HavasuPhoto and Creative68,
Answers in red
I am following your FPV discussion with considerable interest. I am flying a Phantom 2 with DJI factory gimbal, GoPro Hero3+ and Fatshark Attitude SD goggles. I flew my Phantom 1 into the Sea of Cortez last month, which helped me justify acquisition of the P2. ;-) Very happy with the new ship. I am using the standard stick antennas that came with Fatshark, whatever their called (non CP I believe), and the standard 250mW transmitter. Interested in extending my FPV range (and flying range, but that’s a topic for another day). Application is video and stills for real estate marketing. So don’t need real-time fighter jet feedback, but good intel on what the Hero 3+ is seeing near real time. Not price sensitive on the right platform/technology. Reasonably competent at soldering, integration, firmware upgrades, etc. Flight time is not critical, and I would accept shorter flight time for greater video range (i.e., higher power video transmitter, if that’s the ticket). And of course nav assistance when P2 is too far away for visual fix on orientation. Agree with HavasuPhoto that flying out of video range is risky, and thus trying to extend video range to match or slightly exceed P2 control range. Several questions, if either of you have time:
1. What total flight range are you seeing on your P2? Video range?Don't have one-don't know.
2. I am still on stock antennas that came with Fatshark attitude SD. My sense based on research online is that CP antennas are going to be the single best bang-for-buck on extending video range. Comments?Sprionet CP antenna's, and get SMA-check your instruction manual it will tell you what you have.
3. I am not hearing too much about goggles. Do the majority of serious UAV folks go screens? Never tried a screen, but can see the obvious benefits of switching between watching the ship itself and the screen, versus putting goggles on and off.I use the screen more than the Goggles-easier to tell depth of field/distance from objects
4. Can someone tell me whether the Fatshark Attitude SD is SMA or RP-SMA? Sorry to be ignorant newbie on this.SMA-both antenna's should have pin sticking out of them inside the collar
5. Iosd mini versus iosd Mark II? What are the differences, and which is best for a P2 platform? I have watched the videos on the Mark II, and have a decent sense of data provided. Does the mini burn less weight and power? Or just cost less?You can only use the iOSD Mini-the other one is for larger aircraft-won't work in P2. It's a good investment, I have one and rely on that information more than the visual ques
6. Total newbie question: is the video transmission either SD or HD, or is there only one video transmission signal, and SD/HD is solely a function of receiver equipment? In other words, I have SD googles today, can the same Fatshark transmitter drive an HD receiver such as the Lilliput 664?It's SD, and not the best quality-VGA. The Lillilput is an IPS panel monitor, so it will give you the widest field of view, and more color depth than other monitors, and is a very good choice
7. I am leaning toward the Lilliput 664 screen. Questions there:
a. I can’t seem to find what the battery requirements for it are. I have a bunch of 3S LiPo’s left over from my Phantom 1. Will those power the Lilliput 664?Yes with adapter-the voltage rating show what is acceptable-so 3S is no problem
b. Will the video transmitter that came with my Fatshark Attitude SD’s work? Is it the best option for max range? If not, what transmitter is recommended?It works fine. I wouldn't upgrade it-just install it, and use the Spironet CP antenna, no instructions on how though-don't know
c. Antenna connector polarity?SMA
d. Would be delighted if someone could spec exactly which components I need to order for a Lilliput 664 based system off P2 with DJI Zenmuse gimbal and GoPro 3+. Reusing fatshark transmitter only if that is the best range option.
8. Anyone tracking waypoint software / systems? Gotta major jones for what must be coming in that domain.NO, don't. Never fly farther than you can see your Phantom....just don't. You will have a flyaway, or get yourself disoriented and crash. don't rely on software to fly your expensive setup.
9. While I love my initial experiences with Fatshark Attitude SD and Zenmuse, the tilt action is not the least bit smooth. Anyone know if we will soon see smoother tilt functionality? I am guessing I won’t see that until there is a 3-axis gimbal that works with Phantom + GoPro.The tilting will get smoother when DJI comes out with another firmware upgrade for the Gimbal
Thanks all!
Kelly