Our Blogs - RC Mini drones, Tiny Whoop, FPV, Accessories shop - Buy online - Eye4i Eye4i e-shop mini drones and FPV tiny whoop suitable for beginners and children. Online buy on our e-shop and delivery in 1-3 days in Switzerland. http://www.eye4i.ch/ en-gb Copyright 2014 Mr.Zero Choose the best transmitter for your drone https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/21-choose-the-best-transmitter-for-your-drone <table> <tbody> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Introduction to Drone Radio Transmitters</h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">The radio transmitter is a crucial element for controlling a remote model, often underestimated by beginners but holding paramount importance. This is especially true in the realm of configurable drones. In this article, we will navigate through the essential characteristics of radio transmitters, aiding you in understanding their compatibilities. After delving into the foundational components necessary for remote control, we will explore topics like binding, channels, and modes, along with the configuration of a transmitter. Finally, before we wrap up, to ensure your initial crashes remain strictly virtual, we'll present a curated selection of top-flight simulators available in the market. In essence, consider this your toolkit for making an astute hardware choice, guaranteeing an optimal piloting experience.</p> <h3>Understanding Different Signal Types</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Let's start with a bit of general knowledge. First and foremost, there are two major categories of remote controls, but only one captures our attention in the realm of modeling.</p> <h4>Infrared Signal Remotes<br /><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/1_TV_transmitter.jpg" alt="TV_transmitter" width="800" height="200" /></h4> <p style="text-align: justify;">Primarily used for controlling your television, these remotes require direct alignment with the receiver (your TV). They utilize infrared waves to transmit signals from the emitter (the remote) to the receiver (the TV). This technology operates over short distances, is hindered by obstacles, and requires a straight-line connection. Clearly, it holds no relevance in the world of modeling.</p> <h4>Radio Frequency (RF) Signal Remotes</h4> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/2_Radio_transmitter.jpg" alt="Radio transmitter" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Employed for nearly all other applications, RF signal remotes function through radio waves transmitted from the emitter (the transmitter) to the receiver (in our case, the drone). Unlike infrared, radio waves don't necessitate direct alignment with the receiver, can cover significant distances, and are unobstructed by obstacles. It's apparent that RF remotes are the ones we're keen on for modeling purposes.</p> <h3>Different Types of Remote Controllers</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/4_Radio_transmitter_types.jpg" alt="Radio transmitter types" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Firstly, let's distinguish between what we'll call "toy" remotes and programmable remote controllers.</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Toy remotes: these are typically included with the remote-controlled device itself (for instance, the model on the far left in the illustration above). They are designed for simplicity and are perfectly suited for the specific model they accompany. However, they're generally not compatible with other remote-controlled objects, as they're intended to exclusively operate the sold model.</li> <li>On the other hand, programmable remote controllers are on a whole different level. Often sold separately, they offer greater sophistication and can be used with multiple remote-controlled objects, provided that each object's receiver is compatible. We'll delve into this compatibility in more detail in the section about protocols.</li> </ul> <p>In this article, we'll exclusively focus on programmable remote controllers. The others (the "toy" type) don't require a painstaking selection process, as they come bundled with the remote-controllable model.</p> <p>Next, it's necessary to mention the two possible types of control mechanisms: stick controllers and trigger and wheel controllers. Trigger and wheel controllers (second remote from the left in the illustration above) are more limited and better suited for piloting vehicles or boats. Here, we'll only discuss stick controllers.</p> <p>Finally, the last point concerning the appearance of the remote controller is its aesthetics and comfort while piloting. This criterion is subjective, depending on your preferences and your goals as a pilot. Some prefer a larger remote controller for a better grip, while others opt for more compact and lightweight models that can easily fit in a bag or jacket pocket. Take your time to explore the various options, examine photos and dimensions, and if possible, test out different remote controllers to make the choice that suits you best.</p> <h3>Understanding Radio Frequencies</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/5_Radio_frequencies.jpg" alt="Radio frequency" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>The topic of radio frequencies (or radio waves) might seem intricate, but we'll simplify it to the fullest. In the context of remote controllers, radio frequencies serve as the means of communication between the transmitter (the remote controller) and the receiver (the drone). These frequencies are measured in Hertz and play a pivotal role in transmitting signals between the two devices.</p> <p>For communication to take place, both the transmitter and receiver must use the same frequency. A lower frequency theoretically offers a longer range, although other factors also come into play. In the realm of drone piloting, the most widespread frequency is 2.4 GHz. We recommend adhering to this standard. For longer control distances, frequencies of 868 MHz and 915 MHz also exist, but these are subject to strict regulations.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Essential Components of Radio Transmitters</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/3_Radio_transmitter_components.jpg" alt="Radio transmitter elements" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>To operate, a radio transmitter requires both a transmitter and a receiver, capable of understanding each other and translating impulses into instructions. The transmitter is housed within the remote controller, while the receiver is a small integrated circuit onboard the drone (or the controlled object). These two components interact using radio waves to facilitate communication between the remote controller and the drone.</p> <p>Once instructions are transmitted from the remote controller to the receiver through radio waves, they need to be interpreted to enable the drone to perform specific actions, like accelerating or decelerating the propellers. This task is executed by the flight controller, which receives instructions from the receiver via a wired connection.</p> <p>However, the process doesn't stop there. To manage the individual motor rotation speed of the drone, an additional component known as the Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) is required.</p> <p>In summary:</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>Radio transmitters utilize radio waves for communication.</li> <li>The remote controller sends electrical signals via radio waves to the receiver.</li> <li>The receiver, located on the drone, receives the signals and transmits them to the flight controller using a wired connection.</li> <li>The flight controller, also situated on the drone, interprets the signals and converts them into instructions for the various electronic components of the drone, thereby enabling desired actions.</li> <li>If motor speed variation is necessary, the flight controller sends instructions to the ESCs, which control the rotation speed of each motor.</li> </ul> The illustration above schematically represents this summary. <h3 style="text-align: justify;">The Receiver: The Drone's Ear</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/6_Receivers.jpg" alt="Receivers" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>As previously mentioned, the receiver is a component located on the drone. It plays a pivotal role in receiving the instructions transmitted by the remote controller (transmitter). Often referred to as the RX (receiver), the choice of the receiver is critical to ensuring reliable communication between the remote controller and the drone.</p> <p>When selecting a receiver, several criteria need to be considered. First and foremost, compatibility with your remote controller is essential to ensure their interoperability. Next, the number of channels (or lanes) of the receiver determines how many distinct commands it can receive and transmit to the flight controller.</p> <p>Receiver range is also a significant aspect, as it determines the maximum distance at which you can control your drone. The weight and form of the receiver should also be taken into consideration, especially for drones where space and weight are critical factors.</p> <p>In the following sections, we will further detail some of these criteria, particularly compatibility, to assist you in choosing the receiver best suited for your setup and needs.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">The Flight Controller: The Drone's Brain</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/7_Flight_controllers.jpg" alt="Flight controllers" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>The flight controller can be likened to the brain of the drone. As the central unit, it receives information from all sensors, instructions from the remote controller, interprets them, and sends instructions to the drone's components.</p> <p>As is often the case in the world of drones, nothing will be straightforward when making your choice, and attention should be paid to a few criteria, in order of importance: the firmware (compatibility of protocols and configuration software), the power supply voltage, dimensions (ensuring there's ample space on your frame), and the number of ports to connect your peripherals.</p> <p>It's worth noting that some flight controllers integrate multiple features into a single unit, such as an On-Screen Display (OSD), a barometer, or even an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC).</p> <p>In summary, the flight controller is a vital element of the drone. Choosing the right model is pivotal to ensuring optimal performance and a successful flying experience.</p> <h3>Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC): Speed Control Wizards</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/8_ESCs.jpg" alt="Electronic speed controllers" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The ESC, short for Electronic Speed Controller, is a crucial component when it comes to managing your drone's speed. Operating on a per-motor basis, the ESC's role is to interpret instructions from the flight controller and adjust the power sent to the motors to achieve the desired outcome—whether it's increasing, decreasing, or stabilizing their rotation speed. ESCs can be integrated into the flight controller or added separately as standalone components. Some ESCs are even labeled as 4-in-1, indicating that all four ESCs are situated on a single circuit board. Otherwise, you'll need a separate ESC for each motor.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Communication Protocols: The Drone's Language</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/9_Communication_protocols.jpg" alt="Communication protocols" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Imagine communication protocols as languages. The transmitter and receiver must understand each other perfectly to execute the pilot's instructions accurately—essentially, they need to speak the "same language." In this chapter, we'll partially abstract the flight controller and completely exclude the ESCs, as they don't face the same compatibility complexity. Still, be mindful that the receiver's output port and its protocol are compatible with your flight controller's input. We'll distinguish communication protocols into two families:</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li>TX Protocols: Transmitter protocols (T for transmitter) sent from the emitter to the receiver.</li> <li>RX Protocols: Receiver protocols (R for radio receiver) for sending data to the flight controller.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">In the realm of drone piloting, there's a multitude of these protocols. Below, we provide a non-exhaustive list of key protocols, categorized by type and compatibility. By delving into these communication protocols, you'll be better equipped to select the ones that best meet your requirements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">It's essential to note that communication protocols are swiftly evolving in the drone piloting domain, and some information may become outdated over time. Therefore, it's always advisable to consult official sources and manufacturers' updates for the latest insights into communication protocols.