Let’s be trustworthy: most RTF (ready-to-fly) FPV drone kits suck. They both fly poorly, don’t train you a lot, or each. They’re additionally hardly ever future-proof and also you simply outgrow them. I’ve examined sufficient newbie FPV gear to confidently say this: you nearly all the time get higher worth by making your personal bundle and shopping for the gear individually. It’s a must to do a bit extra analysis, nevertheless it’s price it. So as an alternative of recommending one other mediocre all-in-one equipment, I’m breaking down precisely what you can purchase—at completely different value factors—from a sub-$100 starter setup, all the best way as much as a $1500 premium equipment.
New to FPV? Don’t overlook to take a look at our newbie’s information: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-drone-guide/
What Do You Want To Fly an FPV Drone?
Each useful FPV setup requires 5 key elements. In case you’re lacking even one in all them, you received’t have the ability to fly:
- Drone
- Radio transmitter
- FPV goggles
- Batteries
- Charger
Now let’s go price range by price range. All costs are based mostly on the official web sites on the time of writing.
Below $100 – Simulator Starter Equipment
$100 is usually not sufficient to purchase an honest FPV drone equipment. However you should buy a radio and get a style of FPV in a simulator—it’s really a really efficient strategy to follow.
FPV Sims
Most FPV simulators can train you the fundamentals and assist you learn to fly. Some supply higher tutorials, however that solely issues in your first few hours. It’s extra necessary to discover a sim you really get pleasure from, as a result of that’s what retains you working towards.
I’ve a information breaking down every possibility and the professionals and cons: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-simulator/
Three sims that I personally actually like:
 |
Liftoff | $19.99 |
 |
Uncrashed | $14.99 |
 |
VelociDrones | $19.99 |
Funds Radios
For price range radios, my suggestions are the Pocket and T8L.
Get the T8L from:
Get the Pocket from:
Why I like to recommend these radios
I like to recommend these as a result of they’re the most cost effective radios which can be nonetheless genuinely price having—excellent for inexperienced persons who aren’t certain but whether or not the pastime is for you. There are higher radios on the market for certain, however earlier than you already know what you need, it is sensible to begin with one thing inexpensive.
Each radios work with FPV simulators, and so they’ll even be appropriate with future FPV drones (so long as these drones use ExpressLRS), so you may hold utilizing them in the event you don’t wish to improve.
Right here’s a radio purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/radio-transmitter/
Pocket vs T8L
The Pocket is the extra succesful radio. It has a display screen, which makes radio/mannequin setup a lot simpler, and it provides you the complete EdgeTX expertise, so it’s extra future-proof.
The T8L is easier: no display screen, and it depends on a web-based configurator for altering settings. It’s useful, however configuration choices are extra restricted than the Pocket. The Pocket additionally tends to have higher vary because of its exterior antenna and better most output energy. That stated, each radios are completely superb for the newbie drone setups I like to recommend on this web page.
Model
Be sure to get the ELRS (ExpressLRS) model. That’s the most well-liked radio hyperlink in FPV proper now.
FCC vs LBT
When shopping for your radio, you could be requested which model to get: FCC or LBT. These are completely different regional regulatory requirements for two.4GHz transmissions.
- LBT: EU & UK
- FCC: a lot of the remainder of the world
Don’t stress an excessive amount of although—you may change between FCC and LBT later by flashing the suitable firmware.
Radio Battery
Don’t overlook to seize two 18650 Li-ion batteries to energy your radio. You may cost them contained in the radio, so a separate charger isn’t crucial.
You should utilize any first rate 18650 cells. RadioMaster’s personal 18650s additionally carry out nicely.
Get some 18650 right here:
Below $300 – The Least expensive Newbie Drone Bundle
That is the bottom price range I like to recommend for a newbie bundle.
The Air65 might be my favorite indoor tiny whoop—it flies very well out of the field. In case you primarily fly outdoor, the larger Air75 is the higher possibility. The Air65 can fly outdoors too, nevertheless it doesn’t deal with wind in addition to the Air75, and its cruising velocity is slower.
The Air75 is barely extra highly effective. You may fly it indoors, however for inexperienced persons it’d really feel too quick, and it’s heavier—so it’s extra prone to break issues in your own home.
The Air65 II is available in 3 variations: Freestyle, Racing, and Champion. The primary distinction is motor KV (how briskly the motors spin, and subsequently how aggressive the drone feels). For inexperienced persons, I believe the Freestyle model is the best alternative.
Get the T8L from:
Get the VR04 Goggles from:
Get the Air65 II whoop from:
Get the Lava II 1S 320mAh batteries from:
Get the HexaCharger from:
Below $400 – Upgrading Our Whoop Bundle
In case you’ve received a bit extra price range past the $300 setup, it is best to think about a few of these upgrades.
