All my radio recommendations support simulators, so you’ll be able to use them to fly your FPV drone later on. I have a tutorial to show you how to build a 5″ FPV drone from scratch: How to Build an FPV Drone Tutorial There are quite a few flight controller firmware options available for FPV drones, but it doesn’t matter – just use Betaflight. That’s what the vast majority of the people in the hobby use. It’s free, open-source, performs extremely well, and is updated frequently. It has a huge selection of flight controller available. Apart from freestyle and racing, Betaflight has added features geared for long-range such as GPS Rescue Mode (similar to Return to Home). The FPV (First Person View) system is a crucial aspect of an FPV drone, providing the pilot with a real-time video feed from the drone’s perspective. There are four main components involved in an FPV system: The 5.8GHz (5800MHz) frequency band is the most commonly used for broadcasting FPV video feeds. This frequency is separate from the 2.4GHz band used for radio control, ensuring minimal interference between the two systems.

FPV sims are all excellent in their own ways. If you have a decent gaming PC I’d probably recommend Liftoff and DRL, and if you have a low spec PC, then Velocidrone is more likely to work better. Sims like Liftoff and Velocidrone have built-in tutorials to help you learn how to fly and learn Acro mode, which is what you really need. http://fpvlab.com/forums/showthread.php?22260-Vector-FPV-Controller-Everything-we-ve-all-dreamed-about-) Feature Details

Frame: a structure where all the components sit on and provides protection to the electronics – how to choose an FPV drone frame Analog FPV Systems: Analog systems have been the standard in the FPV community for many years. These systems are generally more affordable and offer lower latency. Furthermore, the smaller size and lighter weight of analog VTX make them more suitable for micro FPV drones, such as Tiny Whoops. However, analog video quality is noticeably lower, often suffering from static and breakups throughout the flight. One example of a well-rounded, beginner-friendly FPV kit is the BetaFPV Cetus X FPV Kit. This kit includes a drone, radio, FPV goggles, battery, and charger. Before taking your drone to the skies, you can use the included radio controller to practice flying in FPV simulators like DRL, Liftoff, and Velocidrone. Once you’re comfortable in the simulator, you can try flying the Cetus micro drone in the house or local parks. The ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) converts the signal from the flight controller and controls how fast the motors should spin to generate the desired thrust. You can also switch on your video receiver first to scan which channels are in use before turning on your video transmitter.

To avoid hardware incompatibility, consider following someone else’s parts list. Hardware compatibility primarily depends on mounting sizes, which vary for different components like FCs/ESCs, cameras, motors, and propellers. A mini quad is essentially a small quadcopter but is often simply called an FPV drone. Mini quads are designed to be fast, agile, and crash-resistant, allowing pilots to fly faster and push their limits. For more guidance on choosing the right FPV system, consult this dedicated post: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/ FPV Frequency Virtual SPPMRSSI: some receivers output RSSI and link quality via the SPPM interface, which is supportedIf you’ve ever watched a breathtaking FPV video on YouTube and wondered how the pilot captured such high-quality footage, you should know that the secret lies in using a separate HD action camera. The main ESC protocol used today is DShot, more specifically, DShot300 and DShot600, with the number indicating the speed of the protocol. Cinewhoops are 3″ or smaller drones with propeller protectors (ducts) designed for capturing cinematic footage with an HD camera like a GoPro. They are meant for slow, smooth flights and not for freestyle or acro flying, and they are safe for indoor flying. The Vector's receiver input harness with labeled connectors makes it easy to connect to any receiver. FPV Goggles (with Video Receiver): The pilot wears FPV goggles, which receive the video feed from the VTX and display it on built-in screens. The video receiver (VRX) can either be integrated into the goggles or added as an external module.

For smaller components like radio receivers, video transmitters, buzzers, and capacitors, mounting is more flexible and situational. Use materials like zip ties and double-sided tape to secure them in place. If you’d rather spend more time flying and less time building, a pre-built drone might be a better choice. Keep in mind that the closer a pre-built drone is to “perfect,” the more expensive it will be. And if you break it, you’ll likely need to learn how to solder and repair it anyway. This drone also has a built-in 1280 x 720p HD camera that allows for aerial photos and videos. And, even cooler, you can stream its footage to your phone during flight, giving you a first-person view of what the drone sees in the air. The controller has a handy slot for your smartphone, and the feature works with most Android and iOS phones. For more information on FPV safety, refer to this detailed article: http://intofpv.com/t-safety-first-and-foremost How to Tune FPV DroneKeep in mind that FPV drones are extremely fast and powerful, capable of causing serious injuries to people and animals, as well as damaging property. Adhering to safety rules is crucial, as disregarding them not only affects the pilot and potential victims but also the reputation of the hobby itself. Digital FPV Systems: Digital systems, such as DJI and Walksnail Avatar, provide a significant improvement in video quality compared to analog systems. With resolutions up to 720p or even 1080p, digital FPV feeds deliver clearer and sharper images, with minimal breakup and increased resistance to multipath interference. This enhanced video quality allows for a more immersive FPV experience. However, digital systems tend to be more expensive and may have slightly higher latency, which could be a concern for competitive racers. While I highly encourage you to explore the entire tutorial for an in-depth understanding, here’s a concise roadmap to help you get started in the world of FPV drone flying.

The most popular firmware which runs on 99% of all FPV quad ESCs are either BLHeli_S or BLHeli32. BLHeli32 is newer of the two and uses a faster processor. Flight performance-wise, there is very little difference, but BLHeli32 is more future-proof. In addition to the graphical features shown above, nearly all of the Vector's parameters can be displayed in 3 ways:

Budget: Building your own drone can be more cost-effective, especially if you already have access to the necessary tools and parts. Tiny Whoops are small, ducted FPV drones designed for indoor flying. They are lightweight (around 20g to 30g including battery), easy to fly, and relatively inexpensive. Their built-in prop guards (or “ducts”) protect people and objects from the propellers. On the flip side, the ducts make them heavier and reduces performance, making them less ideal for outside use and windy condition. Here are what I think the best tiny whoops currently on the market.