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">TX Protocols: Emitter to Drone</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/10_TX_protocols.jpg" alt="TX protocols" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">TX protocols are used to transmit instructions from your remote control to the drone's receiver. These are the transmission protocols of the transmitter on your remote control. TX protocols vary between brands and are exclusive – each transmitter brand employs its own protocol.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Frsky Brand Protocols</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>D8: Supports telemetry, up to 8 channels. Mainly used for toys and now outdated.</li> <li>D16 (ACCST): Supports telemetry, up to 16 channels. Ensure your transmitter has EU-LBT firmware (Listen Before Talk) to comply with European standards.</li> <li>LR12: LR for "Long Range." Long-range transmission without telemetry, up to 12 channels.</li> <li>R9: Long-range transmission with telemetry, up to 16 channels.</li> <li>ACCESS: Advanced Communication Control Elevated Spread Spectrum. FrSky's main protocol since 2019, introducing numerous improvements.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Spektrum Brand Protocols</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>DSM2: Resistant to noise and interference. Can find a replacement signal if the first one fails. Supports up to 12 channels.</li> <li>DSMX: An improved version of DSM2, especially in terms of reliability.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Flysky Brand Protocol</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>AFHDS 2A: Supports up to 14 channels.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Hitec Brand Protocol</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>A-FHSS: Supports up to 9 channels. To be used with Optima and Minima receivers.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Futaba Brand Protocol</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>S-FHSS: Supports up to 8 channels.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Deviation / Devo Brand Protocol</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>Hi-Sky: Supports up to 7 channels. Used to control HiSky brand models.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>TBS Brand Protocols</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>Crossfire: Long-range protocol, capable of finding replacement signals in case of signal loss.</li> <li>Crossfire shot: TBS's new main protocol, similar to Crossfire but improved, particularly featuring ultra-low latency.</li> </ul> </div> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"><strong>Immersion RC Brand Protocol</strong></p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>Ghost: JR-compatible protocol.</li> </ul> </div> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">RX Protocols: Drone Receiver</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/11_RX_protocols.jpg" alt="RX protocols" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">RX protocols are the reception protocols of the receiver on your drone. They are responsible for receiving and understanding the instructions sent by the TX protocol and transmitting them to the flight controller. These protocols can be analog or digital. Some, from different brands, are compatible with all TX protocols, while others are specific and only work with certain brands of TX protocols. Wiring also plays a role. All components require at least a power cable and a ground cable. They also need one or more additional cables to manage the signal (the instructions).</p> <h4 style="text-align: justify;">Analog RX Protocols</h4> <p style="text-align: justify;">Older analog protocols communicate using signals and their durations. Sensitive to interference and susceptible to degradation over time, this technology is mostly used with older equipment.</p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>PWM Protocol: Common and cost-effective option, but complex and unreliable. Its drawback is complex wiring as it requires one wire per channel. Not recommended for drones.</li> <li>PPM Protocol: Simple option, only three wires are needed – ground, power, and signal. Its signal wire can handle up to 12 channels and suffers from less latency than PWM.</li> </ul> Both of the above protocols are compatible with all TX protocols.</div> <h4 style="text-align: justify;">Digital RX Protocols</h4> <p style="text-align: justify;">Digital RX protocols are known as "serial" protocols. They use a single signal wire to handle up to a maximum of 18 channels. In simplified terms, digital protocols communicate using sequences of 1s and 0s. They are more recent and less sensitive to interference than analog protocols. They do not degrade over time.</p> <div dir="ltr" style="margin-left: 0pt;" align="left"> <ul> <li>PCM Protocol: Reliable option compatible with <strong>multiple</strong> TX brands, but slightly more expensive.</li> <li>SBUS Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Futaba</strong> and <strong>Frsky</strong>. Supports 16 channels with a single wire connection. It needs to be connected to the UART RX.</li> <li>IBUS Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Flysky</strong>. Allows data transmission and reception using two ports.</li> <li>XBUS Protocol: Compatible with <strong>JR</strong>. Supports 14 channels with a simple wiring. Its main advantage is speed.</li> <li>MSP Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Multiwii</strong>. Supports 8 channels with simple wiring.</li> <li>SUMD Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Graupner</strong>. Similar to SBUS.</li> <li>SumH Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Graupner</strong>. Next-generation SUMD.</li> <li>CRSF (Crossfire) Protocol: Compatible with <strong>TBS</strong>. Similar to SBUS.</li> <li>Fport Protocol: Compatible with <strong>Frsky</strong>. New bidirectional protocol using simple wiring.</li> <li>SPI_RX Protocol: Compatible with <strong>multiple</strong> TX brands, with its receiver often integrated into the flight controller.</li> <li>ELRS Protocol: Express LRS. New protocol compatible with <strong>multiple</strong> TX brands.</li> </ul> The crucial point is to ensure protocol compatibility with your radio transmitter and flight controller.</div> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Binding Process, Channels, and Modes</h2> <h3>Binding Process</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/12_Bind.jpg" alt="Bind" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">"Binding" or "pairing" your radio transmitter with your drone is the action that allows you to associate the two, enabling them to communicate exclusively with each other. The process involves activating the bind mode on both the radio transmitter and the drone to link them. The purpose of this step is to ensure an exclusive connection between the radio transmitter and the drone, guaranteeing that no other nearby transmitters can disrupt the communication established by this link.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Channels</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/13_channels.jpg" alt="Channels" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Channels are a crucial element of radio transmitters. They represent the number of independent commands that the radio transmitter can transmit to the receiver. Each command is associated with a button, switch, or joystick on the radio transmitter. Therefore, the more channels a radio transmitter has, the more control possibilities it offers.</p> <p>For example, a two-channel radio transmitter will allow you to control only two axes, such as left/right direction and acceleration/braking. A three-channel radio transmitter adds an additional command, while a four-channel transmitter allows both joysticks to move in all directions, providing more comprehensive control over the object being controlled.</p> <p>In the case of drones, a radio transmitter with at least four channels is considered the minimum, allowing control of essential drone movements. However, it's often recommended to opt for a transmitter with more channels, which can be useful for additional functionalities such as camera control, triggering a buzzer, or other accessories. However, high-end transmitters with 16 or more channels can be more expensive, so it's essential to choose a suitable number of channels based on your needs and budget.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Modes</h3> <p>Modes in modeling are essential as they define the assignment of each joystick on the radio transmitter. Each mode assigns specific functions to each joystick, thus determining which movements will be controlled by them. It's important to choose the mode that best suits your needs and preferences. One of the main reasons that makes the choice of mode crucial is the addition of the automatic spring return (to the center) on certain axes. This return spring allows the joystick to automatically return to its center position once released. Since this mechanism is useful for some axes and disruptive for others, this point should be carefully considered.</p> <p>Interestingly, some regional trends are emerging. For example, Mode 1 seems to be more common in Europe, while in the United States, Mode 2 is more widely used. However, the choice of mode is personal and depends on each pilot's preferences. If you are new to modeling, it is advisable to choose the same mode as the people you will be practicing with, as this will facilitate learning and experience sharing.</p> <p>The modes will be distinguished below based on the main criterion that sets them apart: the placement of the throttle stick, on the right or left. This will help you better understand the specifics of each mode and choose the one that best suits your habits and flying style.</p> <h4>Mode 1</h4> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/14_Transmitter_Mode_1.jpg" alt="Mode 1" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Throttle on the right; left stick returns to center. Roll on the right; yaw and pitch on the left.</p> <h4>Mode 2</h4> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/15_Transmitter_Mode_2.jpg" alt="Mode 2" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Throttle on the left; right stick returns to center. Roll and pitch on the right; yaw on the left.</p> <h4>Mode 3</h4> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/16_Transmitter_Mode_3.jpg" alt="Mode 3" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Throttle on the right; left stick returns to center. Roll and pitch on the left; yaw on the right.</p> <h4>Mode 4</h4> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/17_Transmitter_Mode_4.jpg" alt="Mode 4" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Throttle on the left; right stick returns to center. Roll on the left; yaw and pitch on the right.</p> </td> <td> <p></p> <p></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Programming and Configuration</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/18_Programming.jpg" alt="Programming and configuration" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Three terms not to be confused:</p> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Programming</strong>: This involves modifying the software code used in the radio transmitter when possible. Some radio transmitters are programmed with open-source software such as OpenTX, allowing advanced users to customize the code, download methods, etc. This activity is for users with specific needs and advanced knowledge in this area.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Configuration</strong>: This involves adjusting the settings of the drone-radio transmitter pair using dedicated software.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Setup</strong>: Not available on all transmitter models. It allows adapting some features directly on the transmitter using its integrated screen. In some cases, setup can also be done through the channel map of the software.</li> </ul> <h3>Configuration and Associated Software</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/19_Softwares.jpg" alt="Softwares" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Here, we are specifically discussing configuration. To configure the drone-radio transmitter pair, there are several software options, more or less suitable depending on the desired use. There are many of them, but we will only mention the main ones.</p> <ul style="text-align: justify;"> <li><strong>Betaflight</strong>: Primarily used for configuring racing or freestyle drones. Not recommended for fixed-wing flight, GPS usage, or configuring autonomous flight plans.