Instruments, Gear, and FPV Drones I Use Each Day: Oscar Liang’s Suggestions

August 4, 2024

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On this submit, I’ll share the instruments, gear, and FPV drones that I exploit every day. I check and evaluation merchandise usually, and whereas I like to recommend varied merchandise, those talked about listed here are my private favorites. I attempt to replace this submit as usually as I can, however please do verify the edit historical past on the backside to be sure to are getting the most recent information. Please let me know if this submit will get somewhat outdated and I’ll replace it asap.

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Disclaimer: I’m not sponsored by any firm; all opinions are my very own.

Radio and Receivers

For radio hyperlink, ExpressLRS (ELRS) is my go-to alternative in the mean time—providing the perfect worth, efficiency, and choices.

In the case of radios, I actually like those from Radiomaster. Their radios are strong and extremely beneficial. You possibly can’t go unsuitable with them. Listed below are the radios I like to recommend: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/#suggestions.

Nonetheless, my present every day driver is the T20S from Jumper. It’s compact and feature-packed. I choose the non-Gemini model because it’s cheaper and gives ample vary. See my evaluation right here: https://oscarliang.com/jumper-t20s-gemini/

My T20S has undergone varied DIY modifications to swimsuit my preferences and desires: https://oscarliang.com/setup-jumper-t20s-radio/.

Most ExpressLRS receivers are fairly related, so select one that matches your finances and model choice. See receiver alternatives right here: https://oscarliang.com/setup-expresslrs-2-4ghz/#receivers

FPV Techniques and Goggles

I’ve flown each FPV system on the market, and my favorites are DJI and Walksnail as a result of they excel in long-range flights with strong video hyperlinks and top-notch picture high quality. I additionally nonetheless fly analog, primarily for tiny whoops. Analog is the most affordable FPV choice and the lightest, which is ideal for whoops. There are execs and cons to all FPV methods; see my purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/

For every system, it’s greatest to make use of their devoted FPV goggles. Whereas some goggles help a number of FPV methods, it may be clunky and never present the perfect expertise. If you wish to fly analog, get a set of analog goggles. If you wish to fly Walksnail, get a set of Walksnail goggles.

Right here is my FPV Goggles purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-goggles/.

I exploit DJI Goggles 2 and O3 Air Unit for the DJI system—this combo gives the perfect picture high quality, vary, and penetration. For Walksnail, the Goggles X and Walksnail VTX V2 are my favorites.

For analog, the Skyzone SKY04X Professional is my go-to. It gives the perfect picture high quality, a really large discipline of view, and focal size adjustment, which is useful for individuals who put on glasses.

One of the best finances analog goggles can be the Cobra SD Though they’re field goggles with an LCD display screen, picture readability remains to be very first rate! The superior built-in OSD menu considerably improves consumer expertise and even helps exterior receiver modules.

Analog Video Receiver Module

For analog receiver modules, there are solely two choices value contemplating: ImmersionRC Rapidfire and TBS Fusion. See my comparability right here: https://oscarliang.com/rapidfire-fusion/.

Rapidfire

TBS Fusion

For antennas, there are numerous good choices. Try my FPV antenna suggestions for some concepts: https://oscarliang.com/best-fpv-antenna/

LiPo Charger

My every day driver is the ToolkitRC Q6AC. It’s highly effective, has 4 ports, and might be powered by AC and DC. See my evaluation right here: https://oscarliang.com/toolkitrc-q6ac-lipo-charger/

Though this charger has a number of ports, I nonetheless use parallel charging boards. Even when not parallel charging, it makes plugging in batteries a lot simpler 🙂 My favourite parallel charging board in the mean time is the HGLRC Thor: https://oscarliang.com/hglrc-thor-pro-6-parallel-charging-board/

For discipline charging, I choose one thing extra transportable. I just like the iSDT Q6 Nano. It’s light-weight, can cost 1S to 6S batteries, and is reasonably priced at solely $30. The SkyRC B6Neo can also be a superb various: https://oscarliang.com/skyrc-b6neo-lipo-charger/

In case your charger doesn’t have a built-in energy provide and requires DC enter, you’ll need an exterior PSU.

You will get a server or pc energy provide if you understand how, or you should buy one off the shelf like these:

100W PSU:
240W PSU:
360W PSU:
400-460W PSU:
600W PSU:
1200W PSU:

Some PSUs output 12V whereas others output 24V. Sure chargers put out extra energy in case you provide them with the upper 24V, however make sure that your charger can help 24V enter earlier than shopping for. You can even use these PSUs to energy your TS100 soldering iron!

If you need an inexpensive and easy charger that comes with an influence provide which you could plug straight into the wall, the the ISDT 608AC is an efficient newbie choice. It’s not very highly effective however will get the job completed.

To cost a number of batteries concurrently, think about using a parallel charging board. Ensure to learn this text to learn to parallel cost LiPo batteries: https://oscarliang.com/parallel-charging-multiple-lipo/.

For charging batteries within the discipline, I exploit these giant capability batteries.

Instruments

Listed below are a few of my favourite instruments. There are others you may discover helpful, as defined on this submit: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-tools/.