RC-Hangout

im looking for an first fpv set up and onerr the last couple of days have been looking at various sites. I will be on a budget of around the £200-250/$300-400 mark.

So far things that fall into this category are Fatshark predator v2 combo, or a 7" monitor with built in 5.8 rx and a walkera ilook+ (gopro size 1080p camera with built in 5.8tx).

I am swaying towards the fatshark combo just because its goggles and not a monitor

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated as it seems to be a bit of a minefield for new users

I have nearly bought these a few times Dan. Fatshark are good but pricey:( Lost out on Ebay several times. Lee is the best one and Stambo to answer:) Hobby King do a really cheap entry set made of polystyrene:( but actually get a not bad write up, but like all things you get what you pay for:(

All the gear I have was only £65 plus the cost of the goggles like... The kit was what Lee recommended.

I've got the RC808 5.8g receiver (which I don't need with the goggles). http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?ro ... arch=Rc808


The 5.8g circular polarised antenna set. http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?ro ... uct_id=181

The TS-351 5.8g transmitter 200mW.. They don't have any stock left of these till jan7th ish


800tvl camera.. http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?ro ... tvl+camera

All from makeitbuildit.co.uk

Hope this helps a bit Dan

doing some more trawling and found these.


boscam gc920 goggles
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381041438135? ... Track=true


boscam TR1 2 in 1 camera
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371178121779? ... EBIDX%3AIT

I think there are pro's and con's to both the goggles and the video monitor.

With the goggles, the view is just awesome! It puts your directly on the plane. Very very cool! However, the con's are the price and something that I've had happen is when I've gotten into a bit of "trouble" and tried to remove the goggles, I had to wait for my eyes to readjust to the light and I nearly crashed my plane. Fortunately, I was able to save it.

The monitor is a good route to go because they are lesser expensive and...when you are ready to take off, just toss the plane...get it trimmed out and then simply look down to the monitor. If you ever get into trouble, you just have to look up to the plane. The con to the monitor would be that you don't really get that "on-board" feeling.

Now, if you are going FPV on a multi rotor, some of the above will no apply.

I have the Fatshark Dominators and I love them but I will be getting a video monitor before next flying season for two reasons. One reason would be that I could use the monitor at the time of take off and trimming. Once all trimmed out, then I can use the goggles. The second reason I'm wanting a video monitor is so that my spectators (wife, Dad, and whoever else) can see what I see while I'm flying.

I'm going to get a monitor next year so the mrs can watch too, good thing about these goggles I have is they have a front facing camera, so I'm hoping that's going to help loads

One of the guys that I'm sub'd to on Youtube has used a 19" flat screen tv for his viewing monitor. He discovered that he can run that tv and his entire ground station off a 12v power source....in his case, a 3S 4000mah lipo. That single lipo can run his entire ground station for just over an hour before getting below 11.1v. He has it all set up in a decent sized plastic cooler. If I can find the video, I'll share the link. It was quite impressive!

danhampson wrote:Any input on this would be greatly appreciated as it seems to be a bit of a minefield for new users

Probably the first question is what is your ultimate goal? You are right that this stuff can get pricey.

I didn't like the idea of having to wear goggles so I went with a screen. When choosing a screen some thing to consider are it's resolution, its brightness, and contrast ratio. Keep in mind that even though your camera may output 1080P your video tx is probably around 480i. So don't get hung up on having an ultra high resolution display unless your video tx can also handle sending that resolution. Contrast ratio and brightness are things you are going to care about. I also like having all in one packages so a screen that has the RX built in is a bonus. Just pay attention to the channels it uses. You will need this info when choosing a video tx.

Now the video TX is a pretty simple device it takes a video input an transmits it. You will want to make sure whichever tx you chooses can transmit on the channel you rx can receive on. Most of the newer video TX have 32 different frequencies so they cover the vast majority of RXs. You also have to pay attention to the laws in your area some areas have restrictions on the transmit power. For me I like a nice strong tx.....I tried a 600mW fatshark and wasn't impressed with the range. I bought a 1500mW Boscam and the range is excellent.

Antennas is more complicated. You can get away with the whip antennas that come with these things just don't expect any significant range.

Camera again depends on what you want to do. You can add a gopro but they are spendy. You can pick up a cheap 720p camera from HK for $35 its tiny, light and shoots pretty good quality.

I will say staying in the $400 range will be tough but doable. Ask some questions about what you are having difficulty with and maybe some of us can help.

I have not seen a review on those goggles so I don't know what they are like.
I don't like the idea of the camera/tx all in one because you cannot upgrade one or the other and it limits mounting options.
The predator combo is what I started with and still use the goggles.
The image is reasonable with the camera in the kit but I upgraded to a 600TVL better camera which made quite an improvement.
I now use a diversity receiver cabled to the goggles which I think gives a more stable picture amongst trees and such.
On a budget there is nothing wrong with the Fatshark kit in my opinion.

Stambo wrote:I have not seen a review on those goggles so I don't know what they are like.
I don't like the idea of the camera/tx all in one because you cannot upgrade one or the other and it limits mounting options.

Semi true....Most of these all in one units have aux input. You could always upgrade the rx and use the aux input. But if you wanted to upgrade your monitor you would have to get a new RX to. For me I like the less clutter of the all in one. I'll sell my monitor if I need to buy a new one.