</li> <li><strong>iNavflight</strong> (iNav): Designed for aerial photography drones. Supports GPS, autonomous flight plans, and fixed-wing flight.</li> <li><strong>ArduPilot</strong>: Used for autonomous flight configuration, commonly used in industrial and research applications.</li> <li><strong>Cleanflight</strong>: Base software used to develop forks like Betaflight and iNav. It can also handle various tasks but is often used alongside the mentioned software.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: justify;">In short, for drones, <strong>Betaflight</strong> is recommended for configuring racing or freestyle drones, and <strong>iNav</strong> is recommended for configuring aerial photography drones.</p> <h3>Telemetry Usage for Monitoring</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/20_Telemetry.jpg" alt="Telemetry" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Telemetry in the context of drones is a remote measurement system. It allows the drone to collect crucial data, such as GPS coordinates, battery level, and other parameters, and transmit them in real-time to the radio transmitter. Telemetry records data on the drone using appropriate sensors. This data is then wirelessly transmitted to the radio transmitter, where it can be displayed on the screen for the pilot to monitor during flight. In addition to data display, telemetry can trigger alarms or automatic actions based on preconfigured thresholds.</p> <p>Telemetry offers several benefits to drone pilots. It provides real-time information about the drone's status, such as its geographical position, battery life, radio connection quality, and more. This information helps pilots make informed decisions and maintain full control over their drone during flight.</p> <p>To utilize telemetry, a compatible receiver is required. Some drones and radio transmitters come with telemetry technology built-in, while others may require upgrades or specific components to be added.</p> <p>The utility of telemetry depends on each pilot's needs and preferences. Some pilots may find on-screen display (OSD) information sufficient, while others appreciate the convenience and responsiveness of telemetry for quick and informed decision-making during flight. The decision to use this feature is a personal choice based on evaluating its benefits and the necessary adjustments to optimize the flight experience.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Range and Limitations of Radio Transmitters</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/21_Range.jpg" alt="Range" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>The range of radio transmitters is a crucial factor to consider. It represents the maximum distance over which reliable communication between the radio transmitter (transmitter) and the drone's receiver can be maintained. Naturally, the shorter of the two ranges is the one to consider.</p> <p>The range is generally specified in the user manuals of both the radio transmitter and the receiver. It's important to note that the actual range can be affected by various factors such as the environment, obstacles, radio interference, and weather conditions. Therefore, the actual range may be less than the theoretical range specified in the manuals.</p> <p>To avoid signal loss issues, it's strongly recommended to leave a safety margin during flight. This means the drone should never be taken to the limit of the specified range. By leaving a substantial margin, the pilot ensures that even if the signal is weakened or disrupted in certain situations, there's still a reliable connection with the drone.</p> <p>Signal loss can lead to disorientation, loss of control, and, in the worst cases, the drone crashing. To avoid serious problems, it's essential to fly cautiously, always keeping the drone within an area where communication with the radio transmitter remains strong and stable.</p> <p>Pilots need to be aware of the range limitations of their radio transmitter system and avoid unnecessary risks by not flying too far from the control point. By respecting range specifications, flying in open areas, and closely monitoring the signal, pilots can enjoy safe and enjoyable flights while avoiding accidents due to signal loss.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Extensions with External Modules</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/22_External_modules.jpg" alt="External modules" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Some radio transmitters have slots for adding external modules. These modules are used to install "long-range" or performance-enhancing modules, such as reducing latency, for example. Other modules also extend the compatibility of the radio transmitter with other brands. However, not all functionalities work at 100%, and the use of certain modules may be restricted by regulations. Therefore, thorough research is recommended before using an external module.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Community and Support</h3> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/23_Community_and_support.jpg" alt="Community and support" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">This is a point not to be underestimated. Some products may have issues, and others are equipped with open-source software. A wide community of experts allows you to find solutions to problems or requirements on various forums or articles. Don't hesitate to search the web before making a purchase.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Exploring Simulators to Improve Your Skills</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/24_Simulator.jpg" alt="Simulators" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p>Using a simulator allows you to practice flying and hone your skills in a risk-free environment. They are especially valuable for newcomers to FPV who are learning the basics of drone piloting. Remember that while simulators can provide a realistic experience, actual flying conditions can still be different, so transitioning from simulation to real flight requires some adjustment.</p> <h3>Liftoff</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Probably the most well-known and beloved by the community. It's easily accessible and has physics close to reality. It's compatible with Windows, OS X, available on Steam, as well as Xbox and Playstation. It features many maps, a multiplayer mode, and is favored by those seeking realism and simplicity.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Velocidrone</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Probably the most advanced simulator on the market. Developed by Team Blacksheep, it's regularly updated, offers various configurations, and allows tweaking machine settings. It has numerous maps and tracks, and its physics are very close to reality.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">DRL Simulator</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">As the name suggests, it's the Drone Racing League's simulator. Available on Steam, Xbox, and Playstation, it features the official league tracks, allowing you to compete with real-world pilots.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Aster FPV</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">A simulator developed in France, available on Steam. Customizable with a variety of settings, it offers unique modes like first-person shooter (FPS) battles and object tracking within the environment.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">FPV Air 2</h3> <p>A drone racing flight simulator with a wide variety of maps and drones. It's appreciated for its realistic controls and user-friendliness.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Liftoff Academy</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">A more accessible and simplified version of Liftoff, ideal for beginners who want an initial introduction to drone piloting.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Overview of Drone Transmitter Brands</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/Radiocommandes/25_Transmitter_brands.jpg" alt="Transmitter brands" width="800" height="200" /></p> <p style="text-align: justify;">The world of drones and modeling is brimming with various brands of transmitters, each with their own unique specifications and qualities. When making your choice, be sure to consider each element mentioned in this article, especially compatibility. Below, we list some of the leading brands in the market, outlining their key characteristics. However, keep in mind that subjectivity may play a role, so forming your own opinion is essential.</p> <h3>Flysky Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Excellent entry-level radios. Affordable, user-friendly, with good performance and a simple, intuitive setup. Basic functions are available, with 6 channels for the FS-i6 and 10 channels for the FS-i6X. Given the minimal price difference between the two, we recommend the i6X for its additional channels.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Turnigy Evolution Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Utilizes FlySky protocols. Compact, budget-friendly, similar to the FS-i6, but with 8 channels and software specifically geared towards drone usage. In essence, an entry-level transmitter that's simple and comprehensive, focusing on the essentials.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">FrSky Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">One of the most well-known and widespread brands in the FPV domain, largely due to the value offered by its flagship transmitter: the Taranis. Taranis transmitters are great choices for advanced users due to the customization level provided by their open-source OpenTX software. Pay attention to firmware choices, FCC or LBT EU. Your transmitter firmware must match the receiver's, and only LBT EU is allowed in Europe. With various models and prices, finding your preferred balance between quality, functionality, and price should be easy. They all have 16 channels, support telemetry, and can be connected to a computer via USB, whether for configuration or simulation. Another notable feature is their external bay for adding additional modules if needed.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Jumper Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Mostly multi-protocol. Among the multitude of available models, the Jumper T8SG is an entry-level multi-protocol transmitter with all basic features. A good compromise for starting at a lower price with extended compatibility (FlySky and FrSky).</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Spektrum Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Well-designed radios, slightly more expensive than the previous options. From the American brand Horizon Hobby, these transmitters are compatible only with DSM, DSM2, and DSMX protocols.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Radiomaster Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Radiomaster transmitters are attractive and high-performing. However, you should expect to spend some time on configuration and learning their use. Multi-protocol and equipped with an external bay for most models, these are quality transmitters.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Team Blacksheep Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Among the numerous transmitters from Team Blacksheep (TBS), the Crossfire Tango II is a quality compact transmitter. It uses the CRSF Crossfire Shot protocol, is attractively priced, has a sleek design, and is small in size. However, it lacks an external bay and has a limited number of channels. TBS transmitters are primarily high-end, tailored for racing drones. They are renowned for their performance and reliability, making them favored by advanced pilots. Yet, their high price and complexity might discourage beginners.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">Futaba Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">A well-respected brand in the modeling realm, Futaba offers quality transmitters with a wide range of features. However, their price and complexity might deter some.</p> <h3 style="text-align: justify;">DJI Radios</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">DJI transmitters are only compatible with their own devices. Therefore, they are perfectly suited for DJI drones, but incompatible with other brands.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>External Resources and Community Support</h2> <p style="text-align: justify;">The topic is vast and cannot be covered in detail and comprehensiveness all at once. For specific supplementary information on certain subjects, please find below a list of articles we have selected along with some additional tips.</p> <h3>OpenTX Documentation for Transmitters</h3> <p>FrSky Database: <a href="https://opentx-doc.fr/wiki/base-de-donnee-frsky" target="_blank"><em>link</em></a>.</p> <p>Access protocol: <em><a href="https://opentx-doc.fr/wiki/le-protocole-access" target="_blank">link</a></em>.