best micros for FPV? - RC Groups (2025)

Jan 29, 2025, 10:41 AM

• #1

Nurburgringer

Thread OP

Discussion

My son and I are enjoying flying the Ranger 600sp with an analog FPV 25mW cam running off the main 1S battery, and looking for the next micro to slap a FPV camera on.
The Volantex Cub was going to be next, until he got it stuck about 75' up in a pine tree. That was such a sweet flying plane, with more power and control authority than the Ranger.

Now considering buying another V-Cub, but also thinking about 2S planes for when we upgrade to DJI O4 digital system.

Spent the time to read through the WL Toys Cub thread last night and don't want to go through upgrading the FC board (and more) which seems necessary to make it a reliable, consistent flyer.

What else is out there in the 500-750mm range that can easily carry an extra 10-15g of gear, is gentle yet aerobatics capable, slow or fast, and solid right out of the box?

The 2S 750mm Volantex P-51 we have should work well but I'd like to go with a high-wing plane as our next step before going full warbird.
A 2S 750mm T-28 would be great....

thanks!

Last edited by Nurburgringer; Jan 29, 2025 at 12:05 PM.

Mar 01, 2025, 08:31 AM

• #2

Nurburgringer

Thread OP

Nobody else FPVing micro RTF planes it seems. Shame, they're a blast!
It is something of a PITA to wire in the cam&Tx but worth the effort.

Have not found any mount to fit this camera:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XB2ZRBP...d_asin_title_1

Closest is this 3D printed mount but it requires cutting up (designed for narrower cam), then a couple small blobs of hot glue in the corners to hold in the cam:
https://www.banggood.com/Camera-Fram...62878306309317

Spliced the cam leads into the main power lines from battery plug.
1st location was too far forward, plane could barely climb.
Moved it back to be about above the main wing spar and she's now dialed in.
I'd gladly pay $50 more for a micro with pre-installed (probably $15, wholesale) FPV camera....

Even in near dead calm conditions it's tough to carve a smooth turn in expert-mode, will mostly fly in medium I think.
Wish my TX16 had a momentary button to engage expert only for rolls or cuban 8s.

Will tidy up the cockpit and may add a basic canopy frame.
Super fun!

Here's the 1st flight after moving cam to final location.
At 1:40 I try to follow my son's Spitfire but due to setting sun and low res image it's tough.
At 3:10 I try flying inverted but don't set it up well and didn't have enough down elevator, barely flipping it back into self-levelling and pulling out mere feet above the deck. Will try again higher up.
Still dreaming of the DJO O4 system... in a P38

Last edited by Nurburgringer; Mar 01, 2025 at 08:51 AM.

Mar 03, 2025, 11:33 AM

• #3

Route666

UMX? FPV? My channel's an unintentional diary of my FPV journey. Most if the old farts here would rather watch their planes buzz around than enjoy the sensation of flying from the cockpit.

I gave up trying to convert the masses to FPV.

https://youtu.be/f39pumDDoH4?si=ebtfBjEpaDetGYvo

https://youtu.be/fK0NkqktFY4?si=xfAUfUQfsYhwQ0XU

https://youtu.be/YcWLIIrNgbg?si=JIzHjGM47TbERyF0

Mar 03, 2025, 11:46 AM

• #4

Route666

As far as my recomendation for a 2S it would always be the venerable XK X520. Tons of power, incredible no-stall characteristics and can run on 3S.

Still the best plane in my hangar.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pag...ECAUQHg&adurl=

Mar 03, 2025, 05:27 PM

• #5

AirDOGGe

I ran FPV drones 2018-2020. It was fun but as my skills grew I ran up against the limits of box goggles. Like wearing horse blinders. I really needed good two-monitor-screen goggles to continue.

But the cheapest decent goggles were $300 and up and that did not interest me. Anything cheaper got poor reviews. So I set it all aside until the price of good goggles came down to $200 or less due to competition.

That was 5 years ago and many new products came out but the prices stayed high, so I never went back to FPV. Everything I had is still sitting in storage.

Mar 03, 2025, 06:10 PM

• #6

Nurburgringer

Thread OP

In fairness it is pretty cool watching planes buzz around, and adding FPV is not exactly plug-and-play
Once you fly "from the cockpit" it's all worth it though, as you know!

