SkyHunter To Begin With?

[BlueFlyer]

It's a tough one really...

On one hand I'd say learn to fly FPV without an AP because it's a much simpler installation and less things to get wrong during the build and to go wrong in the air.

But on the other hand, having an AP at the start - when set up and used correctly - can save a lot of heartache in crashed/lost models.


The other thing is the expenditure... Go out and buy a OSD with no AP.... learn, then you have to spend again to get one with an AP.

To be honest, I don't know what I personally would suggest.

[Loopdreams]

I think it depends largely on the individual, what skills they have and what they want to get out of it.  Some people have seen videos with OSDs and they want that.  If they're reasonably techie either professionally or just with their interests then they'll likely have few real problems mining the info they need from the Internet to get it all set up and working correctly.  Others might have no chance.  So yeah, it depends really.

[iwan_canobi]

Yep, it's really hard to say. Depends entirely on the ability of the person to digest the information and get an AP set up correctly. It really is helpful having one if you get yourself into bother whilst in the air, but as others have said learning to fly soley from visual references is really a good thing rather than relying on an OSD from the beginning.

Where are you based? If you go the AP route it is really helpful to have someone who knows what they are doing to give you some pointers during the build / first flights.

[dp106]

Just my two penneth..

For someone wanting to get into fpv I would always recommend learning to fly a plane los first. It makes it so much easier to get a new plane set up and trimmed first and if anything goes wrong with your fpv gear you have a better chance of getting it down in one piece los.

I'd agree with others over the ap point. I think to get you started it is much easier and there are far fewer things to go wrong. That said if you've already learnt to fly los you can take off and start to test the ap will engage rth etc properly all los.

Having a spotter for those first flights is a massive confidence booster as well. An older gentleman that flies with me was interested in trying fpv so invested in a bixler and got it set up. For his first flights I acted as his spotter and on the odd occasion he just gave up and handed the controls to me having lost his bearings. After three or four goes instead of me telling him whereabouts he was he was telling me and his confidence has grown significantly.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[Ashafius]

You guys really have thrown a spanner in the works now haha :P

I suppose realistically though, an AP can always be added at a later date after I'm happy with flying the craft, am I right? I wouldn't want to set anything up wrong if the AP's are a bit complicated to configure and then kiss my plane goodbye as it flies off into the sunset  :rofl: Plus if there's all extra wiring to be done and attaching things here and there it might just be best to go simple and get used to flying LOS like most recommend then gradually build up and add bits on.

Probably going to be purchasing everything (mostly) today as BlueFlyer has given me a list of items to get! Just need to Google about the Rx and what one is best to go with the Taranis :)

Here's a list of what I know to get already, if I'm missing anything could someone let me know? Thanks!

Plane
Motor
Prop
Batteries
Servo's x4
ESC
Taranis Tx

So that's my list so far, missing a couple things I'm pretty sure but I mean if you guys recommend buying anything please let me know as I don't know all what's out there yet, tips are really useful haha

Thanks everyone!

[iwan_canobi]

Rx wise just get the X8R, it is plenty capable and has telemetry enabled, so you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your signal strength and the Taranis will warn you if you get low. It is good for about 2km range as well so that's plenty to begin with. After that you can get the L9R which is a straight swap and is good for 5km+, but doesn't have telemetry, so it's handy to have an OSD with this to see signal strength. I wouldn't want to fly that far without some kind of autopilot anyway.

Also, don't forgot a battery charger!

Something like this is fine to start with, although you need a 12V power source for it -

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__78387__Turnigy_Accucell_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_LiHV_Capable_UK_Warehouse_.html

Or look for one with an AC power supply built in.

Also, if you're ordering from Hobbyking make sure you select the UK warehouse otherwise you'll be waiting for stuff coming from China and could get hit with customs etc! Sounds obvious but it's an easy mistake to make.

[highlander]

Check also Hobbyking EU store, there is often stuff you can't find on UK store. It comes as quick from Europe and there are no duties to be paid as yet (dunno who on the forum shot himself in the foot  by taking exit :laugh: ).

[English Turbines]

Buy your Taranis from T9 Hobbysport....hes the UK main supplier....you will get an X8R reciever with it...ideal....

Do not purchase it from Hobby King...

:vulture:

[Ashafius]

Buy your Taranis from T9 Hobbysport....hes the UK main supplier....you will get an X8R reciever with it...ideal....

Do not purchase it from Hobby King...

:vulture:

Yeah BlueFlyer and yourself did recommend that website, thanks :) but is it the bulk deal that you're on about the Rx coming with it?

£157.79 (Incl. VAT)   - Plus - LBT Combo 1 Mode 2 TX, batt and charger- 4 in stock

This one doesn't mention the Rx however this one does but is out of stock

£199.79 (Incl. VAT)   - Plus -LBT - Combo 2 Mode 2 with Alu case, X8R Receiver - Out of stock

They have them in stock but separately priced so I might be missing a bit of information where you get them together :)

Check also Hobbyking EU store, there is often stuff you can't find on UK store. It comes as quick from Europe and there are no duties to be paid as yet (dunno who on the forum shot himself in the foot  by taking exit :laugh: ).

