Solved Starting out with FPV

[OlliePackman]

I know exactly nothing about fpv gear. All I understand is the very basics about how it is used after watching a few flite test videos however I have no idea where to even start looking for my first gear. I would prefer goggles rather than a monitor but I essentially need a few links to everything that I will need - camera, TX, RX, goggles and any other key components which anyone thinks I might need. However, bear in mind that I haven't used anything like this before and I don't want to be paying top dollar for the best kit, I'd prefer the kit to be some of the cheaper range. Also, hyperlinks for buying in the UK would be appreciated. Happy shopping

 

[chronix]

I need this info as well, a light googling didn't help me much.

 

["Corpse"]

I know exactly nothing about fpv gear. All I understand is the very basics about how it is used after watching a few flite test videos however I have no idea where to even start looking for my first gear. I would prefer goggles rather than a monitor but I essentially need a few links to everything that I will need - camera, TX, RX, goggles and any other key components which anyone thinks I might need. However, bear in mind that I haven't used anything like this before and I don't want to be paying top dollar for the best kit, I'd prefer the kit to be some of the cheaper range. Also, hyperlinks for buying in the UK would be appreciated. Happy shopping

The camera really depends on what you are trying to do. Runcam makes some pretty good cameras, but they are a little bit pricey. Especially the Split camera. The split will get you HD video and recording.
https://www.getfpv.com/runcam-split...fpWUi0Ci6b2ic9uFPn_IAF0fDG2C8V8MaAp5lEALw_wcB

Here's something more regular. https://www.getfpv.com/runcam-swift-2-2-5mm-lens-orange.html
No HD or DVR with this one. :-(

You also need a VTX to transmit the camera signal to your goggles. I like this one. If you're putting it in a quad it just sits on your FC board.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G34CPDN/?tag=lstir-20

For the goggles, they span from $50, to $600! For the cheapest, I use this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYLPJTG/?tag=lstir-20

BTW, what are you doing FPV on? Quads or Airplanes?

 

[Merv]

Here is the 1st in a series of 8 videos that helped me learn the basics of FPV.

 

[Hondo76251]

Once you get the fpv bug you'll never go back!

My $0.02 is to get a decent set of goggles to start with. Nothing over the top but the cheaper ones aren't worth the time to mess with. I prefer box goggles myself so I've had good luck with these:

https://www.getfpv.com/eachine-ev80...MI2822_Ob66AIVxO7jBx3sqAy3EAAYASAAEgJNjvD_BwE

As far as the camera goes, I've had as much fun with the $20 All I One cameras as I have just about anything else. (A.I.O. means they have a built in transmitter and camera in one unit) they are not the best at anything but they will get you in the air. I prefer runcam for anything more involved, the pheonix is the best semi budget camera hands down. The caddex ratel is a close second for a few bucks less. As far as transmitter goes, anything over 200 watts has worked fine for me. The antenna is the most important part. I go with Right Hand Circular Polarized (RHCP) Pagoda antenna myself.

 

[OlliePackman]

The camera really depends on what you are trying to do. Runcam makes some pretty good cameras, but they are a little bit pricey. Especially the Split camera. The split will get you HD video and recording.
https://www.getfpv.com/runcam-split...fpWUi0Ci6b2ic9uFPn_IAF0fDG2C8V8MaAp5lEALw_wcB

Here's something more regular. https://www.getfpv.com/runcam-swift-2-2-5mm-lens-orange.html
No HD or DVR with this one. :-(

You also need a VTX to transmit the camera signal to your goggles. I like this one. If you're putting it in a quad it just sits on your FC board.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G34CPDN/?tag=lstir-20

For the goggles, they span from $50, to $600! For the cheapest, I use this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CYLPJTG/?tag=lstir-20

BTW, what are you doing FPV on? Quads or Airplanes?

Ah I meant to put that in the original thread. I'm planning on gliding with it.

 

[FDS]

Use a simple AOI camera, get one with 200Mw output, and a set of 800x400 box goggles. The camera can run off the battery that runs your servos.

 

[Hondo76251]

I'll second what @FDS said, get the 200mw AIO with the cloverleaf antenna.

This was all done with a camera like that:

The image in the goggles is actually a little better than what the DVR catches. It's not the best, but it's very simple, inexpensive, and it works.

 

[Aireal Anarchist]

I'll second what @FDS said, get the 200mw AIO with the cloverleaf antenna.

This was all done with a camera like that:

The image in the goggles is actually a little better than what the DVR catches. It's not the best, but it's very simple, inexpensive, and it works.

I watched that video some time ago, got a kick out of watching the kids trying to shoot it down

I agree with the AIO, and I still have one I stick on my buddies planes at the club airfield when they show interest in my FPV gear, they feel way more comfortable with their own plane first time FPV and using a ground station monitor, I found the goggles spooked many of them away

but another yes on the cheap AIO cameras to see if FPV is for you

 

[Hondo76251]

I really like these spektrum box goggles as well:

https://www.horizonhobby.com/SPMVM4...MIxr2l8saB6QIVSr3ACh3ufQy8EAQYBSABEgLksvD_BwE

They are good to start out with because then you also have a small screen that you can use if you dont want the goggles. I still use them all the time to let others observe what I'm doing in the air.

Of course, a good ground station monitor is hard to beat, but that's a little bit farther down the rabbit hole...

 

[Aireal Anarchist]

Of course, a good ground station monitor is hard to beat, but that's a little bit farther down the rabbit hole...

thats quite a setup
I have box goggles too because of glasses and a portable ground station with a monitor, but I also have a Video RX on a pole 30ft in the air and the signal sent to a 60" big screen and I fly my quad from a barkalounger in the living room, I have been testing a flight controller with "loiter" and long range gear so I can toss fixed wing planes in the air and go back inside to fly fixed wing on the big screen.....Im really not all that lazy, but in Oregon its cold and rains a lot in winter but there is always 10 -20 minute breaks in between the rains and in winter I will take what I can get

 

[Hondo76251]

@Aireal Anarchist same here, lots of cold weather flying. That's another good excuse for the FPV van!