Buying Advice

[d@wn]

Hello everyone,

I am considering buying a 3.5 inch drone, Emax Babyhawk II HD and since this is my very first drone I am very confused with the rest of the purchase, especially controller and goggles. initially I was considering GEPRC Smart 35 HD drone (a little better characteristics) but watched some videos where reviewers claimed the integrated camera - Nebula Nano - was much worse than the one on the Emax, which is Nebula Pro.

As far as I understand, the Emax drone is with a digital transmitter so could be flown with something like the DJI FPV goggles. I am still exploring but was wondering if anyone has used for example Orqa FPV.One Pilot FPV goggles or anything else from this brand? Do they fare better than the DJI?

How about flight controller, are these cross-compatible across the brands as far as they are all digital? For example, can I use FrSky Horus or Taranis with the Emax Babyhawk II HD and the Orqa goggles?

Finally, from experienced droners's perspective, is it worth investing in a drone, controller and goggles instead of something like the DJI Mini 3 drone with everything included? At the moment I am considering only digital connection drones (I know analog systems are much cheaper). Initially I was considering the GEPRC or the Emax 3.5inch drone because with the smaller batteries they all come below 250g., however now I see that it's not only the drone itself, but also batteries (not coming with the drone), controller and goggles, which in the end could come close to the total price of a DJI Mini 3.

I apologize in advance as I know the above questions are annoyingly basic, however I didn't know there are so many variables to complete a drone set-up if not coming directly from a manufacturer.

 

[davidhk129]

I don't have any "hobbyfpv drone "except a Emax EZ Pilot. . All mine are "toy drones".
However, here is one "hobby drone" I am very much tempted to buy.... BETAFPV RTF Cetus ( NOT Cetus Pro).
I don't know if you are an experienced drone pilot or a beginner. It may not meet your requirements.
Brief descriptions of BETAFPV RTF Cetus :
1. It is bundled with the drone, the controller and the goggle for $159.99 US.
2. It has optical flow positioning (similar to altitude hold but much much superior) so that you can concentrate on honing your fpv flying skill without worrying about controlling the altitude. Great for fpv beginner.
3. It weighs 300g.
Caution: It has brushed motors, not brushless.
If you want to read the details of this product, log on to getfpv site.

There are other hobby type fpv drones that are bundled with controller and goggle and they don't come close to the price of a DJI Mini 3. Dig more deeper in your google search.

Except : from getfpv.com which sells that product for $159.99 US.
The BETAFPV Cetus FPV Kit has everything you need to begin your flying experience! The highly anticipated Cetus FPV Kit is the best choice for FPV beginners to explore the FPV world and bring your family and friends into this hobby. The Cetus FPV Racing comes with the Cetus brushed whoop quadcopter, LiteRadio2 SE transmitter, and VR02 FPV Goggles, which is everything you need to get up in the air!
end of excerpt.

As I said, I am not into hobby type fpv drone. I will not be able to answer your in-depth questions of fpv drone.

 

[d@wn]

Thanks a lot for your reply. If not a secret, what kind of drones do you fly? Do you build them yourself?

I am completely new to drones but I do not want to start at a very low level, then keep buying kit after kit or multiple drones, at least for now. I would like to get a digital transmitter-and-controller drone, get at least an average+ controller unit and as good FPV goggles as possible with the perspective to use them with multiple drones long-term. This is why I mentioned the Orqa controller - it is top end and future-proof by a wide margin compared to the competition, including DJI. Also, despite of never having had a DJI product, I despise their always-online and geofensing policies so would like to stay as far away from their controller and FPV goggles as possible.


From the EMAX website:

Product specification Babyhawk II HD
Parameter Diagonal wheelbase (without paddles) 155mm
Maximum size of the aircraft (without 210mm antenna, cable tie)
Aircraft weight (without battery) 141g
Motor ECO1404-3700KV
Propeller Avan 3.5 inch Propeller
F4 (STM32F411 fimware)
Main Flight Controller 4 in 1 25A ESC
Camera & Video Transmitter Caddx Vista HD VTX + Nebula Pro Camera

BABYHAWK II HD REQUIRES DJI DIGITAL HD FPV SYSTEM GOGGLES FOR VIDEO TRANSMISSION, BABYHAWK II HD IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH STANDARD 5.8CHZ ANALOG VIDEO RECEIVER. FOR ANALOG PLEASE SEE BABYHAWK II ANALOG VARIANT.

... but they don't say what goggles and FPV system they recommend.

