Newbie - FPV Question

[shward1]

I want an to get an FPV setup with reasonable range and performance, but have a number of questions before I pull the trigger, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Currently I have a Phantom 2 v2.0 with a H3-3D gimbal and GoPro Hero 3+.

I am looking at the Flysight Black Pearl All in One FPV Combo Package + DJI iOSD:
- In general, is this a good option?
- Do I need anything in addition to the kit and iOSD module?
- I am a bit confused about whether I need DJI's FPV hub, it appears to me it is optional. Why would I choose to use it?

 

[dptcalvin]

Based on everything I've read, it's generally recommended to piece together your own kit. Your money will get your further that way. Based on my experience in other hobbies, kits usually consist of low to mid grade components at a premium price.

That kit claims 400m, which isn't all that impressive IMO.

I'd suggest looking at QYV's post and doing some more reading to educate yourself on the various transmitter, receiver, antenna, etc. options and their prices.

The kit I'm putting together involves:

ImmersionRC 600mw transmitter: http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/5.8GHz-Audio ... 600mW.html
Black Pearl 7ch monitor/receiver: http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/Black-Pearl- ... annel.html
DJI iOSD Mini: http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/DJI-iOSD-Min ... okong.html
Plug 'n' Play Cable for IRC transmitter and DJI iOSD Mini (no soldering required): http://www.dpcav.com/xcart/Video-Cable- ... Shark.html
Monitor Mount: http://www.raveaerialvideo.com/product/ ... tor-mount/

Comes out to be about $410 if I did my math correctly. The kit you provided + iOSD Mini comes out to be the exact same. There are, of course, other options than what I listed. That's just what I went with.

You can go with this monitor/receiver if you don't need HDMI:

http://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00HM0L5ZU/r ... XQLO&psc=1

And this is another transmitter option:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... itter.html (OOS, so you can wait or buy elsewhere for a little more)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Boscam-FPV-8CH- ... 3ce3f4ef5e

Depending on where you live, you may want to source some things from other retailers to save on tax. For example, I live in CA so I bought the DJI iOSD Mini from B&H. Free expedited shipping and no tax.

 

[shward1]

dptcalvin, thanks for the quick response.

Have you looked at this kit?

It looks like it includes everything (including the PNP cable) on your list except the iOSD mini and monitor mount.

 

[shward1]

Pulled the trigger and ordered this kit. It includes the iOSD mini.

Thanks for you assistance.

 

[QYV]

you can generally do a lot better than kits if you piece it together yourself. That's basically what the stickythread "lowest prices on FPV components" thread is all about

 

[dronediv]

hey Im sure the answer I need is somewhere on here but I cant find it.

I am looking to upgrade and get FPV for my Phantom 2 with gopro and gimbal. I pretty much know what I need, monitor receivers etc but my question relates to the existing wiring to the phantom. I am not confident with soldering and I have seen there is a 'plug and play' IOSD cable that negates the needs for soldering. Is this just as good as soldering to the existing cabling? is there any difference at all? I just wonder why it wasn't recommended to me?

Thanks

 

[QYV]

hey Im sure the answer I need is somewhere on here but I cant find it.

I am looking to upgrade and get FPV for my Phantom 2 with gopro and gimbal. I pretty much know what I need, monitor receivers etc but my question relates to the existing wiring to the phantom. I am not confident with soldering and I have seen there is a 'plug and play' IOSD cable that negates the needs for soldering. Is this just as good as soldering to the existing cabling? is there any difference at all? I just wonder why it wasn't recommended to me?

Thanks

Yes, it's just as good. The PnP cable is for folks exactly like you that don't want to solder. Don't forget there's 2 versions of the cable depending on which transmitter you pick... you've read through the stickythread yes?

"wonder why it wasn't recommended to me" ... by whom exactly? Did you pay a professional drone consultant to recommend a FPV setup for you? I certainly always recommend it and it's the first thing I talk about and link in the stickythread... unless you're paying someone to consult for you, nobody is going to hold your hand through this, gotta investigate and do your own homework and learn like most of us did
viewtopic.php?f=34&t=26413

 

[dronediv]

Great thanks. well it was a supplier I was hoping to buy the individual parts from them mentioned I didn't want to solder and they offered to fix it all for me at the timely sum of £65. how nice of them.
Thanks again ill check out the thread!

