Well-read Newcomer Questions: FPV / GoPro / Gimbal / Radio & Transmitter

[FragileButAgile]

Hello all, I am new to the forum but have been lurking for quite some time and feel I've got a decent grip on what's going on here. My background includes R/C airplanes in my youth and most recently am a commercial helicopter pilot & flight instructor. I have a good understanding of the aerodynamics of rotorcraft flight but my main questions stem from the technology specifics (it's been a long time since I was last into R/C).

Here's the setup I am aiming for:

• DJI F-550 Frame
• (6) SunnySky Motors - V2216 / 900KV
• (6) DJI 30A ESCs
• (6) DJI 10x3.8 Props
• NAZA-M V2 GPS
• GoPro Hero 3 Black
• Venom Racing 25C 14.8V 5000mAh 4S LiPo
• Gimbal (not sure which yet)
• Transmitter & Receiver (either Spektrum DX8 or Futaba 8JH)
• FPV System (not sure which yet - very confused)

​
So, here are the questions that I've had trouble finding definite answers to on this forum:

1. GoPro Hereo 3 Black: what are my options as far as getting still photos? I don't believe a servo system to actuate the camera shutter would be viable (cost-wise or weight-wise). I know GoPro has options for taking pictures at specific intervals (every 2/3/5/10 seconds). Is that my best bet?
2. FPV system: I see some people output their FPV to goggles or monitors on the ground. That's amazingly cool. I want to do this. Some people use their GoPro as their FPV camera - that's fine with me but can I still have the GoPro on the setting to take pictures at specific intervals so that I can capture stills while still using the FPV for framing & real-time video?
3. FPV system display: recommended goggles? I prefer high quality video. I saw on YouTube one guy had a small monitor mounted to his radio. Also seen others with monitors on tripods on the ground. I have also been eyeing Fat Shark systems but am at a loss as to which one would be suited for me. Also, what frequency is best for range & quality? 5.8/2.4? This will be a single man operation so portability is a must.
4. Radio & Transmitter: trying to decide between Spektrum DX8 or Futaba 8JH. I want to cut costs on the radio as much as possible (Futaba is cheaper) but don't want to limit myself as I want to add on all of the bells and whistles in the future (FPV/Telemetry/motorized gimbal/etc). I hear I need 8 channels minimum but what is DSMX that I've been hearing about & is it a requirement for some of the NAZA systems?
5. Gimbal: of course, I want the motorized gimbal so I can maximize the steadiness of my shots/video. Looks like you can get a nice 2-Axis one for about $300. Are you able to adjust the gimbal via your radio while you're in-flight with a one-man operation? And lastly - do I really need to get a motorized gimbal to get steady stills and video? If the main attraction to a motorized gimbal is adjusting the camera in-flight then I think I could make that sacrifice and go for a cheaper fixed gimbal at the cost of maneuvering the drone itself as opposed to the gimble to get the shot I want.

Guys, thanks a ton in advance for the answers to my questions. Since a lot of these parts are coming from China I just want to make sure I am doing the best research I can before I pull the proverbial trigger.

Thanks!

 

[ProPilotWannaBe]

GoPro Hereo 3 Black: what are my options as far as getting still photos? I don't believe a servo system to actuate the camera shutter would be viable (cost-wise or weight-wise). I know GoPro has options for taking pictures at specific intervals (every 2/3/5/10 seconds). Is that my best bet?

With the Black edition you have WiFi capability to snap a photo or turn on/off video... *if* you are within the range of it (~50 feet from my experience). So I have gone with the interval method for taking pictures. Actually, half the time I have it in "interval photo + video" mode so that I end up with a video clip, and photos every x seconds. Alternatively, on the Black edition, you can put it in 4K video mode and you'd get a 7Kx4K video at 15fps, but that would be one giant file to process. I'd recommend the interval timer photos.

