The Frsky Taranis Q X7 Transmitter, Available in Black or White.

Overview

X7 has nearly all of the same features as the Taranis Plus, because it also runs OpenTX. FrSky has focused on reducing the price, while also making some improvements. The only differences are that the X7 has a smaller LCD display, only 6 switches instead of 8, and  no side sliders. It has a more modern case design with excellent ergonomics, having large rubber grips on the back and gentle angles on the front. Navigation of the radio is greatly improved with a rotary encoder on the right of the display, and 3 buttons on the left.

It also comes with no battery, and no battery charger. The X7 can take six normal AA cells pack (sold separately click here), or a 2S Lipo. The X7 uses a battery connector that will mate with those used on 2S Lipo balancing plugs and now has an internal charging curcuit, so no need to remove batteries for charging.

The power switch is a flush membrane switch, and must be held down for four seconds to turn off, avoiding turning it off accidentally.
The X7 will work with all FrSky receivers and sensors, giving you one of the largest reasonably priced selections to choose from, with FrSky's rock solid RF system which has an excellent reputation.

We can also offer a professionally written and printed user manual to help you get the most out of the radio. Click Here

There is an initial start up guide here for getting going: Click Here

Shared with the Taranis X9D Plus:

The most important requirement for any transmitter is to maintain a rock solid connection with the receiver. FrSky is well known for its frequency hopping ACCST technology, which takes advantage of the entire 2.4GHz band, resulting in excellent range and reliability.
Many things can affect the link between the transmitter and receiver, so FrSky incorporate RSSI (receiver signal strength indication) into all telemetry receivers. This feature allows the Taranis transmitter to continually monitor the reception quality at the aircraft, and raise an alert before signal quality becomes critical.

FrSky offers three different types of Failsafe:
1 - Hold last known commands.
2 - Go to a programmed state (e.g. cut the throttle, flaps down, etc. 
3 - No output (this triggers flight controllers with a "return to home" feature).

However, the RSSI feature makes it less likely that you will ever use the failsafe.
Receiver Lock allows you to lock a specific model in the transmitter to one and only one receiver. This avoids launching and crashing with the wrong model selected.

The Taranis X7 can be programmed to give you voice alerts on speaker or through the headphone jack. Count down timers, telemetry value warnings such as low voltage, change of flight mode, landing gear down, etc. can all be set up with a human recorded voice of your creation, or using sound packs available online.

The operating system for the Taranis X7 is open-source firmware that has been developed by hobbyists in the R/C community. The programmers of the transmitter’s firmware and the OpenTX Companion software (which runs on Linux, Windows, and Mac) are very receptive to feedback and requests from users. If you can think of a feature or function, chances are the Taranis is capable of doing it. With 60 model memories, 32 mixers, 9 flight modes, sequencing, programmable delays and servo speed, all kinds of logical and hardware triggers, and the ability to assign any channel to anything, it is difficult to come up with something this radio cannot do. Programming can be either done on the radio (great for field changes), or we can set up and test our programs on our favourite computer via the free OpenTX Companion. It even features a handy set up wizard that will perform the basic setup to get you started! 
It is easy to share programs via the USB port using OpenTX Companion, or via the (optional) micro SD card.

 
The Taranis X7 has a normal JR style external module port on the back that will accept transmitter modules for other protocols. In the model setup you simply tell the system if you are using the external module, and shut down the internal FrSky module. Now you can use your Futaba, Spektrum or JR receivers if you have a transmitter module that fits in a JR style module bay. The new Banggood Multiprotocol module supports Custom, FlySky, Hubsan, FrSky, HiSky, V2x2, DSM, Devo, YD717, KN, SymaX, SLT, CX10, CG023, Bayang, Esky, MT99XX, MJXQ, Shenqi, FY326, SFHSS, J6 PRO, FQ777, Assan, Hontai, OLRS, FS 2A, Q2x2, Walkera, Q303, and GW008 protocols.