I'll keep that in mind, thanks for the tip!

Rx wise just get the X8R, it is plenty capable and has telemetry enabled, so you get the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing your signal strength and the Taranis will warn you if you get low. It is good for about 2km range as well so that's plenty to begin with. After that you can get the L9R which is a straight swap and is good for 5km+, but doesn't have telemetry, so it's handy to have an OSD with this to see signal strength. I wouldn't want to fly that far without some kind of autopilot anyway.

Also, don't forgot a battery charger!

Something like this is fine to start with, although you need a 12V power source for it -

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__78387__Turnigy_Accucell_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_LiHV_Capable_UK_Warehouse_.html

Or look for one with an AC power supply built in.

Also, if you're ordering from Hobbyking make sure you select the UK warehouse otherwise you'll be waiting for stuff coming from China and could get hit with customs etc! Sounds obvious but it's an easy mistake to make.

Totally forgot about a battery charger!  :opps: Thanks haha

[Billy_boy_2010]

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.

This is almost all nonsense.



1) Autopilots are one of the most complicated things to set up. It's all fairly easy let's be honest- this isn't a particularly difficult hobby to understand- but Autopilots are def the harder parts.

2) You need to fly and trim the craft several times and then tune the pilot before you can rely on a stab mode to help launching. Until then it's likely to do far more harm than good- especially if you're a noobs and not experienced setting the AP up.

3) fly aways are not a risk at all. they are almost  unheard of. Unless you have an incredibly stable craft which self levels and the failsafe leaves the throttle on. fly aways are far more likely with a stab mode, however......

4) perhaps. but a beginner won't really learn much. just as easy to get a few mistakes hugh and stay close. besides- a beginner won't be able to successfully set this up on the first few flights- which is when they would benefit from the slight benefits geofence offers.

5) what is the difference between "flying" and flying home? other than paying vague attention to where home is?!



Now if you were trying to argue the case for an osd with a GPS home arrow I would entirely agree with you. 

AdamG did everything "wrong"- but he's a clever and meticulous Guy and is the exception to the rule.

[English Turbines]

Taranis Deal...T9 Hobbysport.

The Combo deals include Transmitter and a X8R receiver....Combo means Tx and RX.

I would go for the cheaper deal and forget about the charger and NiCad battery for the TX, its crap.

Since you are going to buy a Lipo Charger anyway, you can do what I did and for £15 get a 33amp 12vdc switched Mode PSU to power your Lipo charger.....E-Bay...!!!
  You can then buy a LiFe TX battery for your Taranis TX....much better than that silly Nicad....

Buy it from T9....Hes a good bloke...good service too.

:vulture:
 

[AdamG]

In regards to the Rx for your Taranis, the X8R is the one i use, it has S-BUS, RSSI port and does the job  :)

The AP or no AP debate... happens quite a lot. I was one of those people that went all out on my first ever FPV plane and went 1.2 video, dragon link UHF, Pan and tilt, full AP and OSD etc. It turned out well for me as I had it up and flying great in no time. Others have the opposite experience and make mistakes with their AP and it can be the cause of a crash... So my opinion is there's no right answer, you just have to make the decision and go with it  ;D

[highlander]

AdamG is a smart chap  ;) not everyone is in that league.  Otherwise you take baby steps - study a subject at the time master it and move on to the next. Like this episode "Look mum no hands all Auto" - when that works move on next like autotune the plane or adding FPV:

! No longer available

Anyways there is a learning curve involved either way usualy paid for in time, glue, foam etc

[BlueFlyer]

One day you'll be a master like this handsome chap in the white hoodie

www.youtube.com/watch?v=783438oVEwM#ws

[Ashafius]

Taranis Deal...T9 Hobbysport.

The Combo deals include Transmitter and a X8R receiver....Combo means Tx and RX.

I would go for the cheaper deal and forget about the charger and NiCad battery for the TX, its crap.

Since you are going to buy a Lipo Charger anyway, you can do what I did and for £15 get a 33amp 12vdc switched Mode PSU to power your Lipo charger.....E-Bay...!!!
  You can then buy a LiFe TX battery for your Taranis TX....much better than that silly Nicad....

Buy it from T9....Hes a good bloke...good service too.

:vulture:

Ah that's perfect then, great to know! :D

In regards to the Rx for your Taranis, the X8R is the one i use, it has S-BUS, RSSI port and does the job  :)

The AP or no AP debate... happens quite a lot. I was one of those people that went all out on my first ever FPV plane and went 1.2 video, dragon link UHF, Pan and tilt, full AP and OSD etc. It turned out well for me as I had it up and flying great in no time. Others have the opposite experience and make mistakes with their AP and it can be the cause of a crash... So my opinion is there's no right answer, you just have to make the decision and go with it  ;D

Thanks Adam, I probably haven't had enough experience flying better planes with more control surfaces moving like you so I think the decision will be to learn LOS first then in the near future dive in deep and fit everything on it

One day you'll be a master like this handsome chap in the white hoodie

www.youtube.com/watch?v=783438oVEwM#ws

Haha hopefully I'll have some mates down here too so that they can carry all the kit! it's like you guys are camping  :P