Tools, Gear and FPV Drones I Use Everyday

by Oscar

I test and review FPV related products all the time, but these are the tools, gear and FPV drones that I enjoy the most and recommend. I try to cover as much as I can, but it’s certainly not everything I use. For products that don’t make it to this list, it might be I don’t have an opinion about it, but feel free to ask me in the comment.

banggood

Note: I am not sponsored by any company, I only feature good products based on my own experience. Some of the product links on this blog are affiliate links. I get a small commission if you buy from these links, no extra cost to you. If you find this blog useful, please consider supporting me.

Radio and Receiver

Here are the radios I recommend.

The Radiomaster TX16S MKII is currently my primary radio, it’s affordable and versatile. See my full review of the TX16S MKII. The MKII is basically the original TX16S with a few improvements

There are MAX version of the TX16S too, but it’s just mostly aesthetic upgrades and don’t affect the performance or usability of the radio.

When getting the TX16S, you can choose between ExpressLRS (ELRS) and 4in1 multi-protocol internal RF modules. Personally I prefer the ELRS version.

Although the multi-protocol module supports a lot of protocols, I almost exclusively use it with 2.4GHz ExpressLRS (ELRS) – an open source long range RC system. If you get the TX16S MKII with built-in 250mW ELRS module, then you don’t need an external ELRS module unless you want more output power (the most powerful module offers up to 1W at the moment). 250mW is plenty and can give you miles of range. See this guide for more info about ExpressLRS and how to set it up.

There are many ELRS TX modules out there that can output 1W, the BetaFPV 1W Micro is one of the cheapest modules out there that is very consistent with its maximum output power.

Radiomaster TX16S MKII Banggood | Amazon | Radiomaster | RDQ
Betafpv Elrs Micro Tx Module 1w Edition BetaFPV 1W Micro  AliExpress | GetFPV | BetaFPV
Radiomaster Zorro Radio Transmitter Elrs Expresslrs Combo Receivers Rx 2.4GHz ExpressLRS Receivers Most ELRS receivers are more or less the same, see selections here

FPV Goggles

The DJI FPV Goggles has been my primary FPV Goggles since early 2020. DJI Digital FPV system is just awesome, the image quality is mind blowing compared to traditional FPV system . See my review of the DJI FPV system. I’d recommend it to anyone if you have the budget.

The DJI Goggles are not as comfortable to wear as Fatshark or Skyzone in terms of ergonomics, but they do give me the possibility of using both digital and analogue. To use analog, you just need to get an analogue receiver module adapter. My go-to adapter at the moment is the BDI Digidapter.

And don’t miss out on this list of great accessories for the DJI FPV System.

DJI FPV Goggles V2 RDQGetFPVNBD | AliExpress

If you are not interested in DJI and just want a good pair of analogue goggles, there are a lot more options. Here is a buyer’s guide for analogue FPV goggles.

Want the best analog goggles? It has to be the Skyzone SKY04X right now in my opinion, see my full review of the SKY04X. Best image quality, very wide field of view, and It also has focal length adjustment which is really handy for those who wear glasses.

Skyzone SKY04X BanggoodRDQNBD

Want something cheaper but still decent? I’d recommend the Eachine Cobra X. Although it’s a box goggles with LCD screen, image clarity is still very decent! Not only being cheaper, the advanced built-in OSD menu even puts the more expensive Fatshark to shame, it significantly improves user experience. It even supports external receiver modules.

Skyzone Cobra X AliExpressRDQ

I don’t really recommend cheap FPV goggles, buying cheap is buying twice.

All of these goggles I mentioned can be powered by 4S, so I just use a 4S 1500mAh battery for my 5″ quads, no need to buy special batteries :)

Analog Video Receiver Module

For analogue receiver module, I am currently using ImmersionRC Rapidfire the most because it has great performance and it’s tried and tested. TBS Fusion is also a great option and cheaper.

As a cheaper alternative, I’d recommend the Eachine Pro58 with the Achilles firmware, this is the best value module you can get for the performance it offers.

Rapidfire Banggood
Eachine Pro58 Module AliExpress

As for antennas, there are just too many good antennas out there. Take a look at my FPV antenna recommendations for ideas. Here are some of the ones I use the most often.

Menace Patch Antenna (VRX) Banggood | GetFPV| RDQ
Lollipop V4 (VTX) RDQ | AliExpress
Foxeer Lollipop Long Video Receiver Antenna Vrx Lollipop Micro Long (VRX) AliExpress | RDQ

LiPo Charging Equipment

These are the chargers I am using at home on a daily basis at the moment (2023), they are perhaps a bit more expensive and bigger than other chargers, but they are powerful and can be powered by AC or DC so potentially saves you from buying an external power supply. They can charge 1S-6S LiPo, 18650 batteries or even your car battery.

