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FPV First Person View RC flying.

Thread: newbie looking to get into FPV Reply to Thread

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[QUOTE=Max;1364940]I dont see FPV as "one size fits all"

There are different levels for different budgets.

The only common denominator is "You get what you pay for"

Better equipment costs more and gives you better picture, better range and higher confidence.

Unlike BCsaltchucker, [B]I do feel[/B] that under 19" screens work great if you put them in a light-box. A 7" screen is perfect for FPV use and can be had for less than 50 bucks. I have 2 myself (Plus a set of Fatsharks,  plus a 19" screen (and just now I bought a 24" screen for next winter's FPV flying.. Wheeee!!! :) :) )

The other adive I have is 5.8 is total crap. At least to me it is. I have seen nothing but trouble for people who use it. Its range is poor and its performance is poor - BUT THIS IS MY OPINION AND MY OPINION ONLY. That being said, I dont recommend 5.8 to anyone that asks me. That takes the Dominator complete package off the table for me. I prefer to suggest 910 and 1280 as better bets.

[SIZE="4"][B]TOTAL CHEAPSKATE PACKAGE: $125[/B][/SIZE]
A total cheapskate can get into FPV for as little as 125 bucks provided they already have their own screen. I started with an old 14" TV, a car batter and a 250W inverter. Its cheap and it works. Then for the $125, you can buy a video TX/RX for $90 delivered and a super cheap camera for $35 delivered.
This will get a total cheapskate in the air flying FPV. No bells, no whistles. But it [I]does [/I]work
The acchilies heel is the quality of the camera. A cheap cameras give a cheap picture. Up-sun may be washed out and low light gets too dark. But it does work.

[SIZE="4"][B]THRIFTY FPV PACKAGE: $150-200[/B][/SIZE]
Moving up, a good quality camera comes in at about $50-100 delivered, which is $25-75 dollars more expensive than the Cheap-o camera. Everything else is the same as the cheapskate package

[SIZE="4"][B]BASIC FPV PACKAGE: $250[/B][/SIZE]
Good Camera $100 Delivered,
1280 VTX and RX $90 Delivered,
7" Screen $60 delivered

From there, the price goes up as you add Fatshark type goggles, OSD, Autopilot RTH, High gain antennas, Diversity,ground station recorders,  etc, etc

If anyone wants specific links to any or all of the above, let me know and I will post here :)[/QUOTE]

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Topic Review (Newest First)

10-14-2013 08:23 AM

Max

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssrc30

Great document. My only question is about the FPV flight test. The rules state that the examiner doesn't have to be FPV certified. If they have no certification, experience etc, What's to say they aren't just passing every pilot that wants to fly FPV? Seems to me like that rule is a bit open ended.

It is open ended. And its like that for a reason. Its up to the individual clubs to define the process that a person is designated an "FPV examiner"

Think about it. What is the process of getting your MAAC wings?, or for that matter, how does a person become an instructor for RC airplanes or RC helicopters? Its not cast in stone by MAAC. MACC allows clubs to determine their own process, as long as its reasonable.

The current MAAC FPV guidelines dont need to become more restrictive. This is a hobby, after all

10-13-2013 12:03 PM

bcsaltchucker

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

they just want to see you can fly the plane as good as a line a line of sight pilot can fly a plane safely. Take off, stay within boundaries, stay ahead of the plane (keep it in control) and land safely. Any MAAC trainer should be able to observe that, I think.

Otherwise we end up with a chicken and egg conundrum: nobody yet trained to be an official 'FPV trainer' and nobody to train someone to become that person. Like here, I am the only FPVer within 30 miles. I have only met one other guy who does it, who live 50 miles away. We learned on non MAAC fields before MAAC had this protocol. I have flown at MAAC fields though, as the guys know I can fly safely and within the rules.

10-13-2013 09:23 AM

ssrc30

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trumpet

Check out the approved FPV rules and Guidelines just posted on the MAAC website: http://www.maac.ca/docs/2013/msd_8__final.pdf

If there are any changes that you would like to see, you can bring motions forward at any of the upcoming AGM Zone MAAC meetings.

10-08-2013 06:56 PM

bcsaltchucker

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

I might just rig up a buddy box for training new FPVers at MAAC fields. But mostly I would prefer they learn at non MAAC fields

10-08-2013 02:30 PM

Trumpet

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

10-08-2013 11:38 AM

bcsaltchucker

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

Yeah, very good idea to have a HAM license. You are more legal with the HAM license. Never heard of anyone getting in trouble for not having a Ham license and flying FPV though. More important that you do not cause any other RF user any interference, whether you have HAM or not. The HAM courses and exam do not teach you the intimate knowledge of the bands we use for FPV that you need to know and understand for FPV.

The Ham exam in Canada is a bit tougher. I used HamTestOnline to train for the exam. It is a freakishly intuitive teaching tool. I got 95% on the exam.

10-04-2013 07:47 AM

ssrc30

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

[QUOTE=bcsaltchucker;1383087]not exactly true. We only need a spotter when flying at a MAAC sanctioned field. And generally there is no need for a buddy box at all - that rule was eliminated. Neither rule applies anywhere outside a MAAC field.

Thanks for that. FPV laws are such a grey area still and it's hard to know what's what at times. I had Industry Canada tell me you had to have a HAM license no matter where you fly at. MAAC told me a somewhat similar story and then I was told that FPV is illegal in Canada (how ridiculous) lol... as far as a buddy box goes, I've never used one. I fly mainly FPV now because I'm half blind in one eye and FPV is the best way for me to stay in the sport. As such, I always have a spotter.

10-03-2013 10:51 PM

bcsaltchucker

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssrc30

You are also required to have a spotter with a buddy box.

not exactly true. We only need a spotter when flying at a MAAC sanctioned field. And generally there is no need for a buddy box at all - that rule was eliminated. Neither rule applies anywhere outside a MAAC field.

Quote:

Also, Boscam is very very good. I use a basic Boscam setup on 5.8ghz and a 9" lcd monitor with my Easystar 2 and have gotten as far away as 2.5 miles. Good luck to you and enjoy the addiction called FPV.

yep I use their stuff a lot. Economical and easy, with lots of frequencies and wide compatibility.

10-03-2013 11:14 AM

ssrc30

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdbc

hey all ive been flying for just over 2 months this past week i strapped a mini cam on my apprentice and did some video tapeing of my flights just love it so awesome i would like to get into FPV im on a budget just looking for some suggestions on a inexpensive complete (PNP)

FPV package any input would be much appreciated. thnx

Make sure to get a basic HAM license first. FPV shares some of its frequencies with amature radio and yoy don't want the fines associated with it should you not have a HAM permit. You are also required to have a spotter with a buddy box. Also, Boscam is very very good. I use a basic Boscam setup on 5.8ghz and a 9" lcd monitor with my Easystar 2 and have gotten as far away as 2.5 miles. Good luck to you and enjoy the addiction called FPV.

08-06-2013 09:14 PM

bigdbc

Re: newbie looking to get into FPV

just gonna concentrate on fly the fpv will worry about recording later

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