The Jumper T-Lite is one of the most popular and well-known FPV radios, and is still the choice of many pilots, new and experienced. Jumper has just released a new V2 version of the T-Lite, and I had the chance to try out the ELRS version of the radio. Here’s an overview of the changes in the V2 version, and my recommendations about whether you should consider it for your next FPV transmitter.
This overview is also available as a video on my channel here.
Major Changes
There are a few particularly notable changes in the Jumper T-Lite V2, which I’ll cover here.
ELRS Built-In
You can now buy the T-Lite V2 with ELRS integrated, which is a really exciting feature. ELRS is an excellent control link, and it’s rapidly taking over as the primary option for many new bind-and-fly drones, so having it built in is a huge plus.
Note that there are two separate versions of the T-Lite V2; the 4-in-1 version supports FrSky, Spektrum, Flysky, and many other protocols, while the new ELRS version only supports 2.4 GHz ELRS. It’s unfortunate that the same radio couldn’t have supported ELRS and the 4-in-1 module, but you will have to choose at purchase time.
The ELRS module is limited to 100mW with current firmware, although Jumper says the module should be capable of up to 150mW. It comes flashed with ELRS 3.0 firmware, which is very new and it’s compatible with older versions of ELRS. But if you want to use your existing ELRS receivers without updating firmware, you can use this page to flash ELRS 2.5.1 to it. This was easy to do, and I flashed 2.5.1 to my radio.
External Module Improvements
You still have the ability to add an external module to the radio, but the T-Lite V2 improves this a bit. Jumper has added a connector for the external module to allow you to connect the module without opening the radio to plug in the wire connector, which is much more convenient.
More importantly, they have increased the available power for the external module, allowing you to use any external module at any power level. The previous version of the T-Lite required a hardware modification to support certain types of modules, but that is no longer required.
This is a great option if you need a higher ELRS power output level, or if you need to support an additional control link with an external module.
EdgeTX
The Jumper T-Lite V2 comes with EdgeTX preloaded, which is an improvement over the V1, which used OpenTX. Most users feel that EdgeTX offers more features and a better experience over OpenTX, and it’s great to have support for it in this radio.
The radio also includes a microSD card, and that card comes with everything you need to use the radio out of the box. This includes the ELRS Lua script for the ELRS version. My radio came almost completely configured for normal use, although I did have to configure the switch output channels for my arm switch, mode switch, and similar controls.
What Didn’t Change
For the most part, everything else on the Jumper T-Lite V2 is unchanged from the original version. The new radio has the same soft-touch plastic shell, full-size hall gimbals, and toggle switch configuration. It uses the same display and has the same (somewhat confusing) button layout for navigating menus.
Some of the deficiencies of the original T-Lite are still present here. For example, the battery bay includes a warning to not install the 18650 cell backwards to avoid damaging the radio. This suggests that there is no reverse voltage protection. I also had to use a small screwdriver to bend the metal battery holder tabs outward a bit to more securely hold the 18650 cell. It would have been nice to see improvements on this.
But in general, the controls and feel of the T-Lite V2 are unchanged, in a good way. There’s a reason this radio has been so popular, even among experienced pilots. It’s small and compact, but feels good in the hands and has straightforward flight controls. The gimbals feel decently smooth, even if they can’t match the quality of higher end radios. The toggle switches are large and easy to find during flight, and the layout is sensible.
The battery life on the V2 is still excellent for such a small radio. It can’t compete with the weeks of battery life you can get with the larger batteries in full-size radios, but it’s much better than some competing options in the gamepad radio class, such as the Radiomaster Zorro. You can expect to get several hours of flight time on a single 18650 cell. The battery is easy to swap out (although you need to be careful to insert the battery properly), or you can charge it with the integrated USB-C port.
Should You Buy It?
In general, it’s hard to not like the T-Lite V2. It’s a simple radio that will easily fit in a bag for travel, and it’s comfortable and easy to use. The changes in the V2 version are nice quality-of-life improvements. For example, if ELRS is your control link of choice, you’ll no longer need to have a bulky external module on the back of your radio.
If you’re a new pilot buying your first radio, the Jumper T-Lite V2 is almost certainly your best choice. At $60 for the ELRS version, it’s a fantastic value for the money. There’s really nothing stopping you from using this as your only radio for a long time. The only real competition in this price class is the BetaFPV LiteRadio 3, and the T-Lite V2 offers significant value over that radio–it includes a screen, better gimbals, and EdgeTX support.
Even if you’re willing to spend more money, the Radiomaster Zorro is twice the price at $120–and I don’t think that radio offers twice the value of the T-Lite V2. The Jumper T-Pro is closer at $90, and is worth considering if you prefer a more premium feel and want the much higher 1W ELRS output power. But it\’s still hard to say that it\’s really a better radio, especially for newer pilots.
If you’re currently using a T-Lite V1, it’s a bit of a harder decision. This V2 version is very similar to the old radio, and you may not really benefit from the upgrade. The main reason I’d upgrade is if you are using ELRS with an external module and want to downsize your radio to the smallest possible size.
Where To Buy
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You can purchase the Jumper T-Lite V2 ELRS from the following sites: