I have another update, not so good but here I go...

I'm thinking something is definitely wrong with my Vista unit, camera works perfectly fine, all good on that front. I've decided since it looks like it's toast anyway, I should open the Vista unit and see if I can find something obvious. I disconnected everything, disassembled my quad completely, and when I went to open the Vista unit, I've noticed that ribbon cable connector right under the USB port, was kind of lifted from its position where it should sit, like under the angle, left side was completely lifted, while right side was still kind of plugged in. I am talking about that ribbon cable below the USB port, not the one that's going into the camera.

So, I unscrewed those 4 screws at the bottom of the unit, but I was very careful not to let it fall apart. I carefully and slowly started spreading apart those two parts (top and bottom), and as soon as I did that, very small pin fell down on my desk. My desk is black carbon pattern, but it's very dark, so it's easy when something metallic and shinny like that sits on its surface. I carefully detached those two parts of the unit and noticed the far right side (when looking directly at the USB port and that side of the unit) pin was missing. I am using some magnifying goggles with strong LEDs, so I'm able to see even the smallest details. I am only guessing that somehow happened after that last crash I've had.

Anyway, I know it wouldn't work, but since I knew that pin is safe on my desk and not bridging or shorting anything inside, I've decided to carefully put everything together. I slowly connected that ribbon back to its spot (that's a pain in the a55 and it requires horse nerves) and screwed back those 4 screws.

To my surprise, when I plugged the battery in, Vista Unit LED was not "dancing" on the music anymore... it was solid red, and after just one second in turned solid green. So it looked like it was working fine. At least some progress comparing it to the rest of the day today.

Remember, now Vista is not powered from the FC, but directly from the 6s battery (quite large capacitor sits there) and through the external BEC that provides 9V. I connected my goggles v2 and my Tango 2. Picture is there, except it took maybe 2 seconds to show up. It was black screen completely but all the OSD was there. And then picture came. I was so happy, I though we're back baby... but as soon as I pressed my buzzer button (active buzzer Vifly Finder 2) picture in my googles started freaking out, freezing, getting some thin horizontal lines etc. After the buzzer button pressed, that would happen, but eventually after a second picture would be back. But when I armed my quad and added some slight throttle, it would freeze and never come back until I reboot everything.

So, it's not only happening when my Vista was connected to FC, same thing happens even when it's powered from external BEC. I am guessing that is a definite sign it's Vista that's problem then.

If nothing else, the good news is... It looks like my FC and my ESC work just fine. I have a spare Dji Air Unit from my first B'n'F even before I started building my own 5" quads, Cidora SL5 v2.1 and I plugged it in just to see if that works. Rush Blade F722 HD has direct connector for original Air Unit, no soldering needed, so I simply plugged it in... everything works perfectly fine. Not a single problem. Conclusion, nothing is wrong with my FC (Rush Blade F722 HD) or ESC (T-Motor Velox V50A 4-in-1).

Now, I can throw my Vista Unit in the garbage (camera is perfect, cable that connects it too)... is there any way or place where I could order that ribbon cable that's inside the Vista Unit, the one that sits below the USB plug?

In the mean time, and until I fix it or maybe even buy another Walksnail Avatar HD Pro unit, I will fly my other 3 quads. I have Avatar HD Pro inside one of my quads, and I am so, so happy with how it performs with my Fat Shark Dominator HD Avatar goggles. It's totally new experience with that amazing OSD, and the clarity of picture is even better than in my Dji goggles v2. Plus not to mention night flying. I have one short comparison with Vista video up on my channel, and it's literally night and day difference.

Thank you all for your help and effort, it's always greatly appreciated. I've learned a lot again from all of you. At least, now I totally understand how to make my Vista Unit powered through external BEC 

I’m sorry that it’s not good news, but, at least you’ve now successfully determined the (separate) causes of your two problems- dropping out of the sky, and the video issue.

Edit- if you reach out to Caddx, they can probably sell you a replacement ribbon cable.
I’ve had them sell me individual surface mount components for walksnail vtx’s. Given that they’re will to do that, I can’t imagine they’d refuse to sell you a cable if they have them.

(30-Jul-2023, 06:58 AM)Lemonyleprosy Wrote: I’m sorry that it’s not good news, but, at least you’ve now successfully determined the (separate) causes of your two problems- dropping out of the sky, and the video issue.

Edit- if you reach out to Caddx, they can probably sell you a replacement ribbon cable.
I’ve had them sell me individual surface mount components for walksnail vtx’s. Given that they’re will to do that, I can’t imagine they’d refuse to sell you a cable if they have them.

