SkyHunter To Begin With?

[FPVSteve]

A BIxler, that radio and some nice 5.8GHz FPV gear will sort you out (plus viewing equipment of course, i.e. a monitor or goggles).

Do you have anyone close that can show you the ropes?

[BlueFlyer]

My suggestion is a Bix3 if you're starting FPV from complete scratch

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67941__HobbyKing_8482_Bix3_Trainer_FPV_EPO_1550mm_ARF_UK_Warehouse_.html

[Ashafius]

Good choice,

Its a great radio for the money...telemetry enabled..totally flexible with a JR Module port in case you want to go UHF later on....
I have one, so maybe Im biased....:)

DONT buy it from Hobby King....Use the UK distributor. ..its cheaper and faster...

T9 HobbySport Ltd.....Good service too....HK have spotty idiots.

:vulture:

What website would you recommend purchasing this stuff from then? Is there a place where I can get the plane and controller plus other bits and bobs that I'll need?

A BIxler, that radio and some nice 5.8GHz FPV gear will sort you out (plus viewing equipment of course, i.e. a monitor or goggles).

Do you have anyone close that can show you the ropes?

I don't have anyone close that can show me the ropes, no lol just me and the internet.

What sort of goggles would you guys recommend or a monitor? Would I need a whole groundstation yet?

[BlueFlyer]

I don't have anyone close that can show me the ropes, no lol just me and the internet.

That's all I had.

I bought a cheap fixed pitch RC helicopter which came with a really basic flight sim. I just couldn't get to grips with helicopter flying so just for fun I tried one of the aeroplane models in the simulator.

I was so surprised how much easier planes were to fly than helicopters.

I went out and bought an original Bixler (before there was a Bixler 2, Bixler 1.1 and Bix3) it was the RTF version which came with it's own cheapo transmitter.

I taught myself to fly on the local playing fields. I had an old 808 keychain camera on it and posted videos on the internet. It was then that people started commenting asking what vtx I was using etc... I completely accidentally stumbled into the whole FPV thing.

I put a cheap cam and VTX on the bixler and made a really crude ground station using a cheap 7" car monitor and cheap vrx. I didn't have much success until well over a year later when I bought the Bixler 2 which was a bit more suited to FPV than the original Bixler.

over the years I've had all the bixler variants, and it's my opinion that if you want to eventually get into FPV the Bix3 is the one to get.

[Ashafius]

That's all I had.

I bought a cheap fixed pitch RC helicopter which came with a really basic flight sim. I just couldn't get to grips with helicopter flying so just for fun I tried one of the aeroplane models in the simulator.

I was so surprised how much easier planes were to fly than helicopters.

I went out and bought an original Bixler (before there was a Bixler 2, Bixler 1.1 and Bix3) it was the RTF version which came with it's own cheapo transmitter.

I taught myself to fly on the local playing fields. I had an old 808 keychain camera on it and posted videos on the internet. It was then that people started commenting asking what vtx I was using etc... I completely accidentally stumbled into the whole FPV thing.

I put a cheap cam and VTX on the bixler and made a really crude ground station using a cheap 7" car monitor and cheap vrx. I didn't have much success until well over a year later when I bought the Bixler 2 which was a bit more suited to FPV than the original Bixler.

over the years I've had all the bixler variants, and it's my opinion that if you want to eventually get into FPV the Bix3 is the one to get.

Thanks BlueFlyer, I'll definitely get one of those then, and from the link that you sent a couple posts up yes? Thanks for the recommendation, glad I asked before just getting a skyhunter right away, probably would have destroyed it or something and bruised my ego lol :)

[BlueFlyer]

Bix3 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67941__HobbyKing_8482_Bix3_Trainer_FPV_EPO_1550mm_ARF_UK_Warehouse_.html
Motor - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38042__Turnigy_Aerodrive_SK3_2836_1500_Brushless_Outrunner_Motor_UK_Warehouse_.html
Prop - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42495__Aerostar_Composite_Propeller_8x4_Grey_CCW_2pcs_UK_Warehouse_.html
ESC - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__29329__TURNIGY_Plush_30amp_Speed_Controller_w_BEC_UK_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=plush%2030a
4 x Servos - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38062__Turnigy_8482_TGY_50090M_Analog_Servo_MG_1_6kg_0_08sec_9g_UK_Warehouse_.html

Plus the Taranis TX and the RX that comes with it.