</p> <h3>Tips and Tricks for a Better Experience</h3> <p style="text-align: justify;">Here are a few miscellaneous tips and reminders:</p> <ul> <li style="text-align: justify;">Mode: Pay close attention to selecting the mode that suits you (throttle on the right or left).</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Number of Channels: Recognize that 4 channels are a strict minimum for FPV, 6 provide a better compromise, and 8 are ideal. The number of channels will, of course, depend on your usage.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Compatibility: Ensure that all your components are compatible with each other. Ideally, opt for components from the same brand as your transmitter.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Functionality, Ports, Extensions, External Modules, and Cables: Verify these based on your needs.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Simulator Compatibility: If you want to practice without risks, ensure compatibility with the simulator.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">Antenna Removal: If you remove the antenna, make sure the transmitter is turned off. Removing the antenna with the radio powered on is a surefire way to damage your transmitter.</li> <li style="text-align: justify;">FrSky Specific: Note that with FrSky equipment, if the drone and transmitter are too close, they might not recognize each other. Keep this in mind before you start pulling your hair out.</li> </ul> <p>These resources and tips should provide you with a strong foundation for understanding and working with drone transmitters. Don't hesitate to further explore the articles mentioned and engage with the FPV community for more insights and guidance.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Final Reflections</h2> <p>In the realm where technology meets imagination, where drone and controller dance to the symphony of the skies, the quest for the perfect transmitter becomes a journey that transcends the ordinary. As we traverse the constellations of features and compatibility, let not the cosmic complexity daunt you, for within the labyrinth of choices lies the key to unlocking a universe of control.</p> <p>Like a celestial map guiding the lost traveler, this guide has illuminated the path to choosing the transmitter that will orchestrate your flight. Yet, should you find yourself adrift in a sea of uncertainties, remember that the stars themselves whisper their secrets to those who dare to inquire.</p> <p>Our team, the cosmic guides of your radiocommande odyssey, stand ready to embrace your questions and concerns. As we journey together through the expanse of transmitters, let our collaboration be as harmonious as the celestial bodies in their intricate dance.</p> <p>With each click of the throttle, each twist of the knob, let the exhilarating embrace of command take you to galaxies uncharted. EYE4i, with its luminous spirit, embarks with you on this cosmic flight, where the cosmos are not mere limits but gateways to infinite control.</p> <p>So, fellow seeker of the skies, prepare to ascend into a realm where technology melds with dreams, where transmitters are not mere devices but conduits of empowerment. Cast aside the mundane, embrace the extraordinary, and let the symphony of transmitters and drones resonate in the firmament.</p> <p>In this journey, the universe is your canvas, the transmitter your brush, and the sky your masterpiece. As you lift off, remember: the universe is your stage, and you, dear pilot, are the star.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Eye4i Tips and Tricks August 2, 2023 Which drone to choose for a beginner? https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/20-beginner-drone <table> <tbody> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>After several years of experience trying, building, creating, breaking and repairing any kind of drone, this article presents our point of view and our best advices, built and analyzed over the years. Of course, we don't pretend to hold the one and only truth... But our own. Nevertheless, you will find here a set of keys to help you making your choice of aircraft.</p> <p>In the flying machine world, the choice of drone is not unlimited, but almost. For someone who is new in the game, it's hard to make a choice with all these different possibilities. Whatever your final goal (Drone Racing League champion?), it is always good to start smoothly. That's why our first advice is to learn with a small and lightweight drone. Even if some bigger and more advanced drones are very easy to handle, the damage in case of loss of control or technical failure can be significant. A mini drone will allow you to get familiar with the basic controls, to position yourself in space according to the different rotation axes and above all, to get used to not getting in panic... Or at least to not having the wrong reflexes in case of panic... Major cause of the most destructive crashes. And if the crash is nevertheless destructive, the financial impact will be much more limited.</p> <p>Before going to the next level, making your drone fly with the transmitter must become as instinctive as driving your car or your bike.<br />We'll start by looking at flight assistance, then move on to useful features to get started, and finish the article with product recommendations from our store. In between, we'll add a sentence about the regulations so you're fully aware of the rules around you.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Flight assistance systems</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/2_Flight_assistances.jpg" alt="Flight assistances" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>To start, several on-board instruments can help you. Here are a few examples, each time mentioning the help provided and the long-term use or not, depending on your objectives.</p> <h3>The GPS</h3> <p>The GPS allows the drone to locate itself in space. Although useless for indoor drones, it is very useful for outdoor drones to be able to determine their position. Indeed, it is this module which enables the drone to have a precise positioning and a precise piloting assistance, even predefined paths or flight modes like follow me. It also allows the use of RTH (Return To Home) so that the drone automatically returns to its initial position. Available on most drones beyond a certain range of products, it is essential on aerial photographic drones for a proper framing without flight disturbances.</p> <h3>Barometer</h3> <p>The barometer is an instrument to measure atmospheric pressure. This is mainly used for altitude and height measurements. Aboard a drone, it will allow it to stabilize its height (altitude hold mode). Associated with the gyroscope, it enables a stable stationary flight without any pilot intervention. For a complete beginner, the altitude hold mode is a good option because it allows you to focus on the direction channels. It will be the first element to discard for learning to fly a little more wildly. It is, however, useful whatever your level for an aerial photographic drones.</p> <h3>The Gyroscope</h3> <p>It is an angular position sensor along one or more axes. In the world of UAVs, it allows these flying machines to stabilize their pitch axis (nose up, nose down), yaw (movement to the left or right while remaining on a flat axis) or roll (left or right swinging movement).</p> <p>In flight, the drone is constantly submitted to external forces, the wind for example. These forces affect the above mentioned axes and therefore the direction of the drone. The purpose of the gyroscope is to automatically and instantly compensate them, to allow a straight flight, without disturbance.</p> <p>3 or 6 axis gyroscope? As you can see, the 3 axes are pitch, yaw and roll. A 3-axis gyroscope provides stabilization of these three axes. But then, what are the three additional axes of a 6-axis gyroscope? In fact, none. A 6-axis gyro is a combination of a 3-axis gyro and an accelerometer, allowing it to distinguish between acceleration due to gravity and acceleration due to your steering. In short, the 6-axis gyro stabilizes the same 3-axis gyro, but in a way that limits the axes to 90°, so the drone will not turn over even if you push the steering joystick to the maximum. Similarly, the drone will refocus as soon as you let go of the joystick. A nice piloting aid for beginners, but it limits the drone in its "capabilities" for an experienced pilot.</p> <p>We recommend that you start with a drone equipped with at least a 6-axis gyroscope. It is the second element (if you started in altitude hold or GPS) that you should avoid for learning a racing or freestlye piloting, but remains essential in all circumstances for other uses.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Basic features for a beginner</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/3_Mandatory_skills.jpg" alt="Basic skills" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>No surprises here. The two major features for a drone to start with will be its solidity and its potential for repair.</p> <ul> <li>Solidity: your future drone should be robust and shock resistant. Compact, light, agile, not too much powerfull and with propeller protections are some of the criteria to increase your chances of having several attempts before going to the garage.</li> <li>Reparation: once the garage is reached, the potential of repairing the drone becomes crucial. What to do with a drone that cannot be disassembled and reassembled except to throw it away and buy another one? So, to make your drone repairable, you must first make sure that all spare parts are available. Then, check that the elements are changeable. For this, some clues are the use of screws, welds, inserts and avoid glued or integrated elements in a single plastic part. In order of importance: propellers, motors, canopy, frame, flight controller must be reachable, changeable and available for purchase individually.</li> </ul> <p>Then comes a big question depending on your personality: do you want to learn indoors, out of the spotlight, or outdoors, under the (potentially teasing) eyes of curious people?</p> <ul> <li>If you prefer to start discreetly indoors, with your cat as the only witness, then we recommend a small, light drone, which will have the advantage of being agile and minimal impact on your home. The propeller protections are an essential element.</li> <li>In the case of outdoor training, remember to have a drone powerful enough to resist wind storms and able to come back to you in case of total loss of control (RTH function).</li> </ul> <p>No doubt, we strongly recommend that you start indoors. This more docile environment will allow you to avoid trouble. On the other hand, we recommend you to be careful with your furniture and with the people around you, in order to avoid other types of trouble.<br />Finally, a last tip: considering that a mini drone has a short autonomy, we recommend you to take several extra batteries and to charge them in advance to avoid any kind of frustration when the first one runs out of power.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Additional features for comfort</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/4_Optional_skills.jpg" alt="Optional skills" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>Some additional features and tips that will bring you comfort or accuracy in your choices.</p> <ul> <li>Agile: the maneuverability must be kept in mind. An agile drone allows a pleasant and responsive piloting, enabling smooth moves in small spaces.</li> <li>Not too expensive: cost matters. Your first drone will undoubtedly undergo several physical aggressions. Although a beginner drone is specified to be "solid and repairable", it will probably quickly leave its "new" state. A cheap drone will save you from regret and keep your budget (almost) intact for your next purchase, once you have mastered it.</li> <li>With or without camera? Depending on your objectives, the camera is optional to start. In other words, choosing a drone without camera for your first flights will be cheaper and will avoid you to break it, the camera being often the most expensive and fragile element of a drone.</li> </ul> <p>Finally, other recommendations depending on your goals.</p> <ul> <li>Having fun with your kids: if your goal is to play with your children, fly, break, disassemble, reassemble, fly again and so on, we recommend a small scale drone, not too expensive and not too powerful. This will avoid big damage to both the house and the drone. The altitude hold mode is also often appreciated by children, bringing more comfort in piloting.</li> <li>Having fun on your own, as a big kid: same as above, without kids, but using them (or not) as an alibi.