Orqa are about to release a new entry level transmitter onto the market named the FPV.Ctrl. A few initial low resolution images are below. From the basic specs given it sounds like it may not have native internal RF module. If that is the case then without an additional module installed it will only operate as a simulator controller.

EDIT: It's been revealed that the custom Orqa firmware for the FPV.Ctrl only supports the ImmersionRC Ghost protocol and it looks like there are no plans to make it work with other protocols, so even if people were to make module adapters for the FPV.Ctrl, there will be no ability to use any module with this transmitter other than a Ghost one.

Specifications:

• Built-in rechargeable batteries (2 x 18650 Li-ion cells wired in series, sealed inside the screwed together case so not easily or quickly replaceable).
  
• USB-C for connectivity and charging.
  
• Low latency Bluetooth radio link for PC and mobile.
  
• Extendable with dedicated modules via the UberLite bay -> ImmersionRC UberLite-24 Ghost module (see post #5).
  
• Programmable buttons and switches: Two three-way rockers, one latching push button, and one momentary push button.
  
• Runs on custom Orqa firmware (so no OpenTX or EdgeTX support).
  
• No screen - all configuration is done via Bluetooth using a mobile app.
  
• Removable sticks with M4 threads.
  

Price and Dates:

• Starting price of 79 EUR (~$90 USD) without a module, and a price of 105 EUR (~$120 USD) with a bundled ImmersionRC Ghost UberLite module.
  
• There will be a limited time offer price for the initial product launch of 49 EUR (~$56 USD) without a module, and 79 EUR (~$90 USD) with a bundled ImmersionRC Ghost UberLite module.
  
• Release date for placing orders will be 18th November 2021.
  
• First shipping date for orders will be December 2021.
  

EDIT: Below is a link to the product launch website with images, a launch video, and some other basic information on it. This website hasn't been officially announced and isn't supposed to be available yet because it is still being developed, but it appears in a Google search. I guess that Orqa prematurely activated the DNS records hoping that no-one would find it but Google has given the game away 

Product Launch Website: https://fpvctrl.com

Product Launch Video: https://fpvctrl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/v1.1.mp4









EDIT: Limited time offer pricing for the initial product launch...

“Can be further extended by dedicated radio module for drone control”: They have left the door open here

A few more teasers from Ivan prior to the official FPV.Ctrl product announcement...

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:We designed hall gimbals from scratch for this controller!

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:We have our own, new standard for radio modules. FPV.Ctrl will be running top of the line Ghost radio module!

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:Oh yes. There is more stuff coming out in next few weeks

So it's not using a standard module bay then. That is obviously going to limit module choices to only ones developed by Orqa or ones that 3rd party manufacturers specifically develop for this transmitter. From the second comment it sounds like ImmersionRC have already developed a bespoke module for the transmitter.

Tony Cake from ImmersionRC has also reportedly also had a big hand in the development of the FPV.Ctrl transmitter.

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:We dont think JR or "xLite" standards for radio controllers are optimal solution. This is why we "invented" our own

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:IRC Ghost is our system of choice.

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:He [Tony Cake] has been very vocal and instrumental person during development of this product! Mr. FPV himself

Here is the custom module bay and ImmersionRC UberLite-24 Ghost module made to fit that bay...

Tony Cake Wrote:So on the Ghost side, this is a full range Ghost transmitter, with UI completely integrated into the radio. 350mW with LoRa or FLRC will get you out 30km+, or run 500Hz stupid low latency race protocols. Solid modes don't drop packets, with a lone pilot, or a full grid of 8.

I've now added links to the first post for the Orqa FPV.Ctrl transmitter product launch website and a product launch video. These appear to have been accidentally leaked before they were supposed to be made public

Different grip tape options...

 

Some additional pre-launch teaser images...

So it's now been revealed that the custom Orqa firmware for the FPV.Ctrl only supports the ImmersionRC Ghost protocol and it looks like there are no plans to make it work with other protocols, so even if people were to make module adapters for the FPV.Ctrl, there will be no ability to use any module with this transmitter other than a Ghost one.

I personally think this is a mistake and it's going to severely limit Orqa's market for this transmitter. I'm not sure why they even bothered with an external module bay if the only module you can fit is a Ghost one 

EDIT: It looks to me like this transmitter is either aimed at newcomers to the hobby who have yet to decide on which RC link protocol to use, so the FPV.Ctrl transmitter makes that choice for them by pushing them down the ImmersionRC Ghost route, or it is aimed at people who are already heavily invested in Ghost, with Ghost receivers already fitted to all of their quads.

