Review: Jumper T-Lite V2 Radio Transmitter

The Jumper T-Lite V2 is a great compact budget radio. It’s loaded with all the cutting-edge technologies while being very affordable. However there are some downsides, which you will learn about in this review.

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Learn more about radio transmitters for FPV drones in this buyer’s guide.

Where to Buy?

There are 2 internal module options: ELRS – ExpressLRS and JP4in1 which is a multiprotocol module that supports many receivers including Frsky D8 and D16. I am reviewing the ELRS version and that’s also what I would recommend.

• Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HoWkDP
• Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-qawf
• AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdKvR2X

It comes with the following accessories:

• External module adapter
• USB-C cable
• Antenna
• Stickers
• Manual

Features and Specs

You can check out my review of the original Jumper T-Lite V1 here.

According to Jumper, the V2 has the following improvements:

• Two internal module options: ELRS and JP4IN1
• Upgraded Power Supply (bug fix when it turns off on its own)
• Upgraded gimbal, smoother and feel better
• Supports full power Jumper AION ExpressLRS External module

Here’s the specifications:

• Frequency: 2.4GHz ISM
• JP4IN1 Version RF Chipsets:
  • A7105 for Flysky,Hubsan,AFHDS2A etc
  • CC2500 for Frsky, Futaba SFHSS, Hitec, Radiolink, Esky etc
  • CYRF6936 for DSM / DSMX,Walkera Devo,Wfly etc
  • NRF24L01 for HISKY,Syma,ASSAN etc
• ELRS version:
  • RF Output Power: 25mW/50mW/100mW/150mW
  • Packet Refresh Rate: 25Hz/50Hz/100Hz/250Hz/500Hz/1000Hz
• Full-size adjustable hall sensor gimbals
• 1.3 ” LCD screen, resolution 128*64
• OpenTX/EdgeTX native support
• Voice and Vibration function
• Input Voltage: DC 3.5-4.2V
• Battery: 1×18650 Li-ion cell (Battery not included, avoid button top 18650 as it won’t fit)
• USB-C internal charging
• Support External module including Full Power Jumper AION ExpressLRS External Module and TBS Crossfire module
• 16 Channels
• Micro SD Card included
• Link Range: >5KM
• Size: 166*106*56mm
• Weight: 207g, 258g including 1×18650

Closer Look at the Jumper T-Lite V2

The Jumper T-Lite V2 came with EdgeTX and is also compatible with OpenTX. It has ExpressLRS module built-in, which according to the specs, can output up to 150mW, however mine only lets me choose100mW because in the ELRS menu the power steps are fixed: there are 100mW and 250mW but no 150mW option. Hopefully future firmware update would fix this. Anyway I am not too concerned about it, it’s not a big deal as you need 4 times the power to double your range.

It’s almost the same size as the BetaFPV Lite Radio.

left: BetaFPV Lite Radio 3; right: t-lite v2

From the outside it looks almost identical to the V1. The menu is operated using all buttons. It’s not as intuitive to use as higher end radios that use wheel button but you’ll get used to it.

There are trim buttons which are useful if you fly planes.

There are 4 toggle switches on top of the radio, the front two switches are 3-position, and back two switches are 2-position. Those are traditional switches that stick out, unlike the flat switches on the BetaFPV Lite Radio V3 that are more like buttons. They are easier to use but not as low profile and take up more space in your bag.

There are not a lot of switches and options (such as no momentary switches), but that should be enough for flying most FPV drones.

Between the switches, from left to right, we have a trainer port, an SMA antenna connector, above that is a micro-SD card slot (SD card is included). Finally on the right, there is a USB-C connector for charging battery, accessing the SD card, and connecting the radio to a PC so you can use it for FPV simulators.

When it comes to the gimbals… they are okay and get the job done just fine. But if I have to rate them, I would give them a 3 out of 5. (They are not as smooth as the ones in the BetaFPV Radio Lite V3 which I would give them a 4.) I prefer the stick height here than the T-Pro’s, perfect for thumbers in my opinion. Not really suitable for pinching though.

The overall ergonomics is ok, I really like where the switches are, but it doesn’t feel as comfortable to hold as the Lite Radio V3. Maybe it has something to do with the size of the radio, I get a more solid grip on the Lite Radio V3 because it’s rounder and bigger. I think the T-lite would work better for those with smaller hands. But it’s largely a personal preference and not really a deal breaker as you can get used to it.

