Jumper is not taking a break! Shortly after the release of the T20S, they’ve launched the T14, a radio that bears a striking resemblance to the Radiomaster Boxer and TBS Mambo but stands out with its unique features. In this review, I’ll go over these features and compare the T14 to the Boxer and T20S, helping you decide which radio you should get.
New to FPV? You can learn more about FPV drone radio transmitters in this buyer’s guide: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Where To Buy?
Get your Jumper T14 radio from these vendors:
Gimbal Options
The Jumper T14 is available in two versions: one with Hall gimbals at $89.99, and a pricier one at $109.99 featuring RDC90 gimbals—found in high-end radios like the Futaba T18MZ. Some argue that RDC90 gimbals provide more linear outputs than their Hall counterparts, but in my experience, I didn’t notice a significant difference in smoothness or control feel.
If you’re one of those people who believe in “more expensive is always better” then by all means get the RDC90. However, I think the Hall gimbals are perfectly fine for most people, especially given their more affordable price tag.
Frequency Options
The Jumper T14 comes equipped with an ExpressLRS internal module, offering three frequency choices: 2.4GHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz. Personally I prefer 2.4GHz — that’s the one I’m focusing on in this review. Why? It offers exceptional range that suits my needs (up to tens of kilometers) and comes with notably smaller antennas compared to the lower frequency 900Mhz options. Learn more about the pros and cons of these frequencies here: https://oscarliang.com/expresslrs/#24GHz-vs-900MHz
Accessories
In the box, you can find the following accessories:
- Neck strap
- Quick start user manual
- USB-C cable
- Spare springs for gimbals
- Two switch replacements
Like the Boxer, it comes with a carry case. However, it lacks a dedicated gimbal/switch protector, instead providing two simple foam rolls to protect the sticks.
Specifications and Features
- MCU: STM32F407ZET6
- Screen: OLED Display
- Screen size: 2.42″ (resolution 128*64)
- Rocker Stick Size: Standard
- Gimbals: Hall sensor or RDC90
- Built-in RF: ExpressLRS (915MHz or 2.4GHz)
- Transmission power: 1000mW (max 30dBm)
- External module interface: standard JR module bay (JR / FrSKY / Crossfire compatible)
- TF card: built-in chip (officially recommended by EDGETX)
- Working voltage: 6V – 8.4V
- Battery Required: 21700*2 (not included)
- Size: 185*175*79mm
- Weight:
471g503g (without battery)- 593g with 18650
- 637g with 21700
Build and Design
At first glance, the T14 looks very similar to the Boxer – the housing is also made of plastic with a black matte finish, featuring a familiar arrangement of switches and a comparable layout. The plastic shell of the T14 feels slightly cheaper and more flimsy, but considering the price, that makes sense.
It’s not exactly a direct copy though, there are some substantial differences as I will explain in this review.
Size and Weight
Though being similar in height and thickness, the T14 is somewhat wider than the Boxer. However, it’s the lighter of the two by about 30 grams. Both models boast flat bases, allowing them to stand upright on a flat surface, which is always a plus in my book.
Stacked against the Jumper T20S, the T14’s larger size is apparent despite having fewer controls. The layout therefore is looks less cramped. Despite being significantly bigger, the T14 only weighs 50g more.
Gimbals
My T14 review unit came equipped with RDC90 gimbals. Comparing these to the Hall sensor gimbals of the Boxer and TX16S, I found no significant difference in control smoothness. The RDC90s do allow for stick travel adjustments; however, I found the default configuration too narrow for me as a pincher and I had to increase it all the way to the max to feel precise in my flying. Thumbers might find smaller stick travel more to their liking, it’s really a personal preference.
A notable downside is the gimbal tension adjustment. Unlike the Boxer, where adjustments are a breeze from the front, the T14 requires a bit more effort, as you need to open up the radio to make changes.
The stick ends, too, left something to be desired. They felt too skinny and lacked sufficient grip for my taste. A quick swap for third-party stick ends, like the Radiomaster Sticky360, made a world of difference. Remember, these gimbals have M3 threads, so make sure you get stick ends that are compatible.
Switches and Controls
On the front, there are four switches, one 2-position and one 3-position switches on each side. Two rotatory dials in the middle.
Below the dials, you have the power button between the two gimbals. Unlike the Boxer, where the status LED is built into the power button, Jumper moved the status LED to the sides of the screen.
The shoulder of the radio features two low-profile, button style switches. The left is a latching switch and the right a momentary one, just like the Boxer. If you’re not a fan of these button style switches, Jumper has thoughtfully provided stick-style replacements. However, both are latching, with no momentary option.
