Hi,
the same thing was also on a DX18 - here too it was only possible to get 18 channels with an additional module - that the IX20 can do 20 channels is not a false statement - the fact is only that an additional module has to be purchased - but that is in the small print - but one thing must not be forgotten , the IX20 has a lot more switches, so it can also "operate" the channels, which would be missing with the other controls -
I have different transmitters myself, like Spektrum DX18, NX10, Radiomaster TX16S and FrSky Horus X10S Express - I like them all

Here are a few more pictures of the IX20:
Please don't get me wrong, I don't want to advertise the IX20 here -

Regards
Matthias

My X20S has enough switches, buttons and knobs to assign to 19 discrete channels

4 analogs (gimbals)
8 Switches
2 rear buttons (momentary switches)
2 side sliders
2 Rotary knobs
1 Center slider (seen by the system as rotary).

There are 6 additional buttons (momentary switches) that so far can only be used for function shortcuts, but I think there may be a way to use them as additional momentary switches. The radio is capable of addressing up to 24 channels, assuming your receiver is also capable, but those would have to be used as part of multi-channel mixes and such, since there aren't enough physical controls to assign to them.

The RadioMaster TX16S has 16 channels and enough switches and knobs to use them all, and my Horus X12S has the same number of buttons and switches as the X20S, but only 16 channels by default. But if you add an XJT module, you can get 16 more channels for a total of 32.

Anyway, I would have thought that the ix20 would give you at least the number of channels the name implies, not less.

Hello,
To anticipate, this is not about a discussion about which control is the "best" but only about what the spektrum protocol DSMX (22ms) can do, regardless of whether it is about any external third-party modules with DSMX technology or whether it is about the original - there are currently 12 channels - with a different protocol (SRXL2 system) there are 20 channels, as with ACCESS 24 channels and with ACCST only 16 channels -
see attached picture of 4651T SRXL2 receiver for info -



Regards
Matthias

"this is not about a discussion about which control is the "best" but only about what the spektrum protocol DSMX (22ms) can do"

Very true. Thanks for bringing it back on track.