RCModelReviews
How aircraft flaps work
updated
As for the Jumper T15, it's yet another very capable radio from Jumper with excellent sticks, 1W of ELRS and EdgeTX. Not much to complain about here.
Oh and no, there isn't a button to change the color of the radio but it is available in a number of attractive shades.
Disclosure: This product was provided for review purposes by Jumper RC.
The Runcam Thumb 2 is a surprisingly affordable and capable 4K video camera which (finally) offers frame-rates of up to 60FPS at 4K resolution.
pros:
- can provide very nice video
- ND filters are available
- affordable
- relatively lightweight
- good optics means minimal lens flares
cons:
- no manual shutter or ISO settings
- SD card placement is a nuisance
- good optics means minimal lens flares (if you want them)
- they only give you one power cable (we want more!)
Bottom line: This was sent for review but I most definitely would buy one at the current price-point ($99.99 at time of review).
Product link (not an affiliate link):
shop.runcam.com/runcam-thumb-2
Note to YouTube's ContentID system : The music is licensed from audiio.com so don't waste my time claiming it!
Runcam OpenIPC: shop.runcam.com/runcam-wifilink-based-on-openipc
Runcam Thumb 2: shop.runcam.com/runcam-thumb-2
Jumper T15: jumper-rc.com
Huge thanks to my supporters over on Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
I'll try to get more information and update you as to the possible future of this project.
I had high hopes for this DSP radio that is supposed to work on the AM and FM broadcast bands as well as the airband. It would have made a great pocket-sized receiver that anyone could clip on their belt and use to help keep themselves and the skies safe.
Sadly, it is one of the worst products I have ever reviewed and has such poor sensitivity on the aviation band that it is effectively useless. Do not waste your money on this piece of rubbish.
Stay tuned however, because I will soon be reviewing the R80 aviation-band kitset receiver in the hopes that it is a better alternative.
And, before everyone writes in the comments "what about the Baofeng ham handheld?" -- I will also be looking at this option but unfortunately it isn't a legal option for many countries due to its ability to transmit across a wide range of (licensed) frequencies.
Thanks to my supporters over at Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
No mid-rolls, no sponsors, just content!
Pros:
- it's pretty damned comfortable
- it has lots of little zips and pockets
- it's really well made (strong, tough)
Cons:
- it's not cheap (but still represents good value)
- needs some way to protect quads from dirt/mud on opening
- storage is "satisfactory" 'but I'd prefer more (lunch, drink etc)
- pockets on the dividers need zips or stuff falls to the bottom of the pack
If you're looking for a pack for the spring/summer then stay tuned, I have a couple of more to be reviewed.
Big thanks to my Patreon supporters who make it possible to dispense with the sponsors, commercial bias, affiliate links and mid-roll ads in my videos.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Unless you enjoy a bit of a gamble, make sure you buy the radio from a reputable and preferably local retailer for the reasons stated in this review.
You know that it has to be an impressive radio if, after all the flaws and faults I list, I am currently in the process of moving almost all my models from other radios onto this one.
Disclosure: This radio was sent to me for review by Jumper but that (clearly) has not had any influence in the findings of this review.
There are no affiliate links here, I have no financial or other interest that benefits if you decide to buy one. If you wish to buy the radio, choose the seller carefully.
If you wish to support my reviewing activities and the 100 percent unbiased perspectives I offer then you are welcome to contribute via my Patreon. Note that this money is also put towards my efforts to promote, support and protect the hobby by way of my XJet channel. This support also means that none of my videos have mid-roll ads!
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Hopefully I'll get my hands on one of these and check out whether the GPS antenna is good enough to allow it to double as a source of GPS for your flight controller and whether there are any "gotchas".
