Hi mates, I thought I made up my mind and get me a TinyGO Whoop 4k rtf. Even with its closed system. Then got into doubt because of the Tinyhawk RTF where you can use the goggles and contoler for other quads as well.. Both good for my budget. Am I right to think the only big difference is the closed system of Geprc or not having the 4k on the Tinyhawk?

And biggest if: is there another (combination of a) set to start fpv without exceeding the budget of these two too much.

I know a lot is said about these two quads, but both are on the market for a while so curious if something new is out there.
Ty

Both the TinyGO Whoop 4k rtf and the Tinyhawk RTF are not really closed systems as the goggles and radio can be used with other quads.

However the radio and box goggles we get with most RTF bundles leave a lot to be desired for.

I have not flown either one of the quads but the Tinyhawk does have a large user base.

Perhaps others can chime in based on their experience.

The extra quality video recording is only a consideration if you are going to be regularly flying places worth filming. It does not inherently improve what you see in the goggles.

However, the GEPRC combination is IMO the marginally better of the two in use, but likely the worse of the two for spares if needed.

I have two larger GEPRC products and rate them very highly, they are both very well designed and made.

I have five EMax products, and they come very close, but are a little less "polished" a product, though EMax have more experience in the smaller sizes.

Through personal and observed experience I'm not a lover of the pusher concept though, as IMO it places the props too close to ground/grass/etc and its "unobstructed duct" concept is of little or no gain.

As to others, there's an Eachine combination, but no direect experience and what Banggood sells can be quite variable in ability and quality, for example the VR006 headset was rubbish, the VR007 really excellent for the money.

Overall I'd go for the GEPRC, YMMV!

O really, that will push me to GEPRC. You know if it's limited to GEPRC QUADS.?

(02-Aug-2022, 02:11 AM)kafie1980 Wrote: Both the TinyGO Whoop 4k rtf and the Tinyhawk RTF are not really closed systems as the goggles and radio can be used with other quads.

However the radio and box goggles we get with most RTF bundles leave a lot to be desired for.

I have not flown either one of the quads but the Tinyhawk does have a large user base.

Perhaps others can chime in based on their experience.

Thx for your thoughts. What is 'a pusher concept'?

(02-Aug-2022, 05:16 AM)BadRaven Wrote: The extra quality video recording is only a consideration if you are going to be regularly flying places worth filming. It does not inherently improve what you see in the goggles.

However, the GEPRC combination is IMO the marginally better of the two in use, but likely the worse of the two for spares if needed.

I have two larger GEPRC products and rate them very highly, they are both very well designed and made.

I have five EMax products, and they come very close, but are a little less "polished" a product, though EMax have more experience in the smaller sizes.

Through personal and observed experience I'm not a lover of the pusher concept though, as IMO it places the props too close to ground/grass/etc and its "unobstructed duct" concept is of little or no gain.

As to others, there's an Eachine combination, but no direect experience and what Banggood sells can be quite variable in ability and quality, for example the VR006 headset was rubbish, the VR007 really excellent for the money.

Overall I'd go for the GEPRC, YMMV!

You know if goggles and controller are suitable for other brands (if I might get hooked and get new quads...) or gerpc only?

Vise versa. Is the quad controllable by other controller?

Already made up my mind to start with whoop it think.

(02-Aug-2022, 02:11 AM)kafie1980 Wrote: Both the TinyGO Whoop 4k rtf and the Tinyhawk RTF are not really closed systems as the goggles and radio can be used with other quads.

However the radio and box goggles we get with most RTF bundles leave a lot to be desired for.

I have not flown either one of the quads but the Tinyhawk does have a large user base.

Perhaps others can chime in based on their experience.

Hi Jipster,

I would go through the YouTube review videos for both kits. The GEPRC TinyGo has
many of them.

As for products, I have both GEPRC and EMAX and prefer the GEPRC ones better.
GEPRC generally uses standard parts, but EMAX has a habit of using propriety parts in
the quad. Of course, this only becomes an issue when you have to repair it or replace
something....like the FC. I have had a couple of GEPRC quads and have used many of
their parts for builds. In my opinion, GEPRC is the better of the two products.

