Introduction
An advanced user drone park usually includes several drones, which in turn are divided into GPS and FPV drones. GPS hobby drones are often used to implement stabilized aerial photography. Such models reach the consumer in a complete, ready-to-fly package (Drone + Remote Control + Battery + Charger), for which it is enough to read the instructions and charge the batteries using the included charger. Thanks to automatic functions, the operation of GPS drones is as simple as possible and does not require special piloting skills from the user. The potential of GPS drones is always limited by electronics, both in power and in control, which generally predetermines their narrow purpose (aerial photography/cartography/monitoring/search and rescue).
The rapidly growing popularity of FPV drones/quads/quads is the exact opposite of GPS drones. It was this niche that gave birth to spectacular drone racing and freestyle drones. In the hobby, such UAVs are used to implement free dynamic flight in first-person mode, which allows you to give the user an indescribable feeling – the flight of a bird. The mentioned freedom of flight becomes available due to the absence of any electronic restrictions in FPV drones, both in power and in control. Ideally, such drones are assembled and configured by the user from scratch, taking into account personal preferences.
Production models are usually available to the consumer in BNF or PNP kits, in which, in fact, there is only a drone, and such elements as a battery (available only for the BNF kit), remote control, FPV goggles / helmet (less often an FPV monitor) and a charger are additionally purchased separately. FPV drone control is possible only in one mode – Acro mode (excludes electronic assistants responsible for auto stabilization and holding the position of the drone), which requires the user to have special piloting skills that develop only during long training sessions. In other words, a beginner will not succeed in piloting such a drone the first time.
Note that some sellers put the battery in the PNP package, so do not be surprised if you come across such a kit.
In this article, we will guide the novice user step by step on where to start in order to quickly enter and develop in the FPV drone niche.
Main Components of an FPV Drone
To properly approach the development of the topic, it would be best to start with a general introduction to the main components of an FPV drone, thanks to which the drone can fly, and the pilot controls it in first person mode:
Note: Components such as the ESC can be implemented in a 4-in-1/4-in-1 form factor (as a single board), which allows them to be located in the central part of the drone above the flight controller.
FPV drone dimensions
In the FPV drone hobby, drones are divided into two main size groups, Micro (Micro) and Mini (Mini). Which particular group the drone belongs to is determined by its frame – the main frame on which all components of the drone are mounted. Frame size is the diagonal distance between the two quad motors. Micro FPV drones – frame sizes range up to 150mm. Mini FPV drones – frame sizes range from 150-305mm. Drones from the mini group are not toys, they are powerful and can fly at speeds up to 160 km/h and even more, and this is what you will strive for as you grow. It is recommended to start entering the niche of racing drones with micro quads, as they act as a kind of “karting” before moving on to high-speed “cars”.
Note! In addition to the group, the size of the frame also determines the size of the propeller that can be mounted on it. That is, each frame is designed for a certain size of the propeller, so in the hobby the frame is also referred to depending on the size of the propeller. So when you hear people say “5” frame, they mean a frame designed for 5″ props.
Dimension table
Step 1. Add. accessories
As we noted above, the best production FPV drones often come in two possible configurations: BNF (includes: drone, battery, receiver, charger) and PNP (includes: drone, receiver). In order to take such a drone into the sky, you will need to purchase the missing accessories, without which it will be impossible to fly, including in first-person mode. Accordingly, for the BNF configuration, these missing accessories are: remote control and FPV goggles (helmet/monitor), and for the PNP configuration: remote control, FPV goggles/helmet (less often FPV monitor), battery and charger. Below, we will highlight the most relevant companion devices for today, which are best suited for advancing in the hobby.
There is also an ARF package in which the drone comes in a completely disassembled state (constructor). Such equipment will require you to have the skills of owning a soldering iron and not only that, in general, the lot of already advanced users. Less often, but still there is a RTF package, which has everything you need for FPV flight (drone, remote control, FPV goggles / helmet / monitor), battery, charger), you just need to charge the battery and you can take off.
Remote Control
As a rule, the GPS drone remote control is adapted to work with only one UAV model. The FPV remote control of the drone allows you to pair with various FPV models, the main thing is that the signal transmission protocol of the remote control (TX protocol) matches the protocol of the drone’s receiver / receiver (RX protocol). If you don’t go into details, then for fans of multi-engine UAVs, three companies that are developing consoles and, accordingly, developing appropriate receivers for them will be of interest:
- Frsky (TX protocols: D8/D16/LR12; RX protocols: SBUS/FPort)
- Flysky (TX protocols: AFHDS/AFHDS 2A; RX protocols: IBUS)
- Spectrum (TX protocols: DSM/DSM2/DSMX; RX protocols: DSM/DSM2/DSMX)
Note that there are multiprotocol control equipment on the market that allow interfacing with various receivers, including those mentioned above.