This is the Drone & Sundry livestream in which the developer speaks about the DroneTag BS unit:
youtube.com/watch?v=WJb_6Xn_xdY
Thanks to those who support this channel on Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
The product page for the AMD:
xilinx.com/applications/data-center/video-imaging/alveo-ma35d.html
For more information on why a codec like this is so important, check out my video explaining how the DJI and HDZero systems work:
youtube.com/watch?v=-eaVseMQycY
Support this channel and my work to promote, support and protect the hobby through my XJet channel by becoming a patron:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Links (not sponsored or affiliate):
Where I got the batteries : 18650batteries.nz
The Foxeer Aura 7 BNF long-range quadcopter:
foxeer.com/foxeer-aura-7-rtf-lr-drone-analog-o3-vista-hdzero-g-465
A huge thanks to those who support me on Patreon and thus free *everyone* from the tyranny of sponsorship segments, mid-roll ads and affiliate links.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Pros:
- good quality components and good overall design
- wide range of RC and FPV equipment options
- as close to a true BNF as you'll get
- excellent efficiency and flight-times
- the folding props are very convenient and work well
- should work well with DJI O3 (props hardly in view)
Cons:
- base of the arms could be beefier (order spares)
- attention to detail in the build could be better
- CRSF/ELRS antenna mounted horizontally
Summary:
Not a bad option for anyone seeking a BNF long-range multirotor that is quick and relatively easy to get in the air.
Manufacturer's product page (not an affiliate link):
foxeer.com/foxeer-aura-7-rtf-lr-drone-analog-o3-vista-hdzero-g-465
If you would like to support my work via Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
You can support my efforts to inform, promote and protect the hobby via Patreon if you've a mind to do so:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Please also check out Ian's excellent review and teardown:
youtube.com/watch?v=x2modRoVMPY
Product links: (not affiliate links):
foxeer.com/foxeer-5-8g-reaper-extreme-2-5w-40ch-vtx-g-444
foxeer.com/foxeer-t-rex-micro-1500tvl-6ms-latency-super-wdr-fpv-camera-g-308
foxeer.com/foxeer-lollipop-4-plus-high-quality-5-8g-2-6dbi-fpv-omni-lds-antenna-g-374
Disclosure: these products were provided for review purposes by Foxeer.
00:06 - The FAA gives the finger to the hobby
04:11 - 54GB of drone tracking data leaked
06:46 - GPS outage affects commercial flights
08:30 - The looming crisis of blinded drones
Don't forget to subscribe to my XJet channel for fun, laughter and rants as well! youtube.com/user/xjet
Thanks to those who support me on Patreon... see, no mid-roll ads thanks to them!
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
I'm sorry that YouTube is probably going to mangle this footage with compression artifacts but I'm sure you'll be able to decide for yourselves whether this camera is worth the money for your type of flying.
A big thanks to all those who support my YouTube channels through Patreon
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
For examples of yaw washout affecting the DJI Avata, check out these videos:
Mads Tech demonstrates the bigger issue:
youtube.com/watch?v=F16sSbx5DWw
Total loss of Avata drone caused by yaw washout:
youtube.com/watch?v=ircY72jh8E0
Avata falls into the water with this issue:
youtube.com/watch?v=IClS4v97JB4
FC Crash initiated by switch from normal to manual mode?
youtube.com/watch?v=2jL0LoRPgq8
Feel free to become one of the heroes who support this channel via Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
00:06 - FPV into an asteroid
00:51 - Lilium Jet air taxi folly
04:11 - Drone delivery lunacy in Ireland
06:09 - Google Wing delivery drone crashes on powerlines
You can support my channels on Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Thank you to my Patreon supporters for making it possible to create these videos without mid-roll ads, affiliate links or sponsorships. There are no commercial imperatives influencing the results of these reviews.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
This is the GEPRC Cinelog 35 HD quadcopter flown in this video (not an affiliate link):
geprc.com/product/geprc-cinelog35-hd-w-vista-nebula-pro-system-4s-6s
03:16 DJI Avata released with problems
07:04 Walksnail and other FPV systems
09:07 ELRS for LOS fixed-wing flyers
12:19 FAA lists RID compliant drones
Thank you to all my Patreon supporters. If you'd like to contribute to the mid-roll-free experience on RCModelReviews then please consider signing up for as little as $1/month.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Stay tuned for the review of the Thumb 4K if you might want something a little more expensive with higher resolution.
The handbrake has just been put on the hobby by very, very bad rule-making and complacency withing the groups who should be advocating for it.
I thank my Patreon supporters for making it possible for me to continue crusading to inform, promote and protect this wonderful hobby.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Disclosure: This product was provided by Foxeer for review purposes.