</li> <li>FPV beginner: to fly in immersion, you will need a drone with an FPV camera and a 5.8G video transmission (wifi has too much latency for that), as well as a 5.8G FPV mask. FPV goggles and masks are relatively expensive but generally work with all types of FPV cameras. FPV piloting can be surprising at the beginning. Understanding where you are in the space around the drone can takes a few hours. It is good to have a good knowledge of the drone before starting to fly FPV. If it's your first drone, you may consider trying out a few flights in visual flight without a camera... The camera is often the most fragile and expensive part of a drone.</li> <li>Acro beginner: the key point of the accro mode is the fact that the drone is only stabilized by a 3-axis gyroscope. If you push the directions to the max, the drone will flip on itself. Also, the drone will not automatically restabilize itself after a movement (as explained above). So you have to go softly on the joystick movements, at least at the beginning. The world of drone racing and therefore acro is intimately linked to configurable drones. If you want to go in this direction, you will have to learn several elements such as: radio protocols, the construction of a drone and the links between the different components, the configuration of the drone, the soldering, the configuration of the radio control etc. In short, a complex and potentially expensive world that requires time and determination to learn. We strongly recommend you to start smoothly with tiny whoop or in simulator and to progress step by step. Have an excellent control of the STAB mode (6 axis gyroscope) before moving to the ACRO mode.</li> <li>Beginner in image taking: to make quality videos, a drone requires several elements. In order of importance, the camera and the gimbal are the two most important elements. A quality gimbal will reduce noise from flying conditions (shaking, jerking, etc.). Most of the shooting drones are also equipped with classic IMUs, like barometer or GPS. Efficient stabilization will help you limit actions that cause video noise. However, it is always good to know how to fly a drone without the assistance of GPS (which can sometimes play bad tricks on you).</li> </ul> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Knowing the regulations</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/5_Law.jpg" alt="Know the law" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>Let's come to the annoying chapter: in Switzerland or elsewhere, the airspace is generally very regulated. This is for security and/or privacy purposes. As we are not experts in this topic, we have chosen these two links which seem to be the most clear and appropriate:</p> <ul> <li><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.ch.ch/en/safety-and-justice/police/drones/" target="_blank">https://www.ch.ch/en/safety-and-justice/police/drones/</a></span></li> <li><a href="https://www.bazl.admin.ch/bazl/en/home/good-to-know/drones-and-aircraft-models/Europaeische_Drohnenregulierung_uebernommen.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">https://www.bazl.admin.ch/</span></a></li> </ul> However, you might want to know that with the micro drones for beginners that we recommend at the end of this article, as well as by flying indoors, you won't be at much risk. It would take a lot of bad karma to break any of these laws.<br />Beyond these strict and sometimes complicated rules, a few simple and common sense advices, which should avoid you most of the potential problems:<br /> <ul> <li>Do not fly your drone in an urban area or in a busy public place. It goes without saying that flying near an airport or a military base is not an option.</li> <li>Avoid night flights.</li> <li>Do not fly at too high altitude and at long distances.</li> <li>Do not film people without their consent.</li> <li>Do not fly your drone in hard conditions.</li> <li>Always keep your drone in visual sight. For FPV piloting, a second person is recommended to follow the drone with his eyes.</li> <li>Move forward step by step and be sure to master your machine when you move on to more powerful models. Starting with a 5" racing drone without any flying experience is a very bad idea.</li> </ul> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Our drone recommendations for beginners</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/6_Our_recommandation_for_beginners.jpg" alt="Our recomandation for begginer drone$" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>Our store is full of choices. For all ages, all audiences and almost any purpose. Below you will find a selection of drones that are easy to handle. Their main features are summarized along with our comments and tips. All the drones chosen are from the EYE4i brand, not because it's our brand (a little bit anyway), but mainly because they are the most suitable for novice pilots, while having an excellent quality-price ratio.</p> <h3>1. Ei-4H Mini drone (altitude hold)</h3> <p>The Rolls of the flight school. A bit more expensive than the following drone, due to the fact that it is equipped with a barometer (altitude hold), it has the perfect characteristics to give you a smooth learning experience: light, several speed modes, propeller protections, stabilized (all axes and altitude), solid and fully repairable. With the DIY version, the drone will be delivered in kit. So you will learn how to repair it before you even break it.</p> <ul> <li>Link: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/mini-drones/198-ei-4-mini-drone-stabilized-toy-kid-beginner.html#/35-package_version-rtf_ready_to_fly/37-drone_version-altitude_hold/33-color-green" target="_blank">Mini drone Ei-4H</a></span></li> <li>Price: 34.80 CHF</li> <li>Available in RTF (ready to fly) or DIY (do it yourself) versions.</li> <li>Recommended for anyone who has never flown a drone or a child.</li> </ul> <h3>2. Ei-4 Mini drone (standard, STAB mode)</h3> <p>The mini drone entry level. The same as in point 1, but without barometer (standard version - STAB mode). It is therefore not stabilized in altitude. The pilot will have to manage it manually. It is an excellent choice to learn "the hard way". Closer to the racing mode than the Ei-4H, it can be a very good step before switching to the accro mode, or simply for a drone with a more wild flight than the Ei-4H.</p> <ul> <li>Link: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/mini-drones/198-ei-4-mini-drone-stabilized-toy-kid-beginner.html" target="_blank">Mini drone Ei-4</a></span></li> <li>Price: 29.90 CHF</li> <li>Available in RTF (ready to fly) or DIY (do it yourself) versions.</li> <li>Recommended for anyone who is a beginner and wants a stronger challenge.</li> </ul> <h3>3. Ei-4HS Mini drone and Ei-4S Mini drone, in pack Tiny Whoop mode</h3> <p>Same frame and same characteristics as the other drones presented, but equipped with a 5.8G camera and in pack with a FPV mask (First Person View). Available in its altitude hold and standard versions, we have the ideal pack for learning to fly FPV.</p> <ul> <li>Link (altitude hold version): <a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/208-ei-4-tiny-whoop-mini-drone-masks-fpv-beginner.html#/37-drone_version-altitude_hold/33-color-green" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pack Tiny Whoop for FPV begginer Ei-4HS Mini drone and Mask</span></a></li> <li>Price (altitude hold version): 123.80 CHF</li> <li>Link (standard version): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/208-ei-4-tiny-whoop-mini-drone-masks-fpv-beginner.html" target="_blank">Pack Tiny Whoop for FPV begginer Ei-4S Mini drone and Mask</a></span></li> <li>Price (standard version): 118.90 CHF</li> <li>Available in RTF (ready to fly) or DIY (do it yourself) versions.</li> <li>Recommended for those who want to introduce themselves to the world of FPV piloting.</li> </ul> <p>For people who already own a pair of FPV goggles, the Ei-4HS and Ei-4S can also be purchased alone.</p> <ul> <li>Link (altitude hold version): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/201-ei-4s-micro-drone-quadcopter-camera-fpv-58g-begginer.html#/35-package_version-rtf_ready_to_fly/37-drone_version-altitude_hold/33-color-green" target="_blank">RC Mini Drone FPV Tiny Whoop</a></span></li> <li>Price (altitude hold version): 63.80 CHF</li> <li>Link (standard version): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/201-ei-4s-micro-drone-quadcopter-camera-fpv-58g-begginer.html" target="_blank">RC Mini Drone FPV Tiny Whoop</a></span></li> <li>Price (standard version): 58.90 CHF</li> </ul> <h3>4. Ei-4 Mosquito DIY kit</h3> <p>The perfect choice to learn the ACRO mode quietly in your living room in visual flight. Delivered in kit version, the Mosquito is very easy to assemble and will teach you the basic elements of a drone, their links to each other and their configurations. Ultra resistant and light, it is harmless for the house and almost impossible to break. Enough to fail your first looping a few hundred times.</p> <ul> <li>Link (BNF version Flysky DIY KIT): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/drones-kit-diy/374-ei-4-mosquito-mini-drone-brushed-betaflight-kit-diy-beginners-mode-acro.html#/43-package_version-bnf_flysky/53-configuration-en_kit" target="_blank">Ei-4 Mosquito DIY Kit</a></span></li> <li>Price (BNF version): 68.60 CHF</li> <li>Recommended for novices willing to discover the construction, configuration of a drone and flying ACRO in visual flight.</li> </ul> <h3>5. Ei-4 Starling brushless FPV</h3> <p>With the Starling, we raise a level. Equipped with brushless motors, it offers more advanced flight performances. Being able to evolve in STAB and ACRO mode, it is a good choice to develop your FPV skills on a more powerful drone, more like a racing drone. Be careful however, it is preferable to already have some flight experience before switching to this kind of model, as piloting errors can become more problematic.</p> <ul> <li>Link (BNF Flysky): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/340-mini-fpv-racing-drone-ei4-starling-brushless.html" target="_blank">Ei-4 Starling brushless FPV BNF</a></span></li> <li>Price (altitude hold version): 178.00 CHF</li> <li>Link (RTF Flysky): <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/tiny-whoop-drones-fpv/340-mini-fpv-racing-drone-ei4-starling-brushless.html#/49-package_version-rtf_flysky" target="_blank">Ei-4 Starling brushless FPV RTF</a></span></li> <li>Price (standard version): 223.00 CHF</li> <li>Recommended for pilots who already have flying experience and wish to perfect their FPV piloting with a tiny whoop that can evolve in STAB and ACRO.</li> </ul> <h3>Tricks</h3> <p>Some good things to know about the Ei-4 series.</p> <ul> <li>Make sure to have a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/drones-accessories/309-blades-propeller-remover-mini-drone-brushed.html" target="_blank">blade remover</a></span> ready for the repair. A magic tool to remove propellers without breaking them.</li> <li>For the Ei-4 series (1,2,3), you can switch modes (altitude hold - Standard STAB mode) by changing the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/flight-controller-esc-drones/226-flight-controller-ei-4-brushed-mini-drone.html" target="_blank">flight controller</a></span> and the <a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/modelisme-transmitters/430-radiocommande-ei-4.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">transmitter</span></a>.</li> <li>If you choose the tiny whoop pack, the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/frames/315-canopy-standard-micro-drone-ei-4.html" target="_blank">standard canopy purchased alone</a></span> can be useful to begin in visual flight. This will have the advantage of not damaging the camera during your learning, and to save the battery for a better flight autonomy.</li> <li>All Ei-4 and Ei-4 advance series drones are fully repairable, and all spare parts are for sale individually on the product webpage in accessories tab.</li> <li>The Ei-4 (1,2,3) is upgradeable and you can add <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/frames/207-canopy-ei-4-58g-camera-fpv-mini-drone.html" target="_blank">a FPV camera</a></span> at a later stage on the version without camera (or conversely).</li> </ul> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/7_Thank_you.jpg" alt="Thank you" width="1000" height="200" /></p> <p>We hope we've helped you, and we'd love to answer any questions you may have or improve our article. All your remarks are welcome by email (support@eye4i.ch) or in comment of the Facebook post.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Eye4i Tips and Tricks January 13, 2022 How to choose your SD card https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/19-choose-sd-card <table> <tbody> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p>Photo cameras, smartphones, cameras, the list of devices using it is endless... An indispensable asset for photography, video and any kind of data storage, the memory card is a key part of almost all our electronic devices. Mainly used for removable storage, meaning to be able to save on a device, copy on another and then use these files, there exist many kinds, of many brands, with a lot of logos and standards as many as incomprehensible. We will try to decode them by rank to help you select the appropriate memory card for your needs. Note that not all acronyms are found on all cards... It would be too simple otherwise, wouldn't it? In addition, we will include some tips to avoid as many unpleasant surprises as possible and our recommendations.