Help me Decide on Video Transmitter and Screen

Joined
Mar 1, 2014
Messages
137
Reaction score
0
Location
San Francisco
I have had a phantom 2 for a while with gimbal and gopro, but finally taking the time to look at FPV solution.

I have seen on the forums that people tend to use the AVL58 for video transmission along with the iOSD Mini , which seems reasonable , I know their are other video transmitters out their but any reason not to go with this combo first outside of maybe using the Boscam 5.8 Video Transmitter.. Which one weighs more?

Lastly I'm trying to decided between the Black Pearl Monitor and the Boscam-FPV-RX-LCD5802 or the Black Pearl.. but I have no experience with either, I will tend to be in bright areas at the time, and of course I think both of these come with a mini hood, I have yet to figure out how to connect it to my default controller. (I haven't upgraded yet).

Anyhow it seems like from reading though some of the forums people tend to lean towards a combo of one of these video and monitor type am I missing something else?
 
ALV58 weights 39 grams - 60 grams with default CL antenna (has fan inside). It's said to work well and is plug-and-play.
Boscam TS353 400mW weights 43 grams (has heatsink).
ImmersionRC 600mW 18 grams

Black Pearl is more versatile (more outputs and inputs, incl HDMI), has better resolution and removable battery. Provided hood is very deep but a bit cumbersome to pack.
Boscam RX-LCD5802 is 50% brighter, and comes with a more shallow hood.

From what I've read Boscam & ALV58 transmitter work best with the Boscam-FPV-RX-LCD5802, while ImmersionRC works best with the Black Pearl, so if you choose one transmitter, this may determine which receptor to use and vice-versa. Provided you don't mix Boscan & ImmersionRC, both systems work very well.
 
qtluong said:
while ImmersionRC works best with the Black Pearl, so if you choose one transmitter, this may determine which receptor to use and vice-versa

Be very careful! The ImmersionRC does NOT work best with the Black Pearl and there is a whole thread dealing with it here

http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8406

There seems to be a compatibility issue between the IRC600 and the Black Pearl and reception isn't as good as it should be. You'll find some video comparison tests I did in that thread which demonstrates the problems well.

Some have now moved over to Fat Shark 250mw which does work well (especially if you use a helical or patch antenna on the Rx) with the Black Pearl receiver.
 
I've tried both and I much prefer flying with the Fat shark goggles over a monitor and you don't have to worry about sun light etc washing out the screen

Sent from my S4
 
I have an immersion 600mw and a black pearl. The setup is ok. The BP is nice. I've used it while in Costa Rica as a TV screen. My room had a DVD player and DVDs but no TV. I had the BP and cables. I was set. As far as how it does, I had no problem with costa rican sun. Granted I was under un umbrella because my skin had a problem with it but I was able to use it without the hood and it was great. I was a little bummed out with the distance. I was using a Fat Shark spiro antenna on the P2 and a fat shark patch antenna on the BP. I left my other spiro antenna in the room that day like an idiot. I also didn't use it exactly. I had the controller down low between my legs while I sat on the beach and a bunch of people in metal beach chairs were gathered around me. I didn't turn and aim the screen or controller at the P2. I was getting 400km with this setup. I bought a truerc antenna which I'm hoping will help. I'll let you know when it gets here.

Keep in mind that a lot of times I see people flying in very open areas and getting great range. I've yet to see anyone in the middle of a city with huge buildings be able to get 1km FPV range while flying around the buildings. So you need to think about how you will be using the phantom.
 
goldfishrock said:
Be very careful! The ImmersionRC does NOT work best with the Black Pearl and there is a whole thread dealing with it here

http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8406

Thanks for the information. You clearly have more solid first hand info than I do. That's what I read from dealer, also on other forums some stated 1000m OK with their set-ups. My own experience was good reception at about 600m out with stock antennas so I was thinking with better antennas this could go further.
 
qtluong said:
so I was thinking with better antennas this could go further.

I did some videos comparing different receiver antennae and different transmitters
http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8406&start=70#p75274

I was getting the best performance using a Spironet Patch + IBCrazy 5T Helical on the receiver and a good quality (Fatshark) Spironet on the transmitter. You can see in the videos the problems some of us have seen with the IRC600 + Black Pearl
 
goldfishrock said:
qtluong said:
so I was thinking with better antennas this could go further.

I did some videos comparing different receiver antennae and different transmitters
http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8406&start=70#p75274

I was getting the best performance using a Spironet Patch + IBCrazy 5T Helical on the receiver and a good quality (Fatshark) Spironet on the transmitter. You can see in the videos the problems some of us have seen with the IRC600 + Black Pearl

Thanks from what I understand it seems that the FatShark 250mW
http://www.fatshark.com/product/1753.html

Would be great for the transmitter on the P2 which weighs in at arbout 23g, where you able to get this packed inside the phantom or have it outside towards the back?

Seems like people do like the black pearl along with that..
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/bla ... -32ch.html

What I cant really see or understand what antenna's I should look at on both ends..

