Choosing 2.4Ghz Transmitter.

camerart · July 10, 2013, 04:02:59 PM

I chose the Dx8 thinking that DSMX would work along side my 2.4ghz Video transmitter, but on a ground test, it wasn't impressive.

I'm thinking to buy a better 35mhz tx which should work ok with the video.

Just off to do a ground test.

Cheers, Camerart.

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 04:12:28 PM

You'd be better off getting a 5.8ghz video system.. 35mhz works but it can be glitchy!

electrotor · July 10, 2013, 05:22:13 PM

A good bet would be to buy a 35MHz tx with interchangeable RF modules. There are plenty excellent condition one up on Ebay. This would allow you to use your 2.4GHz video but later change to 2.4GHz model control and 5.8GHz video if you wished. There are some very good third party 2.4GHz RF modules available, including the matching rxs, that won't set you back a fortune.

FPVSteve · July 10, 2013, 06:11:08 PM

One thing you seem to have missed is that IF YOUR VIDEO IS ON 2.4GHz, YOU WILL HAVE ISSUES FLYING FPV ALONGSIDE PEOPLE WHO FLY USING 2.4GHz FOR CONTROL

The setups that work are:

35MHz control, 2.4GHz video.
Does not allow flying with those on 2.4GHz control. 35MHz can be glitchy and you need to be careful when flying with others.
35MHz control, 5.8GHz video.
Can be used with people flying on 2.4GHz control. 35MHz can be glitchy and you need to be careful when flying with others.
2.4GHz control, 5.8GHz video.
Can be used with people flying on 2.4GHz control.

Now you just need to choose a supplier for control, some good examples:

Spektrum DX8
Alright but sorry, Spektrum is prone to issues. You can sugarcoat it all you like but anyone who has problems tends to be on Spektrum. Club users tend to fly close in line of sight, it really is useless for FPV for the most part, I'm sure there will be some who disagree

Futaba
The pinacle of RC, but now not so much because the gear tends to be expensive and there are other alternatives such as:

Frsky
Cheap receivers, good range, cheap as chips. Can be installed into Futaba / JR transmitters as it is modular.

So in summary my advice would be:
5.8GHz video
2.4GHz control. Get a Futaba transmitter and chuck a Frsky module in it. If you can't afford a Futaba transmitter, spend £60 on a 9XR and put the same Frsky module in it.

Easy 1.5km, no hassle, no problems, no faffing around, no interference from other flyers.

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 06:13:49 PM

Quote from: Steve W on July 10, 2013, 06:11:08 PM

Alright but sorry, Spektrum is prone to issues. You can sugarcoat it all you like but anyone who has problems tends to be on Spektrum. Club users tend to fly close in line of sight, it really is useless for FPV for the most part, I'm sure there will be some who disagree

DX8 is DSMX. I fly my Naza F450 on 2.4ghz with my DX8 and I can fly behind trees 500m out and I've been out to 1km with no issues.. there are plenty of people who've been further.

Please don't join the spektrum hate band wagon until you know the facts :)

FPVSteve · July 10, 2013, 06:16:58 PM

When I put "some people will disagree", Davey, I did specifically mean you .. and here we go :laugh:

Fact is, most issues you find online about dropouts feature Spektrum components. Even you can't argue with that surely?

I don't "hate" Spektrum anyway - my line of thinking based on what I have seen (and read reports about) is that they're just not as robust in noisier environments - perhaps you live in an RF quiet area?

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 06:18:43 PM

There is some fear mongering from the DSM days... And now there are just bad pilots who want something to blame.

And you are just fanning the flames.. have you even ever used Spektrum gear?

FPVSteve · July 10, 2013, 06:22:11 PM

Only the old stuff.

But I'm not fanning flames, I'm saying how *I* see it based on what you yourself can find online if you care to look - you're just being defensive, so sort it out instead of accusing me of being on a hate campaign :laugh:

I don't actually think you're a twat for using Spektrum gear. If anything I think you're brave...

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 06:25:36 PM

Again.. people have issues with DSM and some issues with DSM2..

DSMX is on par with FASST.

Its nothing to do with being brave, its all to do with details and facts ;)

http://www.rcmodelreviews.com/dx8dsmxreview.shtml

RCModelReviews almost weekly news #12 - Spektrum's DSMX

Oh and some random tests resulting in 1.5 MILES on the ground.

http://www.rcheliaddict.co.uk/spektrum/63307-some-long-range-dx8-dsmx-testing.html

And that's a UK spec TX!

Bottom line is 2.4ghz isn't the best for FPV which ever one you use BUT DSMX is just as good as the rest of the high end 'legal' powered systems.

I'm almost tempted to throw a AR8000 + sat on my flying wing and take it out until it fail-safes.

FPVSteve · July 10, 2013, 06:29:55 PM

Indeed but, like I said, most of the things you do hear about are Spektrum issues.

Again, it's probably all down to the RF environment where you (and potentially others) fly.

Thus ends my participation on this subject (I'm not that bothered to be honest, i like Frsky).

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 06:31:00 PM

Its all down to people either using old gear... or they are just a useless pilot/builder and want something to blame..

Zeeflyboy · July 10, 2013, 09:20:07 PM

Frsky has to be the best option as regards 2.4 radios - they even have some specifically "long range" stuff.

I agree with davey to a point, I never had an issue when running DSMX... Granted I never pushed much over a km but some if the horror stories involve losing it within a couple hundred meters.

However, I don't think the spektrum's are a good choice if you intend to use an LRS at some point. Too many people having issues.

DaveyLC · July 10, 2013, 11:14:41 PM

What TX were you using?

flybywire · July 12, 2013, 10:59:35 AM

You've probably made your choice by now, but for what it's worth, I use a DX8, so far had no issues in conjunction with my 5.8ghz Vtx gear. All I can really add to the debate is that although I'm happy with what I've got, it's only human to want 'more', so if I sarted again, I'd either have the DX10 (a love-or-hate item I know!), or Futaba 14SG. Futaba have been around since I started flying fuel soaked planks in the 70's, they're an integral part of my RC 'heritage', I think they have it for style & build quality! I bought into the Spektrum thing, simply because all the Youtube vids of setting up wookong m's etc used Spektrum DX 7/8's!! (lazy or what?)
Seriously mate, whatever you get, buy as many channels as you can afford, you'll need them, especially if you intend on emulating zeeflyboy's epic scale chopper build. :laugh:

camerart · August 28, 2013, 10:11:34 AM

Hi All,

Thanks for the discussion.

I bought a DX8 and find it easy to use with different models. I tried the DX8 RX along with 2.4GHz video TX on a car, and soon found out they didn't get along. It wasn't well set-up, but it gave me an indication.

I then bought a cheap Hitec Eclipse 7, which has a switchable 35MHz module, and works fine. I have bought a set of Orange 433 MHz TX RX openLRS to fit into it, but have failed to get them to work so far (Long story) I'm interested in the way they can be programmed, even to the point of programming one to be a spectrum analyser, that can monitor the signals around. This could help in finding where glitches are coming from.

Cheers, Camerart