Recommended Remotes
The consoles presented below have stood the test of time and are the best solution for entering and advancing in the hobby today. The best are products from Frsky, they are preferred by most of the fans of the unmanned hobby, from amateurs to professionals:
Frsky
Taranis X9D Plus
Taranis X9D Plus Special Edition
Taranis QX7S
Taranis QX7
Spectrum
Spectrum DX6
Spectrum DX8
Flysky
Flysky I6
Flysky I6S
Turnigy Evolution Pro
Universal control equipment
Inexpensive multi-protocol control equipment that has proven itself in the unmanned hobby. Supports about 40 known protocols including those mentioned above.
Jumper T8SG v2.0 Plus
A remote control in the UAV racing niche belongs to the group of devices that, with the right choice, can go from novice to advanced pilot without replacement.
FPV goggles/helmet
FPV goggles/helmet are the next additional accessory you will need to purchase as without them first person flight (FPV) will not be possible. Compared to remotes, the range of FPV goggles produced is much wider. We tried to collect the most successful models from different manufacturers that are currently available for purchase both in the primary and secondary markets, which have proven themselves in practice, and arranged them in ascending order of price and manufacturability. We also recommend that you pay attention to our specially prepared and timely updated ranking of the best FPV goggles / helmets.
Recommended FPV goggles/helmets
For our part, we want to note that despite the positive reviews of the FPV goggles / helmets presented below, over time they will inevitably be replaced by more technological models. Accordingly, if at the current time you could not find the FPV goggles / helmet specified in this list for sale, we recommend that you go to the official website of the developer of the headset you like and get acquainted with the new range offered there. Or stay tuned for our ranking of the best FPV headsets.
Eachine VR006
Eachine VR-007 Pro
Eachine EV100
SJ RG01
Eachine EV800
Eachine EV800D
Eachine Goggles Two
Skyzone SKY02C
Eachine EV200D
Fatshark Attitude V5
Aomway Commander
Aomway Commander V2
Skyzone SKY03O
Fatshark HDO2
Orqa FPV.ONE
DJI FPV Goggles (V2)
For reference! To take advantage of both versions of FPV headsets (DJI FPV Goggles/DJI FPV Goggles V2), the FPV drone must be retrofitted with the DJI Digital FPV system.
Also, first-person flight can be realized using an FPV monitor, but due to the less immersive effect, it is less commonly used by FPV drone pilots.
Device pairing
Remote control + receiver
As we said above, each of the presented remotes interacts directly with the receiver of a specific developer. In order for them to start interacting, they will need to be connected (bind / bind). This process is simple and one-time, but for each remote control and receiver it is implemented in its own way. Step-by-step visual instructions can be found in the FPV drone manual or on YouTube.
FPV goggles + video transmitter
Pairing the FPV goggles with a video transmitter (VTX) is similar to searching for TV channels on a TV. After turning on the drone, it is enough to start auto-search of the broadcast video channel via the goggles interface (if the FPV goggles / helmet have such a function), or to search manually and you can take off. The goggles/helmet can be powered from both the built-in and external batteries. The built-in battery is usually charged by the charger that comes with the goggles/helmet, and the external one by means of a charger, which you will definitely buy to charge the drone’s batteries.
battery
If the package of the selected FPV drone model does not include a rechargeable battery (PNP package), then to select a battery, you need to either go to the developer’s website and select a battery from the available list, or use the characteristics of the recommended battery (usually available in the drone’s specification; for example: 11.1V 350mAh 30C LiPo) choose a battery from a number of third-party well-known developers. In this case, in addition to the recommended specifications, the user needs to pay attention to the drone power cable connector, which is usually of the following types: JST / JST-PH 2.0 / BT2.0 / XT30 / XT60. For those who will be looking for third party batteries, we have collected the most popular batteries that have proven themselves in practice, and arranged them in ascending order of energy efficiency for each type of 1S / 2S / 3S (HV) LiPo batteries that are relevant for powering micro FPV drones.