Cool YT vids, subscribed

I'm about to pull the trigger on DJI Goggle N3 and an O4 air unit for our 500mm P-51.
This has a narrower FOV than the "pro" cam (117° vs 155°), but at least close to my analog cam's ~120° which so far hasn't seemed constricting.

Mar 03, 2025, 06:14 PM

• #7

Nurburgringer

Thread OP

I've tried dual-monitor headsets but prefer the larger image size with box goggles. Don't plan on any super-fast/technical drone flying just cruising and freestyling planes and drones.
The $230 DJI Goggles N3 and $110 10g O4 air unit are game changers for non-racers.

Mar 03, 2025, 10:12 PM

• #8

Route666

I got into Walksnail digital because they have a 1S VTX but you can't go wrong with either system. I'm much more comfortable with DJI's software update interface.

When I first flew with digital I got the picture clarity I expected but I was really surprised by the additional depth of field you get from digital compared to analog. It was almost like 3D. I think you'll love it.

Mar 04, 2025, 06:38 PM

• #9

benz11

The UMX Sport Cub S V2 comes with a camera power wire already attached and a hole in the wing for you to feed it up through. I have one but have never tried FPV with it.

I have flown a 32" 3D plane with (analog) FPV a bit but found it quite slow and boring compared to my quads. Plus the prop is in view. A twin or pusher would be the best platform to keep the props out of view and if I was FPVing out in the open I'd want something a bit faster.

Apr 03, 2025, 01:33 PM

• #10

mdv

Apr 04, 2025, 02:48 PM

• #11

1778ppr

FWIW I'm very interested. I can't add anything to the conversation since I know next to nothing about it. I'm not sure where to start, what to buy, or where to buy it. Saw this years ago and was hooked. I'd like to try it

QUOTE=Prep H;45284951]Just got the MINI F4U and wow another awesome little must have warbird like the P-51D. Did a few LOS flight, felt quicker than the P-51, more than 3mins of flying, easy to fly in the basic/trainer mode and survived some hard crashes on the road and dirt. So went ahead and added a small AIO camera and did some FPV flights and range test. Fun little park flier LOS or FPV.

Didn't want to punch holes or open it up, so made a small harness so the camera uses the same batt as the plane.

[/QUOTE]

Apr 20, 2025, 10:31 AM

• #12

benz11

You can get a FPV setup working with just a camera, a video transmitter and an antenna at the aircraft end (sometimes the cheaper transmitters come with a cheap linear antenna that are better than nothing). On the pilot end you need goggles with a receiver. You will need to connect everything together so you will also need a soldering iron and heat shrink. And a way to power it all.

It's not hard but there's a lot of moving parts. There must be a bunch of beginners tutorials here on RCG, out there online and on youtube so if you're interested just start reading up on it to familiarise yourself with what's required.

May 12, 2025, 04:04 PM

• #13

Nurburgringer

Thread OP

FPV-maiden flight today of the Volantex 500mm P-51 with DJI O4 air unit.
Was pretty breezy I'd say 10-15mph, which shows up in "jittery" footage presumably from sloppy control rods.
Flew really well with 600mAh battery. Mounted the video board as far back as possible and added a small screw to the tail to get the CoG close to the front edge of aileron servo.
Flying weight of 134g which isn't much heavier than stock 120g w/ 400mAh battery. FPV gear adds about 13g but removal of canopy, pilot, gear and gear mounts brings that back fairly close to stock.
Image quality and stability is fantastic. Wouldn't mind a bit wider FOV but for now the awesomely clear and crisp image is what matters. Can't wait for next flights with my son flying another plane.
Took some fiddling to activate the N3 goggles and air unit on DJI Assistant 2 app on PC but worth the effort.
Flew a total of ~9 minutes with final battery reading 7.67V so I'll be setting the TX16 timer for 10 minute flights.
600mAh 2S batteries: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6H6Z3GB...fed_asin_title

Would be great to have head tracking like Qwerty put on his A280 but the much lighter Volantex couldn't handle that. Maybe if they come out with a ~700mm P-38...
tally ho!

May 12, 2025, 07:17 PM

• #14

benz11

May 12, 2025, 08:55 PM

• #15

oztreecrasher