Thanks everyone, seems like Ill stip the AL from DJI, because it seems a bit heavy , also silly question since im finally getting intp FPV, I can use the fatshark with the iOSD mini correct?
 
ghinson said:

Yea actually over last weekend used my chromecast to check out quite a bit of these videos! Thanks for reminding me.

With the antenna's the ones that come with the transmitter and black pearl do people recommend using different ones?

Speaking of buying stuff, anyone recommend a good place to buy this stuff in the US?
 
stevet said:
Thanks from what I understand it seems that the FatShark 250mW
http://www.fatshark.com/product/1753.html

Would be great for the transmitter on the P2 which weighs in at arbout 23g, where you able to get this packed inside the phantom or have it outside towards the back?

Seems like people do like the black pearl along with that..
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/bla ... -32ch.html

What I cant really see or understand what antenna's I should look at on both ends..

Thanks everyone, seems like Ill stip the AL from DJI, because it seems a bit heavy , also silly question since im finally getting intp FPV, I can use the fatshark with the iOSD mini correct?

Although some have done so, Immersion doesn't recommend mounting TX inside. It has no heat sink (hence light) and needs airflow for cooling.

Stock antenna aren't that bad. I get about 500m. Many use:
Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA antenna on P2.
On BP, for omnidirection Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA with RP-SMA adaptor (antenna has pin, BP has pin, needs hole-hole adapter), and for long range Immersion Patch 13db antenna, with same RP-SMA adaptor.
With that combo, I'm good at 1000m.

I also didn't get ALV because of weight (plan to mount heavy camera). iOSD mini works with all TX, but easier to connect with ALV.
 
qtluong said:
stevet said:
Thanks from what I understand it seems that the FatShark 250mW
http://www.fatshark.com/product/1753.html

Would be great for the transmitter on the P2 which weighs in at arbout 23g, where you able to get this packed inside the phantom or have it outside towards the back?

Seems like people do like the black pearl along with that..
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/bla ... -32ch.html

What I cant really see or understand what antenna's I should look at on both ends..

Thanks everyone, seems like Ill stip the AL from DJI, because it seems a bit heavy , also silly question since im finally getting intp FPV, I can use the fatshark with the iOSD mini correct?

Although some have done so, Immersion doesn't recommend mounting TX inside. It has no heat sink (hence light) and needs airflow for cooling. I stick it with double-sided velcro below the battery.

Stock antenna aren't that bad. I get about 500m. Many use:
Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA antenna on P2.
On BP, for omnidirection Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA with RP-SMA adaptor (antenna has pin, BP has pin, needs hole-hole adapter), and for long range Immersion Patch 13db antenna, with same RP-SMA adaptor.
With that combo, I'm good at 1000m.

I also didn't get ALV because of weight (plan to mount heavy camera). iOSD mini works with all TX, but easier to connect with ALV.
 
qtluong said:
stevet said:
Thanks from what I understand it seems that the FatShark 250mW
http://www.fatshark.com/product/1753.html

Would be great for the transmitter on the P2 which weighs in at arbout 23g, where you able to get this packed inside the phantom or have it outside towards the back?

Seems like people do like the black pearl along with that..
http://www.rangevideo.com/index.php/bla ... -32ch.html

What I cant really see or understand what antenna's I should look at on both ends..

Thanks everyone, seems like Ill stip the AL from DJI, because it seems a bit heavy , also silly question since im finally getting intp FPV, I can use the fatshark with the iOSD mini correct?

Although some have done so, Immersion doesn't recommend mounting TX inside. It has no heat sink (hence light) and needs airflow for cooling.

Stock antenna aren't that bad. I get about 500m. Many use:
Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA antenna on P2.
On BP, for omnidirection Immersion RHCP Spironet SMA with RP-SMA adaptor (antenna has pin, BP has pin, needs hole-hole adapter), and for long range Immersion Patch 13db antenna, with same RP-SMA adaptor.
With that combo, I'm good at 1000m.

I also didn't get ALV because of weight (plan to mount heavy camera). iOSD mini works with all TX, but easier to connect with ALV.

I didnt think about needing to keep it cool.. guess i could mount it on the outside just looks ugly .. :)

So im trying to build a shopping list you mentioned:
Immersiaon Sprionet http://www.maniacshobbycomplex.com/imme ... -rhcp.html

where can i find the Patch 13db and RP-SAM Adaptor?

Cheers!
 
Does anyone know where I can buy just the AVL58 (transmitter) only? I want to use it with a monitor which has a built in receiver. I can only find it bundled.


Thanks
 
goldfishrock said:
I did some videos comparing different receiver antennae and different transmitters
http://www.phantompilots.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=8406&start=70#p75274

I was getting the best performance using a Spironet Patch + IBCrazy 5T Helical on the receiver and a good quality (Fatshark) Spironet on the transmitter. You can see in the videos the problems some of us have seen with the IRC600 + Black Pearl

+1 thank you for the report
 

Recent Posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
143,066
Messages
1,467,357
Members
104,935
Latest member
Pauos31