I just got a "GEPRC Phantom Micro". First order of business was to back everything up before making any changes.
The FrSky XM+ RX came with ACCESS on it so i had to flash that with the ACCST firmware. It now binds and works but I get no RSSI value showing up in the OSD or on my QX7 screen. I have only flown it a few hundred feet away so far but would be nice to now how strong the signal is. If anyone has a clue as to why or what I can do to get the RSSI working, it will be greatly appreciated.



The webpage I purchased it from shows a "Caddx EOS2" for the camera, but it came with a "Runcam Nano 2" instead. I have both here and they have about the exact same length from the mount hole to the front of the lens. The problem is that the frame blocks the upper corners of the camera view. I have a few extra Runcam Nano 2's here and one of them the lens sticks out about 1/16" farther so I may try that one instead. I would love to use the Foxeer Toothless 2 Nano, but it is even shorter then what is in it now.

The video was breaking up pretty easy so I took the top off the quad to replace the whip antenna with a EMAX Nano RHCP. After removing the top I noticed that one leg of the capacitor had broke free. I have only had three light crashes in grass in six flights and I'm sure that no capacitor had something to do with the poor video quality. I also used zip ties to keep the antenna up in the air and out of the props.

This is my first "toothpick" like quad and it is a good bit louder than my 85mm whoop that looks only a little bit smaller. Its higher in pitch and screams even more when you goose the throttle. I have flown it on both 2S and 3S and the largest battery I can fit on there is a 450mAh. Not quite the fly time I am used to (not counting my TH2 which is very short) but is still ok. I also have to consider that with the whoops I do more cruising and with this one I am not really cruising with it.

The FrSky XM+ RX can output RSSI on an AUX channel if I remember correctly and then you can specify that in the in Betaflight Configurator> Receiver tab and also turn on the RSSI element in the OSD.

The frame blocking the camera view is something you have to live with unless you can mount the camera forward or try a different lens. But then you start to expose the camera to more damage during crashes.

A broke capacitor will have some affect on the video noise and so fixing this would be my first advice regardless.

Sound of the motors and props is every subjective but 2s and 3s quads are usually more louder compared to 1S toothpicks and whoops.

You're lucky you got the RunCam Nano on yours. I have the Caddx EOS2 on mine and while you don't see any of the frame in view, the image from it is complete garbage. I bought a RunCam Racer Nano to replace it with but I still haven't got around to doing so because I haven't flown my Phantom in well over a year now. I really need to dust it off and take it out for a spin again. I also have some tri-blade props for it which are generally a bit quieter but they can also end up shortening the flight time.

If you haven't already seen it, there's a dedicated general thread on the GEPRC Phantom HERE with some useful information in it.

I put a Caddx Ant on my Phantom and I'm very happy with it, much better image than the EOS2. No idea how it compares to the Runcam but it's a very cheap AND very light camera so you may want to try it anyway.

The biblade props don't provide a lot of grip so I used to go with Emax Avan Rush which makes it a totally different experience. Those props are quite heavy though so recently I went for Gemfan 2512 giving me slightly better propwash handling and longer flight time.

It's possible to tune it for pretty good freestyle performance, if you're willing to upgrade to Betaflight 4.2, update the ESC's to enable bidirectional dshot, enable RPM filtering and increase the PID values: https://intofpv.com/t-geprc-phantom?pid=89252#pid89252

I like the image quality of the Caddx Ant in my 1s Babytooth build but it does suffer from slightly more latency.

If you want it to be quieter use some Tri-blade props in stead of those Bi-blade and it will cut down on the noise.

You can also flip the motors upside down and fit 3" props to it(as a 'pusher' quad), which greatly decreases the disc load and therefor makes it quieter as well.

(14-Oct-2021, 05:14 AM)kafie1980 Wrote: The FrSky XM+ RX can output RSSI on an AUX channel if I remember correctly and then you can specify that in the in Betaflight Configurator> Receiver tab and also turn on the RSSI element in the OSD.

The frame blocking the camera view is something you have to live with unless you can mount the camera forward or try a different lens. But then you start to expose the camera to more damage during crashes.

A broke capacitor will have some affect on the video noise and so fixing this would be my first advice regardless.  

Sound of the motors and props is every subjective but 2s and 3s quads are usually more louder compared to 1S toothpicks and whoops.

Thanks
Is there somewhere that shows how to setup RSSI on an aux channel? I'm still rather noobish on lots of things.
I resoldered the cap the moment I found it not connected.
I have a 85mm 2-3s whoop that is still less noticeable. I think for me it is the tone and not so much volume. The bi-blades seem to have more of a screaming sound.