FrSky and OpenTX have taken the hobby to a whole new level as they have evolved the transmitter and its firmware to be truly versatile and powerful. No more frustration due to inflexible radios limited by what the supplier thinks you should be able to do. With OpenTX you can even be part of its future development, because it is being done by hobbyists for hobbyists!

For batteries and accessories please click here

Features

ACCST technology
The TARANIS Q X7 transmitter makes use of FrSky's bidirectional "ACCST" (Advanced Continuous Channel Shifting Technology) communication system. This frequency hopping technology takes advantage of the entire 2.4GHz band resulting in excellent range and reliability. The most important aspect for any transmitter is maintaining a rock solid connection with the receiver. ACCST is perhaps the most reliable protocol on the market today. Being bidirectional means that as well as the transmitter controlling the receiver, data from the receiver can be sent to your transmitter. FrSky knows many things can affect the connection between Transmitter and receiver so RSSI (receiver signal strength indication) is incorporated into all telemetry receivers. The Taranis transmitter is continually monitoring the reception quality at the aircraft. Taranis will alert the pilot before signal quality becomes critical. This saves planes and makes the hobby much safer! A protocol called PXX is used to produce super low latency between the transmitter and RF module.

Receiver Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) Alerts
Alerts can be set up to warn you when the RSSI value drops below a minimum value, indicating that you’re in danger of flying out of range. Factors affecting the signal quality include external interference, excessive distance, badly oriented or damaged antennas etc.

Transmission modes
There are three selectable transmission modes: 
D8 - PPM protocol, 8 signal channels with telemetry, normal flight. (Only available if reflashed with OpenTX  with none-EU selected; will run any V8 or D8 receiver.) 
D16 - PXX protocol, 16 signal channels with telemetry, normal flight. Works with any XR, XM, SR Receivers. 
LR12 - PXX protocol, 12 signal channels without telemetry, long range flight, up to triple the range. Works with L9R long range receivers. 

Receiver Lock 
The PXX protocol used in the X series receivers allows you to lock a specific model in the transmitter to one and only one receiver. No more flying (crashing) with the wrong program selected. 

Smart Port system
By using the FrSky S.PORT (Smart Port) system, multiple sensors and other devices can be easily installed with a single daisy-chained line of cables.

LCD
The TARANIS Q X7 has a 128 x 64 LCD outdoor readable screen.

Inbuilt Telemetry Display Capability
The Q X7 has inbuilt telemetry display capability, so you don’t need additional add-ons or 3rd party devices to display telemetry information.

Secure Data (SD) Card
Model data, music files, voice files and picture files can be stored on the SD card. The SD card can also be used when updating the software/features of the TARANIS Q X7.

Real-time Flight Data Logging
Logging can be configured so that telemetry data and control positions are logged to the SD card.

Custom Sound
The Q X7 can play back WAV (Waveform Audio Format) files stored on its SD-Card. You can easily add custom sound files of your own.

Voice Alerts
Just like having a copilot, the transmitter will give you voice alerts on speaker or through the headphone jack. Count down timers, low voltage warnings, landing gear down, thermal mode entered, etc. can all be set up with a human recorded voice of your creation, or sound packages shared online from other hobbyists.

Vibration (Haptic) Alerts 
The Q X7 also offers vibration as an additional pilot feedback for alarms, etc.

Battery Compartment
The battery compartment has room for 6 x AA cell park, or a 2 cell lipo and has internal charging curcuit

Gimbals
Each gimbal axis is supported by dual ball bearings. This allows for finer and more precise operation, and the new potentiometers also offer increased durability.

Replaceable Switches
You can replace any of the 6 toggle switches with alternative switches (two position, three position, and momentary etc.) and then reprogram the radio for those switches.

Failsafe
Taranis has three different types of Failsafe, to help you recover your airplane should you experience a loss of control signal to the receiver: simply holding the last received positions, turning off pulses (for use with flight controllers having returntohome GPS on loss of signal), or moving the servos to custom predefined positions.
The RSSI feature means you probably won't ever use the failsafe. Your Taranis warns you when the received signal strength is becoming too low, allowing you to correct the situation before a loss of signal.

