Transitioning from a FrSky Horus X12S to a FrSky X-Lite Pro

I switched from using a FrSky Horus X12S to a FrSky X-Lite Pro. Here’s my experience …

My rational for switching was size, and for this, I’ve never looked back. My flying experiences take me to places that require a hike with a rucksack of drone gear, and then flying 5 or so batteries. The weight and dimensions of the X-Lite (390g) vs the X12S (1320g) was a major consideration in my X-Lite Pro purchase. With the X-Lite Pro, I found that it’s possible to take a cut down selection of gear in a hiking backpack rather than a not-so-ergonomic drone backpack. Sandwiches, the X-Lite Pro, FatSharks, several batteries and a few spares go inside the hiking backpack, and the drone and water bottle on the outside. This allows a hike to include flying a drone, as opposed to being the sole reason of the day.

Setting it up

My experience was not immediately smooth. I bought the X-Lite Pro, but it comes without batteries. Eh?! So, another order & wait for a pair of hard-to-come-by 18500 Li-ion batteries. However, the X-Lite Pro fairs better than the standard X-Lite – it’s now possible to re-charge the battery via the USB port, which was previously not possible without a mod.

Next up – stick configuration! On the X-Lite Pro the stick layout (mode 1 vs 2) is DIY – you have to adjust various screws to change the stick mode and stiffness. For 10 minutes, you’re wondering if you’ll ever be able to control a drone, but one eventually gets the right tension.

The FrSky protocols were a multi-day Googling battle for me, having previously used the available Horus X12S D8/D16 protocol linked to a R-XSR receiver. The X-Lite Pro does not support this, but a new beta OS version supports the ACCESS ACCST D16 protocol. Thus down the rabbit hole of an X-Lite Pro beta OS upgrade, and then a re-flash of all R-XSR receivers with the proprietary ACCST D16 protocol (via interface on controller). I lost one R-XSR receiver along the way by stupidly over-pressing the tiny re-flash button on the R-XSR and breaking it off.

Finally … control setup, Betaflight configuration and switch configuration. This I did again from scratch, referring to my previous X12S configuration. I found that the number of switches are far more restrictive than the Horus X12S. There are *just* enough for the core functions. I ended up using the available switches as follows:

1. Toggle arm/disarm
2. Toggle flight mode (acro/angle/horizon)
3. Normal / turtle mode / ?
4. Toggle combined beeper + failsafe
5. Potentiometer to adjust throttle power (see Variable throttle power with OpenTX and X-Lite Pro)
6. Potentiometer to adjust volume of sound alerts

Flying

The X-Lite does take getting used to, primarily as the unit and controls are smaller than the X12S. The X-Lite levitates towards thumbing, rather than pinching (see thumbing vs pinching).

Summary

Positives

• Lighter and less bulky, by almost 1kg
• The battery easily outlasts my flying – 6-8 4S batteries, no problems
• No impact to my range of transmission
• OpenTX functionality is the same on the X12S and X-Lite Pro
• Not as obtrusive in use as the X12S
• Less than half the price of the X12S (200 vs 500 USD)

Negatives

• Bare minimum switches – a couple more would be helpful
• Switches not as easy to operate as on the X12S – quality not so great and a bit too small. No satisfying click.
• Original D16 protocol not supported; proprietary ACCESS ACCST upgrade is required
• Controller size does take a few batteries to get used to
• By default, no lanyard mount (until you 3D print a lanyard mount)
• If you’re into pinching when controlling, it’s difficult without the stable base of a larger controller
• LCD panel is a step-down from the colour and higher resolution of the X12S

	X-Lite Pro	Horus X12S
Weight	390 grams	1320 grams
Dimensions	220 x 185 x 100 mm	220 x 235 x 75 mm
Price	200 USD (excl. batteries)	500 USD
Protocols	ACCESS, ACCST D16	D16, D8, LR12
Switches	4 toggle switches, 2 variable	8 toggle switches, 5 variable
LCD	128 x 64 pixels	480 x 272 pixels
Channels	24	32