Hello All, CyclicalObsessive new here.

Total newbie to FPV and quads.  

I'm a retired software engineer with an autonomous GoPiGo3/RaspberryPi3 robot running 24/7 that turned 2yrs old yesterday.
   

The wife and I have been "safer at home" in the backyard, feeding and watching a bunch of squirrels.  The wife asked "where do the squirrels go when they leave for the night?", which germinated the idea of learning to fly a tiny whoop / micro FPV quad and following them home.

I decided to start with the Velocidrone sim, and the BetaFPV FPV Whoop Racing Advanced Kit V2 (Frsky D8) from "also in Florida" getFPV.com for US$213 w/tax.
- Kit includes:

• Meteor75 Lite Brushless Whoop Drone (75mm micro FPV class)
  28.8g w/o batt - 41.5g w/batt
  1S BT2.0 Power
  Lite 1S Brushless FC
  1102-18000KV motors
  Gemfan 40mm 3-blade 1.5mm shaft propellers
  3-4 minute flights
  
• Lite 1S Brushless FC/ESC
  • • CPU: STM32F042G6U6
      
    • Six-Axis: MPU 6050
      
    • Firmware: BetaFPV LiteSilverware
      
    • OSD: LiteOSD
      
    • Built-in Rx: Frsky D8
      
    • Customizable OSD Info
      
    • Rate Option in OSD
      
    • ESC Input Voltage: 1S
      
    • Continuous/Peak Current: 5A / 6A
      
    • Firmware: O_H_5_REV16_6.HEX
      
    • Signal Support: D-shot150, 300, 600
      
    • Motor Connector: 1.25mm header pins
      
    • ESC Processor: EFM8BB21
      

               M01 AIO Camera  

• • 5.8G VTX 6 bands 48 channels, RaceBand 5362-5945MHz
    
  • 600TVL
    
  • FOV: H:120deg / V: 100deg
    
  • 640x480 1/4" sensor
    
  • 25mW output
    
  • RG178 Antenna
    
• LiteRadio 2 Transmitter (350mAh 2S Battery Included)
  
  • Frsky D8 Protocol
    
  • OpenTX 2.2.4 Firmware
    
  • 8 channel
    
  • Hobby Grade Gimbal
    
  • USB charging cable - also to computer for sim
    
  • 2.4G (2403MHz-2447MHz) ??
    
• BETAFPV VR01 FPV Goggles
  4.3 inches 800*480px HD high brightness LCDTwin Dipole 5.8G Antennas
  
• BT2.0 Twin Battery Charger & Tester
  
• Two BT2.0 450mAh batteries[size=undefined]
  450mAh 4.35V  61x15x7.5mm 12.7g[/size]
  
• Extras Included: Carry Case, Prop Removal Tool
  

Until that arrives, I am familiarizing myself to Velocidrone using a VKBsim joystick (that I use for sim flying a LongEZ in X-Plane11) on my 2018 Mac.


The only noob "secret" I have discovered so far is to make sure Velocidrone is in "Angle Mode" (press 1 key).

Found out that Velocidrone has a "Meteor 75 Drone", In the micro quads premium upgrade pack! Cool.

Welcome to the forum

(23-Aug-2020, 03:41 PM)SnowLeopardFPV Wrote: Welcome

BTW: What do I have to not-do to avoid your "Pole Dancer" award?

(23-Aug-2020, 03:57 PM)cyclicalobsessive Wrote: BTW: What do I have to not-do to avoid your "Pole Dancer" award?

Just make sure you don't hit any poles I got that badge during one of my first acro (trainer) mode flights. The video footage which got me that badge is at the bottom of another post (HERE). So if you don't want one then just don't do the same as I did

Welcome    
...fellow Floridian    ...to the best FPV forum ... members here are both knowledgeable and helpful 




@Snow, nice "Pole Dancing", I had not yet seen that video.  Except for the pole, nice 

BetaFPV VR01 FPV Goggles - How I Use With Glasses

After viewing a Joshua Bardwell review including the BetaFPV VR01 FPV Goggles where he said he can use the goggles with and even without his glasses, I took the plunge and purchased the BetaFPV Whoop Racing Advanced Kit V2 (Frsky D8) which includes the VR01 FPV Goggles.

