Hi, 

Please help me choose a budget analog camera (under $35) to replace my dead one, I know everyone is going HD, but I'm not a regular user and will not invest in HD yet.

According to my research I hesitate between the cadxx ratel 2 and the runcam phoenix 2 (there is a "special edition" which has just been released).

Could you tell me which of these cams seems "the best" in all possible uses? or do you know of another in this budget?

I don't have a specific use for it so I want a "good at everything" cam, sometimes I use it on my 8" drone, sometimes in my fly-high wing, sometimes it will be mounted on my 1/8 RC car ..


greets,

IMO the caddx ratel /baby ratel (first edition-starlight) are the best I’ve used.. now I have not checked out the phoenix ..
The first time I saw the image from the ratel I was hooked.. and the night image is dam good also..

the word budget does describe the ratel as it is best value for money about the image.
caddx had some issues in the past, runcam has a higher reputation about quality, but there is no way around the ratel about value.

Another vote for Ratel. Foxeer Toothless also provides a very similar image, and if you are in the US and looking for a nano size, RotorRiot had the T2 Nano marked down to $20.

The Phoenix 2 is decent, but I never got the color/image setup to my liking. It has more of a cooler color balance, not like the Ratel/Toothless that have a warmer color balance that is more like a sunset filter (slightly purplish cast) . The Ratel/Toothless cameras will make the sky just look better than it actually is, which makes my flying more enjoyable at least for my eyes.

While I do enjoy the image produced by the Ratel, so far my favorite is from the Toothless 2. The color is just wonderful!

I’m yet another who recommends the Foxeer Toothless 2 Starlight.
It’s an excellent analog cam, and readily available for $35 or less.

The Foxeer T-Rex is also an excellent cam, but it’s usually around $45.

I’ve been wanting to try out the new Runcam Phoenix 2 Special Edition. It’s a bit heavy for my typical use cases, but it doesn’t sound like weight is an issue with the things you’ll be using it on.

I like Caddx Ant, but don't use them at night. I would buy something else if you are flying in the dark. But then i also find it hard to justify spending more than $15 on a camera for a whoop or small quad. For what i do the Ant is more than adequate.

(18-Mar-2023, 09:53 PM)Pathfinder075 Wrote: I like Caddx Ant, but don't use them at night. I would buy something else if you are flying in the dark. But then i also find it hard to justify spending more than $15 on a camera for a whoop or small quad. For what i do the Ant is more than adequate.

Yeah, the Caddx Ant is an excellent, affordable choice. I’m running it on at least half of my builds.

I have Foxeer toothless nano V2 starlight and both a Ratel micro and nano B Ratel .
B Ratel and Toothless nano V2 are both great cameras but I like the Foxeer Toothless V2 nano with 2.1mm lens 1/2 sensor better.

There’s a difference in the focus of objects dependent on their distance from camera.

There’s a few YouTube videos comparing B Ratel with Toothless nano and the view is noticeably different.

This is a good comparison video.

(18-Mar-2023, 03:24 PM)Suros Wrote: While I do enjoy the image produced by the Ratel, so far my favorite is from the Toothless 2. The color is just wonderful!

Jeebuz cripes that looks fantastic!
So far I've only experienced...
Runcam nano 2
Foxeer razor nano.
Caddx ant.

Basically flip the list as far as my preference.
Though the caddx does seem to have a habit of overblowing the image in direct sunlight...

I have a ratel baby V2 on the way...
I'm guessing since the V1 is more expensive it's marginally better?

(01-Apr-2023, 07:24 PM)Mugen_G Wrote: I have a ratel baby V2 on the way...
I'm guessing since the V1 is more expensive it's marginally better?

Not sure if it’s “better”.. Nick Burns did a comparison (i think ratel v1 vs v2) and said they were about the same.
I have the V1 and smashed the crap out of it, got a replacement lens from Caddx. I may have seen the v1 prices when I damaged it.. but if memory serves me they were hard to find .. and maybe the cause for the price increase.. I am removing mine from my Tinyhawk Freakstyle.. gonna drop HD-zero in and see if I like it

(02-Apr-2023, 12:47 PM)Rob Axel Wrote: Not sure if it’s “better”.. Nick Burns did a comparison (i think ratel v1 vs v2) and said they were about the same.
I have the V1 and smashed the crap out of it, got a replacement lens from Caddx. I may have seen the v1 prices when I damaged it.. but if memory serves me they were hard to find .. and maybe the cause for the price increase.. I am removing mine from my Tinyhawk Freakstyle.. gonna drop HD-zero in and see if I like it

Ooh...nice...
I'm still flying with basically toy grade stuff...lol
My goggles are 800x480
But surprisingly 1k vtl cameras do actually give a clearer image on it. So for me a baby ratel is like a luxury car...lol

(18-Mar-2023, 03:24 PM)Suros Wrote: While I do enjoy the image produced by the Ratel, so far my favorite is from the Toothless 2. The color is just wonderful!

   What size Toothless 2 is that?
 It looks great.

Another vote for Foxeer.

Caddx have an iffy relationship with quality control, they sometimes forget what it is!!

While I know you don't want a tiny thing like their "Ant", as its mentioned above, I have five of them.

One was delivered with the focus so bad it might as well have been looking out a toilet window, and another was not only also badly focussed but actually had dirt literally rattling around inside the lens!! They both came back to be OK after surgery, but that's not the point.

Have had OK service from a couple of Run-Cams, but Foxeer, various models over time, have always beaten off all the competition.

Currently using a couple of their Digisight HDZero cameras, which are excellent.

(03-Apr-2023, 03:29 PM)Rob3ddd Wrote:    What size Toothless 2 is that?
 It looks great.

That's the nano with the starlight lens on it.