Runcam Split 2 (30 mm square mounting holes)
Runcam Split Mini (20 mm square mounting holes)
FPV - First Person View & Video Downlink Projects
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Runcam Split 2 (30 mm square mounting holes) |
Runcam Split Mini (20 mm square mounting holes) |
If you want very good video with an on-board FPV HD camera + built in HD digital video recorder, I recommend the: Runcam Split Mini / Runcam Split Mini 2 / Runcam Split 2. I have a Runcam Split Mini in my NanoTalon and X180 quadcopter, and a Runcam Split 2 in one of my pink flying wings.
Check RCGroups for-sale forums. There is usually someone
selling these in the FPV equipment forum.
https://www.rcgroups.com/fpv-equipment-fs-w-710/
I have bought a Runcam Split 2 and Runcam Split Mini from
this guy at RCGroups forum and he sent them quickly. They were brand new and
both work well.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3362609-Brand-New-RunCam-Split-Mini2-for-sale
If you just want a camera without an on-board HD digital
video recorder, there are lots of choices. I have all of these in various planes
and quadcopters.
These are listed from lowest quality video to best:
http://www.banggood.com/600TVL-8_0MP-14-2_8mm-CMOS-FPV-170-Degree-Wide-Anlge-Lens-Camera-PALNTSC-p-984345.html
I use both of these video transmitters in different planes.
You will need a circularly polarized antenna for the video
transmitter. The antenna that comes with the transmitters is not very good.
Make sure you get appropriately mated connectors (SMA or RP-SMA) for the video
transmitter and antenna.
Finally, this last item is optional, but I use one on all
my FPV setups. The motor puts a lot of electronic noise on the main power
lines in the airplane. That can make the video bad. An LC filter (inductor
+ capacitor) between the battery and all the FPV equipment eliminates most of
that noise and makes the video much better.
 Eachine VR D2 Pro googles |
 Eachine EV-200D Googles |
I use Eachine VR D2 Pro googles. It has diversity
receivers, a built-in video recorder, and includes two good antennas. The
diversity receivers make for better video reception.
Eachine VR D2 Pro headset with DVR and diversity 5.8Ghz receiver
You can usually find them used for around $50 - $60 at
RCGroups.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3338685-Eachine-vr-d2-googles
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?3115752-Eachine-VR-D2-FPV-goggles
Video Receivers
I have several other 5.8 Ghz receivers, which can be connected to TV's and monitors:
- Boscam RC305 5.8Ghz receiver from eBay
- Skyzone RD40 diversity 5.8Ghz receiver from HobbyKing.com
- Quanum FPV Goggle Set from HobbyKing.com
Transmitter and Receiver Packages
5.8
Ghz receiver (Boscam RC 305) + 200 mw 5.8 Ghz Tx (Boscam TS831) + right-handed
circular polarization antennas = $40.98 including shipping
eBay search for "Boscam
FPV 3km 5.8G 5.8Ghz 200mw Wireless AV Transmitter Receiver TS351 RC305"
Note: Make sure you buy the version with the circular polarized
antennas. The polarity must match between the transmitter and receiver;
left-hand or right-hand circular polarization. That is important for longer range and less video dropouts.
The left picture below, of my Tricopter, shows the transmitter antenna that I bought as part of the above package.
600 mw 5.8 Ghz Tx (Boscam TS832) + right-handed circular
polarized transmit antenna
http://www.surveilzone.com/5.8g-600mw-32ch-wireless-fpv-tx-ws1159
I have bought several video transmitter and antennas from Surveilzone.com, with very fast delivery. They used to have the best price I was able to find on the TS832 video transmitter and antenna.
Note: The Boscam 600 mw specification for the TS832 from Boscam is probably wrong. Tests have shown that the TS832 actually outputs < 300 mw of power. The Boscam 200 mw version does output > 200 mw, so it is accurately specified. I have also found reviews on-line that state the best Boscam transmitter is the 400 mw version, but I have not used that version personally.
If you want to pay a little more and get a strong output signal, Immersion RC has a 600 mw Tx that has been measured at > 700 mw. There are many transmitters and receivers available, but the I have listed here (above) the ones I have used.
Older equipment which I no longer use
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Receivers (not 5.8 Ghz) - Lawmate 900 Mhz receiver w/ GP patch antenna - X-10 2.4 Ghz receiver w/ GP patch antenna Goof-proof patch antennas built from plans on RC-Cam website. |
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900 Mhz Transmitters:
2.4 Ghz Transmitters:
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AV436 CCD mini-camera - was mounted in Half Shadow w/ 909Mhz 500mw Tx - now mounted on Blue Wing #1 w/ 5.8Ghz 600mw Tx AV436 CCD mini-camera - was mounted in UltraStick w/ 909Mhz 100mw Tx - now mounted on Blue Wing #4 w/ 5.8Ghz 600 mw Tx X-10 CMOS camera - was mounted in PT-40 w/ X-10 2.4Ghz 50mw Tx HIC0095 CCD camera - to be used on ?? Pixera CMOS camera - to be used on ?? Micro-camera CMOS - mounted on Tricopter w/ 5.8 Ghz 200mw Tx Micro-camera CMOS - mounted on Easystar w/ 5.8 Ghz 600mw Tx |
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AV436 CCD mini-camera = 350 TVL (television lines), $28, runs
on 12 volts, good in low light, older technology
http://www.mavin.com/store.php/products/av436-ccd-mini-board-camera
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| Tricopter, micro-camera, 200mw Boscam TS351 video Tx | Easystar, micro-camera, 600mw Boscam TS832 video Tx |
Olympus D450 32MB Smartmedia
- no longer used
Olympus D460 32MB Smartmedia
- no longer used
HP E317 512MB SD
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CamMan
switch installed, internal batteries,
damaged in crash - no longer used
CVS camcorder 128MB Fixed mem
- external power, low resolution (640x480) - no longer used
Aiptek Pencam SD SD mem
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CamMan switch installed, external power,
installed in Stryker for aerial photos
Flatfoto 3 SD mem
- CamMan
switch installed, external power, sold
Argus DC3640 SD mem
- Keepalive switch
installed, internal batteries, sold
Dakota #1
Fixed mem
- Keepalive switch
installed, internal batteries, sold
Dakota #2
Fixed mem
- Keepalive switch
installed, internal batteries, sold
Dakota #3
Fixed mem - Keepalive switch installed,
internal batteries, sold
