Horizon Hobby - Spektrum iX12 12-Channel DSMX Transmitter Review (2024)

The ix12 is the next evolution in Spektrum transmitters. This TX features wifi, Bluetooth, a touch screen and much more! In this review, I show you all the features, include how-to videos and more!

ReviewBy Jim T. |Jun 15, 2018, 09:28 AM

The Intelligent Spektrum iX12 radio12-channel Transmitter

This is one of those things that get you excited about the hobby. I have been a Spektrum user for many years but when I saw the release notes on the ix12 I knew things had just changed in a big way. The combination of an Android based touched screen system coupled with Spektrum technology was something I had to have. In this review I plan to touch on questions you might have, how things work and provide all the info I can answer all you ix12 questions and get you going as a new ix12 user.

Spektrum iX12 12-Channel DSMX Transmitter Review = RCGroups (55 min 26 sec)

Spektrum Brand Manager Interview on the ix12

RCGroups Hangout - Check Out the iX12 Spektrum TX!! (43 min 25 sec)

Features

ERGONOMICS

The very first thing I noticed when I held the ix12 was how good it felt. The weight is right (slightly heavier than the DX9), the grippy surface feels great, the width is just right and the sticks feel very "quality" to me. Another thing I'm picky about are how smooth the sliders are. I'm happy to report they are great on the ix12. So right out of the box, the feel was a winner for me.

After I had been bragging on how good this radio felt I then read that there was a reason. The design was based on team-pilot recommendations and customer feedback, the iX12 had been persistently engineered to have the most optimized feel possible. The weight distribution and ergonomics of the iX12 have been optimized to fit a wide range of pilot needs.

TOUCHSCREEN WITH Android-powered INTERFACE

The ix12 has a touch screen that is a nice size and looks great. Some clicks need to be "long" clicks, so be aware of that. If you have big fingers a stylus may also be a good idea. You basically have an Android-based smart device built into the TX so that means you can run anything off the Google Play store.

WIRELESS TRAINER LINK

Now iX12 users can wirelessly link up with other Spektrum transmitters and specially-equipped Spektrum FPV headsets. Its hassle-free. Once bound to another transmitter or component, ModelMatch technology will allow the iX12 to re-link without having to go through the bind process again. That is pretty awesome and why my DX9 is in the same case as the ix12.

WITH WIRELESS TRAINER LINK, YOU CAN:

Wirelessly 'buddy box' with another DSMX/DSM2 transmitter when teaching someone to fly
Assign gimbal functions to a second 'camera' transmitter when flying a camera drone so you can focus on avoiding obstacles and maintaining visual contact while someone else lines up the shot
Link with specially-equipped Spektrum FPV headsets to wirelessly control head tracking and remotely change camera video frequencies

WI-FI CONNECTIVITY

One of the first questions I asked was about wifi and I'm happy to report that the ix12 does have it. That means with the Spektrum AirWare Touch app update-alerts are automatic, plus you can download model setups and add third-party apps. Listen to music on Spotify or Pandora directly from your radio s just before you fly. You may not need all that but it's pretty cool that it's there.

BLUETOOTH CONNECTIVITY

The iX12 also has Bluetooth. That means you can use wireless earbuds to hear voice alerts privately, or pair a set of speakers and listen to music. Now your TX can do file sharing, photo sharing and more.

MICRO USB CONNECTIVITY

I am always looking for the right charger for my TX. I was pretty stoked to see that the ix12 can be charged with any micro USB cable - awesome! The micro USB also allows you to hook up to your flight-control board and use their apps to adjust settings directly from the iX12 with no laptop required. The integrated micro USB port conveniently allows you to charge its internal Li-Ion battery with a common Micro USB cable and power source. Other accessory devices can be recognized too, including your PC or laptop

INTUITIVE PROGRAMMING

I'm all about things being intuitive. While there is a learning curve with this TX the Spektrum AirWare Touch app is derived from the familiar Spektrum AirWare firmware used today. You should be able to get around from past Spektrum use and hopefully this review will have the answers you need to answer any questions.

LONG RANGE RF MODULE SUPPORT

I don't fly long-range BUT if you do the iX12 transmitter allows you to use a long-range RF system (adapter, SPMA3090 required) such as Team Black Sheep Crossfire protocol technology (sold separately) that gives you low latency performance and secondary frequency convenience.