Open-source Software 
The open-source software for the Taranis has been developed by hobbyists for hobbyists in the R/C community. The programmers of the transmitter firmware and companion PC software which runs on Linux, Windows, and Macintosh are very receptive to input and requests from users. There are no limitations based on marketing decisions. If you can think of it, chances are the Taranis is capable of doing it. With 60 model memories, tons of mixes, 9 flight modes, sequencing, servo speed, programmed delays, all kinds of triggers, and the ability to assign any channel to anything, it is hard to come up with something this radio can't do. 
A nice feature of the radio is the ability to connect to a PC via the USB port, allowing you to move files between the PC and the radio, including telemetry data files for analysis.  

Support for other RF Systems
The Taranis has a normal JR style module bay on the back that will accept modules for other transmitting protocols, including Futaba, Spektrum, and JR. The external bay also allows you to add another FrSky module to your radio, giving you a total of 32 channels if you use the eight discrete channels and eight serial SBUS channels available on each module.  SBUS is a type of serial communication protocol that allows you to utilize servos specifically designed for SBUS operation and supports multiple channels using only one daisy-chained signal cable.

Specification
•    Full telemetry ACCST 2.4GHz system using the PXX protocol for super low latency
•    RSSI alarms (warns you of receiver signal reception problems before disaster strikes)
•    FrSky ACCST XJT internal module (2dBm antenna, exchangeable, foldable, rotating)  
•    Haptic Feedback - vibration 
•    16 channels (32 channels when combined with an external XJT module) 
•    60 model memories (extendable by SD card)
•    Model files compatible with TARANIS X9D Plus 
•    64 mixers, 9 flight modes 
•    16 custom curves with 2 - 17 points each 
•    64 logic switches 
•    Voice or custom sound alerts 
•    Long range system capable of up to 2 times the range of current 2.4 systems  
•    Quad bearing gimbals that are silky smooth (hall effect option in development) with tension, ratchet and stick length adjustment. The throttle can be spring-loaded
•    State-of-the-art open source software  
•    128 X 64 outdoor readable LCD
•    Real-time data logging  
•    Receiver lock (program locked to aircraft - limited to FrSky receivers running PXX protocol)  
•    JR Style module bay for additional RF modules
•    Selectable tx mode (1, 2, 3, or 4). Ships in Mode 2, Throttle on left stick, all sticks centered. Easy to change modes and centering
•    3 timers, count up or down, throttle %, talking, etc
•    Trims - Adjustable from course to extra fine with extended and exponential trim options
•    Standard 3.5mm JR style trainer port
•    ARM Cortex M3 32-bit 120MHz 
•    Integrates with OpenTX Companion (Windows/Mac/Linux) – a FREE computer program that can be used to set up models. It also has wizards to speed up the setup process. You can save, edit and share your models and settings as well as simulate your transmitter or model setup
•    USB and SD card slot for system expansion 
•    USB connection (Mini USB B connector) for firmware upgrades, sound editing, R/W to the microSD card and integrate with OpenTX Companion
•    The micro SD card slot and Mini USB port are protected from dust and moisture with a rubber cover
•    Multiple language support (Radio arrives configured for English language) 
•    System: D16, D8, LR12, switchable
•    Compatibility: FrSky X series (recommended), LR, D series and V8-II series receivers (plus other receivers if an external module is used). Note that the Taranis Q X7 EU version is only compatible with LR and X series EU version receivers
•    3 color LED under power button
•    Operating Voltage Range: 6~15V DC (2S, 3S Lipos are acceptable), JST-XH 2S balance plug (center pin is not used)
•    Current drain: 210 mA maximum (both RF power and backlight on)
•    Operating temperature: -10°C to 45 °C
•    Operating humidity: 45%-80%
•    Operating barometric pressure: 860MBar-1060Mbar
•    W:200mm, H:170mm, D:50mm. Weight: 625g.
•    The battery compartment is W:92mm x H:57mm x D:17mm