Posts: 1 Threads: 1 Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts Likes Given: 0 Joined: Mar 2023 Reputation: 0 18-Mar-2023, 11:20 AM 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, • Posts: 2,475 Threads: 122 Likes Received: 857 in 698 posts Likes Given: 134 Joined: Feb 2021 Reputation: 20 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.. • Posts: 6,160 Threads: 172 Likes Received: 2,299 in 1,845 posts Likes Given: 4,755 Joined: Feb 2019 Reputation: 103 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. • Posts: 2,076 Threads: 68 Likes Received: 1,157 in 840 posts Likes Given: 105 Joined: Jan 2023 Reputation: 59 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. • Posts: 794 Threads: 31 Likes Received: 415 in 313 posts Likes Given: 329 Joined: Jul 2022 Reputation: 19 While I do enjoy the image produced by the Ratel, so far my favorite is from the Toothless 2. The color is just wonderful! • Posts: 4,080 Threads: 77 Likes Received: 2,550 in 1,859 posts Likes Given: 3,959 Joined: May 2021 Reputation: 121 18-Mar-2023, 08:37 PM (This post was last modified: 18-Mar-2023, 08:48 PM by Lemonyleprosy.) 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. Dangerous operations. Disclaimer: I don’t know wtf I’m talking about. I wish I could get the smell of burnt electronics out of my nose. • Posts: 2,711 Threads: 84 Likes Received: 1,435 in 1,078 posts Likes Given: 859 Joined: Apr 2022 Reputation: 43 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. Try Not, Do or Do Not - Yoda Posts: 4,080 Threads: 77 Likes Received: 2,550 in 1,859 posts Likes Given: 3,959 Joined: May 2021 Reputation: 121 (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. Dangerous operations. Disclaimer: I don’t know wtf I’m talking about. I wish I could get the smell of burnt electronics out of my nose. • Posts: 1,845 Threads: 203 Likes Received: 346 in 264 posts Likes Given: 306 Joined: May 2020 Reputation: 11 25-Mar-2023, 07:55 PM (This post was last modified: 25-Mar-2023, 07:57 PM by Rob3ddd.) 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. • Posts: 107 Threads: 19 Likes Received: 16 in 16 posts Likes Given: 28 Joined: Jan 2023 Reputation: 0 01-Apr-2023, 07:24 PM (This post was last modified: 01-Apr-2023, 09:34 PM by Mugen_G.) (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! ![[Image: T2w2KMTl.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/T2w2KMTl.jpg) ![[Image: uN0S9sLl.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/uN0S9sLl.jpg) 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? • Posts: 2,475 Threads: 122 Likes Received: 857 in 698 posts Likes Given: 134 Joined: Feb 2021 Reputation: 20 02-Apr-2023, 12:47 PM (This post was last modified: 02-Apr-2023, 03:33 PM by Rob Axel.) (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 • Posts: 107 Threads: 19 Likes Received: 16 in 16 posts Likes Given: 28 Joined: Jan 2023 Reputation: 0 02-Apr-2023, 11:50 PM (This post was last modified: 02-Apr-2023, 11:56 PM by Mugen_G.) (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 • Posts: 1,845 Threads: 203 Likes Received: 346 in 264 posts Likes Given: 306 Joined: May 2020 Reputation: 11 (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! ![[Image: T2w2KMTl.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/T2w2KMTl.jpg) ![[Image: uN0S9sLl.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/uN0S9sLl.jpg) What size Toothless 2 is that? It looks great. • Posts: 173 Threads: 10 Likes Received: 61 in 50 posts Likes Given: 18 Joined: Aug 2016 Reputation: 2 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. • Posts: 794 Threads: 31 Likes Received: 415 in 313 posts Likes Given: 329 Joined: Jul 2022 Reputation: 19 (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. |