Jon's first FPV - Easy Star

[jon]

So, I figured no reason not to start just because I've not even got any of the kit in my hands yet!

Seems I've got off to a spectacular start having ordered some 2.4Ghz radio gear which Coyote has kindly set me straight on, so will be making some phone calls nice and early tomorrow morning to stop that going out the door.

Still, I think I can be fairly confident the Easy Star was a decent choice.

Planning on documenting the learning process as well as possible here and on fpv.org.uk (just picked the domain up today).

[Coyote]

Dont get me wrong you can use 2.4ghz gear, but you cant use 2.4 fpv equipment with it limiting you legally to 1.3ghz or 5.8ghz and limited range too.

What everyone on 2.4ghz rc control ends up doing is buying a 35mhz system afterwards. Seeing you dont have yours yet i`d skip the finding out the hard way step and get 35mhz straigh off the mark

Cant go wrong with an easystar :)

[jon]

Dont get me wrong you can use 2.4ghz gear, but you cant use 2.4 fpv equipment with it limiting you legally to 1.3ghz or 5.8ghz and limited range too.

Got it.  ;D

Going on your summary over on the main site it seems like 35mhz with 2.4ghz seems like the best overall choice.  At least for the first time around.

After looking into all the different things to consider (OSD, RTH, telemetry) I'm slightly leaning towards just facing the fact that it's probably unfeasible to aim for the 'perfect' choice of gear first time, so I'm ready for the fact that I might find myself eBaying some bits along as I make different choices, upgrade, etc.

Given I've got no background in 'ordinary r/c' I'm guessing it's going to take a while to get proficient so I'm just going to take it all slowly and enjoy the whole process. :)

[Coyote]

Ah no rc experiance says then to learn to fly first using the EZ with no FPV gear. Its really easy, after a few weeks of flying you will be throwing it all around the place

Then use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid.

For a first FPV platform forget about all the toys, they need a lot of thought to mix and match, positioning has to be well thought out for interference.

If you have a problem at the start and you have fitted loads of gear its very hard to pinpoint the problem too. If you crash ( which you will, we all do lol ) the bill for replacing all these parts can cripple you.

Basically, a camera, video transmitter and thats it on the plane.

On the ground, receiver and goggles. You dont need anymore to start with. Get use to flying close in. Once you have it in the bag then and only then start considering a complicated system.

I spent a fortune and lost a fortune until i learnt to do it that way. Worked out miles better on the wallet :)

[Jay28]

Definitely learn to fly LOS first, you can start slowing acquiring FPV gear in the meantime. 2.4ghz is definitely the best choice for video basically because it's widely used for lots of different applications so it technically further advanced.

Listen to Ian, that advice is sound!

[jon]

Yep, complete noob here :)

Well, apart from when I was a kid but that was like 15 years ago and I never even managed to go solo.  Still, the memory's clear enough to appreciate how nice it is to have decent motors and batteries, not to mention bendy foam fuselages!

So sounds like I can just forget about OSDs, etc for now, which is honestly a big relief - think I'll just, like you say, use this one for learning line of sight and nearby fpv when I progress on, then maybe start fresh with a new model when I'm ready to progress onto something more adventurous.

Sounds like I can probably not worry about brushless motors, etc and just stick with the standard for the time being.

Right, alarm goes off in about 6 hours so better hit the sack.

Night chaps, thanks for the warm welcome and great help.

:)

[Coyote]

Your most welcome matey, on brushless motors though i`d still use them, the stock easystar 6v motors a load of rubbish, put in a 2200kv black mantis or Turnigy etc for LOS flying and maybe fpv, i personally go bigger for the extra fpv weight but others find 2200kv no problem at all :)

[electrotor]

I completely agree with Coyote about the motor and cannot understand why the likes of Multiplex persist with clanky old brushed motors. However beware of Multiplex supplied brushless tuning kits. They are VASTLY overpriced. Giantcod, Robotbirds and BRC are but three suppliers of sensibly priced brushless motors and escs.
For the same power output brushless is lighter and more efficient. This mean you save a small amount of weight and your flight times are longer for the same battery pack. My Twinstar motors stayed in the kit box and I converted to brushless during the build.
If you haven't already purchased the Easystar you might like to consider the AXN Cloud aka AXN Floater. It's cheaper and comes complete with servos, brushless motor and esc. Robotbirds or BRC can supply. I am nearing completion of one (converting for night flight) and the kit quality is very good. The instructions are rubbish but there's not much building. Flight reports of it are good.

[jon]

Well, unfortunately the place I picked to order my stuff from is shut on Monday and Tuesday, and I'm going to be in the middle of nowhere with no internet or mobile access from tomorrow until Thursday (sounds like a good place to take a model plane actually!).

Hope they check their mail as I guess that's my only hope for stopping this order.

[jon]

Ahh, ok, I'll start checking out motors, etc.

Cheers again guys  :D

If you haven't already purchased the Easystar you might like to consider the AXN Cloud aka AXN Floater. It's cheaper and comes complete with servos, brushless motor and esc. Robotbirds or BRC can supply. I am nearing completion of one (converting for night flight) and the kit quality is very good. The instructions are rubbish but there's not much building. Flight reports of it are good.

Interesting.  OK, well if I find myself cancelling my order completely I'll take a look at them too - sounds like a sensible choice.

[Waikawa]

I didn't want to use the brushed motor to power the plane but did make use of it by pulling out the guts and using the can as a motor mount and bolting a Hyperion Brushless from Robotbirds inside the can.  I use a high kv motor similar to a heli spec motor becuase of the need for plenty of revs with the limited prop diameter.
The motor can clearly fits into the pod without any modifications and will ease out if I decide to change the motor in the future.

There are lots of options!

[jon]

There are lots of options!

Almost feels like too many options right now!

[jon]

OK, back from a couple of days in Scotland - back on with the project.

The radio gear order has been stopped successfully, and now that I've looked on eBay I see it shouldn't be too hard to find something nice and cheap there.

Found this auction and wondering if it's a good buy?

A bit of searching and have seen the T7CP recommended so that looks good, not sure about the receivers though.  Still, I also saw a guide price of £80 for the tx alone so surely it's not a bad deal.

[Coyote]

Thats a good price that, same tx as i use so i can highly recommend it.

Watch the price though, they tend to sky ocket towards the end of bidding. £80 quids a good price for tx alone too :)

[jon]

Awesome, thanks for the speedy reply mate - since there's only a few of those on eBay atm and the BIN price was OK I just went ahead and took it.