DJI FPV Remote Controller 2 vs TBS Tango 2 Pro Radio: Why Do I Want to Return The Former?

DJI has dominated the consumer drone market for years with their easy-to-fly quadcopters like the Mavic series. More recently, they’ve set their sights on the first-person view (FPV) racing and freestyle drone category.

In 2019 they released the DJI Digital FPV System, which included their Fatshark-style FPV goggles, air units for your DIY drones, and the dedicated FPV remote controllers.

I was an early adopter of the DJI FPV ecosystem. Having flown analog quads for a couple years, the clarity and reliability of DJI’s HD video transmission was a game-changer. However, after using the latest DJI FPV Controller 2 for a few weeks, I’m starting to have some buyer’s remorse.

In this post, I’ll compare the DJI FPV Controller 2 to the TBS Tango 2 Pro to highlight some of the issues I’ve had with DJI’s newest radio controller. While the FPV Controller 2 works flawlessly with DJI’s drones, it has some limitations for people doing more hardcore FPV flying and working on custom quads.

Let’s jump in!

Overview of the FPV Drone Controllers

First, let’s take a quick look at both transmitters:

DJI FPV Remote Controller 2

DJI’s newest dedicated FPV controller is an iteration on their original gray transmitter. The FPV Controller 2 features:

• Very portable and ergonomic design
• OLED screen with basic telemetry data
• Supports control of all DJI drones including FPV quad, Avata indoor drone, etc.
• Connects directly to DJI FPV Air Units
• Gimbal sticks are smaller than full-sized radios
• Limited stick customization and tension adjustment

TBS Tango 2 Pro

The TBS Tango 2 Pro is a popular transmitter option for FPV pilots flying custom quads. Features include:

• Slightly larger but still very portable
• Full-size gimbals with extensive customization
• Supports Crossfire and ELRS long-range systems
• Modules allow compatibility with basically any DIY quad
• No onboard screen
• Requires separate receiver on quad for control link

Alright, now that you know what we’re working with, let’s dive into a full comparison across the major factors.

1. Comparison: Size and Portability

While the Tango 2 Pro is still a very compact transmitter, the DJI FPV Controller 2 takes the cake when it comes to portability. It’s ergonomic, rounded design conforms nicely to your hands. The smooth contours and plastic finishing also give it a premium feel.

Despite having a built-in screen, the FPV Controller 2 manages to shave off a bit more size and weight compared to the Tango 2 Pro. This makes it effortless to throw into any bag.

For travelers or anyone looking for maximum portability, the DJI remote can’t be beat. I will say the Tango 2 Pro isn’t far behind though. It’s still leagues above the clunky form factor of radios from a few years ago.

2. Comparison: Quality and Durability

DJI pulls ahead again when it comes to general build quality and durability. As you’d expect from DJI, the FPV Controller 2 just oozes that premium fit and finish.

All the seams are tight and the plastic molding is flawless. The smooth matte coating seems like it will hold up well to scratches and scuffs over time. Even the antenna mount and adjustable sticks feel solid with no wiggle or unwanted play.

By comparison, the TBS remote feels a bit more DIY. The plastic has some visible injection points and seams. The antenna mount has noticeable play side-to-side. It’s by no means poor quality but just doesn’t match DJI’s standards.

For anyone who flies in rougher conditions or wants a transmitter that will last years of heavy use, the DJI FPV Controller 2 seems like the safer bet.

3. Comparison: Gimbal Quality and Customization

This category is no contest – the Tango 2 Pro blows the DJI controller out of the water for gimbal quality and customizability.

The DJI FPV Controller 2 uses tiny gimbals more akin to a game controller than full-sized drone transmitter. While some appreciate the portability, it can be harder to make small, precise stick movements.

The sticks themselves also have very limited customization. You can swap between a short or long shaft and make minor adjustments to spring tension. But that’s about it.

Meanwhile, the Tango 2 Pro comes with a full set of adjustable, high-quality gimbals. You can fully customize stick tension, throw, height, and more. It’s designed for adjusting the feel to exactly match your preferences.

For anyone used to full-sized gimbals or wanting to tweak endlessly, the Tango 2 Pro is miles ahead. The only caveat is that the larger size may be uncomfortable for those with smaller hands.