Stambo wrote: The predator combo is what I started with and still use the goggles.
The image is reasonable with the camera in the kit but I upgraded to a 600TVL better camera which made quite an improvement.
I now use a diversity receiver cabled to the goggles which I think gives a more stable picture amongst trees and such.
On a budget there is nothing wrong with the Fatshark kit in my opinion.

If you are stuck somewhere where the limit your tx power to 200mW or you want to do long range. I also recommend a diversity rx. You can pair it with a cloverleaf circular antenna and then a patch antenna for longer range. Just make sure you pay attention to which way the antennas are polarized. You want them to match.
Agreed nothing wrong with any particular system on a budget. That is why I try and ask the users intentions.

As xokia mentioned, the circular polarised antenna is probably the best upgrade you can do to a basic system.
Also there is considerable difference between the Fatshark CPs and the other cheap China made CPs.
I assume the IBcrazy blue beams etc will be even better.
you get what you pay for.

thanks for the advice guys, at the moment i just want to try fpv and love the idea of flying the machine from the perspective of the pilot, having the ability to shoot some cool landscape video appeals to me too, I think that i will put my sj4000 on the mount on the top of the mini quad as my recorder.

whats the deal with the antenna?

Which would be the best type to use with the FS predator?

The FS circular polarised antenna are a good upgrade.
They prevent a lot of interference and can increase effective range quite dramatically.
They are not cheap but neither are any of the other good ones.
If you are handy with a soldering iron you could even try to build your own.
There are plenty of videos and patterns out there.
With a miniquad generally long range is not something you aim for but if you decided to put it on an airplane, or build a foam platform who knows how far you may want to take it.

I've got these ones Dan, pretty cheap.. http://makeitbuildit.co.uk/index.php?ro ... uct_id=181

They are what Lee recommended for my quad

If you just want a plug and play system to take dip into FPV then the Fatshark combo is not bad. Only thing you need extra in the beginning is the CP antennas.
http://www.fatshark.com/product/1728.html


Here are a few things to think about first.

Which system?
5.8 is the most common frequency, or 1.3 for longer distance or more built up areas (trees etc)
Most common are ImmersionRC/Fat shark or Boscam(chinese)
As said already, a lot of the newer RX/TX combos have the full 5.8Ghz band covering all channels.
The Fatshark Dominators have an RX module, so you can replace it with either system, where as the Predetors is built in and only Fatshark compatible TX can be used.

Frequency power.
In the UK 25mW is the legal limit (but I don't know anyone that sticks to that.)
200mW is the limit with a HAM licence. But most fatshark users have the 600mW TX.
On a miniquad, you aren't going long distance, so 200mW is fine, plus its lighter.
I have just ordered this one. http://www.foxtechfpv.com/ts5823-58g-20 ... -1454.html
Its 32ch so should work with my Fatshark RX, but i do have a Boscam RX if not.

Whats going to make the difference with your video quality is good antennas
Good antennas trumps more power anyday.
I know guys that have flown 200mW TX to 15km using good antennas.
Circular polarised are the way to go for close in LOS flying. If you have a diversity RX you could add a patch or Helical for a more directional beam.


Cameras.

Your SJ4000 will work on the mini, but its very heavy, and not a good fit aerodynamically. Sticking up so high, its bound to hit something.
I would invest in the Mobius. That quad is designed around that camera.

You can go with an all in one camera, that records your flight, and sends the video signal, but if it goes wrong, you are now blind.
My advice is have a separate dedicated TX camera.
This is by far the most common camera you will find being used in FPV. Great quality and the price is really good now.
http://www.securitycamera2000.com/produ ... u-DNR.html
If you go with an ImmersionRC TX they output 5V not 12V, so i would go with the Fatshark camera that also has a miniSD card for another way of recording your flight.


Goggles or LCD

This is tricky. Some people can't stand goggles. They make the seasick.
But they give you the full immersive experience.
For me the Monitor doesn't do it. FPV means First Person View, not guy watching a TV show of a plane flying LOL
It is good though as the guys said, for allowing friends and family to see what you are seeing, and maybe as a back up if something goes wrong with your goggles.
Most of the newer LCD have bulit in diversity RXs too, making it simple to set up (no wires hanging around) Plus a built in DVR. This is a really good addition, so if you aircraft drops out of the sky, you can rerun the video on the monitor to help find the model.

There are many other thing involved, and much I have missed out I'm sure.

My main advice would be start simple. Less parts in the system, less to go wrong.

im so glad you posted that lee. i've just found a cracking deal on fat shark teleporter v3 combo (£180) that comes with that pictured hd recording camera.

I would prefer to have goggles over an monitor, as i think the experience will be far more immersive with goggles. And luckily for me i don't get seasick (i used to race sailing dinghies and yachts when i was younger).

Sweet.
Thats a good starting point.
Just make sure to get some CP antennas as well. The little whip antennas that come with most kits are next to useless.

Dan check this out

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... 8G_TX.html

Thanks Kev, now thats what i call a killer deal. i hope they still have stock in the new year.

Postage will cost a little but not what the diff would be, more pennies towards the better aerials,