Both chargers have similar specs, and are dual channel chargers so I can simultaneously charge two completely different batteries. To learn about all the differences between these two models, check my review here, but you can’t go wrong with either one :)

HOTA D6 Pro RDQ | Banggood
ToolkitRC M6DAC GetFPV | AliExpress | RDQ

For charging in the field, I prefer something that’s more portable, the one that I mostly use is the iSDT Q6 Nano (see full review). It’s light weight and can charge 1S to 6S batteries, and it’s pretty cheap as well at only $30.

Another good option for field charging is the ToolkitRC M6D. It’s powerful and also pretty compact, and it has 2 outputs (two separate channels) meaning you can charge two different batteries at the same time – basically like having two chargers!

If you have a charger that doesn’t have built-in power supply and requires DC input, you will need an external PSU.

You could get a server or computer power supply if you know how, but If you don’t, you could just get something off the shelf like these:

Some PSU output 12V while some output 24V. Certain chargers put out more power if you supply them with the higher 24V, but make sure your charger can support 24V input voltage before buying. You can also use these PSU to power your TS100 soldering iron!

If you want a cheap and simple charger that comes with power supply that you can plug straight into the wall, the ISDT 608AC is a pretty good beginner option. It’s not that powerful, but gets the job done just fine.

To charge multiple batteries simultaneously, you could consider using a parallel charging board. Make sure to read this article to learn how to parallel charge LiPo batteries.

Hglrc Parallel Charging Board Thor Pro 40a Close Up Parallel Charging Board AliExpress
Battery Voltage Checker GetFPV | AliExpress | Amazon

For charging batteries in the field, I use one of these large capacity LiPos.

Fpv Drone Lipo Battery Field Charging E Bik Li Ion 48v 24v Converter 48V 15Ah e-bike Battery AliExpress | Amazon
6S 10000mAh LiPo Battery Amazon | AliExpress

The ImaxRC B3 is a handy charger for your transmitter and goggles 2S and 3S batteries. It charges the battery only through the balance lead, perfect for batteries that don’t have an XT60 or XT30 connector.

IMAXRC B3 PRO 2S / 3S Balance Charger AliExpress | Amazon

Tools

Here are some of my favourite tools. Of course there are some other tools you might find useful tool as I explained in this post.

P200 Bench Power Supply Banggood | RDQ | GetFPV
TS100/SQ001 Soldering Iron AliExpress  | Amazon | GetFPV | RDQ
MG Chemical 63/37 Solder Amazon
ES126 Electric Screwdriver Banggood | AliExpress
SmokeStopper Vifly ShortSaver V2 Review
Screw Driver Set AliExpress | Amazon
Auline Backpack V2 For Fpv Drone Magnetic Buckle Strap Outside Auline FPV Backpack V2 GetFPV | Banggood | AliExpress
Uruav Prop Tool 2021 Prop Tool AliExpress
Speedybee Adapter 3 Fc Wifi Betaflight Config Wireless Dongle Speedybee Adapter 3 GetFPV | RDQ | AliExpress

Supplies & Materials

Spare and building materials that I have good experience with.

28awg Silicone Wire Spools Amazon Wire Spools (28awg) Amazon
x Cloth Tape for holding motor wires Amazon
Sticky Battery Pads GetFPV | RDQ
x Double Sided Tape Amazon | AliExpress

My Favourite BNF

These are pre-built FPV drones that I love the most. Not sponsored, my opinion is purely based on my experience. You can read my reviews to learn more about these models.

iFlight Evoque F5

Iflight Nazgul Evoque F5 Fpv Drone Gopro

Review: https://oscarliang.com/iflight-nazgul5-v2/

It’s a 5-inch Freestyle FPV drone (4S and 6S).

Flywoo Explorer LR V2

Review: https://oscarliang.com/flywoo-explorer-lr/

It’s an ultra-light 4″ quad for long range (4S).

Mobula7 1S ELRS

Happymodel Mobula7 1s Bnf Tiny Whoop Front

Review: https://oscarliang.com/mobula7-1s-whoop/

My favourite tiny whoop so far.

BetaFPV Pavo25

Betafpv Pavo25 Cinewhoop Fpv Drone Quadcopter Front Naked Gopro

Review: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-pavo25-whoop/

It’s a 2.5″ cinewhoop for carrying a naked GoPro for taking cinematic footage.