FPV system: I see some people output their FPV to goggles or monitors on the ground. That's amazingly cool. I want to do this. Some people use their GoPro as their FPV camera - that's fine with me but can I still have the GoPro on the setting to take pictures at specific intervals so that I can capture stills while still using the FPV for framing & real-time video?

Yes, the standard definition output that will feed your video downlink runs independent of the video mode or photo interval settings. However, your Field Of View selection (narrow, etc.) will be the same between both. My GoPro feeds my VTx for my ground monitor, and I alternate between "1080p@30fps + 5sec photos" and "2.7K video".

FPV system display: recommended goggles? I prefer high quality video. I saw on YouTube one guy had a small monitor mounted to his radio. Also seen others with monitors on tripods on the ground. I have also been eyeing Fat Shark systems but am at a loss as to which one would be suited for me. Also, what frequency is best for range & quality? 5.8/2.4? This will be a single man operation so portability is a must.

I currently have a 7" monitor mounted on my transmitter. It's handy, and I don't regret it. However, I am planning on switching to a 17" monitor on a tripod. That way I don't have to worry about getting the right angle on my transmitter to see the video, and it's there, big and bold. I can keep my eye on the aircraft and out of the corner of my eye glance at the big screen. The key thing for me is that your eyes have to be focused on the aircraft, which leads to the "no goggles"... at least for now for me.

Radio & Transmitter: trying to decide between Spektrum DX8 or Futaba 8JH. I want to cut costs on the radio as much as possible (Futaba is cheaper) but don't want to limit myself as I want to add on all of the bells and whistles in the future (FPV/Telemetry/motorized gimbal/etc). I hear I need 8 channels minimum but what is DSMX that I've been hearing about & is it a requirement for some of the NAZA systems?

The only requirement on a Naza system is 7 channels for full functionality. Likewise for Wookong. I personally love my 8FG and I know I am not alone on that one. You actually have 14 channels on that one which allows for other stuff like landing gear, and video transmitter switching. I personally see the transmitter as your long term investment that you will use on the next several aircraft you buy. So my one transmitter already controls 2 aircraft, and a 3rd one coming later this summer, and haven't lacked anything with it.

Gimbal: of course, I want the motorized gimbal so I can maximize the steadiness of my shots/video. Looks like you can get a nice 2-Axis one for about $300. Are you able to adjust the gimbal via your radio while you're in-flight with a one-man operation? And lastly - do I really need to get a motorized gimbal to get steady stills and video? If the main attraction to a motorized gimbal is adjusting the camera in-flight then I think I could make that sacrifice and go for a cheaper fixed gimbal at the cost of maneuvering the drone itself as opposed to the gimble to get the shot I want.

If all you are doing is photos, then cheap will work. You are correct that all you are doing is framing your shot. You'll yaw the aircraft to point at your target, you'll use one of the 7 channels going to your Naza to control the vertical tilt of the camera, and the Naza will control the roll axis to level the camera out. But yes, that requires a motorized gimbal to do that. For the setup you are discussing, look into the X468 gimbal (www.x468.com, or at rc-drones.com). That's the gimbal I use for my GoPro on my F450. I would say <$300 you are going to get a *nice* gimbal, but a decent one. When I think *nice* I think brushless servos that allow for smooth video.


FYI, you should be able to get all that you are discussing above within the United States and wouldn't need to get it from China. Regardless, you are correct that it's best to do all this research before "pulling the trigger."

 

[FragileButAgile]

ProPilotWannaBe, thank you so much for the answers to my questions. You hit the nail on the head on every one of them. That's really awesome that you can still get the video feed on a monitor or goggles when taking pictures or video.

That X468 gimbal looks awesome! Nice and smooth video and the price is right. Looks like Heli Direct has it in stock for $130 AND it comes with the landing gear. Exactly what I was looking for. Only disadvantage seems to be that the servos it recommends aren't brushless but for $200 all-inclusive that ain't too shabby.

Do you know if you can do simultaneous 2.7k video w/ 12MP photos? Not sure if there's a video resolution maximum in order to maintain the simultaneous capabilities.