It will be a very good plane to learn on and because it's actually designed with FPV in mind, you will be able to put FPV gear into it later on.

The wing design is different on this bixler compared to any of the others, basically the wing fits on top of the fuselage and not into the side of it like it's predecessors.

This means that when you take the wing off, you have access to the inside of the main fuselage area, which is great for installing an OSD or later on when you've had more success with close in flying perhaps an AP to help give you some confidence and try flying further afield.

The front canopy area is great too. The recess is completely flat so when it comes to flying FPV you can build your own "pod" with ease as it''l just need to be a flat bit of plywood with things bolted/screwed onto it.

As for ground equipment when it comes to FPV, I would highly suggest - considering you're only starting out in FPV - getting the following FPV headset from hobbyking:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__104152__Quanum_Cyclops_FPV_Goggle_w_Integrated_Monitor_and_Receiver_UK_Warehouse_.html

It's cheap and has everything you need built in... that's all you need right now.

If you get really serious and want to get fatshark goggles, that's fine... but at around the £300 mark, I'd say it's a bit too much £££ right now. The quanum cyclops headset will be a great set of backup goggles or passenger goggles if/when you decide on fatsharks so it won't be money wasted.

Banggood do some really great value camera/VTX bundles too so when you do decide to bit the bullet and get the FPV gear, call back in on here and we'll all have great recommendations for you based on your budget.

[Ashafius]

Bix3 - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67941__HobbyKing_8482_Bix3_Trainer_FPV_EPO_1550mm_ARF_UK_Warehouse_.html
Motor - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38042__Turnigy_Aerodrive_SK3_2836_1500_Brushless_Outrunner_Motor_UK_Warehouse_.html
Prop - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42495__Aerostar_Composite_Propeller_8x4_Grey_CCW_2pcs_UK_Warehouse_.html
ESC - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__29329__TURNIGY_Plush_30amp_Speed_Controller_w_BEC_UK_Warehouse_.html?strSearch=plush%2030a
4 x Servos - http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38062__Turnigy_8482_TGY_50090M_Analog_Servo_MG_1_6kg_0_08sec_9g_UK_Warehouse_.html

Plus the Taranis TX and the RX that comes with it.

It will be a very good plane to learn on and because it's actually designed with FPV in mind, you will be able to put FPV gear into it later on.

The wing design is different on this bixler compared to any of the others, basically the wing fits on top of the fuselage and not into the side of it like it's predecessors.

This means that when you take the wing off, you have access to the inside of the main fuselage area, which is great for installing an OSD or later on when you've had more success with close in flying perhaps an AP to help give you some confidence and try flying further afield.

The front canopy area is great too. The recess is completely flat so when it comes to flying FPV you can build your own "pod" with ease as it''l just need to be a flat bit of plywood with things bolted/screwed onto it.

As for ground equipment when it comes to FPV, I would highly suggest - considering you're only starting out in FPV - getting the following FPV headset from hobbyking:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__104152__Quanum_Cyclops_FPV_Goggle_w_Integrated_Monitor_and_Receiver_UK_Warehouse_.html

It's cheap and has everything you need built in... that's all you need right now.

If you get really serious and want to get fatshark goggles, that's fine... but at around the £300 mark, I'd say it's a bit too much £££ right now. The quanum cyclops headset will be a great set of backup goggles or passenger goggles if/when you decide on fatsharks so it won't be money wasted.

Banggood do some really great value camera/VTX bundles too so when you do decide to bit the bullet and get the FPV gear, call back in on here and we'll all have great recommendations for you based on your budget.