&

GEPRC SMART 35 HD 3.5inch Micro Freestyle Drone​

Specifications：​

• Brand: GEPRC
• Model: SMART 35 HD Vista Nebula Nano
• Frame: GEP-ST35
• Wheelbase: 155mm
• Top plate thickness: 2.0mm
• Bottom plate thickness: 4.0mm
• Arms plate thickness: 4.0mm

Flight Controller System：GEP-F411-35A AIO​

• MCU: STM32F411
• Gyro: 6-Axis
• OSD: BetaFlight OSD w/ AT7456E chip
• Firmware target: GEPRCF411-35A AIO
• Power input: 4S LiPo
• VTX: Vista
• Camera: Caddx Nebula Nano V2
• Antenna: Momoda 5.8g UFL LHCP
• Motors: GR1404-3850KV
• Props: EMAX 3.5*2.8*3
• Weight: 137.6g
• Receiver: PNP / Frsky RXSR / TBS Nano RX

---------------------------------
These are the drones that I am currently considering. They are very identical. The GEPRC drone is 5 grams lighter and has a little stronger motors. I just need to connect them to a flight controller and goggles. Any recommendations with argumentation why would be most welcome.

Also, davidhk129, do you use the on-board camera - in the above cases the Nebula Pro & Nano - to also record video? Do you know how it works if not a second dedicated camera is added? I've seen some videos where for example on the DJI FPV goggles you can record on the integrated FPV PVR itself. Any personal experience with the integrated cameras? I am asking as I am ideally pursuing the 250g. max weight which is generally not achievable with battery and a second dedicated camera.

 

[davidhk129]

I am sorry. I am unable to answer your queries, because my drones are all "toy drones".
In case you don't know what I mean by toy drones...... they are drones that come with built-in camera and controller. All I need is to have a smartphone connecting to the drone via wifi so that I can see from my phone what the drone sees while in flight, and I am all set to go. Some are for indoor flight, some for outdoor. Some are more "rudimentary" in features, and some equip with bells and whistles such as GPS, Follow Me, Way Point etc etc, and a small few even have "obstacle avoidance" feature. They are all equiped with "brushed" motors which are far less powerful than "brushless" motors which are used mainly on hobby drones.

The ones you posted are classified as "hobby drones" of which I am totally ignorant. That is why on post#2 I said I will not be able to help your in-depth questions.
There are many members here well versed with hobby drones. Perhaps you will wait a bit for them to come along.
Good luck.

 

[Launchpad]

Hey d@wn,
I'll try to give you a little help. I've been flying analog HDO Fatsharks, but am ready to go digital. My plan was to add HDZero to them. That's kinda the way you would have to do it with the Orqa set-up. Either add an analog receiver, or input from a digital receiver via HDMI. I'm also going to have to add proprietary video transmitters in my quads.
Things are a bit confusing, even after building for 5 years. Even more now so since the latest drop regarding Fatshark and DJI putting out new hardware.
Most everything pre-built is going to require DJI goggles, and some needing DJI radio. The majority will work with whatever radio system you want to use though. This is another area I'll be upping my game in with the development of ELRS.
Lastly, I think what you aren't looking for is a DJI mavic if you want to fly acro.

 

[d@wn]

Thanks both.

@Badfish, shall I understand that the only way to have the Babyhawk HD 2 without making any modifications is using the DJI radio and goggles? I've taken a look at the HDZero website and can see their transmitters and cameras, but I suppose these work only if you build the drone on your own? In my case I am completely inexperienced so will need to learn flying and get to know the software to control the drone first. And for now I would like to strictly stay below 250 g.

Also, are you saying DJI are currently expected to release new versions of their goggles and controllers? If so, when is this expected?

To be honest I am a little surprised that there is not much of a competition in the market of pre-built drone manufacturers as far it concerns digital radios and goggles for them. I presume many people are interested to go faster and even race/freestyle later on compared to simply go up and down with the traditional drones, but at the same time lack the experience to build these themselves or modify them since there are too many components that must be carefully chosen to work with each other and this is not an easy task.

 

[davidhk129]

To: d@wn
You said .........
"I am completely new to drones but I do not want to start at a very low level, then keep buying kit after kit or multiple drones"
" In my case I am completely inexperienced so will need to learn flying"

First and foremost, EVERY drone pilot has had MANY incidents of crashes while learning how to fly. That cannot and will not be avoided. Crashes, most often than not, will result in drones broken and cannot be repaired. That, is also unavoidable.
Hobby drones are in general a lot more expensive than toy drones. A lot more.
Hobby drones' brushless motors are a lot more powerful than toy drones' brushed motors. A lot more. Hence the chance of drone crashes resulting in unrepairable broken drones increases exponentially.

