The world of first person view (FPV) drone flying is constantly evolving. New technology and products are constantly being released that aim to improve the flying experience.
One area that has seen a lot of change recently is FPV radio controllers. New radios keep coming out that offer better performance and more features at lower prices.
The latest radio to hit the market is the Jumper T-Pro.
In this in-depth review, we’ll take a close look at this new radio and see how it stacks up against the competition. Does the T-Pro deliver good value for money? Or does it fall short of expectations?
Read on to find out!
Table Of Contents
Overview of the Jumper T-Pro Radio
The Jumper T-Pro is a new release from Jumper, a company known for making affordable FPV gear. At around $100-120, the T-Pro is priced similarly to Jumper’s previous radio, the T-Lite.
So what’s new about the T-Pro? Let’s run through some of the key features and specs:
- Operates on OpenTX firmware (like most FPV radios today)
- Includes multi-protocol 2.4Ghz radio module
- Accepts external modules via module bay on rear
- Runs on 2x 18650 batteries (not included) with built-in charging
- OLED display with simple menu navigation
- Gimbals similar in design to the T-Lite
- 6 toggle switches, 2 sliders, 1 wheel encoder
- Removable grips for access to batteries
- USB-C port for charging and module programming
At first glance, the T-Pro looks very similar to the T-Lite. But Jumper has made some subtle design tweaks that improve the overall feel and ergonomics.
The grips are longer with a curved profile that fits nicely in your hand. The gimbals sit higher up for a bit more throw. And the switches have a lower profile for less chance of breaking in a crash.
They’ve even mimicked the jog wheel design from the TBS Tango 2!
So while it retains a very familiar Jumper style, the T-Pro does represent an upgrade over previous models. The question is whether the upgrades justify the extra cost over the tried and tested T-Lite.
First Impressions From Unboxing
Upon taking the T-Pro out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the nice clean look. I’m a fan of the understated matte gray color scheme. While it won’t win any design awards, the T-Pro looks well put together with no glaring flaws.
The removable grips make installing the 18650 batteries nice and easy. Just peel them back, slot the cells in, and reattach. Jumper thoughtfully marks the bays with correct polarity too.
With the batteries loaded up, I powered on the radio for the first time. The OLED display lit up and I was greeted with the OpenTX splash screen.
Navigating the menus felt intuitive thanks to the jog wheel and well-placed buttons. The T-Pro ships with the latest OpenTX firmware so everything worked smoothly right off the bat.
One minor complaint – Jumper doesn’t include any 18650 cells in the box. So factor in another $10-15 for a decent battery pair. Not a deal breaker, but it would have been nice to have a complete ready-to-fly package.
Overall though, my initial impressions were very positive. Despite the low price, the T-Pro has a quality feel with some nice design touches. Time to bind it up and see how it flies!
Binding and Using the Internal Radio
The included multi-protocol module in the T-Pro allows it to bind to most common receivers like FrSky, FlySky, Spectrum and more. For starters I decided to pair it with an old DSMX satellite I had lying around.
Binding was quick and easy – just hold the bind button on the receiver, power it up, then select the correct protocol on the radio. The T-Pro immediately discovered the receiver and I was good to go.
I assigned the switches and pots to different channels just to test things out. The gimbals felt smooth with just the right amount of tension. The toggle switches have positive clicks and the sliders operate smoothly too.
One thing I really don’t like is that the shoulder switches are both momentary. This means you have to hold them in position rather than flicking between states. I felt Jumper really dropped the ball by not making the left switch latching. Not having a dedicated arm switch is a big oversight in my opinion.
The other niggle is the bizarre way the 6-position switch works. Rather than toggle between 6 defined states, each of the 6 positions acts as an individual momentary button. It’s essentially 6 buttons in one. I honestly can’t think of any reason why anyone would prefer this implementation.
Despite those annoyances, the internal multiprotocol module worked flawlessly. The T-Pro immediately felt familiar and comfortable in the hands. For anyone looking to reuse existing receivers, the radio offers a solid plug-and-play experience straight out of the box.
Adding an External Module
While the built-in radio is handy for compatibility, most FPV pilots eventually move to a dedicated protocol like Crossfire or ExpressLRS for better performance. The T-Pro caters for this with a module bay on the rear.
To add a module, you first need to install the accessory bay onto the back. It attaches via 3 small screws and offers a sturdy mounting point. I fitted a Trustfire ExpressLRS module and it clicked securely into place.
One great improvement over the T-Lite is that the T-Pro can provide enough power over the module port for full output. I’ve seen power issues with the T-Lite causing modules to scale back to lower power levels. But the T-Pro had no issues delivering a solid 1W output to the ExpressLRS module.
I flashed the latest ExpressLRS firmware to take advantage of the full power levels. Binding to a receiver was quick and I was soon buzzing around the field. The lower latency and higher resolution of ExpressLRS was immediately apparent even from just hovering around.
The module bay makes adding long range systems like Crossfire and ExpressLRS super simple. Just get the module, screw it on, bind up, and you’ve immediately got a capable long-range setup. Having support for both external and internal modules really increases the versatility of the T-Pro.
