I’ve noticed a high number of people recommend crossfire online. Is the module worth the extra cost? I’ve been under the impression that the range limitation is the vtx. Can a high powered vtx outrange a standard frsky receiver?

I’ve noticed a high number of people recommend crossfire online. Is the module worth the extra cost? I’ve been under the impression that the range limitation is the vtx. Can a high powered vtx outrange a standard frsky receiver?

Yes, a higher powered VTX will out range not only a standard FrSky RX, but the R9 system as well.

For LR Crossfire is the best choice.  Dragon Link is another option, but IMO it is substandard.

Is it worth the extra cost?  Only you can answer that.  If you want to fly mid range only you might get by with an R9 system and save some cash that way.  If you're a freestyler or racer some like the Crossfire Micro TX for less latency and more punch through.  And the Micro TX will do better at mid range than the R9 system.  The lite version of the full sized Crossfire will save you about 60.00 as well, giving up very little in options.  IMO the lite version is the best bang for the buck.

If you want to move to a 900MHz control link then there are only two main players in the 900MHz RC link market - TBS with their Crossfire system, and FrSky  with their R9 system. If you're only doing proximity flying then a standard 2.4GHz setup can get you out a reasonable distance (I've gone out over 600 metres on an R-XSR) as long as you don't do something stupid like mis-orientate the antenna.

People who switch to 900MHz either want to experiment with going out to further distances, or they want more security during proximity flying, because the 900MHz systems are less likely to failsafe.

If you are happy with your 2.4GHz control link and have no good reason to move to 900MHz then just stay with 2.4GHz and maybe move across in the future if and when you feel you have a need to do so.

a lot of people use Crossfire even when they don't fly long range, they just want the extra security (radio link is more robust due to the lower frequency), and the system is actually easier to use when it comes to update and configurations, things can be done wirelessly.

Yes it is very worth the extra cost. A fail safe can cause a lot of damage so it pays for itself very quickly.

I am new here but I would like to chime in. I was in the same boat recently. I ended up going with the crossfire micro and it was easy to set up and bind.
I wondered if I should have went with the crossfire lite module but so far so good. I don't fly long distances as I am too afraid of losing the quad. I stay within short walking distance in case I need to retrieve the quad. Thing is, I like to fly in bandos and worry that even the micro module would fail-safe close range when flying through concrete and steel.

The lite failsafes I have special elite failsafe skills and am now very good at it and it really sucks when you fly past the same point you have previously failsafed at and you failsafe. Doh is the usual response with lots of curse words towards myself.

(03-Dec-2019, 12:47 AM)UrbanJungle1966 Wrote: The lite failsafes I have special elite failsafe skills and am now very good at it and it really sucks when you fly past the same point you have previously failsafed at and you failsafe. Doh is the usual response with lots of curse words towards myself.

How far out were you when you failsafe?
Not everyone who buys crossfire flies far away(like myself)
I am close by but I have still need power to be able to penetrate all the things between my quad and I.
Also, on my x9d 2019, can I even power the lite module over 500mw? I am currently using a 3000mah 2s inside my x9d but read in the crossfire instructions online that the internal battery can only power the module up to 500mw, and to use it at your own risk if I go over.
If I had the lite/full module would it burn up something if i flew 2s on the 2s 3000mah inside my x9d 2019? Why does TBS call it a risk use over 500mw on the internal battery?

another question could be „why not crossfire?“
in my eyes there is only one answer; the price...

There was a long discussion on some of this stuff that I started a few months back when I was looking to get Crossfire for my own use (HERE).

I only ever do proximity flying and nothing medium or long range so I saw no advantage or benefit of getting either the Lite or the Full module. Both a complete overkill for my needs and the Micro TX is a far neater package (read: no "brick" velcro'd to the back of your transmitter which requires an additional LiPo "brick" also velcro'd on as well if you want to use the higher power bands without prematurely draining your internal transmitter battery - I personally don't need all that extra unnecessary bulk hanging off the back on my transmitter). I also watched and read enough reviews from reputable FPV'ers who endorsed the Micro TX module as being more than adequate for proximity flying. So I went for a Micro TX myself. Admittedly I haven't yet had the opportunity to try it out because flying season is over here until next year but I don't have any doubts that it is perfectly suitable for my needs as it will be for most other close proximity flyers. The non-trivial amount of money I saved not buying the Lite or Full was better spent on something else.

