Bebop or MiniQuad - how to start the FPV hobby?

by RCSchim | March 13, 2015 | (6) Posted in Reviews

I get asked very often "what's the easiest way to get into this hobby? and how much is it?".

Recently I reviewed and tested the Bebop drone which is really the easiest way. I try to show you the difference between such a RTF kit and getting a MiniQuad with "normal" FPV equipment.

You see that the Bebop is really easy to fly (my girlfriend flew it like a pro on the first try) but if you want to go advanced (like me trying to fly through an obstacle filled garage) it's not so easy anymore.
So this might be a dead-end for you. If you want a "real" FPV miniquad later - you'd have to buy everything again...

Flying with MiniQuad through the same course was easy (evenn if this was my first flight with the Mini after 2 month). Only mishap: crashed after landing (note 2 self: disarm on KK2 is different than Naza ;-)

Later you see some nice flight scenes on a Hill in great sunlight (spring is coming!) and many updates and news on future projects and reviews:
- ezAntenna Tracker V2
- Aaronia Spektran HF 6065 great Spectrometer!
- WiDV (2.4ghz FULLHD video transmission - Alternative to lightbridge!)
- ImmersionRC Vortex (RTF Quad!)
- Ghost repaired - waiting for testflight to conclude

Shoppinglist: (as of 13.3.2015):
Bebop: 500€
Bebop with Skycontroller 900€

-

MiniQuad: Droneframes DRQ250
from http://droneframes.com (choose US or EU)
looks like the also have an ARTF kit now: http://goo.gl/KHQpnL

Taranis RADIO (get it here: http://goo.gl/gezLJj)
Info: http://www.frsky-rc.com/product/pro.php?pro_id=113

Mobius CAM: http://goo.gl/l3tOBT

FPV gear:
with this search: http://goo.gl/0R6Q2z you see different IRC accessories you will need:
Video Transmitter 5.8
Video Receiver (if you don't have one in your goggles)
Antennas (get SPW Spironet for better results than normal antennas)

GOGGLES:
Fatshark Dominator V2: http://goo.gl/BGLJEE
or Dominator HD http://goo.gl/yz4qtB

Batteries (Nanotech 1500 3cell): http://goo.gl/4QSFyh

Hobbyking:
No, I'm not hobbyking sponsored - these are just examples. But their shop works good and you find a lot of things there.
Make sure your items are on stock - maybe in a warehouse near you - or else you pay customs and wait longer.

 

Links:
http://www.wirelessdv.com

http://immersionrc.com (for infos on the Vortex, ezAntennatracker)
or this video: https://youtu.be/5bX4aOfs1co

Aaronia Spektran:
http://www.aaronia.de/produkte/spectrum-analyzer/Tragbarer-Spektrumanalysator-HF-6060-V4/

Thunder Tiger Ghost+: http://goo.gl/gj74jD

Bebop: http://rcschimhangar.blogspot.co.at/2015/02/parrot-bebop.html

COMMENTS

FlyingMonkey on March 13, 2015
I love my Predator V2's. And yes I've flown better goggles. But I have never been disappointed in the Predators. I tried on one of the budget foam box monitor goggles, and was very impressed with them.
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makinger on March 13, 2015
Thanks for the article! What is your opinion regarding maybe going for a pair of teleporters instead of the linked dominators if on a tighter budget? Will I regret it later on? Better to go for "reverse"-display mounted Quanum DIY-style if on budget?
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RCSchim on March 17, 2015
I agree with Hunter staples here. The goggles are often the most expensive part in this hobby. but they are your interface, they have to be optimal. for me a key point is FOV. Also important if you fly a lot: portability and flexibility (DVR, integr. VRX...).
If on a tight budget try to get used Fatshark rv922 or old base. They had huge FOV, not so sharp as domHD and no integrated 5.8 RX - but you can change the 2.4 RX in there against 5.8 module. some fiddeling around - but maybe a good solution for you!
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Hunter Staples on March 13, 2015
You will regret buying the teleporters and maybe even the predators. The FOV makes it very difficult to fly. I would suggest buying nice one because then you won't have to buy a better set later on. I would suggest the Attitude V2's without the CE certified fpv transmitter. Buy an Immersion 600mw video TX for the FPV transmitter. If you really want to go with nice goggles go with the Dominator V2's or even HD's. I have the V2's and I love them!
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Auteur47 on April 9, 2015
Flying racing mini quads are my goal. I am trying to teach myself FPV flying using Fatshark goggles but have not been able to get beyond a few seconds of poorly controlled flight. I have been flying line of sight multirotor for over a year and am somewhat adept at basic maneuvers, although I still find high speed flight to be pretty hairy. I have built and flown a handful of quads of which an F330 clone is the smallest and a 560 Alien from HK is the largest. I intend to use the F330 as the FPV trainer. It has a KK2 board at this time which will be replaced with a Full Naze32.
My question is, when learning to fly FPV with goggles, do you need a rock steady flight mode as the Bebop (as well as the DJI Phamtom) seems to have. And how do you progress to be able to fly FPV in the acro mode? Also, how would you put the transmitter settings (such as expo and dual rates) at?
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RCSchim on April 10, 2015
that's hard to tell. I think for learning FPV it's easiest if you use something totally self hovering like a phantom2 or any naza gps or even other gps stabilized ones.
My GF has not much RC experience and I think she would crash if she had to fly with an manual mode quad LOS. however she found it very easy to fly from FPV perspective and with all the stabilisation. The only weird thing for her was: the altitude hold.
she flew with me to that smokestack up high. Steering is not an issue - like a computergame. but when we had to return to landing site (to greet the officers) she had some panic because she couldnt simply descend and was disoriented a bit with flying quite high...

on the other hand: I find miniquad flying very easy in manual mode - not so nice in stabilized mode. in manual mode you can point the nose of the quad in the direction where you want to go and it flies there almost like a plane. with stabilized mode you always have to move forward the nick stick to fly fwd...

flying miniquads in manual: dont try to hover too much - this is a bit harder. keep moving at medium speed so the quad gets stable through mommentum.
try to avoid hard obstacles because they will break more than a few props.
dont be too afraid of trees or branches - the props are cheap to replace.

transmitter: no dual rate but MUCH expo. even heard Charpu saying that he needs alot expo. like 30-50 expo on nick and roll.
also found that some users have too little THROTTLE response. if you use throttle you should get a nice punch soon - so you can adjust your altitude precise.



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Bebop or MiniQuad - how to start the FPV hobby?