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Formats</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/1_Card_types.jpg" alt="SD cards types" width="800" height="160" /></p> First of all, let's talk about format to remove the trivial and focus on useful. There are two main types of memory cards: CF and SD. No significant change, but the format:<br /> <ul> <li>The CF card, for Compact Flash, is a bigger, more powerful card, although high-end SD cards are close to their level. Intended for very expensive reflex cameras, they are intended for a professional public and use very expensive equipment, for specific purposes. Sports photography, for example.</li> <li>The SD card, for Secure Digital, is smaller and fits most of our devices. It is the most widely used format. In the rest of this article, we will therefore focus strictly on SD cards.</li> </ul> The subsets of SD cards are, in order of size, the SD card itself, the mini SD card and the micro SD card. There is no difference but the size. You will have to choose the appropriate model for your device. More and more, only micro SD cards are used for recording. This is mainly due to the size. In addition, almost all of them are sold with an adapter to enable transfer to any media. You should avoid the use of this adapter when recording, to ensure a minimum of potential issues.<br /><br /></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Storage capacities</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/2_capacity_1.jpg" alt="SD cards capacity" width="800" height="160" /></p> The relevant symbols are those that are not blurred in the above illustration.<br /> <ul> <li>HC for High Capacity. Indicates storage capacity from 4 to 32 GB. When replaced by XC, for eXtended Capacity, the card will be 64GB or larger. Used for outdated compatibility, we recommend to focus on the following acronym only, expressed in gigas. Should you be in doubt, you can check the compatibility of your old devices with the SDHC standard in the manual or in the technical specifications.</li> <li>32 GB means 32 GigaByte. Indicates the maximum storage capacity in GB. This is the value to look at when making your capacity selection.</li> </ul> <p>Any capacity is available, up to 512 GB, but the prices are exponential. Therefore, it is important to choose a capacity that suits your needs, else you risk losing money. With the remaining budget, it would be better to buy a second card to have several sets in case one of them fails. However, you should never fill them to their maximum capacity, to be on the safe side: every electronic device works with a small portion of free memory for its internal computations.<br /><br />Some indicative tables below to help you choose the capacity you will need. These are average values, the numbers may vary slightly depending on your settings and the device you are shooting with. For photo shooting, it will also be crucial to choose whether you prefer to capture photos in JPG or RAW, as the storage required is dramatically different.</p> <h3>Pictures in JPG format</h3> <table style="width: 100%; height: 0px;" width="334" height="145"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>4 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>8 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>16 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>32 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>64 Go</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>16 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">650</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1300</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2600</td> <td style="text-align: center;">5200</td> <td style="text-align: center;">10400</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>20 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">550</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1100</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2200</td> <td style="text-align: center;">4400</td> <td style="text-align: center;">8800</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>24 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">450</td> <td style="text-align: center;">900</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1800</td> <td style="text-align: center;">3600</td> <td style="text-align: center;">7200</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>36 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">150</td> <td style="text-align: center;">300</td> <td style="text-align: center;">600</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1200</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2400</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><em>Table above: for photos taken in <strong>JPG</strong> format. The vertical line shows the capacity of the memory card, the horizontal line shows the resolution of the camera and the boxes show the number of photos which can be stored.</em></p> <h3>Pictures in RAW format</h3> <table style="width: 100%; height: 0px;" width="339" height="145"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>4 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>8 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>16 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>32 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>64 Go</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>16 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">135</td> <td style="text-align: center;">270</td> <td style="text-align: center;">540</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1080</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2160</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>20 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">125</td> <td style="text-align: center;">250</td> <td style="text-align: center;">500</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1000</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2000</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>24 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">115</td> <td style="text-align: center;">230</td> <td style="text-align: center;">460</td> <td style="text-align: center;">920</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1840</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>36 MP</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">85</td> <td style="text-align: center;">170</td> <td style="text-align: center;">340</td> <td style="text-align: center;">680</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1360</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><em>Table above: same as the previous one, but for photos in <strong>RAW</strong> format.</em></p> <h3>Video</h3> <table style="width: 100%; height: 0px;" width="339" height="145"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>8 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>16 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>32 Go</strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>64 Go</strong></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>HD - 720p<br /></strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">1:00h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2:00h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">4:00h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">8:00h</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>Full HD - 1080p<br /></strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">0:40h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1:20h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2:40h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">5:20h</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center;"><strong>4k - 2160p<br /></strong></td> <td style="text-align: center;">0:15h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">0:30h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">1:00h</td> <td style="text-align: center;">2:00h</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><em>Table above: for video. The vertical line shows the capacity of the memory card, the horizontal line shows the definition (or resolution) of the video and the boxes show the maximum recording time which can be stored.</em></p> <p>Our recommendation: calculate your daily usage, add about 30% and take several cards of this capacity to change every day. This way, you will be comfortable every day and, in case of a problem, you will only lose one day's worth of images.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Classes</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/3_classes.jpg" alt="SD cards classes" width="800" height="160" /></p> <p>The symbol representing the class is the only one not blurred above: the 10 with an incomplete circle around it. It only takes even values, up to 10... Except for 8, for some unknown reason.<br /><br />This is a category of <strong>minimum guaranteed</strong> writing and reading speed. The higher the number, the faster the card will be, for example :</p> <ul> <li>A class 4 will have a minimum theoretical speed of 4Mb/s for writing.</li> <li>A class 10 will have a minimum theoretical speed of 10Mb/s for writing.</li> </ul> <p>In consideration of the current constraints, a class 10 is to be considered as a standard and will allow you a sufficient comfort for the classic activities of shooting. For video quality beyond 4k, then this standard is not enough and you will need to consider the next criteria.<br /><br />Our recommendation: this is the most synthetic and important standard of all. Only consider class 10. And if you plan to shoot in 5k or 8k, you should definitely continue reading.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Speeds</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/4_speeds.jpg" alt="SD cards speeds" width="800" height="160" /></p> <p>These are all the symbols that are not blurred in the above image... And there are quite a few of them, but you will see that some are more interesting than others, starting with the first one listed.<br /><br />Its symbol is the V with a number. V30 on the SanDisk card in the example. This is the <strong>minimum guaranteed</strong> video recording speed, created in response to the ever-increasing video resolutions on the market. Important therefore for those who want to shoot in high quality. Some examples:</p> <ul> <li>V6 and V10 are identical to classes 6 and 10 explained above: their minimum video recording speed is 6 and 10 MB/s respectively.</li> <li>V30: guaranteed minimum recording speed of 30MB/s. Ideal for full 4k recording comfort.</li> <li>The V60 and V90 should only be used for 8k recording. They represent a recording speed of 60 and 90 MB/s respectively.</li> </ul> <p>Our recommendation: if you don't intend to use video or if you shoot in a quality lower than 4k, then this standard is useless to you. If you want to shoot in 4k, you may want to consider a V30, depending on your budget and settings. Beyond that, the V60 and V90 standards should only be considered if you plan to shoot in 8k.<br /><br />The <strong>capacity</strong>, <strong>class</strong> and <strong>recording speed</strong> we have just seen are the three most important standards to understand. The following are explained as guidelines, but will not change the quality of your footage.<br /><br /></p> <p>The next symbol is the one expressed in MB/s. 95MB/s on the Lexar card in our example. This is the <strong>maximum</strong> reading speed. Since reading speed is less important than writing speed, we are not interested in this standard. For example, when you transfer your pictures to the computer: it is comfortable to go fast, but you are not within 10 seconds. Also note that the read speed will always be higher than the write speed.<br /><br /></p> <p>In the same context we sometimes have a multiplier: 633x on the Lexar card in our example above. This is a weird invention to show the reading speed in multiples of 0.15 MB/s. Redundant with the previous point, which was already not very interesting itself. And more complicated. To find out the maximum reading speed in MB/s, you have to multiply 0.15 with 633 (0.15 X 633 = 95 MB/s).<br /><br /></p> <p>The U with a 3 in it on our example. U for UHS, which stands for Ultra High Speed. This is the transfer bus and this standard represents the read/write speed. Redundant with the minimum video recording speed.</p> <ul> <li>Class U1: 10 MB/s read/write.</li> <li>Class U2: 20 MB/s read/write.</li> <li>Class U3: 30 MB/s read/write.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p>The Roman numeral now. I (1) on our examples. Located below V30 on the SanDisk card and to the left of U3 for the Lexar. This is the generation of UHS, the bus interface: there are generations 1, 2 and 3. Logically, each is better than the last. The class and minimum video recording speed are still sufficient criteria for choosing your card and this one can be considered informative only.