As for what the receivers control. Well, I didn't go through the videos so I am not
sure what protocols each of them have.

The goggles should work with any FPV quad. Yeah, the quality might not be the
betst, but they will work.

Are you better with a kit. I would say that depends on you finances and where 
you think you will go with this. If you don't know for sure that you will like it,
then maybe go with a kit. If you really think that you might like it, then getting
separate components might be the way to go, but will definitely cost you a lot
more. So, there is the dilemma. 

I would do more researh before making a final decision. 

To buy as a kit or without a kit is about the same. I wouldn't overthink it or buy really expensive kit straight off the bat. Get a starter set. Aim for no more than $250-300 all in (drone, goggles, radio, batteries, charger, spare props).

I was advised to avoid Tinyhawks because if you break say the FC it's an expensive proprietary part to fix. I went with a Meteor85 whoop instead for $110. A new FC for it is about $50 if it ever breaks. I went with VR02 goggles for roughly $50. A Jumper T-Pro radio $70. SkyRC E3 charger $15. Several 2S GNB 380mAh LiHV Lipos $6 each. Initially I bought 5 Lipos (and the drone came with one), since I got it in May I have bought a bunch of 660mAh Lipos as well. Total initial cost, roughly $260. A perfect setup to cut your teeth on and if you find you hate it, then it's not like you buried your life savings into it.

You can do something similar yourself. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact it's as expensive as you want to make it. Some go straight out and buy DJI goggles and the most expensive radio and a 5" drone and spend thousands. But it doesn't have to be that expensive.

kafie1980 support from geprc just responded and states controller only steers the whoop. Nothing else...

0='1659402711' Wrote: Both the TinyGO Whoop 4k rtf and the Tinyhawk RTF are not really closed systems as the goggles and radio can be used with other quads.

However the radio and box goggles we get with most RTF bundles leave a lot to be desired for.

I have not flown either one of the quads but the Tinyhawk does have a large user base.

Perhaps others can chime in based on their experience.

Thank you.. This pushed me to take more time and figure out what set up I want to start with. I would go for whoop, but conroler is limited to the whoop.
I'll concider the smart combined with yet to find controller and goggles. I'll look into yours.

Thx mate
Zl

(03-Aug-2022, 10:23 PM)Pathfinder075 Wrote: To buy as a kit or without a kit is about the same. I wouldn't overthink it or buy really expensive kit straight off the bat. Get a starter set. Aim for no more than $250-300 all in (drone, goggles, radio, batteries, charger, spare props).

I was advised to avoid Tinyhawks because if you break say the FC it's an expensive proprietary part to fix. I went with a Meteor85 whoop instead for $110. A new FC for it is about $50 if it ever breaks. I went with VR02 goggles for roughly $50. A Jumper T-Pro radio $70. SkyRC E3 charger $15. Several 2S GNB 380mAh LiHV Lipos $6 each. Initially I bought 5 Lipos (and the drone came with one), since I got it in May I have bought a bunch of 660mAh Lipos as well. Total initial cost, roughly $260. A perfect setup to cut your teeth on and if you find you hate it, then it's not like you buried your life savings into it.

You can do something similar yourself. It doesn't have to be expensive. In fact it's as expensive as you want to make it. Some go straight out and buy DJI goggles and the most expensive radio and a 5" drone and spend thousands. But it doesn't have to be that expensive.

There is no one size fits all to how everybody should start in this hobby. If you stick with the hobby then I think you'd outgrow any kit or the kit was likely inferior in some way at the start. I'm sure everybody can make their suggestions as to which drone you should start with but my advice would be to ignore the quad for now and research the controller (transmitter) and protocol you want to use. I think the protocol is a little easier because it seems Express LRS is the go to choice for starting in this hobby in 2022. If you agree that ELRS is the way to go then you can get a transmitter with it built in already or one that has an external bay that you can put a module on (giving you options for other protocols). There are two sizes of these available a larger one that fits a radio like the Radiomaster TX16S (a wildly popular choice) or a smaller module that fits the smaller gaming style tranmsitters.