Product link (not an affiliate link -- my reviews are 100% objective and not based on lining my own pockets):
foxeer.com/foxeer-foxwhoop-25-unbreakable-drone-g-438
My Patreon:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
threatpost.com/drone-hack-expresslrs-hijacked/180133
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
If you do decide to buy, please support your favorite other channel by using the affiliate links in one of the videos linked below:
Tommy's review:
youtube.com/watch?v=cJ84rpSsOAs
JB's original review:
youtube.com/watch?v=A-LoIsg2qrw
JB on the updated firmware:
youtube.com/watch?v=q8YDzdTnirs
Mr Steele's review:
youtube.com/watch?v=8QU_BiUBiOU
Mad's Tech teardown:
youtube.com/watch?v=ivGdai8Y31E
You can support me on Patreon: patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
This week:
- Fatshark Digital -- stop worrying
- HDZero video goggles revealed
- CASA on FPV
- ADSB alarm update
A big thanks to all my Patreon supporters:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Other videos you really should watch:
Mad Tech's excellent summary of things:
youtube.com/watch?v=lruWWg2IFL8
Joshua Bardwell's "first look" and interview with Greg from Fatshark:
youtube.com/watch?v=NK_SfyNsLdE
In this video:
- how much money do my videos earn? (0:00)
- Runcam hate me now? (08:48)
- I have a new graphics card (10:30)
- Drone/RC news (13:30)
- This changes everything (16:15)
A link to Mads Tech, a great channel for info on DJI drones and HDZero:
youtube.com/c/MadRC
My other channel (Xjet)
youtube.com/user/xjet
Now to the comments with you!
Thank you to all my Patreon supporters:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
For more information on the GEPRC Mark 5 please visit the GEPRC website:
geprc.com/product-category/drones/4inch-5inch-drone
To purchase, please support your other favorite reviewer by using *THEIR* affiliate links (and tell them I sent you).
Disclosure: The product reviewed was provided by the manufacturer for review purposes but, as the lack of affiliate links here clearly indicates, I'm an honest reviewer whose findings and opinions are not influenced by "freebies".
If you want to buy this radio, please use the affiliate link posted by your favorite other reviewer. If you want to support this channel and reward me for the lack of mid-roll advertising and commercial imperatives, please consider giving me as little as $1 per month via patreon.
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Pros:
- very, very smooth flying
- acceptable flight endurance (5 mins on a 4S 1000mAH pack)
- sturdy design with good quality components
- less noisy than some
Cons:
- still noisier than an open-prop quadcopter
- still some jello (but less than all the others except the Cinequeen 4K)
Disclosure: this product was provided for review by GEPRC.
If you'd like to reward me for the lack of mid-roll ads, sponsor segments and other commercial imperatives, why not toss me as little as $1 a month via Patreon: patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Links:
RCSchim's visualisation of Digital(OFDM) and analog RF systems
youtube.com/watch?v=AiSjij2eatI
My whiteboard video explaining how analog FPV works:
youtube.com/watch?v=8x9z36z_wvA
My Patreon page:
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
So far this little unit seems very nice and quite configurable. It will now be placed on the "torture bench" where countless others will poke and prod it in temperatures of 40 degrees C whilst charging their lipos.
If anything goes wrong, I will let you all know.
This is NOT a tinywhoop, it has the speed of a much larger drone and the handling to go with it. It's not perfect but it delivers more fun per gram than any other quad I've tried in this class.
For more product info:
geprc.com/product/geprc-smart16-freestyle-fpv-drone
Thank you to my Patreon Supporters
patreon.com/rcmodelreviews
Everyone who has flown it loves it and this is definitely a recommended buy if you are looking for something quite different to your average RTF foamy.
More info can be found at: esky-rc.com (not an affiliate link)
Disclosure: the plane and float kit were provided for review purposes by esky-rc.com
For more info on the people who sent the teeshirt:
wings-sim.com
Mud Dart RC's channel: youtube.com/channel/UCMDyb2y0S2ESxSbj3qxlKbQ
In this video I convert my P51D to FPV using a Runcam camera and 200mW VTX board with excellent results.
Below are the links to key parts on Banggood but you can buy these things from a lot of other places. These are NOT affiliate links and you should check to see which BG warehouse has stock and the best shipping before ordering.