Note that there are no “flight mode” buttons on the T14, which could be a disappointment for some. On the bright side, it makes a cleaner layout by removing these buttons. Personally I rarely use them so I’m sure it’s not a problem for many people.
Screen, Buttons and Menu
Navigating the T14’s menu is straightforward, thanks to a standard button layout and scroll wheel in Jumper’s radios. The plastic scroll wheel may feel cheap compared to the Boxer’s metal one. And the scroll wheel is a bit slippery and easy to select the wrong option.
Where the T14 truly shines is its monochrome OLED screen. It’s a step above the Boxer’s LCD screen, offering clear visibility in various lighting conditions, even direct sunlight—no backlight needed.
Antenna
While not removable, the onboard, foldable antenna is a another area that the T14 excels, making it travel-friendly and easy to pack. It can be rotated up to 180 degrees for optimal angle. It’s worth noting that for optimal performance, it’s crucial to align your TX antenna with your RX antenna – ensuring a consistent, strong signal. You can refer to my tutorial on antenna placement for more insights: https://oscarliang.com/antenna-positioning/
The downside however, is that you can’t swap out the antenna for a different one, e.g. a higher gain antenna. But I doubt many would do that anyway so it’s not really a deal breaker.
Internally, the antenna is connected to the RF module via a UFL connector. Interestingly, the antenna’s plastic housing seems oversized for 2.4Ghz. I guess they are using the same mould for both 2.4GHz and 900MHz to save costs, but they could have clearly made it smaller for 2.4GHz.
Connectors and Speaker
On top, you have the USB-C port for FPV simulator, data transfer and firmware updates. Also there’s the trainer port (3.5mm audio jack).
The speaker, located above the power button, doesn’t quite match the Boxer’s audio quality or volume, but it’s a minor setback that doesn’t affect usage.
Back Handle and Neck Strap
The T14 features a foldable plastic back handle, while the Boxer opts for a fabric one. Which one is better depends on your requirement, each has its pros and cons.
The neck strap hook location is spot on with the battery installed, the radio perfectly balance on a neck strap.
Ergonomics
Handling the T14 feels familiar if you’ve used the Boxer, because of their similar shape and weight.
However, the anti-slip rubber inserts on the back of the T14 feel slightly cheaper than the ones in the Boxer, and are less grippy. They’re sufficient, though, especially when considering the T14’s competitive price.
Whether you’re a thumber, or a hybrid pincher, the T14 has you covered. Holding it feels natural, the gimbals are smooth and soft out of the box without the need for any adjustment, except for throttle which I had to loosen a tiny bit more.
My main criticism would be the front switches, which are placed slightly further away from the sides compared to the Boxer. It makes it harder to reach the inner switches – you kind of have to take your hand off the stick to reach it. On the Boxer, these switches are more accessible.
External Module Support
The T14 has a JR module bay on the back that supports external modules, compatible with full size modules like Crossfire, other ExpressLRS modules, Ghost, Tracer etc.
Battery Options
The Jumper T14 comes with a battery holder that can fit two 18650 or 21700 Li-ion cells. To use 18650 in this holder, make sure to pull the contacts outwards so they hold the smaller 18650 cells securely.
Batteries are not included, and need to be purchased separately. Get them here:
21700 Li-ion cells:
18650 Li-ion cells:
Power Consumption and Battery Life
Current draw varies depending on the RF power setting, here’s the measurements from my testing:
- 0.11A with RF module turned off
- 0.45A at 25mW
- 0.67A at 250mW
- 0.80A at 500mW
- 0.90A at 1W
By default he fan is configured to activate at 10mW, which means it’s pretty much always running. This leads to higher current draw than other ExpressLRS radios I’ve tested at lower power levels. I’m not sure if this is intentional by Jumper, as most ELRS radios I’ve encountered typically activate cooling fan at 250mW or higher. Anyway I left this settings at default for the rest of the test.
Using 21700 4500mAh cells, you can expect around 8 to 9 hours of run time at 25mW, or approximately 4 hours at 1W. With the 18650 3000mAh cells, this drops to roughly 6 hours at 25mW or about 3 hours at 1W. Note: this is only a rough estimation.
To optimize battery life, you can utilize the Dynamic Power option available in the ExpressLRS LUA script. With Dynamic Power, the mW output adapts to the model’s range, signal strength and link quality, minimizing power consumption. This feature allows for as little as 10-25mW usage during unobstructed line-of-sight flights.
Battery Charging
You can charge the battery via the USB-C port.
Jumper seems to have fixed the slow charging issue I raised when reviewing the T20S. The T14’s charging rates now reach up to 10W, over twice as fast as before. Note that you will need a power adapter that support at least 5V 2A or higher, using a computer’s USB port may result in slower charge times.