 

[QYV]

Great thanks. well it was a supplier I was hoping to buy the individual parts from them mentioned I didn't want to solder and they offered to fix it all for me at the timely sum of £65. how nice of them.
Thanks again ill check out the thread!

LOL I believe that answers your question... because of course they want you to pay them a hefty sum instead of just getting a cheap part yourself

 

[Andrey320]

I am in the same shoes as the OP and would like to re-ask one of his and my questions -
- Is the hub needed?

QYV's sticky doesn't show it but an install guide I've been looking at does....

If it is not required, can someone please post a diagram?

Thank you!

 

[QYV]

I am in the same shoes as the OP and would like to re-ask one of his and my questions -
- Is the hub needed?

QYV's sticky doesn't show it but an install guide I've been looking at does....

If it is not required, can someone please post a diagram?

Thank you!

no worries, common question: The "DJI FPV HUB" only works with the DJI AVL58 transmitter, which I didn't even bother putting in the sticky because it's easily the worst choice for transmitter... it's heavy and draws a lot of power for it's output.

If you go with the ImmersionRC or a Boscam transmitter, the same function of that hub (which is: to tie together the Phantom mainboard, iOSD Mini, and Video transmitter) is accomplished by those Plug and Play cables that I link.

Boscam and ImmersionRC transmitters have different pin/plug configurations, hence the 2 difference model cables. just get the right one for whichever transmitter you go with.

Personally I'm quite happy with my Boscams, I've run a TS352 (500mW to 1000mW on some channels) but like the AVL58 it is quite heavy and sucks a LOT of power on the 1000mW channels, so I have recently gone to a 400mW TS353 and I'm quite happy... been over a mile (1600m) out in the country, and over 1000m in the city with no issues. FPVLR antennas of course

 

[capodrone81]

I am in the same shoes as the OP and would like to re-ask one of his and my questions -
- Is the hub needed?

QYV's sticky doesn't show it but an install guide I've been looking at does....

If it is not required, can someone please post a diagram?

Thank you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL8pqtE ... w&index=13

i watched this video start to finsih and installed everything without the hub , and everything came out perfect. only other item i installed inside the shell was the anti interferance board.

i do recomend buying the plug and play connectors for the iosd mini tx and phantom really saves a boat load of time vs soldering and much cleaner install i bought mine from an ebay member and was thoroughly pleased with his craftsmanship... see link. http://www.ebay.com/itm/151425147457?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

items i bought for my fpv setup ..
immersion 600mx tx
iosd mini
black pearl 7 channel monitor
3d printed fpv mount for screen to mount to controller
and plug and play cable as seen in link above..

 

[Andrey320]

Thank you QYV and Capodrone81 for the reply. I am still a bit confused but will probably understand once everything is in front of me, ready for the install.

 

[dptcalvin]

This is the install video I watched. It's very clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ido6peKTKKo

I have the exact same setup as capodrone. Install took about 30 minutes, and that's with taking extra caution when doing everything. I'm confident I could do the entire install in 20 minutes or less if I had to do it again.

 

[dptcalvin]

Thank you QYV and Capodrone81 for the reply. I am still a bit confused but will probably understand once everything is in front of me, ready for the install.

That's how I was. But once I ordered everything and it all arrived, it was very obvious what went where and what did what. Very simple. Think we make it more complicated than it has to be.

 

[QYV]

That's how I was. But once I ordered everything and it all arrived, it was very obvious what went where and what did what. Very simple. Think we make it more complicated than it has to be.

^^ this. everything really only plugs into 1 place, with the PnP cable it's super easy.

it will take you longer to remove and reinstall all the screws than to hook up all the FPV stuff

 

[capodrone81]

This is the install video I watched. It's very clear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ido6peKTKKo

I have the exact same setup as capodrone. Install took about 30 minutes, and that's with taking extra caution when doing everything. I'm confident I could do the entire install in 20 minutes or less if I had to do it again.

nice video. !

Thank you QYV and Capodrone81 for the reply. I am still a bit confused but will probably understand once everything is in front of me, ready for the install.

just watch the video start to finish multiple times and when you parts arrive it will be perfect. !