The Eachine P51D 400mm RTF
banggood.com/Eachine-Mini-Mustang-P-51D-EPP-400mm-Wingspan-2_4G-6-Axis-Gyro-RC-Airplane-Trainer-Fixed-Wing-RTF-One-Key-Return-for-Beginner-With-3-Batteries-p-1767120.html
The Runcam 200mW VTX used in this build which will work with any of the micro/nano cameras:
banggood.com/Runcam-TX200U-5_8G-48CH-25mW200mW-Video-FPV-Transmitter-VTX-For-RC-Drone-p-1283633.html
This review represents my findings and opinions after weeks of using the O30 goggles, rather than just a quick unboxing and list of specifications.
Pros:
- lower priced than most other OLED FPV goggles
- excellent receivers and RapidMix operation
- very nice video image quality (they're OLED!)
- comfortable and well sealed against light leaks
- narrower field of view (if you prefer wide FOVs)
Cons:
- still more expensive than many LCD goggle offerings
- the screen-saver caught me out (but just once)
- DVR uses motion-JPEG (MJPEG) rather than H264
- narrow field of view (if you prefer larger FOVs)
Conclusion:
If you're on a budget but must have OLED technology in your FPV goggles or if you don't like the wide FOV of the 04X goggles then these are a something well worth taking a look at.
Disclosure:
This product was provided for review purposes -- but that doesn't influence my review findings and you won't find any affiliate links here so there's no commercial imperative behind my findings.
Thank you to my Patreon supporters who make these videos possible without commercial considerations and without mid-roll ads.
Pros:
- ready to fly (available with a range of receiver options)
- it works
- good VTX gives excellent range for analog FPV
- novel and interesting
- small and light (half the 250g limit in many countries)
Cons:
- can't use all the Li-Ion battery's capacity due to voltage sag
- fragile (several reviewers broke theirs while reviewing them)
- noisy video
- linear VTX antenna
- no boost regulator so browns out easily
- not very powerful
- no buzzer/beeper so could be easily lost
- camera/VTX not compatible with Skyzone RapidMix
Although billed as a "long range" drone, this thing will probably get you about 1-1.5Km from a video perspective and you may want to be careful where you fly it for fear of losing it in the grass.
Bottom-line:
If you're interested in the concept then this is a great starting point and offers a huge opportunity to experiment and try out your own ideas for a relatively low cost. Even as a novelty, this thing has value - just be gentle with it because it will break quite easily - although mine's still intact.
Relevant links:
Rekon 3 webpage:
rekonfpv.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/rekon-3-nano-long-range-fpv-quad
DaveCFPV's YouTube channel:
youtube.com/channel/UCkoI3H6exUxzd5pbadisWig
AndyRC's review:
youtube.com/watch?v=V4IaM95b_Y0
Painless360's review:
youtube.com/watch?v=M-E2lNS10oE
Albert Kim's Review:
youtube.com/watch?v=bzfUiUnFO3E
A big thank you to my patreon supporters who make it possible for me to make these videos without commercial pressures and without mid-roll ads.
- analog FPV
- Fatshark's digital FPV
- DJI's digital FPV
Let me know in the comments if the virtual white-board will do the job or if I should blow $500 on a new "real" white-board.
Also, if anything was unclear, feel free to ask a question.
If you think this is a good idea, please tell me. If you'd rather the reviews were less in-depth but quicker out the door then tell me that too.
AndyRC's video on unlocking the DJI FPV drone:
youtube.com/watch?v=HnKkViZMgZA
In the "reviewed as a user" queue right now are:
- Jumper TLite
- BetaFPV 95X V3 cinewhoop
- Holybro Kopis cinewhoop
- SkyZone O20 OLED FPV goggles
- Freewell ND filters for the DJI FPV drone
- Dolphin FPV wing
- Orca FPV twin
- Toolkit RC power supply
A big thank you to my Patreon supporters who make it possible for me to focus on serving YOU, the viewer rather than chasing ad-dollars with mid-roll ads and by rushing reviews out the door.
Disclosure: The review sample was provided free of charge by DJI and Ferntech New Zealand (the following is NOT an affiliate link):
ferntech.co.nz
Disclosure: The review sample was provided for review purposes by DJI & Ferntech New Zealand (the following link is NOT an affiliate link):
ferntech.co.nz