RadioMaster TX16S Guide: Upgrades, Accessories & Parts
CSKYUAV — a China-based FPV drone parts manufacturer with over 10 years of experience and full ODM/OEM support — supplies the complete RadioMaster TX16S ecosystem, from the radio itself down to the last spare screw. The question most TX16S owners ask is simple: which accessories, upgrades and spare parts are actually worth buying? The direct answer: first upgrade the hands — AG01 or AG02 CNC hall gimbals change the feel more than anything else; then add the cosmetics that make the radio yours (CNC aluminium switch sets, LED gimbal light rings or a carbon faceplate); keep the RF side current with a genuine ELRS module, and stock genuine spares for the parts that wear — front/rear cases, battery covers, mainboards and grip sets. All product facts in this guide are confirmed on the product pages; the TX16S family line covered here runs from the TX16S Hall through the MKII to the TX16S MK3 and MK3 MAX.
Why the TX16S Is Still the Radio to Upgrade
The TX16S became the default open-source radio for a reason: a large colour touchscreen, hall-sensor gimbals, EdgeTX support and a modular rear bay make it the Swiss Army knife of RC transmitters. That popularity created a unique spare-parts economy. Because so many pilots fly the TX16S, RadioMaster keeps producing versions and upgrade parts for it, and CSKYUAV stocks that entire ecosystem factory-direct. That means a crashed or worn radio can be rebuilt from genuine parts instead of replaced — and a stock radio can be tuned into a personal flagship with bolt-on upgrades. The line currently spans the original TX16S Hall Radio Controller (Special Color Edition), the widely owned MKII generation (whose spare parts and modules are covered below) and the latest TX16S MK3 and TX16S MK3 MAX. If you are still comparing radios rather than upgrading one, our FPV radio controller guide covers model selection across brands.
Start With the Radio: MK3 or MK3 MAX
Before buying any upgrade, make sure the base is right. The TX16S MK3 Radio Controller and the TX16S MK3 MAX are the current generation, both offered in ExpressLRS/M2 versions with the module-ready design the family is known for. Pilots who want the top-of-the-line finish step up to the MAX; pilots who want the same platform at a friendlier price start with the standard MK3. Everything below — gimbals, switches, faceplates, modules and spares — fits the platform ecosystem, so your upgrade decisions carry over whichever body you choose.
The Upgrade That Changes Everything: Gimbals
On any TX16S, the gimbals are what you feel on every single flight, so a gimbal upgrade gives the best return of all. RadioMaster’s AG01 CNC Hall Gimbals and the newer AG02 CNC Hall Gimbals are designed as direct drop-in replacements for the TX16S family (the AG02 set also covers the TX15 and Boxer). Both move the whole gimbal assembly to CNC-machined aluminium with hall-effect sensing — smoother travel, no pots to wear out, and adjustable tension that stays consistent over years. Which one is for you? The short answer: AG02 is the current-generation pick for a new build, while AG01 remains the proven favourite for pilots upgrading an older TX16S on a budget. Our dedicated CNC hall gimbal upgrade guide compares AG01, AG02 and the V6 spring system in depth.
Make It Yours: Switches, Light Rings and Faceplates
Once the hands feel right, the next upgrades are the ones you see. Three factory-fit cosmetics deliver most of the personality for the least effort. First, switch feel: a TX16S MK3 CNC Anodized Aluminium Switch Set replaces the plastic toggles with machined aluminium that snaps with a cleaner detent and survives drops better. Second, presence at night: TX16S MK3 LED Gimbal Light Rings add backlit rings around the sticks — useful for finding the throttle at dusk and a quick visual fingerprint for your radio on the bench. Third, the front face: a TX16S MKII Carbon Fiber Faceplate Set upgrades the look and feel of the panel around the screen and switches. All three are genuine RadioMaster-style parts stocked by CSKYUAV, so fit and finish match the original design.
Keep the RF Side Current
The TX16S is only as good as the link it speaks. If you bought a multi-protocol version and later decided to fly ExpressLRS, or if your internal module is a generation old, the cleanest path is a genuine module upgrade such as the TX16S MKII ELRS Module. It slots into the module bay, gives you the full ExpressLRS feature set — binding, telemetry, packet-rate selection — and keeps the radio tidy without an external module hanging off the back. For pilots who prefer an external transmitter module, our external ELRS module guide walks through the range-versus-latency choices between 2.4 GHz and 915 MHz.
Protect It and Keep It Flying
Real-world TX16S radios get knocked around: switches catch on bag zips, gimbals flex in a loose backpack, and screens pick up scratches. A few inexpensive parts protect the investment. A TX16S Gimbal and Switch Protector sits over the sticks when the radio is off, and a TX16S MK3 Screen Protector keeps the touchscreen clear. For older or damaged radios, genuine replacements bring a unit back to life: a TX16S MK3 Front / Rear Case or a TX16S MKII Replacement Mainboard restores the body or the brain after a hard crash, while MKII side grips improve the daily hold. Ordering genuine spares rather than 3D-printed substitutes matters on a radio: switch detents, pot feel and antenna performance are all tuned to the original plastic and metal parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
AG01 or AG02 gimbals for my TX16S — which should I choose?
AG02 is the current-generation CNC hall gimbal set and is the natural choice when you are upgrading a newer TX16S build; AG01 is the proven option with a large installed base and often the better value on a budget. Both are direct-fit for the TX16S family.
Can I use TX16S MK3 parts on an MKII radio?
Not always — cosmetic and mechanical parts are generation-specific. MKII accessories such as the carbon faceplate, side grips and ELRS module target the MKII, while CNC switch sets, light rings and front/rear cases on the CSKYUAV pages are listed for the MK3. Check the product page title for the generation before you buy.
How do I add ExpressLRS to a TX16S that did not ship with it?
The cleanest route is a genuine internal module like the TX16S MKII ELRS Module that installs in the module bay and keeps the radio’s stock look. Alternatively use an external ELRS transmitter module in the rear bay for flexibility across 2.4 GHz and 915 MHz.
Are CNC switches and gimbal light rings worth the money?
They change feel and durability rather than range: CNC aluminium switches keep a crisp detent after hundreds of flights, and LED gimbal light rings improve visibility at dusk. If you fly mostly in daylight and prefer function over form, spend the budget on gimbals or an ELRS module first.
Can a crashed TX16S be repaired with genuine spare parts?
Usually yes. RadioMaster publishes replacement parts, and CSKYUAV stocks the common ones: front/rear cases, screens, battery covers, side grips, switch boards, roller PCBs and the MKII mainboard. Genuine parts restore factory fit and keep switches, pots and antenna working to spec.
Do I really need a gimbal and switch protector?
If your radio travels in a bag or gets stacked in a car, the protector is the cheapest insurance you can buy — it stops switch snap-off and gimbal flex damage that are the two most common field failures on TX16S radios.
Summary
Upgrading a RadioMaster TX16S is a parts decision, not a new-radio decision. Start from the correct base (MK3 or MK3 MAX), upgrade the gimbals to AG01 or AG02 CNC hall units, personalise with CNC switches, LED light rings or a carbon faceplate, modernise the link with a genuine ELRS module, and protect the body with a gimbal-and-switch protector and screen film. When something does wear out, genuine cases, grips and mainboards keep the radio flying for years.
CSKYUAV stocks TX16S radios and the full spare-parts and upgrade ecosystem factory-direct, with ODM/OEM support for brands that want custom electronics and packaging in their own product lines. Tell us which TX16S version you fly and what you want to change — we will recommend the exact parts for your upgrade.