FPV: What is out there that is compact and can handle abuse?

[MAC FAB]

Anyone running a FPV setup that is compact and can take some abuse? Imagine an event where you are in a blind, looking out the front windshield on a wide-screen TV, like a 1:1. I've seen videos recording footage of this perspective, but how about driving? Pipe dream or possibility using quad copter technology or who knows what? Insight Anyone?

Mods/Jato, hopefully this is in the right spot.

 

[Saltrock]

There was a thread a few weeks ago about this, I’ll try to find it.

Edit: Here it is.

S

Post in thread 'Getting started in FPV (First Person View)'

Feb 17, 2025

Botgrinder has some fpv crawler content also, this is just the first fpv car vid of his that popped up.

Language warning.

• Saltrock

• 

 

[Fallen]

A tip for FPV installation:

Rigs with interiors are ideal. The interior gives you several mounting locations for the camera all of which are nice and safe inside of the cab.

My Miller Motorsports truck has a camera mounted to the driver's seat. I've never come close to damaging it. Mine is a Spektrum camera powered by the RX. The range isn't very good on mine, so it's only fun for a few minutes.

 

[Saltrock]

Nineteen minutes in on this vid is a bit with some fpv. Company name is Iron Quad.

Iron Quad

https://www.ironquad.com/

 

[AnimalHippie]

I would want it to be movable with head tracking goggles. That way you could look around like driving 1:1. The electronics to do it are way out of my budget.

 

[Ots]

I have a camera on my Ultra with a servo on the camera tied to my steering by way of a program mix. I have DJI video Tx and goggles and the range is great as well as the image quality. I don't have tracking - I want the camera to follow the steering.

 

[Saltrock]

I would want it to be movable with head tracking goggles. That way you could look around like driving 1:1. The electronics to do it are way out of my budget.

The Iron Quad set up is really slick but yeah, six hundred bucks is a lot.

 

[Greatscott]

I have a camera on my Ultra with a servo on the camera tied to my steering by way of a program mix. I have DJI video Tx and goggles and the range is great as well as the image quality. I don't have tracking - I want the camera to follow the steering.View attachment 510330

The Iron Quad set up is really slick but yeah, six hundred bucks is a lot.

I have been looking at the Iron Quad system for a while. The head-tracking is very cool, and it is ready to go out of the box. It boasts ranges further than most surface transmitters and it has excellent video. I want to see how it stacks up against my ELRS MT-12 radio.

While it is supposed to be fairly robust, it is not water-resistant. For a digital system, the price is actually quite good, but 600 bones is still 600 bones, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on it yet.

For us amateur radio types, we can (legally) bump the power up. But, if a non-ham bumped the power, I don't think they'd call the FCC po-po...

 

[Ots]

It really isn't a power question - 125mW, which is the legal max for non-ham licensed operators is plenty. I've run as much as a 2W transmitter (KK6GBY) and I didn't see any difference from a 125mW setup. The one pictured above is 125mW and puts out a great image almost completely glitch free. Power is really for distance but I don't do much distance with a crawler. Even in air use, 125mW is more range than I need. There are long-range guys but that's really a different aspect of the hobby. Cost is what it is and it all depends on your priorities. I don't FPV drive often but I'm really happy with my system when I do. Before this system I had pieced together some really low cost systems but I was always left with a want for better image quality. It makes a big difference. I do have to add that if I were asked if it's worth the money to do FPV driving I would say no. The thought of doing it is much more appealing than actually doing it. It's cool for a while and then...

 

[Saltrock]

I am by no means saying the Iron Quad is not a good product or that it is not worth it. I think it’s worth it for the plug and play. That said six hundred dollars is a lot to some people.
It’s a good deal that can be too much for some. I want one, lol.

 

[Greatscott]

I am by no means saying the Iron Quad is not a good product or that it is not worth it. I think it’s worth it for the plug and play. That said six hundred dollars is a lot to some people.
It’s a good deal that can be too much for some. I want one, lol.

I look at this as the difference between a kit RC and an RTR. If you have the time and the know-how, or want to learn how to put the whole mess together yourself, then the kit is the way to go. If you just want to have an RC, and don't want to invest the time to throw everything together yourself, then go with the RTR.

 

[MAC FAB]

I'm looking for plug and play, RTR, for simplicity sake. No time for a learning curve. Big picture would be an event/race deal, like 1:1.

 

[Gula]

I'm looking for plug and play, RTR, for simplicity sake. No time for a learning curve. Big picture would be an event/race deal, like 1:1.

I'm on the same page.

*Edit: Next month I'm going to bite the bullet and buy the ironquad system. I'll 3D print/braze/bend/bolt a cage to the front, to protect the investment.

 

[Timmahh]

If you're into a lil DYI, this turned out to be a pretty damn slick and capable setup. Which with some design and mods, could be even more than it is here.

Kpop did a cool thing here.

 

[Gula]

Time to buy a scx6 roller

 

[Timmahh]

Time to buy a scx6 roller

I think with a little work it could be made to work on a 1/10th. smaller gimble setups. Micro servos, small cam.

The Radiolink FVP cam setup is fairly small and could be made to work with a smaller rig.

 

[Gula]

Yah, I'm sure its all doable, I just want a scx6 to try out as a platform for my.......... project, lol.