<br /><br /></p> <p>A1 on our examples. It can take A1 or A2 values and represents the read/write speed for mobile applications. Useful to guarantee the performance of mobile applications on a smartphone using an SD card to store them for example. A2 is faster than A1.<br /><br />Our recommendation for shooting lovers: for the speed, only consider the class and the minimum guaranteed recording speed.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Formatting</h2> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/5_format_1.jpg" alt="SD cards formatting" width="800" height="160" /></p> <p>It is important to format your card before each new use. However, make sure you have backed up the contents previously. It is recommended to format on the device you are going to use. Because formatting does not only mean deleting everything, it also means that the folder tree and the system files are being processed at this time. This way you can avoid any potential disappointment that may be related to this.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Our SD cards</h2> <p>We have already sorted this out for you. In our shop, you will only find class 10 cards, so all you need to focus on is storage capacity and video recording speed.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a class="btn btn-default" href="https://www.eye4i.ch/en/51-card-sd-and-reader"> <span>Our SD cards</span> </a></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/6_thank_you_1.jpg" alt="SD cards feedbacks" width="800" height="160" /></p> <p>Feedback, remarks, questions, improvements, etc.? Don't hesitate to send us an email to support@eye4i.ch or to comment on our Facebook post. We will be happy to assist or improve.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Eye4i Tips and Tricks December 14, 2021 How to choose mini drone motors https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/18-how-to-choose-mini-drone-motors <table> <tbody> <tr> <td></td> <td>This review will not go into the technical details of the motors but rather the things to know before buying, most especially the traps to avoid. It wouldn't take much to do nothing with your brand new motors.<br /><br />In the mini drone world, there is two kind of motors. No Good, no Bad and no Ugly here, but brushed and brushless motors, i.e. motors with carbon brushes and without carbon brushes.<br /><br />For the same competence, brushless motors are lighter, quieter, have a lower power consumption and perform better. But they cost more.<br />The advantage of brushed motors is first and obviously their cost, but they are also easier to use and replace in case of damage.</td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/moteurs-brushed-brushless_1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400" /></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td><br /> <p></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Brushed motors</h2> Brushed motors are a suitable solution for a beginner pilot, or simply for a low-cost drone (also for lazy people...). Easy to use and replace, they come in a number of sizes and formats.<br /><br />The size of the brushed motors is indicated by the number that comes with them. For example 716 indicates a length of 16mm and a diameter of 7mm. Of course, it depends on the purpose of the motor but roughly speaking, a 65mm frame will work well with 6mm motors, a 75mm frame will work well with 7mm motors, etc.<br /><br />Another important point concerns the motor shaft, the spike on which the propellers are fixed. There are several sizes (0.8mm, 1.0mm, etc) and it is better to check the compatibility with the propellers before proceeding. As you can see on the picture below, there are 716 motors of the same size but with different shaft, 0.8mm and 1.0mm.<br /> <p><br /><strong>In a nutshell:</strong><br />- The length and diameter must match those of the frame.<br />- The diameter of the motor shaft must match the propeller mounting holes.<br />- Cable plugs should match those of the FC (usually Molex Pico 1.25mm 2 pins).<br />- The KVs, in accordance with the desired flight performance (see below).</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p></p> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/moteurs-brushed.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400" /></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2>Brushless motors</h2> Brushless motors for mini drones and tiny whoops are often a technical gem. As mentioned above, Brushless motors have almost only advantages over the Brushed, except the cost. The design is also often more bling bling. As with brushed motors, brushless motors exist in various sizes (06, 07, 08, etc) and motor shaft sizes (0.8mm, 1.0mm, etc). For brushless motors the number means the diameter and height of the stator, the static part of the motor composed of the bearings, coils and static magnets. A 0703 motor has a stator diameter of 7mm and a height of 3mm. Bigger motors are more powerful, weigh more and require more power (to be balanced with the size of the propeller).<br /><br />If you choose brushless motors, you will also have to check the diameter of the attachments, to be matching with your frame. And finally, the battery type supported by the motors (1S, 2S, etc), keeping in mind that going from 1S to 2S, on motors that can support it, doubles the KVs. <br /> <p><strong><strong>In a nutshell</strong>:</strong><br />- The diameter of the attachments, i.e. the space between the screw holes to fix to the frame.<br />- The type of battery supported, 1S, 2S, etc...<br />- The diameter of the shaft must match the diameter mounting holes of the propellers.<br />- The size of the motors according to the size of the drone (0603 motors won't make a 5" move...).<br />- The KVs, according to the desired flight performance (see below).<br />- The cable plug (generally Molex pico 1.25mm 3 pins) or solder format.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/brushless.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="400" /></p> </td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td> <h2><strong>KVs</strong></h2> The concept of KV defines the RPM of the motor for 1V. Hence, a 19000KV motor with a standard 1S 3.7V battery will rotate at 70'300 rpm. The higher the KVs, the faster the motors turn. Roughly speaking, this would give :<br /><br />- The smallest the motor size, the more acceleration and KVs it has.<br />- The larger the motor, the more torque and less KVs it has.<br /><br />- For good acceleration skills, go for high KVs and small propellers.<br />- For more torque, choose lower KVs and larger propellers.<br /><br />A drone designed for long range flights will need more torque, while a small indoor tiny whoop will need more punch. It is therefore crucial to first define your needs, then choose motors that match these criteria.<br /><br />We hope that this article will help you to choose your future motors!<br /> <p>For more technical information on engines, please see the <a href="https://wiki-fpv.fr/display/FPV/Moteurs" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">WikiFPV</span></a> article about motors.</p> <p>Please let us know of any inaccuracy or spelling mistake.</p> </td> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p></p> Eye4i Tips and Tricks December 5, 2021 Drone's Glossary https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/17-drone-s-glossary <table> <tbody> <tr> <td>It may sometimes be hard to find your way through the technical terminology and abbreviations. Please find below a short glossary of frequently used terms and acronyms and their respective meanings / definitions. Non-exhaustive list.</td> </tr> <tr> <td> <table> <thead> <tr><th>Termes</th> <td></td> <th>Définition</th></tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>4k</td> <td></td> <td>Or UHD. Ultra High Definition. Classification of a 2160p video resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5.8G</td> <td></td> <td>Video transmission in 5.8Ghz.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Acro</td> <td></td> <td>Flight mode with 3-axis gyro stabilization for 3d flight.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Altitude hold</td> <td></td> <td>Automatic altitude stabilization.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>ARF</td> <td></td> <td>Lacks several components such as the radio control or the radio receiver. To be checked before buying (Almost Ready to Fly).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>BF</td> <td></td> <td>Chrome application for the configuration of a drone (Betaflight).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Bind</td> <td></td> <td>Establish the link between radio control and radio receiver.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>BL Heli</td> <td></td> <td>Chrome application for the configuration of a drone's motors.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>BNF</td> <td></td> <td>Drone sold without radio control (Bind to Fly).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DIY</td> <td></td> <td>Kit to build (Do it yourself).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DJI</td> <td></td> <td>Drone brand (Da Jiang Innovation).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>DRL</td> <td></td> <td>International professional drone racing league in which pilots race against each other in FPV on three-dimensional tracks (Drone Racing League).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>FHD</td> <td></td> <td>Or Full HD. Full High Definition. Classification of a 1080p video resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>FPV</td> <td></td> <td>First person view flights.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Frame</td> <td></td> <td>Drone frame.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>FW</td> <td></td> <td>Pilot version (Firmwares).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>GHZ</td> <td></td> <td>Gigahertz. Unit of frequency, expressed in giga (x 1 million hertz). One hertz is a periodic phenomenon repeated every second.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Gimbal</td> <td></td> <td>Stabilization support for camera.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>GLONASS</td> <td></td> <td>An alternative to GPS. Satellite navigation system providing location information (Global Navigation Satellite System).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>GPS</td> <td></td> <td>Satellite navigation system providing location information (Global Positioning System).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>HD</td> <td></td> <td>High Definition. Classification of a 720p video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>IBUS</td> <td></td> <td>Communication protocol, especially used by flysky radios.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>IMU</td> <td></td> <td>A device which measures and reports acceleration, orientation, angles, and other gravitational forces (Inertial Measurement Unit). It may be composed of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers, being the electronic component which carries all the instruments allowing the automatic stabilisation assistance of the drone.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>mAh</td> <td></td> <td>Or mA-h. Milliampere-hour. Unit of measurement of electrical charge expressed in thousandths. In our context and slightly simplified, it refers to the power of the battery.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Micro</td> <td></td> <td>International system of units prefix meaning very small. Mathematically, it is one unit divided by one million.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Mini</td> <td></td> <td>Prefix meaning small. A popular word not related to the international system of units.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Nano</td> <td></td> <td>International system of units prefix meaning ultra small. Mathematically, it is one unit divided by one billion.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>OSD</td> <td></td> <td>On screen display (visual transmission of flight information).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>P3, P4, Px</td> <td></td> <td>Generally refers to the DJI Phantom 3 or 4. These are image-taking drones.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Pitch</td> <td></td> <td>Axis of forward/backward movement.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Quadcopter</td> <td></td> <td>Or quadrotor. In our context, alternative words for a drone. More generally, it is a flying machine using four rotors to ensure its lift and ability to fly.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RC</td> <td></td> <td>Refers to a product which is controlled remotely by means of a radio control / remote control (Radio Controlled).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Roll</td> <td></td> <td>Lateral displacement axis.