To start the hobby and learn to fly with expensive drones. Is that wise?
Maybe you have deep pocket. Then my point is moot.

 

[Launchpad]

shall I understand that the only way to have the Babyhawk HD 2 without making any modifications is using the DJI radio and goggles?

No, this model uses a flight controller that will connect with whatever radio system you choose.

I've taken a look at the HDZero website and can see their transmitters and cameras, but I suppose these work only if you build the drone on your own?

This is correct to a certain extent. You could just replace the Vtx and camera on any working betaflight drone as I was planning.

Also, are you saying DJI are currently expected to release new versions of their goggles and controllers? If so, when is this expected?

The best I can figure by some of the recent videos by prominent Youtube channels is yes. I think DJI is planning a release of a V3 goggle, and Fatshark are already on pre-order for goggles and camera/transmitter bundles.
All of these systems are proprietary.

To be honest I am a little surprised that there is not much of a competition in the market of pre-built drone manufacturers as far it concerns digital radios and goggles for them. I presume many people are interested to go faster and even race/freestyle later on compared to simply go up and down with the traditional drones, but at the same time lack the experience to build these themselves or modify them since there are too many components that must be carefully chosen to work with each other and this is not an easy task.

This is a really finicky hobby. People like to work with what they are used to when it comes to radio, video, and build specs. It does take an incredible amount of research to make sure all of your parts are going to work happy together. As stated earlier, even more so as the tech advances.

As @davidhk129 has stated, learning on premium equipment will get expensive.

 

[d@wn]

To: d@wn
You said .........
"I am completely new to drones but I do not want to start at a very low level, then keep buying kit after kit or multiple drones"
" In my case I am completely inexperienced so will need to learn flying"

First and foremost, EVERY drone pilot has had MANY incidents of crashes while learning how to fly. That cannot and will not be avoided. Crashes, most often than not, will result in drones broken and cannot be repaired. That, is also unavoidable.
Hobby drones are in general a lot more expensive than toy drones. A lot more.
Hobby drones' brushless motors are a lot more powerful than toy drones' brushed motors. A lot more. Hence the chance of drone crashes resulting in unrepairable broken drones increases exponentially.

To start the hobby and learn to fly with expensive drones. Is that wise?
Maybe you have deep pocket. Then my point is moot.

I completely agree and I would argue I am that rich. However I am planning to get a good radio and goggles which to use with whatever new, repaired or modified drones I am to get in the future.

I am glad the Babyhawk II's controller will work with radios of my choice as there are far better controller systems than DJI's. And if I break it, then be it, of course I would be very careful, but I plan to keep the goggles and the radio controller for as long as I fly this and more drones to come. From what I have read, it is a great pain to get DJI to replace or even repair any of their drones if something happens to them (including for their fault or manufacturer's defect). And DJI's drones are everything but inexpensive in a completely closed ecosystem like Apple's. This is why I turned to FPV where only sky is the limit with so many competing components (many of which very affordable and easy to buy) and manufacturers of just about everything that you can replace or mod yourself, if/as you learn with practice. Thanks once again to both for the invaluable assistance.

 

[davidhk129]

I completely agree and I would argue I am that rich. However I am planning to get a good radio and goggles which to use with whatever new, repaired or modified drones I am to get in the future.

I am glad the Babyhawk II's controller will work with radios of my choice as there are far better controller systems than DJI's. And if I break it, then be it, of course I would be very careful, but I plan to keep the goggles and the radio controller for as long as I fly this and more drones to come. From what I have read, it is a great pain to get DJI to replace or even repair any of their drones if something happens to them (including for their fault or manufacturer's defect). And DJI's drones are everything but inexpensive in a completely closed ecosystem like Apple's. This is why I turned to FPV where only sky is the limit with so many competing components (many of which very affordable and easy to buy) and manufacturers of just about everything that you can replace or mod yourself, if/as you learn with practice. Thanks once again to both for the invaluable assistance.

"Learn to walk before you run" has fallen on deaf ears.
It is apparent you are determined to start the hobby with hobby drones.
Good luck and enjoy.

 

[d@wn]

I am about to order a Radiomaster Zorro radio and am about to choose the 4-in-1 version, still wanted to double check before going ahead. The 4-in-1 version works with multiple receivers and still has an extra slot for ELRS or TBS Crossfire. Alternative versions are ELRS or CC2500. On the Banggood they sell 4-in-1 with TBS Nano Crossfire.

I presume for the Babyhawk 2 HD - Caddx Vista HD VTX - I need to go for the 4-in-1 version? With the external module it doesn't really matter but what would the integrated ELRS version be better with for example? I see many people buying it instead of the 4-in-1 one.