When I tried them on the first time, with or without my glasses (Progressives +1.75 distance, add 2.50 for reading), the view was too blurry to use.

I bee-lined it to my local supermarket with the goggles, and purchased a set of +3.25 (max available) Foster Grant MicroVision Folding Reader glasses. These are tiny, tiny glasses that come all folded up in a 1.5 by 3 inch case.



After removing the earpieces, (and bending up the not-needed nose rests), the glasses fit exactly inside the VR01 goggles resting on the side "shelves", to which I added some heavy tape to hold them in place. Epoxy or hot glue should do nicely to make them very secure.



Now I can use the goggles, albeit with my nose inside the box breathing through my mouth so that I can look through the reading portion of my progressive glasses. The combination of my glasses with the supermarket readers allows viewing the entire screen unobstructed and nearly perfect focus. I do feel a slight eye strain when I first put the goggles on, but since I am just beginning FPV and only have two batteries for my micro whoop quad, I don't think this will be a problem.





P.S. I went back an reviewed JB's video. Oops - he is near-sighted and I am far-sighted. Explains a lot.

The things we do to get an FPV view with our glasses 

(28-Aug-2020, 05:19 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: The things we do to get an FPV view with our glasses 

(27-Aug-2020, 11:50 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: ... I modified my first {cheap} set of goggles and bought 6.0 reading glasses

Never thought I would drool for 6.0 reading glasses ... strongest the supermarket had was 3.25 which added to my progressives (+1.75 distance + 2.50 reading) gets me to +6.5 and I think that might even be just a little weak.  The glasses are two years old now, and I'm feeling the eyes are also two years older. 

The goggles are definitely going to be sufficient for learning, but my 10x10 computer room may be a bit small to learn in.

I purchased (2 in a pack) 6.0 Reading Glasses on AMAZON  a couple of years ago specifically for use with my "cheap" goggles, Eachine VR006, that I got in a combo deal with drone and transmitter for $75.00. Similar to what you bought except much cheaper product {brushed motor tiny whoop and cheap "toy" grade transmitter}. Although, I no longer need them for FPV, I use them all of the time for building. They are much better than looking through some magnifying glass. 

By the way, I like your modification of attaching the eyeglasses to the goggles rather than having to wear them.   

I think my prescription eye glasses are about 1.25 (top) and 2.50 on the bottom. (I actually need about 2.75 for reading, but I had the prescription set for "dashboard" distance; I just use stronger glasses when I have to read close up).

Now, you will find that your 10x10 space is way too small. We have an 18x30 open concept, 12 foot vaulted ceiling, living room and that space is just barely big enough for a 65mm, brushed motor, tiny whoop. With the larger (75mm-85mm brushed quads), it is so tight that I almost can't fly them. I have a 65mm brushless BetaFPV Meteor 65s that I have to "tone down" {lower the throttle limit in Betaflight} in order to fly in this space. Keep in mind, when flying FPV, you have NO depth perception AND you only see what is RIGHT in front of you. For me, altitude was the worst, you can't tell where the ceiling or floor is until you hit them.  In your space, you will just be hovering; any throttle or forward movement and you will be on a wall or the ceiling. Fortunately, the "whoop" quads are pretty durable and will survive these crashes. 

(29-Aug-2020, 01:26 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: Space barely big enough for a 65mm, brushed motor, tiny whoop. With the larger (75mm-85mm brushed quads), it is so tight that I almost can't fly them.
I have a 65mm brushless BetaFPV Meteor 65s that I have to "tone down" {lower the throttle limit in Betaflight} in order to fly in this space.

The V2 kit quad’s FC is Silverflite based and BetaFPV doesn’t have any info on their website specific to this model, the Meteor75 “Lite”, so I am avoiding messing with it. They don’t even offer the frame or the complete drone for sale. I’m feeling like I have put myself at the bleeding edge, which noobs should not do.

Quote:For me, altitude was the worst, ... any throttle or forward movement and you will be on a wall or the ceiling.

Agree on altitude being the (biggest) problem, but it seems like yawing causes altitude drop which sets me into over controlling the throttle. Pitch and roll don’t cause an altitude change, so at the moment I hover hoping for no drift in yaw, race fwd controlling with roll, then pulling back to slow to near hover, then drop to the floor for 180 yaw direction adjust, and repeat.