Recommended Batteries for Micro FPV Drone:
1S (3.7V/3.8V) LiPo batteries
Luminier 1S 3.7v 205mAh 25C
New Bee Drone Nitro Nectar 1S 3.7v 250mAh 30C
Tattu 1S 3.7v 220mAh 45C
GNB 1S 3.8v 300mAh HV 30C
BetaFPV 1S 3.8v 300mAh HV 30C
GNB 1S 3.7v 350mAh 80C
Eachine 1S 3.8v 460mAh HV 50C
Emax 1S 3.8v 450mah HV 80C
GNB 1S 3.8v 520mAh HV 80C
2S (7.4V/7.6V) LiPo batteries
BetaFPV 2S 300mAh 45C
Tattu 2S 300mAh 45C
URUAV 2S 300mAh HV 80C
GNB 2S 300mAh HV 80C
Acehe 2S 450mAh 75C
GNB 2S 650mAh 60C
XF Power 2S 450mAh 75C
GNB 2S 450mAh HV 80C
3S (11.1/11.4V) LiPo batteries
GNB 3S 300mAh 80C HV
BetaFPV 3S 450mAh 75C
CNHL Ministar 3S 450mAh 70C
Infinity 3S 550mAh 70C
RDQ series 3S 450mAh 80C
GNB 3S 550mAh 80C
Tattu 3S 450mAh 75C
GNB 3S 450mAh 80C HV
GNB 3S 520mAh 80C HV
GNB 3S 650mAh 60C HV
Acehe 3S 650mAh 75C
When choosing a LiPo, always stick to well-known brands to ensure decent quality and performance. Remember, once you save on LiPo, you can pay dearly for it! You can learn more about lithium-polymer batteries, how to choose them correctly, operate them safely, charge, store and dispose of them in our review.
Charger
This is the next accessory you will need to purchase, as any battery needs to be recharged after work. There are a great variety of chargers on the shelves of the global market (Amazon, Ebay, AliExpress, GearBest, Banggood, etc.), but as with Battery / Control Equipment, not all of them are equally useful. The right charger can not only serve you well for a long time, but also maintain the maximum energy efficiency of the battery throughout its entire service life. Below, we have selected for you a number of the most successful chargers that have managed to positively establish themselves in any of our hobbies.
Recommended memory
The batteries listed in the list are universal devices and can charge batteries of various types and capacities used in hobbies both to power UAVs and other radio models and not only. We also note that the charger kits do not always have all the necessary adapters for charging the battery, but they can always be purchased separately.
For our part, we want to note that despite the positive feedback on the memory devices presented below, over time they will inevitably be replaced by more technologically advanced models. Accordingly, if at the current time you could not find a charger from this list for sale, we recommend that you go to the official website of the developer of the charger you like and get acquainted with the new assortment offered there.
SKYRC B6 AC V2
Important! The presented model is in great demand in the hobby, and therefore there are a large number of fakes on the market, which in turn are famous for their short service life and unsatisfactory charge quality! Before buying, always check with the seller for information about the originality of the product. Note! On the back of the branded charger, there is always a security code through which you can check the originality of the charger on the official website of the developer.
SKYRC IMAX B6 mini
Important! The presented model is in great demand in the hobby, and therefore there are a large number of fakes on the market, which in turn are famous for their short service life and unsatisfactory charge quality! Before buying, always check with the seller for information about the originality of the product. Note! On the back of the branded charger, there is always a security code through which you can check the originality of the charger on the official website of the developer. It is also worth considering that the kit does not include a power supply. Purchased separately. There are a lot of third-party options on the market, however, if you don’t know how to choose the right PSU, then it will be better to buy the original one from SKYRC!
ProLead RC B6 80AC
Tenergy TB6AC+80W
SKYRC Q200
EV-PEAK C1-XR
ToolkitRC M8
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
HOBBYMATE D6 DUO PRO
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
ISDT D2 Dual
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
ISDT Q6 Pro
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
ISDT 608AC
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
ISDT T8
The memory reaches the buyer without a set of adapters (purchased separately).
Step 2. Training
Today, training to fly an FPV drone is somewhat similar to training civil and military pilots, namely, for everyone, everything starts with a simulator, as it is safe, inexpensive and practical. As we mentioned above, the FPV drone is controlled in Acro mode, which requires the novice pilot to have special skills acquired only through practice. And since the first steps in most cases are associated with numerous crashes (falls, collisions with obstacles, etc.), — which for obvious reasons leads to all sorts of destruction of the drone, it is best to start training with an FPV drone simulator.
Note that the potential of the FPV drone simulator is relevant not only for beginners of the drone hobby, but also for professionals, — for example, during the preparation for the competition (allows you to create virtual FPV tracks of a future event and work out the flight route to automatism; or to work out new aerobatic maneuvers).
Simulators
The range of FPV drone simulators offered is quite wide and gradually this list will only grow. Based on personal experience, we recommend that a beginner turn his attention to a professional simulator from the world-famous DRL drone racing league in world sports – DRL Simulator, which is more tailored for professionals and advanced hobby users, but at the same time has a sufficient virtual training base for beginners . In more detail about all available FPV drone simulators, we recommend our specially prepared article.