I think I read somewhere that 4s batteries aren't compatible with the Fat Shark FPV system - can anyone advise if that is the case? I wonder if there is an adapter that can be added to the electrical system, if so.

Lastly, I feel like I've got a good base to start on and I'm ready to start my first build. Are there other materials/tools I should invest in besides the below?

• Soldering Iron & Solder
• Flux
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• Hex screwdrivers
• Wire mesh covering (?)
• Zip ties
• Loctite

I saw a guy on Aerial Media Pros do a build on YouTube and it seemed like that's all he used.

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[ProPilotWannaBe]

Only disadvantage seems to be that the servos it recommends aren't brushless but for $200 all-inclusive that ain't too shabby.

If you are interested in brushless, Mike Munson (X468 designer) just came out with a brushless version, but I haven't followed up on that recently.

Do you know if you can do simultaneous 2.7k video w/ 12MP photos? Not sure if there's a video resolution maximum in order to maintain the simultaneous capabilities.

No can do. The simultaneous video+photo only works with specific resolutions and frame rates. The highest you can go is 1080p@30fps for video in that mode.

I think I read somewhere that 4s batteries aren't compatible with the Fat Shark FPV system - can anyone advise if that is the case? I wonder if there is an adapter that can be added to the electrical system, if so.

Can't speak for the Fat Shark, but you can buy a BEC to get the voltage you need. If you can't find a BEC with the specific voltage you need, Castle has a programable BEC that you can specify the output voltage you want for $22.

Lastly, I feel like I've got a good base to start on and I'm ready to start my first build. Are there other materials/tools I should invest in besides the below?

You won't need flux since solder already has a flux strand running through it.
I would recommend the wire mesh. I'm not currently using it but I'm wanting to add it to my MRs.
You'll need varying length of servo connects (male to male, male to female).
And you'll need whatever specialty wire from the GoPro to your VTx.

Glad I could help!

 

[FragileButAgile]

Thank you again, sir. I will do some more reading and research. Hopefully my next threads will be pics of my build. For now I am going to snatch a GoPro Hero 3 Black so I can mess around with it for awhile to see how I like it & what kind of photos I can get.

Much obliged.

 

[kloner]

the favorite fpv pilot voltage regulator (bec) is what we refer to the dollar regulator. You can get the same one from dpcav for $20 but ebay has em for a buck and change. There 3 watts so there enough to run a whole system or just a transmitter. at this level of the game i'd get immersion 5.8 vtx, uno and a monitor. then you don't need a bec, works from 2-6s straight off the flight packs. fatshark goggles work on that same immersion vtx, no other chineese vtx will but fatshark or immersion

get circular polarized antennas too, that makes it so you don't have to tilt the ground antenna when you press forward on the stick to keep perfect polarization in teh antennas

 

[FragileButAgile]

Thanks kloner - I didn't understand about 90% of the acronyms you just used but I will do some research!

 

[kloner]

that's why i'm weird,,,,,, you'll get it

these are the best bec's to use. All the other stuff raises your noise floor more than these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-LM2596...242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3281e29a

however, this system below wouldn't need any bec/regulator

an fpv system i use and recomend is this
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_22_228&products_id=1191
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=1058
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=877
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=266
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_74&products_id=1296

that all plugs in, no solder needed. can add fatshark goggles with a built in tuner later with zero changes

 

[FragileButAgile]

Thanks for the links - definitely helps!

 

[Copperhead]

Fragile, the F550 setup looks exactly like the configuration I'm shooting for. Very helpful thread.

Thanks for the FPV list Kloner.

I'm going back and forth on having it built or building it myself. I have all the tools and skills to do the build, I just don't have the time.

 

[Copperhead]

btw, why the 4S instead of 3S? It was recommended to me by the builder to stay with 3S for the lifting that would be required.