PROGRAMMABLE VOICE AND AUDIO ALERTS

Voice alerts are a great way to know what's going on without looking at your TX and allows you to keep your eyes on the sky. The iX12 programmable voice alert system can call out what flight mode you have chosen or report telemetry info on demand.

Text-to-speech means that you can create any voice alert by just typing in the words, it can even take *.WAV files so you can have virtually any sound imaginable. In addition to a built-in speaker, the iX12 has a headphone jack that allows you to monitor voice alerts, and/or listen to your favorite song during flight, using earbuds so you don't bother other pilots. You can also use its Bluetooth support to connect with wireless earbuds or your phone.

ADJUSTABLE GIMBALS

It's features like this that show you how much time the dev team spent on making this TX awesome. The days of having to open up your TX for adjustments is over. With the ix12 you have access to tension, ratchet and travel adjustments for each gimbal is conveniently through the front - no disassembly required. Theres nothing to it. Even mode conversion adjustments are accessible. To create the perfect feel, just lift off the rubber access cover and make a simple adjustment.

Gimbal Access Points:

Up/Down Travel Limiter
Left/Right Gimbal Stick Tension
Up/Down Resistance
Up/Down Ratchet
Up/Down Gimbal Stick Tension
Gimbal Centering Screw

250-Model Memory

Do you have 250 planes?!! If you do you can store 250 models straight to the radio, and even more on to an SD card.

Backwards Compatible

You are probably moving from another Spektrum radio to the ix12. The iX12 can share model setups with any Spektrum G2 transmitter with Spektrum AirWare firmware. Transfer model setup data from an old transmitter to your new iX12 or share models with almost any other Spektrum G2 user.

The iX12 can share model setups with any of these Spektrum transmitters:

DX6e
DX6 G2
DX6 G3
DX7 G2
DX8 G2
DX8e
DX9 (All)
DX18
DX18QQ
DX18 G2
DX18 Stealth Edition
DX20

Built-In Telemetry

Built-in telemetry can give you real-time data on critical information like your model's battery voltage, signal quality, motor temperature and more.* Using the voice alert system, you can program the iX12 to tell you when specific telemetry values reach or exceed limits you define. You can also have it call out a sequence of telemetry values on demand with the flip of a switch.

Questions You Might Have

Is the transmitter separate from the OS - Yes, the Android system is not connected to your RF siganl while flying.
What battery does it use - 3.7V 1S 6000 mAh Lithium Ion Battery
Can my existing Model parameters from my DX9 SD card be uploaded to the iX12? - Yes
Is the iX12 backward compatible to DSM and DSM2 receivers - The iX12 is backward compatible with DSM2, but not DSM
Is the screen glass - No, it is plastic
How often do I need to charge the ix12 - You should charge nightly if you are using it on a daily basis, like an OS device

Photos

The ix12 looks like standard TX until the screen is on.
The ix12 has all the switches and sliders you expect on a high quality transmitter.

When you turn the ix12 over you see the long-range RF module option.
You can listen to your radio via Bluetooth headphones or you can plug them in the back.

The 3.7V 1S 6000 mAh lithium ion battery is charged via a USB cable - nice!
Use the SD slot to move models from other transmitters as well as movies from your FPV recorder, images and more!

Now you can tweak your gimbals from the front!
The 4 inch touch-screen monitor is crisp and we had no issues with it in sunlight.

While the built-in OS is exciting the ix12 also feels great in the hand.
Your home screen has all the apps you need at your finger-tips.

Go deeper to see all the apps available. I have my Google account synced with my ix12.
The Airware app is very intuitive. I was excited to be able to add in photos of my models.

Now I can check my videos before I leave the airfield on my ix12. I'm pretty excited about this feature.
Here is the FPV footage we shot. I got it on the ix12 via an SD card.

How-to Videos

The Spektrum team has created a great series of videos that go over the functions of the ix12. They are so informative I felt compelled to included them in this review for new ix12 owners and those that have questions.

Learn More

Head over the Horizon/Spektrum site for even more information on the ix12.

Last edited by Jim T.; Dec 07, 2022 at 11:54 AM..