Re: Have a Phantom 2 Vision, planning to change to Non Visio
First, I think you're making the right choice. I watched a side-by-side comparison of the 2 Vision and a standard 2 with GoPro. The GoPro footage seemed considerably sharper and clearer to me.
Second, just to put this all in one place for you...
- The Phantom 2 does not have any kind of built-in video streaming to a monitor or smartphone.
To get you to the functionality of the 2 Vision but with the added benefit of a gimbal, here's what you need...
- Phantom 2 (obviously). It's prewired for the H3-2D gimbal (see below) and a video transmitter (see further below).
- Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal (Get it as a kit with the P2. The version meant for the P2 is different than the original H3-2D, which was meant for the original Phantom.)
- Your GoPro Hero3 of choice.
- DJI Mini iOSD (this is what sends telemetry)
- Video transmitter. There are several makers and models but the popular ones seem to be the ImmersionRC 250mW and 600mW versions. There are others from Fat Shark and Boscam. Most of these will connect to the P2 fairly easily with just some minor wire splicing and soldering. You don't even need to open up the P2. DJI's AVL58 is another option, which is a transmitter and receiver combination with antennae, but you need to come up with a screen and a way to power the receiver and screen... see more below.
- Video receiver or video screen (or video goggles) with receiver built in. The latter is a nice, quick way to go since you don't need to strap separate devices together and come up with awkward battery arrangements. Many are using ones from Lilliput or FlySight (the Black Pearl). Try to get a "diversity" model, which allows you to attach two different types of antennae simultaneously. The unit will switch between the antennae to give you the best picture quality.
- Upgraded antennae. Do some research into the various skew planar/omnidirectional antennae for the transmitter and receiver as well as the helical/directional antennae for the receiver. Never power up the video transmitter without an antenna installed.
These places have most of what you will need:
http://www.rangevideo.com/
https://www.hobbyking.com/
http://www.empirerc.com/
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/
Best,