The Micro TX is also capable of 500mW with a hardware mod if you feel up to the challenge and don't have a faint heart (see HERE) 

However, everyone has their own requirements and budgets so only they can decide which of the modules is most suitable for their needs.

(03-Dec-2019, 01:16 AM)FPVermillion Wrote: How far out were you when you failsafe?

About 200m and it was set to 2 watts. I am that good .

BUT the caveat is I was flying through a steel reinforced concrete tunnel under the road behind me so was well below ground level AND I was going too slow. There was no direct line of site as trees and a big metal power transformer is also in the way lol.

It does take a lot to failsafe Crossfire. A note my quad always looses every signal, video and crossfire when I do this but I have found if you go pretty quick it doesn't time out and reconnects on the other side so usually I make it.

The tunnel in question is at about the 50 second mark. When I turn around to go back you can see the metal box and the white car furthest left is me. I am sitting in front of the car so the quad is very much not in my line of sight.

https://intofpv.com/t-my-1st-ever-edited...ofpv-intro

If you hurry, cyber Monday, Crossfire Micro is only $56. R9M is $40. At least for the next few hours, $16 is worth the extra money.

"CYBERMONDAY" at Heli-Nation 20% off.

(03-Dec-2019, 01:37 AM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: There was a long discussion on some of this stuff that I started a few months back when I was looking to get Crossfire for my own use (HERE).

I only ever do proximity flying and nothing medium or long range so I saw no advantage or benefit of getting either the Lite or the Full module. Both a complete overkill for my needs and the Micro TX is a far neater package (read: no "brick" velcro'd to the back of your transmitter which requires an additional LiPo "brick" also velcro'd on as well if you want to use the higher power bands without prematurely draining your internal transmitter battery - I personally don't need all that extra unnecessary bulk hanging off the back on my transmitter). I also watched and read enough reviews from reputable FPV'ers who endorsed the Micro TX module as being more than adequate for proximity flying. So I went for a Micro TX myself. Admittedly I haven't yet had the opportunity to try it out because flying season is over here until next year but I don't have any doubts that it is perfectly suitable for my needs as it will be for most other close proximity flyers. The non-trivial amount of money I saved not buying the Lite or Full was better spent on something else.

The Micro TX is also capable of 500mW with a hardware mod if you feel up to the challenge and don't have a faint heart (see HERE) 

However, everyone has their own requirements and budgets so only they can decide which of the modules is most suitable for their needs.

I read the whole thing. I cannot perform that mod realistically at the moment. The micro module should have been able to do 500mw on it's own wondered why they limited it to 250mw(i know it used to be only 100mw). Why not 500mw when they released it? I guess noone can answer these questions but I wish I could see real world data on what the micro can penetrate through compared to the lite module.

(03-Dec-2019, 01:58 AM)UrbanJungle1966 Wrote: About 200m and it was set to 2 watts. I am that good .

BUT the caveat is I was flying through a steel reinforced concrete tunnel under the road behind me so was well below ground level AND I was going too slow. There was no direct line of site as trees and a big metal power transformer is also in the way lol.

It does take a lot to failsafe Crossfire. A note my quad always looses every signal, video and crossfire when I do this but I have found if you go pretty quick it doesn't time out and reconnects on the other side so usually I make it.

The tunnel in question is at about the 50 second mark. When I turn around to go back you can see the metal box and the white car furthest left is me. I am sitting in front of the car so the quad is very much not in my line of sight.

https://intofpv.com/t-my-1st-ever-edited...ofpv-intro

That is close by, that tunnel is not even deep and it's actually bridge your going under. The Micro Module should be able to do that easily and while going slow as well. I wonder how you failsafed on 2watts. That is close by and should be a breeze for your module and my micro. What is your setup?

The mod is definitely not for the novice.

(03-Dec-2019, 08:57 PM)FPVermillion Wrote: That is close by, that tunnel is not even deep and it's actually bridge your going under. The Micro Module should be able to do that easily and while going slow as well. I wonder how you failsafed on 2watts. That is close by and should be a breeze for your module and my micro. What is your setup?

I think it is more the transformer which is directly in between me and the tunnel.

This is one of my I know it is going to fail but if I go fast enough i'll make it places.

Bit like dive bombing trees. 50% I make it the other times I don't and even occasionally get stuck up the tree. I am getting good at retrieving my quad out of big trees

All jokes aside Crossfire is the system to have if you want to do anything other than flying around in an open space. It is quite amazing how far it can be pushed.