off-road FPV

[Sam.Dzharov]

I've read a lot about about FPV regarding this Project, and I've decided that I'll drop it. It's going to cost way too much and at the moment can't really afford it, thanks for the input though

[Tamiyacowboy]

set your range and power shorter buddy. your testing water here not a certain im gonna be the next military drone ace.

 

the fpv kit can be expensive but it can also be cheap thrown together.

 

cheap rx/tx on 5.8ghz , a cheap lcd screen with input jack ( things like incar video etc etc feed from the main head to the screens)

power wise a old charged up 12v car battery and a five quid dc to dc buck converter ( it becomes regulated so stable power feed no spikes/drops)

a cctv camera to plug into the vtx , they can be cheap as 20 quid with 500 lines ( 700 lines and 600 lines are like hd quality but still cheap)

and the camera is small very small not like a brick gopro.

 

 

how far can you drive ? well a dx6i about half a mile open land ( remember its an rc handset its not meant to cast 10km signals and pump out 20w of power hats a pirate radio station lol)

and your vtx-vrx to they are just a beefy version of video senders we used to get sky upstairs n sat tv in bedrooms .

its cheap and easy. 

 

 

the other way is hook up with a few fpv quad pilots, see what setups they started with and what they upgraded after.

also look at what they are doing, most of the time its just pure FPV not much eyecandy. no gopros just cctv camera.

 

have kids, they are ideal test subjects, strap the vtx to bike have them ride about and you view the incoming footage

it will give you an idea how systems work and where else they can be used to

[turok007]

i get my kid to help out on there scooter  lol

[Sam.Dzharov]

okay that's some new info, thanks and the idea with the kids is the best idea I've heard in a while haha I will sure try that one 

[Tamiyacowboy]

so what about later, if you like what your running as a cheap version. 

 

well first could be a gimbal, you dont need fancy brushless, just a couple extra servos

and a very cheap miltiwii board. this acts as the stabilizer and controller to the gimbal.

and its cheap, a couple micro servos around 10 quid will get you a pair. a multiwii board 

around 15 quid. work out a brushless gimbal your pushing closer 100 quid. your cheap version costs you at the least half the brushless cost if not a third. 

 

 

Range, a little tweek of antenna setup can make a big change, a couple clover leafs allow a more refined signal spread and coverage.

remember we tend to go no futher than 200-300m and trust me when your inches from the ground and traveling at 15mph, it seems more like 60mph.

your eyes and brain will fool you so learning is most key. you only have a small window you see through, where in real life we get nearlly 120 degree of 

view.

you can be 1 ft away from a brick, but that camera will make it look like your 10ft away. your ability to judge distance is cut back some

but you learn to adjust to this. 

 

Kids : 

 

well the best test subjects on the planet, fearless and want to please or help the parent.

send them up the field and watch the footage see at what point signal starts to fade and snow out.

a couple little ones they can have turns and watch each other via the live feed. technology always has

a interest in tiny active minds. 

And the good thing, once machine is built , they can then be taught how to use it. bringing them into the hobby.

 

toy tanks can become FPV tanks 

toy cars become FPV cars

kids become test subjects for you , if the child can work it its fool proof. they see dad/mum as this cool like super dude/dudette 

and take an interest in his/her hobby. you also have the proud feeling you taught them what they now understand..

 

Range is a goal a long term one, the start is getting the camera and signal working on the machine.

learning how the perspective view changes. and the risk of loss become more greater at distance.

you could make it 2km out then find you have no clue where your machine is, you have a signal thats it.

so when range is concerned your need for an on screen display is key. it gives you direction info via compass points

and a rough guess of distance to. but your still left to go and find it in that wide expanse. 

 

 

so yep really think about the needs you want, do you really have an area 2km wide to play in, or more a 

400m plot with a few trees n likes. fpv links like military use satallite as its sender/reciever, this way less

problems with trees and coverage signal. it can be beamed right to the area. where we have to throw our signal out and try keep in

optimal range. its why fpv land stuff is not very popular as flight fpv.