Do I Want To Do FPV?

[ggcrandall1]

I am trying to decide if I want to jump into FPV. I saw FPV demonstrated at the 2nd Annual Southeastern FPV Fly-in last Sunday. It was all very interesting and all the guys there were helpful. But it is also a bit overwhelming. I have been flying RC for the past 10 years so the airframe part is not a problem to me.

I read a thread here about not getting junk for starters, which I totally agree with, but how do you know which is junk? It seems that just like straight RC, for every piece of equipment that someone likes there is someone that dislikes it.

Also I read to start simple, sounds like good advice. But then someone else says he should have had several whistles and bells when he started.

So can someone point me to a reasonably priced starter system? Is there such a thing? And what do you consider reasonably priced?

Lastly, at least for now, is there a glossary of terms posted some where? Right now the one that throws me is LRS.

Thanks, Glen

[kev.au]

LRS = Long Red Socks.
UHF = Underground Ham Frequency.
FPV = First Person View.
OSD = Oversize Systems Designer.
RTH = Rent The House.
GS = Global Signature.

[Vitamin J]

Yes, you want to FPV. Of course you do, you've been dreaming of it ever since you flew your first model, you just didn't know it was possible short of miniaturizing yourself.

Now the bad news, you're gonna have to start reading. Don't expect to be FPVing anytime soon, nothing is plug-n-play yet and you will need a basic knowledge of electronics and radio. There is tons and tons of info on this forum, you just have to read it.

Start here:
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....u-do-or-not-do

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....TO-FPV-SUCCESS

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....iry-FAQ-thread

I'll update kev's glossary :P

LRS = Long Range System = badass RC radio
UHF = Ultra High Frequency = what LRS's use, generally 433mhz
FPV = First Person View
OSD = On Screen Display = heads up display with information
RTH = Return To Home = autopilot that will *try* to fly back to the starting location if RC signal is lost
GS = Ground Station

[ggcrandall1]

kev_au

Gee, I didn't realize I posted this in the humor section.

Glen

[kev.au]

Couldn't resist, sorry .

[BCSaltchucker]

many answers to this question. depends on your budget, your intentions, your existing equipment

but can't go too far wrong buying a system from ReadymadeRC.com since they are careful to stock workable items. However I only buy a fraction of my FPV stuff from them.

don't do what I did at first: bought on eBay. Big mistake. I look back at my early videos and groan at the lousy video caused by newbie errors and equipment choices. The cam was crap, the OSD never worked and the vTx was the known-to-fail 500mw 5.8.

Might save yourself the most $ and gain the biggest smiles by just buying a complete Zephyr FPV package from Team Black Sheep today - seriously. Avoids all the trying-out, testing and re-buying most of us go through. Just might not want the 2.4 vTx.

I recommend the AIO goggles. Can fly without a ground station within a km if you have a 5.8 or 2.4 transmitter on the correct band (check and research this carefully). Hugely convenient for that, and then can be used on relay when you decide to build a GS. Only $400 for AIO goggles, while a decked out GS can set you back $2g

-

If it were not for FPV, I probably would not have bothered doing RC flying at all. Although now I am intrigued about 1/4 scale and aerosound systems.

[ggcrandall1]

Yes, you want to FPV. Of course you do, you've been dreaming of it ever since you flew your first model, you just didn't know it was possible short of miniaturizing yourself.

Now the bad news, you're gonna have to start reading. Don't expect to be FPVing anytime soon, nothing is plug-n-play yet and you will need a basic knowledge of electronics and radio. There is tons and tons of info on this forum, you just have to read it.

Start here:
http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....u-do-or-not-do

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....TO-FPV-SUCCESS

http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread....iry-FAQ-thread

I'll update kev's glossary :P

LRS = Long Range System = badass RC radio
UHF = Ultra High Frequency = what LRS's use, generally 433mhz
FPV = First Person View
OSD = On Screen Display = heads up display with information
RTH = Return To Home = autopilot that will *try* to fly back to the starting location if RC signal is lost
GS = Ground Station

Thanks for the reply.

I have read the links you posted, except for the FAQ. I will read the FAQ and reread the other links.
The electronics doesn't throw me. I was an electronics technician in the navy, back in the last century. Additionally I am an IBM retiree, 34 years in computer maintenance and programming.

Thanks for the glossary update.

I guess I should have included in my first post that I currently have the following equipment:
Futaba 7C (72mhz channel 50), Futaba 7C (2.4ghz), and Spektrum DX6i.

Glen

[Danub]

If you took a ride with Alex. . . I would suggest a beginner go with a rig like either Alex's specter or bluechip's SwiftII. . . . Keep it really simple as far as gear.
Video transmitter, video receiver, camera, some antennas and fly. Skip the OSD, tracker and return to home as they add complexity you don not need to start.
After you feel comfortable just flying then decide if you want more gear.

My $.02

[ggcrandall1]

Kev, No apology required, I loved it.

Danub, I did get a ride but it was with Mark. And it was great. Thanks for the tips.

Glen

[SENTRY]

If you are here - you want to FPV. That part is done.

What makes FPV safe is the knowledge that the operator possesses, followed next by equipment selection. The general notion is that you need a "lot" of stuff to FPV, that's simply NOT the case. Here is Sentry's fast-track to FPV.

* your 72 mHz radio
* Fatshark goggles with integrated receiver (Dominators, or Aviators if you can find them)
* either a 5.8gHz vTx or 2.4vTx to match the goggles. Stay as close to .5 watt as you can without going over that power.
* camera of your choice

That's it - you're DONE. You now have 2 miles range in *most* environments, but you shouldn't care about that bc "range" and "just starting out" doesn't go together.