Now to the receiving end of the FPV system. I spent a lot of time looking at goggles and head worn screens and the many types and prices where staggering. One of the very popular manufactures of FPV goggles seems to be Fatshark. Well these guys have joined forces with Spektrum to create a system that gives you a half decent set of Fatshark goggles and a mini camera that is the size of a Spektrum RX but carries a reasonable camera and TX aerial to transmit back to the goggles. The camera also can be controlled by your head movements through the goggles. Which means you can move your head which will in turn move the camera and then the view you see.
It must be said that I am a complete novice / beginner when it comes to FPV so these are the basic facts that I have picked up from reading online and the advice from Jack.
So after looking for ages I decided that I needed to start cheap and confirm that I could actually fly FPV first before sinking a whole lot of money into this concept.
So here's what I bought.
Quantum Cyclops FPV Goggles from HobbyKing.
Here's the blurb:
Quanum FPV heralds in the new age of lightweight plug & play style FPV headsets packed with more features than its closest competitors. Introducing the Quanum Cyclops FPV Goggle.
Lightweight and super comfortable the Quanum Cyclops is one of the best FPV Goggles on the market today using a rear mounted battery pouch for optimum weight distribution and soft sponge rubber facial foam lined with smooth sweatband material for maximum comfort. The one piece molded plastic shell design even allows for those that need to wear glasses during FPV flying.
The 5”, 800 X 480 non blue screen monitor and integrated 40 Channel Raceband compatible receiver maximizes the users immersive FPV experience.
A true Plug and Play solution that is compatible with Jack, XT60 or even 9 Volt style battery plugs can be used with 7.4 to 12.6 Volt power inputs.
No need to be “One Eyed” about your next FPV Goggle purchase the Quanum Cyclops is the natural progression, just power it Up, Autoscan to your FPV Channel and your flying, Boom Done!
With the battery and a new mushroom aerial (don't ask!) delivered for £50.
So what am I going to do with this very basic FPV set up, well I want to try FPV slope soaring (what else?) and I am hoping to site the camera and small lipo on my Ninja flying wing. The wing is very stable and I have previously had my Contour Roam video camera fitted to the wing and it proved to be a real success. Well lets give it a try and see how it goes. There may be a little wait as the RunCam docking station is coming from China on a slow delivery (too tight to pay for a quick delivery).
Then if this goes well I am very Interested in this.
This is the new E-Flite Opterra 2m flying wing. Click here for more details
So what do you think, any interest to you?
HI Paul, After we spoke yesterday I looked online for FPV stuff and found it to be a minefield of different things. What you've written here is perfect for the beginner and I am pretty keen to have a go. I have 2 Ninjas which can also be used as FPV platforms if anyone wants to have a go. I will try yours first to see whether I can keep my balance while flying, etc.... then I'm ken to get my own - maybe for the field on an electric glider (which I have)....
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great way to fly with your feet on the ground. One of those things you have to try because the technology is finally available. I guess you need an un-goggled friend to act as spotter while you fly FPV in the interests of safety and not losing the model...
ReplyDeleteI recently built what's know as a mini whoop, basically it's a tiny quadcopter with fpv. The quad copter is a furibee F36 and the camera is what's known as a vtx which is camera, 40 channel transmitter and antenna all in one and weighs in around 5 grams! The googles I have are Eachine EV800, comes with all you need including built in battery, the specs look similar to the goggles chosen by Paul. They work well but the focus is a strain on my eyes so I hotglued a pair of cheap reading glasses inside which sorted the problem.
ReplyDeleteGoggles are around £50 and the vtx camera is £25 all you need is a single cell lipo to power the camera. I will see about mounting on my wildthing, be ideal for combat.
Bob
Sounds great Bob. FPV Slopers here we come. I think it will be difficult just to stay airborne let alone combat Bob but will wait and watch you.
DeleteLike bob I've made a couple of quads with FPV, which I’m just getting the hang of, and use the cheap goggles and they work OK though getting the focus can be difficult. I’ve fixed lenses from a head mounted magnifier in mine. You might what to get a couple of clover leaf antennas for the TX and RX they do improve the reception. With the TX always make sure the antenna is on and tight or the TX will be blown. As Rob and Russell pointed out keeping your balance is a problem so you definitely need to be sat down when you give it a go and a buddy box might be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteHave done a little bit of FPV good fun, best to sit down while flying especially to start with, but just a pointer to remember, its a requirement for BMFA insurance that while flying FPV you also have a spotter with you who must be able to keep site of the model at all times in line of sight.
ReplyDeleteHi Bernie, thanks for the advice, Paul and I looked up the BMFA rules yesterday to make sure we will comply before we start ! We were also planning to start with a buddy tx set up.
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