Runcam TX100 Nano Review
• Chris
Recently Runcam added another VTX to the repertoire of Nano VTX - the Runcam TX100 Nano. This Nano VTX weighs in at just 1.5g with antenna (without wires) or 0.92g without antenna.
It can be powered from 4.5V to 5.5V. Of course this one also allows settings to be changed via Betaflight OSD - it uses the ImmersionRC Tramp protocol.
The video transmitter can be switched to 25mW or 100mW. Definetly not the most powerful Nano VTX out there, but a viable option for those of us who are limited to 25mW anyways.
The board has a size of 14x14mm and is 4.5mm high at its highest spot (the antenna connector).
The video signal is very clean and it does not cycle through different channels when powering up.
Working Modes
The TX100 has three working modes:
- Info Mode (after powering up)
- Standby Mode (after info mode has finished)
- Settings Mode
Info Mode
There are two LED’s indicating its operating state (after being powered up):
- Blue LED flashes one time - after that the red LED flashes 1 to 8 times, this indicates the channel you are on.
- Blue LED flashes two times - after that the red LED will flash 1 to 5 times representing the band you are on.
- Blue LED flashes three times - after that the red LED will flash one or two times, for 25mW and 100mW.
Standby Mode
In standby mode the state of the LED’s signalizes the operational mode:
- When only the red LED is on it is in locked state and the channels marked in orange are not available:
- When both LED’s are on, the VTX is unlocked and all the channels from the above table are available.
- Both LED’s are off: the VTX is in Pit mode.
Setting Mode
Long press the button for three seconds to enter the settings mode (blue LED will blink one time). You can now set your channel by short pressing the button. Long pressing the button for another three seconds (blue LED will blink two times) will allow you to set the Band by short pressing the button. Long pressing the button for another three seconds (blue LED will blink three times) will enter the power settings menu where you can again change the power by short pressing the button.
Saving the settings
With this VTX you explicitly need to save the settings by long pressing the button for 5 seconds, after which the VTX will switch to info mode and you can double check your settings.
Should you not save the settings, the VTX will exit settings mode without saving your changes.
Unlocking the VTX
The VTX comes locked. In order to unlock the VTX, press the button for 10 seconds. I recommend doing this first and then simply do all the settings via BetaFlight OSD.
VTX tables
Use this VTX table JSON file with Betaflight >= 4.1.x and an unlocked TX100 - just upload it in the Video Transmitter settings tab. Learn more about VTX tables in my dedicated article.
Pinout
The TX100 has the pinout conveniently placed on the PCB itself.
Summary
With a price tag of around 15$ on banggood I can fully recommend this VTX to anyone who does not need crazy output power. This VTX should be good for any whoop or toothpick build.
The clean signal is definitively a big bonus.
If you want to see how it stacks up against other nano sized VTX, check out my Nano VTX comparison.
Sources:
Chris is a Vienna based software developer. In his spare time he enjoys reviewing tech gear, ripping quads of all sizes and making stuff.
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