How Good Are the Gimbals?
When reviewing budget radio controllers, gimbal quality is always a top concern. You’ll never get the silky smoothness of $500+ radios. But decent gimbals don’t have to break the bank.
The gimbals in the T-Pro look to be the same ones used in the T-Lite. And by all accounts they work pretty well. The throw on each stick is smooth with no grittiness or binding. There’s minimal slop or play too.
I prefer a slightly shorter throw than stock, but the stick ends are adjustable to change tension and length. For pinching they work nicely, even for rapid throttle punchouts and rolls. Thumb fliers should be happy too thanks to the raised gimbal position.
Having used the T-Lite gimbals quite a bit, I knew what to expect here. They are a proven design that offers impressive performance given the price bracket. I honestly think most pilots will be perfectly happy with these gimbals, from beginners to experienced fliers.
Are they buttery smooth Hall sensor gimbals? Of course not. But they provide accurate, jitter-free control that exceeds the quality demanded by FPV quads. I wouldn’t hesitate to take the T-Pro into any freestyle or racing scenario.
Ergonomics and Form Factor
The T-Pro shape will be immediately familiar to T-Lite and RadioMaster T8 users. It takes the popular gamepad style transmitter design and refines it slightly.
The grips are longer front to back, allowing your fingers to curl nicely around them. I found pinching the sticks very natural and comfortable. The smooth curves and matte finish ensure the T-Pro sits securely in your hands too.
With a fold-out antenna and no major protrusions, the T-Pro slips easily into any backpack or case. It’s lightweight as well at just 368 grams with batteries installed. You’ll barely notice it in your gear bag.
All switches, pots, and buttons are easily within thumb reach. The gimbals sit forward from the rear grips allowing unfettered stick movement. I had no issues flying aggressively while maintaining solid grip on the radio.
The button layout does favor right-handers somewhat. But lefties should manage fine by using their thumb and pointer finger for the most common adjustments.
Overall the shape and ergonomics hit the sweet spot for me. It provides a natural feel reminiscent of gamepad controllers – very fitting for FPV! Nothing revolutionary, but a solid evolution of the proven shape exemplified by the T-Lite and Zorro.
Battery Life and Charging
Power comes from a pair of 18650 Li-ion cells that slot into the bottom of the grips. These are not included so you’ll need to source your own. Expect to pay $10-15 for a decent set.
The 18650 size is perfect for portable transmitters, offering high capacity in a compact package. Jumper claims around 10 hours of use from a 3000mAh cell pair, which matches up with my testing. Obviously flight time will vary depending on your battery capacity.
Charging is handled via the USB-C port on the rear. It takes around 12 hours for a full charge, but you can top up quickly between flights. The charger circuit seems robust and efficient in my testing.
My only request would have been for Jumper to include at least some basic 18650’s in the box. But spares are easy to come by these days. And being able to use any cell gives flexibility in capacity choices down the road.
Is It Worth the Extra Cost Over the T-Lite?
Here we come to the pivotal question – does the T-Pro justify costing $20-30 more than the venerable T-Lite? Let’s break it down:
Cons
- No included 18650 cells
- Momentary shoulder switches
- 6-pos switch operates strangely
Pros
- Support for external modules
- Improved grip design and ergonomics
- Can power demanding 1W modules
- Multi-protocol module still included
- Better battery life than T-Lite
- More durable construction
There’s no major revelatory features to really justify the T-Pro’s existence. It retains essentially the same bones as the T-Lite but with subtle refinements.
However, those minor improvements do combine to provide a noticeably nicer overall user experience. The thoughtful design tweaks demonstrate Jumper is evolving the platform in intelligent ways.
For someone buying their first radio, I think the better ergonomics and flexibility of the T-Pro make it a superior choice over the T-Lite. But current T-Lite owners needn’t rush to upgrade unless the module bay is an absolute must-have.
So while the gap has narrowed, the T-Pro still doesn’t quite surpass top value picks like the Radiomaster Zorro. But it gets tantalizingly close at a very competitive price point!
Final Verdict
After extensive testing, my verdict on the Jumper T-Pro is overwhelmingly positive. It provides a quality FPV radio experience at an entry-level price. Jumper may not have reinvented the wheel here, but they’ve delivered meaningful improvements over past designs.
What I Like
- Excellent fit and finish for an affordable radio
- Lightweight and comfortable ergonomics
- Gimbals offer precise, jitter-free performance
- Module bay increases versatility
- Dependable operating system and hardware
What I Don’t Like
- No included 18650 batteries
- Weird 6-position switch behavior
- Lack of a dedicated arm switch
While not perfect, the T-Pro nails the basics and has become my new go-to recommendation for anyone seeking their first “proper” FPV radio. It will grow with you as you progress in the hobby while providing a solid experience from the very beginning.
So if you’re looking for an affordable radio to get started with FPV or basing, the Jumper T-Pro deserves a spot at the top of your shopping list! It strikes an enticing balance between performance and value.