The primary improve I’d advocate is swapping the VR04 goggles for the Skyzone Cobra SD. These goggles help each 4:3 and 16:9 facet ratios, which is a giant deal in the event you fly analog cameras in 4:3. In addition they supply a stronger receiver and higher vary general.
You may also improve from the T8L to the RadioMaster Pocket if you’d like one thing extra future-proof, however not necessary.
And if you’d like a extra succesful charger, think about upgrading the HexaCharger to the GEPRC WooPower. It’s extra highly effective and gives extra versatile charging choices (additionally non-obligatory, however good to have).
Get the Pocket from:
Get the Cobra SD Goggles from:
Get the Air65 II whoop from:
Get the Lava II 1S 320mAh batteries from:
Get the WooPower Charger from:
Below $500 – Massive Radio Improve
At this price range, I’d think about upgrading your transmitter. As a substitute of the Pocket, the RadioMaster TX15 MAX is a superb premium radio.
Why I adore it:
- AG02 gimbals (among the finest within the enterprise)
- Wonderful Ergonomics
- Massive shade contact display screen
- Helps each 2.4GHz & 900MHz radio hyperlinks
- Tons of switches and customization choices
It is a radio that may final you years and work with all kinds of fashions—not simply quadcopters.
Get the TX15 MAX right here:
Below $600 – 3-inch Freestyle Ripper Bundle
If tiny whoops don’t excite you and also you need one thing with extra punch, that is the place issues get enjoyable.
A 3-inch freestyle drone is ideal for park flying. It’s way more highly effective than a tiny whoop, however nonetheless manageable in comparison with a 5-inch. It’s additionally quieter and fewer intimidating, making it an awesome stepping stone in case you are not assured about your abilities.
Word: The batteries use XT30 connectors, whereas the charger solely helps XT60, so that you’ll want an XT30-to-XT60 adapter. They’re fairly low cost (solely a few bucks)—or you can also make your personal.
Get the Pocket from:
Get the Cobra SD Goggles from:
Get the Seeker3 right here:
Get the 4S 850mAh LiPo:
Get the iSDT 608AC charger right here:
Below $700 – Charger Improve
If you’re flying larger battery packs, charging can take longer, so with the ability to cost a number of batteries concurrently can decrease ready time.
Improve to the HOTA D6 Professional. It has two charging ports, so you may cost two batteries on the identical time.
Right here’s my LiPo charger purchaser’s information: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/
 |
HOTA D6 Professional | $119 |
Below $900 – Entry-Degree Digital FPV Bundle
Flying analog is like watching a TV from the 70s. Though Latency is low, picture high quality leaves a lot to be desired. Digital FPV is much extra clear and immersive—however dearer.
DJI gives a comparatively inexpensive possibility with the DJI Goggles N3. The primary draw back is a decrease refresh price in comparison with higher-end DJI goggles, however for informal pilots, they’re greater than satisfactory.
Additional studying: https://oscarliang.com/fpv-system/
DJI presently has 4 goggles choices, which one must you get: https://oscarliang.com/which-dji-fpv-goggles-g3-g2-integra-n3-v2/
Get the DJI Goggles N3:
Get the Seeker3 O4 Professional:
Get the 4S 850mAh LiPo:
Get the iSDT 608AC charger right here:
5-Inch Choice – Extra Energy, Extra Velocity
Nothing flies like a 5-inch FPV drone on the subject of uncooked efficiency. That is the usual dimension for freestyle and racing. As a substitute of the Seeker3, think about the GEPRC Vapor D5. It’s extra highly effective, quicker, and really cheaper than the Seeker3!
Simply bear in mind: 5-inch drones are loud and highly effective. Be sure to have sufficient house—and that you simply’re not going to bother everybody close by.
Get the Vapor D5 O4 Professional:
Get the 6S 1100mAh LiPo:
Below $1500 – Final Digital Setup
Now we’re speaking high-end gear.
This isn’t actually what I’d name a newbie bundle—it’s what skilled pilots would use. However in the event you begin right here, you received’t outgrow it anytime quickly, assuming you don’t crash and break it in your 1st day 🙂
Get the TX15 MAX right here:
Get the DJI Goggles 3 from these distributors:
Get the Vapor D5 O4 Professional:
Get the 6S 1200mAh LiPo:
Get your ToolkitRC Q6AC Charger from:
Last Ideas – What Ought to You Really Get?
The largest mistake inexperienced persons make isn’t shopping for one thing too costly—it’s shopping for gear they’ll exchange in two months. Keep away from mediocre RTF kits and outdated radio programs. In case you’re simply beginning and need one thing that grows with you:
In case you plan to fly indoors, you may’t go mistaken with a tiny whoop.
In case you’re flying outdoor, select the drone dimension based mostly in your accessible house and wind circumstances. Bear in mind: a 5-inch is highly effective and loud. In case you don’t wish to draw consideration, a 3-inch or smaller drone is often the smarter alternative.
Select properly from the start, select gear that may develop together with your abilities, and also you’ll get monetary savings—and frustration—down the street.