Just like the previous T-Lite, it takes one single 18650 Li-ion cell. It can be recharged via the USB-C port. Using a 3000mAh 18650 Li-ion cell, one fully charge can last over 10 hours – I measured the power consumption which is around 250mA at 3.9V when setting output power to 100mW. Charging current around 0.4A at 5V (2W), to fully charge an empty battery would take around 6 hours via the USB port. Also you can easily swap out the battery in the field, so this is a great radio for taking to trips (you can’t hot swap battery though, have to turn the radio off first)

However when you charge it, there’s no LED indicator, so you don’t really know when it’s fully charged until you switch on the radio. You can charge it while it’s turned on, so when you play simulator you don’t need to worry about running out of battery.

Although the specs states that the T-Lite V2 supports 3.5-4.2V input voltage, the radio stays on when the voltage drops below 3.5V. In fact it didn’t turn off until voltage drops below 2.6V in my testing. But beware that the internal module output power will be reduced when your battery voltage drops too low.

In the V2 they made it super easy to install the external module bay. Simply remove the sticker and plug in the module adapter that comes with the radio.

I tested it with the AION ELRS module, all working beautifully. It also works with the Crossfire module.

Let’s take a look at the inside of the radio.

Gimbal spring tension can be adjusted using a screw driver (yes you have to take the plastic housing off to do it, there are no holes on the back). Switches are attached to the PCB using connectors so they can be easily replaced if you want to. Overall a pretty good design for doing repair by yourself.

Here’s the manual.

Updating T-Lite V2 Internal ELRS Module

When I got my T-Lite V2, I couldn’t get it to bind with any of my receivers, either on ELRS V2 or V3 firmware. It says “Unknown firmware” in the ExpressLRS LUA script, so I decided to re-flash the internal ELRS module.

Since there’s no official V2 firmware for the AION T-Lite module, the only option is to flash the ELRS 3.0.0 (currently in RC1) firmware. Note that there’s a V2 development build for this radio if you must use V2, so you are covered. (how to flash ELRS 2.X firmware on the t-lite V2: https://github.com/ExpressLRS/ExpressLRS/pull/1709)

It wasn’t straightforward to flash, maybe something to do with the fact that V3 firmware is still in RC? Anyway, flashing via WiFi kept failing for me (error says “cannot activate firmware”), and I couldn’t flash via SD card either, there is no “Flash Internal Module” option for some reason. The only way to flash it is to connect the USB cable, then select the “USB Serial” option and flash it through the ExpressLRS configurator.

I have a tutorial explaining how to do it on the Zorro, the steps are basically the same, just choose a different device in the configurator.

After flashing the latest firmware, I could finally bind it to an ELRS receiver with 3.0.0 firmware, and the firmware version is displayed correctly in the LUA script.

Should you get the T-Lite V2?

With so many budget gamepad style radios on the market right now, unfortunately there is still no perfect radio, each radio has its pros and cons. The Jumper T-Lite V2 is no exception, there’s something it does really well but not so well in other areas.

First of all, the V2 is definitely better than the V1, there is no doubt. If you want the cheapest and smallest radio, it’s a great contender. The main downside for me is the relatively low quality gimbals, lack of switches/buttons/rotatory switch, and tiny little screen which is hard to read sometimes.

If you got the budget, I still think the Radiomaster Zorro is a good upgrade for $120. But the T-Lite V2 is considerably cheaper at only $84, and it should meet most if not all of your FPV needs anyway. It honestly makes a decent beginner radio.

I feel like the T-Lite V2 is the main competitor of the BetaFPV Lite Radio V3 which is priced at $90. Apart from the better gimbals, ergonomics, screen and higher output power in the Lite Radio V3, I pretty much prefer the T-Lite in all the other aspects: better battery solution, SMA connector for external antenna, traditional switches, louder speaker, etc. I hope that help you make your decision which radio is better for you.

Since the output power is quite low at only 100mW (hopefully 150mW will be supported in the future), it’s more suited for micro drones that fly short to medium range. If you want to go long range you can get a higher power external module to attach to the back, and power it from an external battery (external modules usually have an XT30 connector).

To set it up for the first time, take a look at my guide for the Zorro, the steps are similar.