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RTF</td> <td></td> <td>Ready to fly drone.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RTH</td> <td></td> <td>Automatic return to point of origin feature (Return To Home).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>RX</td> <td></td> <td>Radio Receiver.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>SD</td> <td></td> <td>Used to refer to an SD (Secure Digital) card. SD cards are removable memory cards for storing digital data.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>STAB</td> <td></td> <td>Stabilized flight mode on 6 axis.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Throttle</td> <td></td> <td>Acceleration and deceleration axis.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Tiny Whoop</td> <td></td> <td>A small aircraft piloted in immersion, using a camera positioned at the "cockpit" and a mask with a display in which you can see as if you were wearing glasses. Small because it is supposed to be used indoors.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>TVL</td> <td></td> <td>Resolution of an image (TV line).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>TX</td> <td></td> <td>Radio control (Transmitter).</td> </tr> <tr> <td>UART</td> <td></td> <td>Communication port.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>VTX</td> <td></td> <td>Video transmitter.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Yaw</td> <td></td> <td>Rotation axis.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p><br /><br /></p> Eye4i Tips and Tricks October 31, 2021 Man's World 2020 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/16-man-s-world-2020 <p>Established in 2015, Man's World is a hub of inspiration and fun focused on man's interests. Through more than ten editions, in several major European cities, this event offers a carefully selected selection of hundreds of quality producers, brands, products, or services, as well as a multitude of surprises and attractions. All this with the objective of proximity. Respect, entrepreneurship, authenticity, ambition, pleasure and... especially pleasure are the key words. And we were delighted to have joined in.<br /><br />Between two glasses of gin and a few cigars, there's nothing like a little flight in a Flyzone to test your skills... Or what's still left of it... In FPV for the strongest. In this magnificent green glass cage, which masterfully overlooked the event.<br /><br />A big thank you to the organisers and the visitors for this superb event!<br /><br /></p> <p><img src="https://www.eye4i.ch/img/cms/mansworld1.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> Eye4i Evénements February 2, 2020 Kingdom of web 2019 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/15-kingdom-of-web-2019 <p>The first event in Switzerland dedicated to web talent. With a multitude of areas represented among a large number of youtubers and influencers, it was the perfect meeting place for all lovers of contemporary entertainment.<br /><br />In the background of Squeezie, Natoo and consorts as well as other stands, a full and noisy Flyzone, right by the silent party. A nice mix. Watch out for the emotions. Thank you to the Kingdom of the Web and their visitors for these three intense and out of time days!</p> Eye4i Evénements October 24, 2019 Passeport Vacances 2019 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/1-passeport-vacances-2019 <p>Being able to build a drone is pretty good. Knowing how to use it and repair is even better! <br /><br />The children of the Passeport-Vacances Genève, supported by our teams, were able to learn how to build, fly and repair our beloved Ei-4 in a didactic workshop and obstacle course. They returned home with their drone thanks to the Pro Juventute Geneva foundation, and we are delighted to have been able to join hands to give them happiness.<br /><br />Thanks to passport vacances, to all the children who participated and to the parents who trusted us. We had a great time in the July heat.</p> Eye4i Evénements July 31, 2019 Fantasy Basel, The Swiss Comic Con 2019 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/2-fantasy-basel-the-swiss-comic-con-2019 <p>Mini Ei-4' s in the heart of superheroes from all over the world. 60,000 square metres for at least as many visitors, where the real and the unreal merge.<br /><br />An amazing programme dedicated to gaming and cosplay, with a multitude of artists, exhibitions, shows, tournaments or other stands and even a Japan Village. The organisers did not shy away from anything to make these three days unforgettable... And they accomplished their mission perfectly.<br /><br />Thank you all for this moment of pleasure in the background of legendary costumes. Special mention to The Mask, SSSplendid.</p> Eye4i Evénements May 31, 2019 Servette Gaming Night 2019 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/7-servette-gaming-night-2019 <p>Gaming, virtual reality, arcade games, animations, tournaments and many other activities. With the support of the Geneva E-Sport federation, the world of gaming was represented in Geneva to the great pleasure of fans, curious people and players from Geneva.<br /><br />As always, our FlyZone was with us to provide a moment of drony relaxation between two wild games, during the Servette Gaming Night. Thanks to our gamer friends, GG WP to you!</p> Eye4i Evénements March 15, 2019 Scientastic 2018 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/6-scientastic-2018 <p>A weekend dedicated to digital technology with the EPFL Science Festival. Workshops for young people, seminars, a space dedicated to answering the traditional question "How does it work?", shows, a treasure hunting and many other activities with, of course, our traditional FlyZone as a highlight.<br /><br />With a free entrance, it was a moment of culture not to be missed, for the youngest as well as for the oldest.<br /><br />A big thank you to the EPFL for the organisation of this festival, and to the visitors for their kindness. We had a great time and we hope you did as well!</p> Eye4i Evénements November 23, 2018 Royaume du Web 2018 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/5-royaume-du-web-2018 <p>Our drones have flown with the stars of the net.<br /><br />Focused on the world of YouTube and, more generally, the web, this second edition was particularly successful. In an overexcited and warm atmosphere, there was no trouble walking between thousands of fans, as there was such a feeling of space, thanks to 15,000 square metres and a clever arrangement of one of Palexpo's halls. Yet there was no lack of activities: plenty of fun for several hours with various activities in which the 41 invited web stars took part (GIF box, clash box, labyrinth, baking workshop, make-up challenge, etc.), before heading towards the big stage where the youtubers met for a unique show.<br /><br />Three amazing days and an unforgettable experience for which we thank the organisers and visitors.</p> Eye4i Evénements November 3, 2018 Comptoir Suisse 2018 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/4-comptoir-suisse-2018 <p>Between the cellars, the local products, the animals from the farm and various technological stands, there was a cage and a glowing path.</p> <p><br />For this last edition of the Comptoir Suisse, our drones once again excelled in the heart of the Comptoir's Lab for 10 days: our traditional FlyZone open to everyone, the best of which were able to compete on our race track. Some crashes, but mostly smiles on everybody's face for our greatest delight.</p> <p><br />Our amateur cameramen didn't shy away from any risk, so you can watch a sample of our pilots' exploits in the video below.</p> <p>We wish the organisers good luck with the new formula and all the best for the future.</p> <p></p> <div class="videoWrapperR"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zeWRJPHTkSs" frameborder="0"></iframe></div> Eye4i Evénements September 23, 2018 Zurich Game Show https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/3-zurich-game-show <p>For the first time in German-speaking part of Switzerland. Es war sehr gut!<br /><br />An opportunity for us to train our German, and for our visitors to practice their piloting in a FlyZone that was never empty.<br /><br />eSpots, cosplay... Dedicated to game fans, but so vast that everyone can find their way around, it is impossible to summarize the plethora of stands and activities that this event has gathered. Something exceptional that we recommend everyone to discover.<br /><br />Danke viel mal to all participants and to the Zurich Game show. See you next year.<br /><br />Special thanks to Agent KittyCat for this lovely photo.<br /><br /></p> <p><img src="http://localhost/eyev7/img/cms/zurich%20game%20show.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="397" /></p> Eye4i Evénements September 17, 2018 Drone days 2018 https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/8-drone-days-2018 <p>The Drone Days at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) were a great success, introducing everyone to the world of drones.</p> <p>A drone race, in the daytime and at night, demonstrations, a robotics exhibition, seminars, initiation sessions and... Our beloved FlyZone, where many of you tried our Ei-4 micro drones. Three exceptional days where we did not hide our pleasure to meet in a great atmosphere.<br /><br />Thanks to all our visitors, to the novice and experienced pilots who came to have fun (and break a few propellers), and to the staff for their amazing work.<br /><br /></p> <p><img src="http://localhost/eyev7/img/cms/drone%20days.jpg" alt="" width="670" height="386" /></p> Eye4i Evénements September 5, 2018 Swiss Fantasy Show https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/9-swiss-fantasy-show <p>Lausanne gave us the honor to welcome us once again. In the heart of beautiful costumes, actors attending the signing sessions, artists and associations of the imaginary world, our FlyZone was proudly seated. Hours of flying for as many propellers to replace. We had a great pleasure to make you fly in this extraordinary atmosphere, as well as to take part in the twinkling stars in your eyes.<br /><br />Our visitors were fantastic and so were the staff. Thank you all and see you next year.</p> Eye4i Evénements May 17, 2018 Palexpo Expo Junior https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/11-palexpo-expo-junior <p>The child remains the best pretext for parents to test the little Ei-4. But in the end, what could be more normal than to test the product before putting it in your child's hands?<br />Thanks to all of you, as well as to Palexpo and Expo Junior for this weekend!</p> Eye4i Evénements May 10, 2018 The Spot https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/10-the-spot <p>Very well received by Think Sport for its "The Spot" event at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, we were delighted to see everyone having fun in our FlyZone... Without having to use the children's pretext this time... Whatever... Our thanks to the staff and all the visitors.</p> <p><img src="http://localhost/eyev7/img/cms/thinksport2.JPG" alt="" width="670" height="448" /></p> Eye4i Evénements April 18, 2018 Ei-4 Contest of Strasbourg https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/12-ei-4-contest-of-strasbourg <p>A shopping mall, a course between the stalls made of shopping carts and other unusual accessories, a race between 3 photo cracks, against 3 piloting cracks... Teams are not very well balanced, but the perfect explosive cocktail to spend a great moment of fun in great company!<br /><br />Thanks to Centrakor for its welcome, to Olivier Schmitt for the organization and for giving us the benefit of his cinematographic talents and especially to everyone for their time and their good mood. We will come back with great pleasure.</p> Eye4i Evénements February 8, 2018 International Gaming Show https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/13-international-gaming-show <p>Hello to you gamers friends, we are happy to have been able to offer you a moment of relaxation in Ei-4 in our Drone Zone between two hard games.</p> <p>At the Swiss Tech Convention Center, it was impossible to stay insensitive to the charm of the numerous activities around eSports. In addition to our famous FlyZone and tournaments of Fortnite, FIFA 19, League of Legends, Hearthtone and other games, visitors could enjoy the PolyLAN 32, multiple cosplay, try virtual reality, as well as leave with prizes offered by the organizers and sponsors.<br /><br />Thank you to all and especially to the Monster Girls who lit up us with their smiles!</p> Eye4i Evénements November 15, 2017 Comtpoir Suisse at Beaulieu https://www.eye4i.ch/en/blog/post/14-comtpoir-suisse-at-beaulieu <p>Our first event and not the least ! Thanks to all the visitors and the organizers for trusting us, this will mark the beginning of a long series.</p> Eye4i Evénements September 17, 2017