Yes, I've got in touch with them regarding the Caddx Ant Lite that was defective. I wasn't expecting a new product at all, I simply asked about why it was happening (I'll explain here) and how can I solve it. Sometimes during the flight of my Mobula 7 (analog), that camera configuration OSD would pop up on screen. Not BF OSD< but camera configuration one... just like I've had that external camera settings module, and I didn't. They immediately responded that should never happen and that they have other complaints about the same thing, so definitely it's the batch that's defective. They told me in the same email they will send me a new one. 5 days later, China to Canada, I've received brand new Ant Lite (FPVCycle Edition, amazing wide angle), at no charge. They are amazing and I love them, not just for this, but this proved they care.

The best of all, I told them I did not even purchase that defective one from them, I've purchased it here locally from one of the best Canadian FPV shops. They didn't care, and they sent me a new one immediately after they sent me that email   Super service!

And for this quad... oh well, things like this happen. I just didn't want it to be Vista, I'd rather if it was my FC or even ESCs. I have couple of brand new SpeedyBee v3 stacks here, unpacked. It would be an easy swap... this way, little more difficult, but not impossible.

This time I am going with another Avatar HD Pro. Not because I don't trust Vista (it was my fault, my crash, so eat it - me  ), but because I love it and I am so, so happy with Avatar system in general.

Thank you once again, you guys are incredible!! Love you all!

Another little update. I've got in touch with Caddx, just to see what they say. I wasn't putting too much hope into it, but simply wanted to see what they think those horizontal green lines mean. Especially because the problem remained even when I wasn't powering my Vista from the FC, but from 9V BEC as well.

I also wanted to ask if there is a way to get that ribbon cable and purchase it separately if possible (the one that sits below the USB-C port on Vista unit).

Exactly the same person (Sivis Joe) replied, the one who helped me with Caddx Ant Lite camera for my Mobula 7 (analog setup), even though I told them I did not purchase it from them, but from one of my local FPV shops here in Canada. Regarding this Vista unit problem, I told them specifically I purchased it from my local FPV shop and not directly from Caddx. Still, they insisted that I send it in, just have to pay for the shipping to China (my shipping provider I use for other things, charged me $12CAD, so basically nothing). Once fixed, they will ship it back to me and I don't have to pay the shipping fee, they will cover it.

I only had to send my Vista unit in, since camera and antenna are in perfect working order. In the mean time, I've purchased Avatar HD v2 and will revive my quad with Avatar (already have OddityRC XI25Pro and Fat Shark Dominator HD Avatar here, and I'm loving Walksnail Avatar system). When I almost forget about this Vista, I will receive it back in mail and build another quad with it.

Just wanted to report my great experience with Caddx support. I know I will have to wait some time for it to be fixed and shipped back, but I already wrote it off in my head, so nothing additional really lost.

Cheers!

Final update - On September 20th I've received my Vista unit back (just didn't have enough time to test it till 29th, weather was awful as well). This is a copy of the email from Sivis Joe:

Quote:We just replaced the coaxial cable connector, nothing else.

Best Regards,
Sivis Joe

It's fixed and everything works perfectly fine again! Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread, as well as to Sivis Joe/Caddx for their prompt response and of course for fixing my Vista Unit.

Don't want to bother anyone, and the most important I am not a YouTuber who's collecting views or subscribers. Super small non-monetized channel that I use only to archive my work and my love towards couple of things in life. My goal is not to grow as a YouTuber, I am simply enjoying the platform (when I can).

Here is my latest, my 4th custom 5" build video where I used this fixed Vista Unit:


...and this is my maiden flight with it:


This is just in case, someone does not have anything else more important to do at the moment   and is up for watching pretty long build video (tried to document as much of a process as possible, AOS 5" v2 frame assembly, soldering/building the quad, configuring in Betaflight, updating FC with the latest firmware, ESCs with BlueJay since SpeedyBee F405 v3 stack comes with BLHeli_S to cut on pricing, updating ExpressLRS receiver, etc.)

Once again, IntoFPV is by far the best FPV community out there. So many good people, super knowledgeable, above all ready to spend their precious time assisting all kind of enthusiasts, experienced and inexperienced equally. No judging, no dismissing. No problem is too small for you guys. Just wanted you to know, some of us appreciate that so much, and if it wasn't for any of you, I wouldn't be where I am today. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

Have an amazing day everyone!