 

[FragileButAgile]

Copperhead, I just thought more = better but I think I'm switching to 3s. I've seen a lot of posts now and most people on here use 3s

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[gtranquilla]

I have the XT468 landing gear c/w with the recommended Hitec mini servos and am very happy with that system until I switched up to a brushless gimbal system but that was heavier and required a larger 800 mm Multirotor with bigger motors and props......see my ad in the classified section if you are interested.....

ProPilotWannaBe, thank you so much for the answers to my questions. You hit the nail on the head on every one of them. That's really awesome that you can still get the video feed on a monitor or goggles when taking pictures or video.

That X468 gimbal looks awesome! Nice and smooth video and the price is right. Looks like Heli Direct has it in stock for $130 AND it comes with the landing gear. Exactly what I was looking for. Only disadvantage seems to be that the servos it recommends aren't brushless but for $200 all-inclusive that ain't too shabby.

Do you know if you can do simultaneous 2.7k video w/ 12MP photos? Not sure if there's a video resolution maximum in order to maintain the simultaneous capabilities.

I think I read somewhere that 4s batteries aren't compatible with the Fat Shark FPV system - can anyone advise if that is the case? I wonder if there is an adapter that can be added to the electrical system, if so.

Lastly, I feel like I've got a good base to start on and I'm ready to start my first build. Are there other materials/tools I should invest in besides the below?

• Soldering Iron & Solder
• Flux
• Heat Shrink Tubing
• Hex screwdrivers
• Wire mesh covering (?)
• Zip ties
• Loctite

I saw a guy on Aerial Media Pros do a build on YouTube and it seemed like that's all he used.

THANKS AGAIN!

 

[Copperhead]

that's why i'm weird,,,,,, you'll get it

these are the best bec's to use. All the other stuff raises your noise floor more than these
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5pcs-LM2596...242?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c3281e29a

however, this system below wouldn't need any bec/regulator

an fpv system i use and recomend is this
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11_22_228&products_id=1191
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=1058
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=877
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_40&products_id=266
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=165_74&products_id=1296

that all plugs in, no solder needed. can add fatshark goggles with a built in tuner later with zero changes

Alright, I've got all the parts in your list. Regarding the ground station components, how have you tied them together with power?

Are there other connectors you had to get? I realize I have two female connectors for the video.

Thanks

 

[kloner]

I opened up the monitor and made a wire straight to the pcb with a deans on the end of it, then the deans has two wires coming off it, one going into the monitor and another with one of those 3.5mm power connectors that goes to the immersion receiver.

something like this

 

[Copperhead]

I opened up the monitor and made a wire straight to the pcb with a deans on the end of it, then the deans has two wires coming off it, one going into the monitor and another with one of those 3.5mm power connectors that goes to the immersion receiver.

something like this

Thanks, not as pluggable as I hoped. I'll come up with something...

How about the video, did you have to use adapters?

 

[tstrike]

Wow! I've got the same setup as Kloner reco'd, cept a foxtech 8", catsup/ketchup. I'm not as adventurous as Kloner and opted to make my own 2 way power plug 2 deans and some female 2 female connectors from a pack of radioshack rca connectors. Still got a loop that would suck if it were mounted on your tx, it'd be easy enough to shorten it all up, but on a tripod's not bad. View attachment 12721View attachment 12722

 

[kloner]

like t did is fine. made mine so it can't fail, one of the big fpv rules of thumbs is zero failure point or at least minimal fail points to go wrong......

 

[tstrike]

See, you have the skills and where with all to open this stuff up and go to it, where as I have the skill set of a doorstop.

 

[kloner]

it's a huge pcb that you can trace the pads pretty easily. there is a +12 volt, a ground and a video signal pad...... a multimeter goes beep when you hold it on the connectors you show and inside the monitor. the only trick is theres a ribbon cable that makes the screen power up that is easiest to remove, you just release the clamp and it slides out but zero experience with a ribbon cable connector and be the end of a monitor too..... i get $100 to hard wire a monitor like i do and stress relieve as much as possible to prevent failures.