Step 3 Practice
No matter how unique simulations are, they can never replace real practice. And so, when the virtual experience gained allows you to move on to real flights, the beginner will have a well-founded question – where is it better to start? As we said at the beginning of this article, — you need to start with micro FPV drones. You can practice both at home and on the street, the main thing is to choose the right quadrics for this. We have collected for you some of the most popular micro models in the hobby, which have received the highest ratings from both beginners and advanced users, and divided them into models for safe operation at home, and models for adrenaline flying on the street.
Why for home and street? First, for security reasons, — when we talk about home flights. Secondly, when you are flying in tight spaces, the first thing you need to practice is precision/handling technique. And when the flight is carried out on the street, among other things, various aerobatic maneuvers are practiced, adaptation to speed and, in general, to flight in first-person mode in free space conditions occurs, and, of course, the flight characteristics of a drone without propeller protection are an order of magnitude better.
Note! In practice, it is not uncommon for some people to experience dizziness when flying with FPV goggles. In this case, it is recommended to temporarily switch from FPV goggles to an FPV helmet, or use the FPV monitor altogether. This fact once again indicates a significant difference in flight immersion when using various FPV image output devices.
Recommended Micro FPV Drones
For our part, we want to note that despite the positive feedback about the FPV quadrics presented below, over time they will inevitably be replaced by more technologically advanced models. Accordingly, if at the current time you could not find an FPV drone from this list for sale, we recommend that you go to the official website of the developer of the model you like and get acquainted with the new range offered there.
For home
Eachine US65 UK65
URUAV UR65
Betafpv Beta65 Pro
Happymodel Mobula6
Eachine TRASHCAN
Happymodel Mobula7 HD
Emax Tinyhawk (RTF kit)
EMAX Tinyhawk II (RTF Kit)
KINGKONG/LDARC TINY GT7
KINGKONG/LDARC TINY GT8
Emax Tinyhawk S
iFlight TurboBee 99R
iFlight CineBee 75HD
Eachine Cinema 4K
SPC Maker Mini Whale HD
Happymodel Larva X HD (quad 2 in 1; with removable protection for indoors and outdoors)
iFlight Cinebee Hybrid 4K
iFlight Titan DC2 HD
Available in two RTF and BNF packages. On board the most modern stuffing, which is complemented by a unique FPV system from DJI Innovations.
For the street
Eachine Tyro69 (ARF version or constructor)
Eachine Novice-III (RTF version)
Eachine RedDevil V2
Happymodel Sailfly-X
HGLRC Parrot120
SKYSTARS TALON X110
Diatone GTB229
EMAX Tinyhawk Freestyle
Full Speed Toothpick
SPC Maker S125
SPC Maker X90
Emax Babyhawk-R Race Edition
Emax Tinyhawk II Race
GEPRC PHANTOM
iFlight TurboBee 120RS
BetaFPV Twig XL 3″
Happymodel Larva X HD (quad 2 in 1; with removable protection)
Let’s summarize
So let’s briefly summarize what has been said above. To quickly enter the niche of racing FPV drones, you need to start small. For those who can’t afford to buy control gear, FPV goggles/helmet, battery, and charger, the best option is to choose an RTF kit, in which the drone reaches the consumer with all the components necessary for operation. For everyone else, the first priority will be the choice and purchase of all the above necessary extras. components.
Then you need to get an FPV drone simulator and start getting acquainted with the physics of piloting in Acro mode (at least 100 hours of practice). After you can confidently fly a virtual drone, you can move on to real flights.
To do this, it is advisable to purchase two drones at once, one for flying at home (with annular motor protection), the other for flying outdoors (without protection). Of course, both can fly indoors and outdoors, but for a beginner, for safety reasons, it will be best for a quad for home to be protected by propellers. If your budget does not cover the purchase of two drones, the choice should fall on the model with ring protection, respectively. Then you combine flights using the simulator and purchased micro quads.
Remember, the more you practice, the faster you will move on to high-speed mini drones. As you progress in piloting, which you will definitely understand sooner or later in the learning process, you can move on to mini drones with frames from 150 mm and above.
Important! For outdoor flights, choose areas free from people, animals, cars, etc. (the field in any of its manifestations will be the best place). Remember! No matter how fast you progress in your hobby, you are always learning, so don’t get carried away, avoid being careless and respect those around you. That’s all, thank you for your attention, we hope our experience will be useful to you. Fly carefully and safely!
Video
FPV progress in one year.