tomcarpenter
05-20-2010, 04:05 AM
Finally, got the nerve to fly FPV. Here's my (brief) experience, other noobs can take note.
Gear;
trex500
copilotII
Fatshark goggles
5.8 tx/rx (can't remember power off hand)
Sony 555 camera
Been putting this off for a while, but finally went for it.
It's dead scary putting the goggles on (after getting some height and set in hover). Like entering the twighlight zone!
I knew this would be a test flight and there would be lots of problems, and there was, though most minor;
Goggle image was a little dark. and a bit blurry, need a clean maybe.
When you LOS the heli, to go left the heli tilts left, but it's a shock (though you know it's right) that FPV to go left the horizon tilts right! THat's odd at first.
But biggest issue was range seemed short, only 300-400m. Lost image and had to put it down. Amazingly Copilot kept it level and only lost a couple of teeth of the torque tube! I expected a mess, but it was sitting there nicely on the skids!
No matter how short this flight was, the biggest hurdle has been jumped. Just making that first flight.
Now I need to get a patch antenna and maybe a more powerful Tx.
I would recommend a spotter. But I'm in the position where I do my flying when everyone else is at work!!
Gear;
trex500
copilotII
Fatshark goggles
5.8 tx/rx (can't remember power off hand)
Sony 555 camera
Been putting this off for a while, but finally went for it.
It's dead scary putting the goggles on (after getting some height and set in hover). Like entering the twighlight zone!
I knew this would be a test flight and there would be lots of problems, and there was, though most minor;
Goggle image was a little dark. and a bit blurry, need a clean maybe.
When you LOS the heli, to go left the heli tilts left, but it's a shock (though you know it's right) that FPV to go left the horizon tilts right! THat's odd at first.
But biggest issue was range seemed short, only 300-400m. Lost image and had to put it down. Amazingly Copilot kept it level and only lost a couple of teeth of the torque tube! I expected a mess, but it was sitting there nicely on the skids!
No matter how short this flight was, the biggest hurdle has been jumped. Just making that first flight.
Now I need to get a patch antenna and maybe a more powerful Tx.
I would recommend a spotter. But I'm in the position where I do my flying when everyone else is at work!!