Sub250 Nanofly 16

Sub250 Nanofly16 Ultralight Fpv Drone (1.6inch Toothpick) Camera Front

Review: https://oscarliang.com/sub250-nanofly16/

A cute little 1.6-inch park flyer, running 1S LiPo.

Other Recommendations

Edit History

  • May 2018 – Article created
  • July 2020 – Updated list
  • Mar 2021 – Updated list
  • Apr 2022 – Updated list
  • Sep 2022 – Updated list
  • Feb 2023 – updated product links

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15 comments

Kevin 3rd January 2023 - 2:57 am

Lots of great information, I was looking at the goggles but I think I’ll wait the Walksnail VRX and HDZERO goggles could be the 3 in 1. The TS100 has been upgraded: Check out the Sequre SI012 PRO more for less combined with a TS-C1 or TS-ILS tips for very small pads.

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Marcel 10th August 2022 - 10:25 am

Thank you for the detailed reporting!

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Magno Cunha 6th June 2022 - 6:18 pm

Sou novo no racer e quero aprender com vcs .

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Ross 19th April 2022 - 12:49 am

Any update to this list on which expresslrs module and receivers you use?

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Oscar 19th April 2022 - 10:23 am

Currently using BetaFPV’s 1W module. But yes, I will get this list updated today!

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steve 24th June 2020 - 4:38 am

Hi –

Just stumbled across your website and was amazed by all the information and detailed reviews – great job! I have a question though…I’m purchasing an FPV cine drone for my 13 year old son. He has lots of experience with the tiny whoops and is ready to step up to something that can carry a GoPro. I’m thinking of either the iflight BumbleBee or the Diatone Taycan – any preference between the two? And would you recommend going with 4S or 6S for cinestyle flying? Or maybe even 4S batteries with a 6S drone to slow it down until he gets the hang of it and then upgrade to 6S batteries? For goggles/receiver would it be best/easiest to go with the DJI offerings? Thanks in advance!

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Oscar 29th June 2020 - 12:57 pm

Go for the Taycan, it performs really good out of the box. I think 4S setup is more than enough for a cinewhoop, you don’t actually gain much performance on 6S as you are flying at constant throttle most of the times. 6S has higher chance of failure due to the higher voltage.

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Tim Cable 2nd January 2020 - 10:38 am

Hi Oscar,

I have a 5″ Armantan marmotte, and it’s a bit too much drone for my 9 year old son.

I’m thinking he will have much more fun with a whoop type drone.

Is the BeeBrain V2 Tiny Whoop still your # 1 recommendation, or is there another 1 or 2 to consider. Maybe some better drone are on the market since you wrote the article. These are pretty cheap and I may consider getting 2 or 3 different ones. Any guidance is appreciated. thanks. I’m thinking a decent camera for fpv flying is a huge plus. not sure if it matters that much for the smaller drones.

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Oscar 3rd January 2020 - 3:23 pm

See my latest article on the best tiny whoop round up

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AlphaTango 18th May 2019 - 9:24 pm

I could’nt agree more on that !
3 out of my 6 Q6-Plus chargers have a deffective wheel after 6 months of use.
Although they still work, setup is harder to do.

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cam 1st August 2018 - 9:13 pm

Hi

i see on your X9D there is what i think is a little fpv screen with a lime green case around it, i was wondering where u got that and about how much it costs (and other important info) Thanks.

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Oscar 6th August 2018 - 6:13 pm

Check this post :)

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Eric 11th May 2018 - 3:30 pm

Hello
I am currently looking to change the RX of my fatshark by a True-D.
You indicate that the Pro58 with Achilles firmware and better than the True-D.
There is the realacc RX5808 with Achilles seems to me also very good and cheaper than the True-D. What do you think ?

Thank you

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Oscar 14th May 2018 - 5:04 pm

Go for the Pro58 with Achilles :) it has a better processor than the RX5808.

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John 9th May 2018 - 5:55 pm

I had a Q6 plus for about 8 months. The calibration was off by a little and would sometimes not terminate charge correctly around month 5. I got a code to manually calibrate it and went my happy way for a bit.

Then one of the ports developed a 150mV delta against other ports. ISDT wanted me to ship the item back to SZ (at my own cost) for repair, and for me to pay for the return shipping.

As a last resort, I said I could open the device and maybe fix the components myself if they told me how. They even refused to send me whatever diodes were needed; it’s against company policy apparently.

As much as I loved the Q6 when I had it, I can’t stomach the poor QC and service to tell myself to buy another one.

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