Hey guys!
After one month using my Vision Plus V2.0, I realized that Wifi FPV wasn't exactly the best option for flying. There was a constant delay, and often I experienced some lag spikes. Even more - I would lose the video but not the controller for several times. It wasn't reliable at all. When flying "100% FPV", that would let me very lost.
Not anymore! After doing some research and looking for some Gimbal/Wifi wiring diagrams (with help of some of you guys here), I found out that it's possible to split the video cable that comes from gimbal assembly, and use it with an additional downlink. And as 5.8 and 2.4 were already used, the solution was to use a 1.2GHz transmitter and receiver. Let's start with the equipment.
- Lawmate 1.2GHz 500mw transmitter (5.5V)
- Voltage regulator (12V to 5V)
- Lawmate 1.2GHz receiver
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:
I opened up the Phantom and removed Wifi module (watching burlbark's video), so I could have access to wiring that comes from battery to the main board. Then, I soldered the two cables from the voltage regulator, so I could get 5V and GND for video transmitter.
Using diagrams found here and in rcgroups.com [reuploaded here], I split that last little cable from the right, which gives me "pure" video (without telemetry), and added a little extension from it.
This way, I now had 5V, GND and Video.
Outside the Phantom, I attached the transmitter with a double-sided tape, and soldered these three cables to the transmitter's correspondents. Done!
IN-FLIGHT RESULTS:
Of course, as this downlink only offers me video, I still need to use the Vision app for telemetry, ground station info and camera setup. When using CH1 on transmitter, it seemed to mess up with Wifi 2.4GHz signal, which is harmonic to 1.2. But when switching to CH2, it went stable.
Regarding distance, I could easily go up to 500m, then I'd lose controller signal and failsafe would bring it back to me. If using SpiroNet antennas, I'm sure it won't be a big deal to go up to 2km, but this would require a antenna mod or a new decent controller.
Even though I don't have telemetry built-in, it's definitely a good installation and will give me some more flight reliability. I'm impressed with the results.
If you guys have any questions about equipment, installation or results, just ask here. Happy flying!
Guido.
After one month using my Vision Plus V2.0, I realized that Wifi FPV wasn't exactly the best option for flying. There was a constant delay, and often I experienced some lag spikes. Even more - I would lose the video but not the controller for several times. It wasn't reliable at all. When flying "100% FPV", that would let me very lost.
Not anymore! After doing some research and looking for some Gimbal/Wifi wiring diagrams (with help of some of you guys here), I found out that it's possible to split the video cable that comes from gimbal assembly, and use it with an additional downlink. And as 5.8 and 2.4 were already used, the solution was to use a 1.2GHz transmitter and receiver. Let's start with the equipment.
- Lawmate 1.2GHz 500mw transmitter (5.5V)
- Voltage regulator (12V to 5V)
- Lawmate 1.2GHz receiver
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE:
I opened up the Phantom and removed Wifi module (watching burlbark's video), so I could have access to wiring that comes from battery to the main board. Then, I soldered the two cables from the voltage regulator, so I could get 5V and GND for video transmitter.
Using diagrams found here and in rcgroups.com [reuploaded here], I split that last little cable from the right, which gives me "pure" video (without telemetry), and added a little extension from it.
This way, I now had 5V, GND and Video.
Outside the Phantom, I attached the transmitter with a double-sided tape, and soldered these three cables to the transmitter's correspondents. Done!
IN-FLIGHT RESULTS:
Of course, as this downlink only offers me video, I still need to use the Vision app for telemetry, ground station info and camera setup. When using CH1 on transmitter, it seemed to mess up with Wifi 2.4GHz signal, which is harmonic to 1.2. But when switching to CH2, it went stable.
Regarding distance, I could easily go up to 500m, then I'd lose controller signal and failsafe would bring it back to me. If using SpiroNet antennas, I'm sure it won't be a big deal to go up to 2km, but this would require a antenna mod or a new decent controller.
Even though I don't have telemetry built-in, it's definitely a good installation and will give me some more flight reliability. I'm impressed with the results.
If you guys have any questions about equipment, installation or results, just ask here. Happy flying!
Guido.