4. Comparison: Compatibility and Flexibility

If you solely fly DJI drones like the Avata or FPV quadcopter, the DJI remote is likely all you’ll ever need. It connects directly and doesn’t require any extra steps or components.

However, for those building and tweaking custom quads, the Tango 2 Pro can’t be beat for flexibility.

The Tango 2 works with pretty much any DIY FPV quadcopter thanks to its modular bay and Crossfire support. It also pairs with Fat Shark goggles without needing a separate adapter like on DJI’s side.

While the DJI controller locks you into their proprietary ecosystem, the Tango 2 keeps all options open. For tinkerers and builders, that compatibility is invaluable.

The other benefit is future proofing. DJI will inevitably release new systems and radios that obsolete the FPV Controller 2. Meanwhile, the open Tango 2 will have community support for years to come.

5. Comparison: Connection Reliability

This section surprised me the most after testing both controllers side-by-side. Despite DJI’s focus on reliability, I’ve found the connection with the FPV Controller 2 to be finicky in some cases.

The main issue is latency on the initial link up. When you power up everything, the Tango 2 connects to the quad almost instantly. However, it often takes 10+ seconds for the DJI remote to establish a link. While not a dealbreaker, it’s annoying when working on builds.

But what worries me more is that the DJI controller occasionally drops connection completely when my goggles disconnect or power off. This never happens with the Tango 2. Losing link mid-flight could obviously cause a crash if the DJI remote doesn’t reconnect fast enough.

Again, this may be fixed with future firmware updates. But for now, the TBS remote feels more solid for constant uptime.

6. Comparison: Ease of Setup

One area where DJI shines is easy integration with their ecosystem. To use the FPV Controller 2 with one of their Air Units, you simply plug it in and bind the controller. That’s it!

No soldering receiver wires or mounting antennas necessary. It’s as simple as it gets.

Of course, the downside is vendor lock-in. But when building your first quad, not having to wire up a receiver directly is so convenient.

With the Tango 2 Pro, you need to buy a separate receiver module like Crossfire or ELRS. Then solder the wires to the flight controller and find spots on your frame to mount the antenna(s). Definitely more work, which beginners may want to avoid.

So purely for out-of-the-box ease of use, the DJI controller pairs perfectly with their other gear.

7. Comparison: Price and Value

When it comes to price, the DJI FPV Controller 2 and TBS Tango 2 Pro are nearly identical MSRP if you get the pro version of the Tango. I’ve seen both right around $500 USD.

Of course, you can save money on the Tango 2 base model without rapid fire and other extras. But cost-wise they are comparable.

Determining value depends more on your use case. For DJI ecosystem users, you may save money on not needing extra receivers down the road.

But for folks building multiple quads, the Tango 2 Pro crossfire modules pay off in the long run vs buying DJI Air Units for every build. So it’s hard to pick an overall winner here.

My Verdict – I’m Sending Back the DJI

Now that we’ve gone through some major comparison points, let’s get to the meat. Based on my testing and preferences, I’ve decided to return the DJI FPV Controller 2 and stick with the Tango 2 Pro.

Despite DJI’s polish and integration, the Tango 2 Pro better suits my needs as primarily a freestyle and racing pilot.

The subpar gimbals on the DJI remote hamper my flying. I felt like I was constantly fighting the tiny sticks to execute precise maneuvers. The possibility of mid-flight disconnects also erodes my trust.

I also don’t love being locked into DJI’s ecosystem. The Tango 2 Pro keeps my options open as drones and video transmitters continue advancing.

That being said, I see how the DJI controller could be a great option for others. DJI nails the user experience, and beginners will benefit from its seamless integration. The micro-sticks also won’t matter as much for cinematic fliers.

So in summary:

• For DJI ecosystem users, especially racing the Avata indoor drone, the DJI FPV Controller 2 is probably your best bet and will work great. No major caveats.
• For FPV veterans used to full-sized radios, the Tango 2 Pro offers more flexibility and customization without giving up much on portability. It’s an excellent alternative to being locked into DJI’s ecosystem.

I hope this detailed comparison has been useful to anyone trying to decide between these two awesome transmitters. Despite my criticisms, I believe DJI made big improvements over the original controller. And I can’t wait to see how the FPV Controller 3 turns out!

Let me know which you prefer in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss my full review of the Tango 2 Pro coming soon. See you in the next one.