Transmitters are a tough market to penetrate and dominate.

I can’t see how they will gain any traction keep thing not just closed source but literally locked.

When i saw this and thought:
%$#%^$ just bought a tango 2 and this came!
Now I am reassured
I would never ever buy a closed system unless it is super over the top unique, only option.
Even if this transmitter is better, i would stick to a good open system

Of course i am no expert, even a newbie, but when i started my list of criteria started with:
1 good
2 flexible (open)
3 as much as possible future-proof

Orqa and ImmersionRC have categorically stated that the FPV.Ctrl transmitter is aimed at beginners and gamers who are used to gamepad style controllers. They have said that keeping it "simple" with custom (closed source) easy-to-use firmware and configuration and just a single protocol (Ghost) was one of the major factors in it's design.

Personally I think that the Ghost "lock in" with this transmitter is also probably a way for ImmersionRC to try and claw back some customers and lost revenue. When Ghost originally launched it was touted as the best thing since sliced bread, but then TBS Tracer came along shortly after and took away some of that glory, closely followed by ExpressLRS which itself pretty much annihilated sales of both Ghost and Tracer. Most of the people who seem to be running Ghost or Tracer these days are racers, but that is a very small sector of the FPV community. The real money is to be had from FPV pilots in other sectors of the hobby, so if they can "force" newcomers to the hobby down the Ghost ecosystem path then they will start to see sales of their system going back up.

Srlle Wrote:It’s like take it out of the box, and you can start. You don’t need to read a single forum post, watch a single how-to video, etc.
Imagine a friend asks you to help him get started with FPV.
Now, I’m sending folks at least 5 links to blogs, YT channels, forums, etc.
With Ctrl, it becomes: buy this, and call me in a month.

Srlle Wrote:We’re making it extremely simple. If you know how to bind a Bluetooth device to your mobile/PC you can start flying.

Srlle Wrote:Trust me, this is not a conspiracy to lock people in anything. I personally hate such tactics, and am against those sort of tricks. We’re trying to grow the Hobby, and this means simplifying things. We’re all collectively too steeped in the “old” FPV to really appreciate how stuff like OpenTX can be intimidating to most of people.

Srlle Wrote:Simplification comes at a price. And the price is reduced optionality. As I have written above, making things simple requires much tighter integration. Designing universal and inter-operative systems leads to complex solutions and interfaces. And while that is cool for folks like you and me, a majority of people is intimidated by this complexity.

Tony Cake Wrote:one of the problems with our FPV world today is that it is impenetrable for newcomers. Even seasoned pilots spend hours staring at youtube videos to figure out how to get everything working together. Sometimes to make something more accessible you need to remove options, not add them. Remember that time that a phone manufacturer took off the keypad, and left just one button? Blasphemy at the time, but it started a revolution. Just take a look at that recent post showing the 'tree' of protocols and compatibility for FrSky products. Who on earth can actually grasp all of this stuff. While this is the 'norm', our hobby will remain the niche that it is today.

Ivan Jelušić Wrote:We see gamers as a customer segement most likely to start playing FPV simulators influenced by cinematic/Racing videos online and/or their pilot friends. They Are most familiar with gamepad style radio controllers because they usually Play consoles as Well. Being suitable for begginers doesn’t change a fact that this is very good radio Controller Overall, even for Experienced FPV pilots because it is intuitive, ergonomical and equiped with best radio module out there.

I am not sure I completely agree with a closed ecosystem being beneficial to new comers adopting the hobby.

Take Prusa as an example, their strategy is fairly different. Their slicer is OpenSource and is compatible with 3rd party printers and Prusa printers still provide a great user experience. Having said that people still struggle running a Prusa out of the box.

How can making a Ghost only radio be beneficial to new comers if BNF Ghost quads are non existent on the market?

If you have Ghost you have everything.

You can do anything you want to do.

The closed system is a no go for me but honestly even before that I was disappointed to see a game controller radio. I was hoping they'd push the Mamba's new design even further with that sweet Orqa style bling. But instead they make a game controller. It strikes me as a way to keep a foot in the hobby grade FPV market whole they focus on their commercial / govt gigs. Kinda let down.