It's posted elsewhere, but here is the original 'quick look'....
Ok, so a very quick first look at the RC58 video receiver that we got to replace a RC305 which failed after probably less than an hours use...
http://youtu.be/5P9-qQA4Z5w (http://youtu.be/5P9-qQA4Z5w)
It's wet out so an in-flight review will need to wait, however...
On the face of it it seems to work fine. We tested it with our new Aomway 200mw vtx and a Boscam ( ? ) running IRC frequencies.
The auto tune found them both easily but you should check the channel/freq it has selected as it will stop on the first channel it gets a picture, so in the case of my hex running on 5980, it stoped at 5985 which appeared to give a good picture but of course as soon as you get a bit of distance will break up. Pressing the scan button again and it continued thru the channels before stopping again , this time at 5980. Yes, the scan does both bands and channels.
It only auto tunes when you press the button rather than constantly running in some kind of auto seek mode, so there should be no fear of it randomly going off and changing channels mid-flight. That's assuming it's been engineered well.
The picture quality, whilst testing in the garage, appeared to be as good as expected with no artifacts or lines.
There is not a lot more we can say about it at the moment, but if we can get out tomorrow then we will try it out in the air at range.
Chris (and Michael)
So we took it for a flight test this afternoon to see what it's range was like.
For the test, I use my F550 hex that is fitted with a 200mw transmitter on Fatshark frequencies...
http://www.surveilzone.com/8ch-5.8g-av-200mw-wireless-tx-fat-shark-frequency-ws1152 (http://www.surveilzone.com/8ch-5.8g-av-200mw-wireless-tx-fat-shark-frequency-ws1152)
On the groundstation end, I ran my Duo5800 fitted with two skews for this test, alongside the RC58 on a second screen. That way we could fly out and compare the picture.
I managed to rob enough skews from other models so we are using Bignose skews all round.
Unfortunately my Archos recorder has died so I was unable to record anything.
Flight 1 - By 600 meters out at a fair altitude the image from the RC58 was unusable, whilst the Duo 5800 was crystal clear. Re-scanned the channels just in case it was 'off' somehow, but it kept finding the correct one. Left the hex hovering there and tried the supplied rubber duck dipole just in case, and even worse.
250 - 300 meters out, fairly usable, intermittent break up and grainy.
0 to 250 meters - good.
Flight 2 - This time I fitted a spironet patch to the RC58, obviously would be better. Out to about 1.5k and the picture was still good, better than the skews on the Duo5800 that I was flying with. I don't like flying the hex that far away so we didn't go any further.
Conclusion - Think I want to try it again with some different transmitters like the 200mw Aomway just incase there is any kind of compatibility issue. Whilst he only intends to use it for proximity/fpv racing with his quad, for which it would appear to be fine, it's a little disappointing on first take.
It will be interesting to compare our findings with Simon when his arrives.
Chris
Nice little review Chris
Feel a bit guilty about telling you to buy one now
I'll do the same test on mine if it ever gets here from HK
No need to feel guilty mate, I'll just expect a nice healthy discount on my next set of skews ;)
I'm struggling to believe it's working correctly with such poor range. It will be interesting to compare it with yours and I will try a few more variations next time I'm at the field. In the meantime I have sent Banggood an email to see what their intial reaction is.
Chris
Interesting results, nice review. I agree to try another brand Vtx to give the receiver a fair test. Looking forward to seeing the results.
I've put one of these in my ground station case to record, not actually tested it in the field yet though so will be interesting to compare. Got it from the banggood UK warehouse for £27!