Yesterday I achieved 5:30 flight time in 9 segments in 14 minutes to low battery indication, and the quad kept transmitting until 17 minutes. Not bad for a 1S 450mAh 4.35v battery.

Was planning to sim this morning but took an OS X “security” upgrade that no longer sees my eGPU 2nd monitor. The only thing worse than a non-techie hosing their system is spending 40 years learning you never really needed that upgrade but wanting to “keep current”.

First, I wouldn't worry about buying the combo; I think you did alright there. If you like them, the goggles will be good for 5.8 video for a long time. As long as you run 5.8 analog VTX and like the goggles. No issues.

The radio control transmitter should work for any FrSky D8 protocol receiver (don't know if it has a D16 option). Whether it works with other BNF quads     don't know. However, you can still get FrSky D8 compatible Rx receivers for builds if you want to.

Even the quad is pretty nice; it is on par with similar products. It does run the NFE Silverware which is also used in a wide variety of these small quads including many of mine. It works well, it is just not easily adjustable. Although I think you can adjust the PIDs (somewhat) with the transmitter, I find this to be sort of cumbersome. Although the firmware is not easily upgradable, it is possible...and...sort of a pain in the *ss. You have to solder some sort of "connector" or pins to the FC, use an ST-Link tool to connect to the computer, and then "flash" with a predetermined version. While it is possible to modify the source code, I have not attempted that. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

All-In-All and in my opinion, you got better value than the first combo kit {Eachine E013} that I bought. 

Get that quad into a larger space and go fly     

If you have any trees, bushes, etc., in your yard; be careful.    These little guys are easy to get stuck in a tree {yeah, that's how I got a "Tree Hugger" badge} or buried in some brush or plant life that is hard to get to. We have a wooded lot behind our property and it is really tough if I get a quad stuck back there.

Short video investigating throttle position when hovering:

(deleted)

Looks like it is doing pretty good. 

(05-Sep-2020, 12:20 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: Looks like it is doing pretty good. 

Yes, it seems to be doing pretty good, and I  need patience and practice.

Perhaps messing with learning to adjust the throttle curve in the radio can wait.  

I did manage to backup the "as delivered" LiteRadio2 model and firmware using OpenTx Companion v2.2.4 for Mac.  (Figured out only that version will talk to the radio.)

Between being a Mac user, having a Silverware FC on my quad, and wearing progressive far-sighted glasses, nothing has been straight forward watch a video or tutorial and it works like they show.  (Even the quad vendor BetaFPV only shows using Betaflight in their tutorials.)

I changed the goggles "vision adapter" to +6.5 readers from Amazon.  Still not a perfect solution, but I made it permanent:



Patience; I just need patience.  I keep shouting "RELAX!" at myself but the louder I shout, the less relaxed I feel.  How come? 

(05-Sep-2020, 04:39 PM)cyclicalobsessive Wrote: Yes, it seems to be doing pretty good, and I  need patience and practice.

Perhaps messing with learning to adjust the throttle curve in the radio can wait.  

I did manage to backup the "as delivered" LiteRadio2 model and firmware using OpenTx Companion v2.2.4 for Mac.  (Figured out only that version will talk to the radio.)

Between being a Mac user, having a Silverware FC on my quad, and wearing progressive far-sighted glasses, nothing has been straight forward watch a video or tutorial and it works like they show.  (Even the quad vendor BetaFPV only shows using Betaflight in their tutorials.)

I changed the goggles "vision adapter" to +6.5 readers from Amazon.  Still not a perfect solution, but I made it permanent:



Patience; I just need patience.  I keep shouting "RELAX!" at myself but the louder I shout, the less relaxed I feel.  How come? 

Hi cyclicalobsessive,

I like what you have done with the eyeglasses in the goggles. I might have to borrow that idea for my next set of box goggles.     

For me, there is a level of anxiety {or maybe excitement} every time I take off...and...once I realized that I was going to crash {pretty much all of time} I did relax a little and focused just on flying for more than 15 seconds at a time 

When I started flying these little quadcopters, I couldn't keep it off the ceiling or the floor; it was like a bouncing ball. Personally, I think you are progressing faster and better than I did. Good Job.    

Fortunately for me, these little guys don't hurt anything when they hit something. Yeah, I have hit just about everything in the living area {and haven't broken anything yet}