(14-Oct-2021, 10:09 AM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: You're lucky you got the RunCam Nano on yours. I have the Caddx EOS2 on mine and while you don't see any of the frame in view, the image from it is complete garbage. I bought a RunCam Racer Nano to replace it with but I still haven't got around to doing so because I haven't flown my Phantom in well over a year now. I really need to dust it off and take it out for a spin again. I also have some tri-blade props for it which are generally a bit quieter but they can also end up shortening the flight time.

If you haven't already seen it, there's a dedicated general thread on the GEPRC Phantom HERE with some useful information in it.

I have a Caddx EOS2 here that I haven't used in over a year because of what you said...
I will have a look at the thread, Thanks.

(14-Oct-2021, 12:22 PM)L0stB1t Wrote: I put a Caddx Ant on my Phantom and I'm very happy with it, much better image than the EOS2. No idea how it compares to the Runcam but it's a very cheap AND very light camera so you may want to try it anyway.

The biblade props don't provide a lot of grip so I used to go with Emax Avan Rush which makes it a totally different experience. Those props are quite heavy though so recently I went for Gemfan 2512 giving me slightly better propwash handling and longer flight time.

It's possible to tune it for pretty good freestyle performance, if you're willing to upgrade to Betaflight 4.2, update the ESC's to enable bidirectional dshot, enable RPM filtering and increase the PID values: https://intofpv.com/t-geprc-phantom?pid=89252#pid89252

I have one each of the Ant and the Ant Lite. The regular Ant replaced the Runcam Nano 2 in my TH2.

In a chart I have, the motor and battery 2-3S setup shows a 2" tri-blade to be the largest suggested. I just checked my prop stash and have the following. I don't quite understand the pitch number, ect...
HQ Prop T2x2x3, HQ Prop T2x2.5x3, and Gemfan Hulkie 2040-3.

I have only once tried to upgrade to the bidirectional dshot, and rpm filtering on my TH2, but could not get it to work.

(14-Oct-2021, 01:53 PM)kafie1980 Wrote: I like the image quality of the Caddx Ant in my 1s Babytooth build but it does suffer from slightly more latency.

Thanks, I have one in use but guess I'm just not good enough yet to notice any latency difference.

(14-Oct-2021, 05:25 PM)brettbrandon Wrote: Is there somewhere that shows how to setup RSSI on an aux channel? I'm still rather noobish on lots of things.

You need to install RSSI specific firmware onto the XM+ to get RSSI into your OSD. The following video walks you through the whole process of getting RSSI into your OSD from an FrSky XM+ receiver...

(14-Oct-2021, 04:28 PM)MrSolo Wrote: If you want it to be quieter use some Tri-blade props in stead of those Bi-blade and it will cut down on the noise.

You can also flip the motors upside down and fit 3" props to it(as a 'pusher' quad), which greatly decreases the disc load and therefor makes it quieter as well.

Thanks.

For 3" props, I think it would require different motors (at least going by a chart I have).

(14-Oct-2021, 05:39 PM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: You need to install RSSI specific firmware onto the XM+ to get RSSI into your OSD. The following video walks you through the whole process of getting RSSI into your OSD from an FrSky XM+ receiver...

Thank you soo much, and that was a lightning response...
I will check it out.

I want to thank everyone for your knowledge.

While messing with this last night, I noticed the frame has mount holes for "whoop" size boards. I have been trying to find a good setup to mount a Runcam Split4 Nano 4K and now have it mounted on the underside of the frame. The camera is also longer so no frame in view. I ordered another Phantom Micro last night to keep fairly stock but will probably change the props to 2" tri-blades. The one here is now for experimentation... I am going to try the 2" tri-blades on here and if the props are still in view, I might take @MrSolo idea to make it a 3" pusher.
I also ordered one of these to help with experimentation.
https://www.racedayquads.com/products/if...c7f5&_ss=r

I am thinking about ordering another frame as well seeing that I can use a whoop board with it as well.

Thanks again everyone for your replies...

This is with the Runcam Split4 Nano...



This quad came with foam block material with a peel and stick side to use as bumper feet on the bottom. I am looking to purchase some but have no idea what it is called. Does anyone know if RDQ sells such? I can't find it. EDIT: Just found them called "landing pads".
Also, I am looking for lightweight standoffs and screws to help offset the added weight of the Split 4.