Estimated charging times are as follows:
- 21700 4500mah batteries: Approximately 4-5 hours
- 18650 3000mah batteries: Just under 3 hours
However, there’s a quirk: the radio powers on automatically when plugged in for charging, which seems like a bug. Hopefully this can get addressed in future firmware updates. For now I just switch to the “Simulator” profile during charging, which ensures both internal and external RF modules are turned off.
FPV Simulator Support
The Jumper T14 is plug and play with popular FPV simulators such as Tryp and Liftoff. When connected, it’s automatically recognized in the simulator. The setup remains the same as all other mainstream remotes.
Internal RF Module
The T14 features an built-in ExpressLRS module that comes with ELRS 3.3.1 firmware. I am unable to update this module yet to the latest 3.3.2 as the device target “T-14 2G4 TX” has not yet been added. Hopefully it will in future releases. It also supports ELRS Backpack feature.
Unfortunately, Gemini mode is not supported by the T14. Hopefully Jumper will release a Gemini capable T14 in the future. For now you can use the BetaFPV SuperG TX module which I have tested with decent results: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-superg-nano-transmitter-module/
If you are new to ExpressLRS, check out my detailed setup guide: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/
Radio Firmware
The Jumper T14 comes preinstalled with EdgeTX firmware, which is currently the most widely used radio firmware in the FPV community. Firmware version is 2.10.0-selfbuild. Firmware target is T14.
A notable feature about the T14 is its elimination of the SD card slot. And no, it’s not an oversight. In fact, the T14 doesn’t even require an SD card. Instead, it comes with an onboard 512MB flash memory. This serves as a storage for what’s typically called “SD Content” where model images, audio files and radio backups are stored. That means you won’t need to purchase an SD card separately.
You can access the storage via the USB-C port: connect the cable while the radio is active, when prompted, select the USB Storage (SD) option.
While you likely won’t need to mess with firmware when the radio arrives, it’s certainly possible to flash EdgeTX firmware using one of the two methods described in my tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/flash-edgetx/
Output Power Testing
Here are the power measurements of the Jumper T-14’s internal module at different output power levels.
This test was done under ELRS firmware version 3.3.1. I couldn’t update to the latest 3.3.2, as T-14 2G4 TX target has not made it to the device list yet. Hopefully it will be available in the next release.
Power Levels | 25mW | 50mW | 100mW | 250mW | 500mW | 1W |
T14 Internal Module | 55mW | 103mW | 216mW | 448mW | 610mW | 840mW |
These measurements were taken using the ImmersionRC Power meter V2 and demonstrate the accuracy of the factory calibration and whether the maximum output power meets expectations. It’s important to note that these measurements do not reflect the hardware quality, but rather the consistency and performance of the internal module
After running the T-14 at its maximum 1W output power for 20 minutes, it settled around 815mW. Despite the excessive output power in lower settings, the performance of maximum setting is on par with that of the Radiomaster Boxer.
Tear Down
Taking apart the T14 was surprisingly easier than the T20S, requiring the removal of only four screws without touching the rubber inserts.
The front and back housing are connected via 2 cables, which appear to be for the internal and external RF module. The improved build quality was evident, with all switches’ solder joints protected by glue. The attention to detail is great to see.
The overall design is significantly less complex compared to the previous T20S, making repair and future modifications so much easier.
Here are some close up shots of the top and bottom PCB.
Conclusion
The Jumper T14 offers versatility and value for FPV pilots, despite its few quirks.
T14 vs Boxer
When it comes to choosing between the T14 and the Boxer, it boils down to what you value most in a transmitter.
Ergonomics wise, both radios feel similar in hand, but the Boxer offers better grip. Also I feel like the switches on the Boxer are easier to reach than the T14 without stretching your fingers too much.
The T14’s superior OLED screen and cleaner layout make menu navigation a pleasure. Yet, in terms of build quality, the Boxer has a slight edge, feeling more robust despite the T14’s more attractive price point.
See my review of the Radiomaster Boxer: https://oscarliang.com/radiomaster-boxer/
Check prices of the Boxer:
T14 vs T20S
If you’re deciding between the T14 and the T20S, consider the T14’s advantage of a larger screen and external modules support without needing an adapter. The T14 also stands out for its simplicity for repair and mods. The internal build quality has improved noticeably compared to the T20S.
For those who prioritize compact form factor, you might find the T20S a more compelling option. Nevertheless, it offers more features and functionality while being a smaller radio. Sure, the T20S also supports external module, but it requires a module adapter. If you want to go with the T20S you really should avoid using external module as it ruins the compact form factor.