Can't thank you enough BlueFlyer, such a massive help! And thanks to the rest of you as well, all a bunch of great guys! :D Time to lighten the wallet a little now :) Thanks again  ;D

Ashley

[AdamG]

Hey everyone!  :D

So I've been looking at getting into FPV but would like to start off nice and slow, I've been looking at AdamG's video's/Build

Great place to start  :P :P :P haha

Looks like you've had great advice so I won't add to it. However, I will say that my opinion is the Skyhunter would be fine to add FPV gear to at a later date. I say this because all of the gear in the fuselage is on a wooden shelf that simply slides out in seconds (after disconnecting the ESC). So if you want to add FPV gear at a later date I don't see why there would be any issues.

[BlueFlyer]

Great place to start  :P :P :P haha

Looks like you've had great advice so I won't add to it. However, I will say that my opinion is the Skyhunter would be fine to add FPV gear to at a later date. I say this because all of the gear in the fuselage is on a wooden shelf that simply slides out in seconds (after disconnecting the ESC). So if you want to add FPV gear at a later date I don't see why there would be any issues.

I too would say that most if not all planes DESIGNED FOR FPV are easy to add gear to, once built.

It's the older trainer type aircraft that make it difficult once glued together

[FPVSteve]

I only ever use spots of hotglue at strategic places on my airframes, then tape the seams - makes it much easier to deal with when something goes pop.

[Billy_boy_2010]

Ashafius- I work in plymouth occasionally and have a super cheap brand new AXN plane you can buy if you wish. It's not the best fpv plane out there (Althiugh still very good- it was my first and I loved it so bought another one!)- but if you want something cheap it's a great start.

Private message me if you wish.

[Ashafius]

Ashafius- I work in plymouth occasionally and have a super cheap brand new AXN plane you can buy if you wish. It's not the best fpv plane out there (Althiugh still very good- it was my first and I loved it so bought another one!)- but if you want something cheap it's a great start.

Private message me if you wish.

Thanks for your offer but I think I'll stick with the build that's been given to me, just to save complications, I appreciate it though! :)

Great place to start  :P :P :P haha

Looks like you've had great advice so I won't add to it. However, I will say that my opinion is the Skyhunter would be fine to add FPV gear to at a later date. I say this because all of the gear in the fuselage is on a wooden shelf that simply slides out in seconds (after disconnecting the ESC). So if you want to add FPV gear at a later date I don't see why there would be any issues.

Thanks Adam, I was looking at your receiver as I asked BlueFlyer a bunch of questions in PM which he answered amazing and helped me out really well, I still have to thank him for that in PM.

He recommended to ask about which receiver would be best to go with the Taranis so if anyone could help out with that I'd be really grateful.

I did look at this one:

http://www.t9hobbysport.com/frsky-x8r-receiver

because there's a bulk package you can purchase with the Taranis and an X8R Receiver but again no clue, BlueFlyer said to probably avoid the UHF setup with Dragon Link is it? That Adam has but delve in if I wanted to kind of thing.. Sorry if I keep mentioning you guys as well lol I've just been basing my knowledge off of the items you guys use :)

Thanks for the huge amounts of help you've all given me, I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in and delving deeper into RC flight  :D

[highlander]

Bix 3 in my opinion - got lots of easly accesable space, easy  to add components as you grow. I don't know weather to reactivate my thread in classifieds there was everything he needs and more, but I am starting to fiddle with my equipment again so I am in two minds.

[highlander]

I am going to risk being burnt at the stake for my heretical views.

AP / flight controller can help a novice for the following reasons (based on APM):

1. AP is a relatively simple addition to wire up with the receiver (but may be pain to properly configure)
2. It can help with launches when properly setup in Auto mode
3. Geofence helps against fly-aways that is the biggest risk besides crashing for a novice
4. Geofence can also be configured for a minimal and maximal height and in fly-by-wire mode good for practice without risk of crashing or go for manual for more adventure
5. It is easy to stop Auto mode then have some fun flying and after that resume Auto to bring it home

Of course it can be argued that a few crashes are good for you to become a real pilot.

Patience and good preparation minimizes round trips and usage of a glue gun.

[FPVSteve]

The problem being though, it adds another (large) layer of complexity to a beginner who may noteven be 100% sure they have the ailerons working properly, let alone in stabilised mode.

I definitely think you should be able to fly without an autopilot before you start relying on one. If nothing else, it's much more satisfying anyway.