality piece.  The X-Lite feels very similar to one of my XBOX 360 controllers.  

I could hold this thing for hours and not get tired of it.  There is no need for a neck lanyard which I like.  The Compact size means you can take it virtually anywhere. It features a Haptic Vibration Feedback System along with the voice and sound alert warnings which are customizable on the familiar OpenTX software.  The high precision M12 Lite hall gimbals seem very responsive and are easily adjustable.  The radio even comes with its own carrying case, which is very nice to help protect your investment.  

My only criticism is in the design’s power options.  I was a little disheartened that the radio did not ship with the batteries included. Additionally, it was frustrating to learn that the radio needs two 18500 Li-ion cell batteries instead of the more common 18600 cell.   I am still waiting for my batteries and charger to arrive that I ordered on amazon.  

The radio is able to be updated and connected to a computer with the micro USB port on the bottom of the radio.  This is a really nice feature to incorporate your actual transmitter when playing around on your favorite flight simulator.  However, it would have been nice if they could have engineered in the design a way to also adapt the micro usb connection as a charging connection as well.  

With the current design, the batteries need to be charged separately from the radio which doesn’t make sense to me.  The good thing is that the battery compartments are easily accessible making for easy battery swaps in the future.  

Overall, this radios seems to be an unprecedented value packed full of features in a sleek compact design.