The reason to start here is so that you can learn how to fly on simulators. That way you'll build muscle memory on how to fly so that whatever quad you end up with first you're already accustomed to flying and staying in the air. You can also skip past a "beginner" type quad that you quickly grow out of and don't end up going back to. Now this assumes you have at least a decent PC, if that's not the case then be prepared to crash the real drone a lot. Which is another point, many here can throw out which is a great first quad but are any parts available for these? Part availability in this current world state is a real issue, don't get a quad that you can't find spare parts for. This is why building your own is preferred in a lot of ways but that could be asking a lot given your abilities like already knowing how to solder. Or you get a crash course on soldering your new drone because you have to swap a motor on it after the 3rd flight, it happens.

Regarding goggles in the analog world everything should play with everything, there shouldn't be any propriety. With digital there is propriety so you'll need to research what all is needed there.

What Pathfinder075 ended up with seems to be a pretty good set of gear.
He did the research and now has a set up that suits him and that he is
happy with. Since he bought everything separately, I believe that each item 
is better than what you would get in a combo kit.

If you get the components separately, then you have more options for
the quad. In fact, if you enjoy this hobby, you might have more than
one quad sooner than you think.

Personally, I like GEPRC better than EMAX. As stated, GEPRC uses standard
components and replacements or even upgrades are easy to find since all
of the standard parts fit. EMAX, on the other hand, tends to use propriety
parts with "odd" mounting patterns and such. Parts that fit are hard to find and
expensive. Standard format parts that are easy to find don't fit right and
require ingenuity and often a special mount plate to get them to work.

I have also had good success with BetaFPV products. Some folks question
their QC, but all of the BetaFPV things that I have bought work fine and I
don't have any issues with them

ALSO, this hobby doesn't have to be a money pit. You can do it with the
more cost effective items and still have tons of fun. In fact, I started this
way...not sure I would like it....didn't want to put too much money into it.
Also, I like small quads which are less expensive; not necessarily cheap, 
just less than larger ones. Except for one, my quads are 4 inch and smaller
and when flown have an All Up Weight (Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight)
including battery and payload that is less than 250 grams.

I live in the USA where the FAA has jurisdiction and regulation of all airspace. 
Since I "want" to be legal {or as close as I can}, BUT I don't want to register 
my quads, I don't want to deal with the Remote ID issue, I don't want to 
get a Part 107 pilots license, and I don't really want to be an illegal rogue
pilot either; I fly sub-250 gram drones under the "Recreational Exemption". 

(04-Aug-2022, 12:23 PM)sevro Wrote: There is no one size fits all to how everybody should start in this hobby. If you stick with the hobby then I think you'd outgrow any kit or the kit was likely inferior in some way at the start. I'm sure everybody can make their suggestions as to which drone you should start with but my advice would be to ignore the quad for now and research the controller (transmitter) and protocol you want to use. I think the protocol is a little easier because it seems Express LRS is the go to choice for starting in this hobby in 2022. If you agree that ELRS is the way to go then you can get a transmitter with it built in already or one that has an external bay that you can put a module on (giving you options for other protocols). There are two sizes of these available a larger one that fits a radio like the Radiomaster TX16S (a wildly popular choice) or a smaller module that fits the smaller gaming style tranmsitters.

What sevro mentions isn't wrong.

In the 3 months or so after buying my initial setup I have got a set of slightly better googles with DVR. You will outgrow the VR02's and probably go to Skyzone Cobra S/X or even better, within probably 6 months. But only if you enjoy the hobby. If you go with a mid range radio, like Jumper T-Lite/Pro or Radiomaster TX12, then it will take you pretty far. You probably won't upgrade that for a while. Although you might add more modules to the radio to gain access to more protocols like crossfire or tracer. Goggles will probably be the first thing you upgrade when you know you love it. You will probably buy more drones or build more drones too. But initially spending a lot isn't a good idea. Your first setup will become your backup gear and in time you might give it to a friend or family member to see if they like the hobby.

As for simulators, yes. If you have a top notch computer (modern graphics card gtx1060 or better) then stuff like DRL or Liftoff will work. On an older computer with nvidia/amd graphics try Velocidrone. On an ancient intel graphics based laptop with a 2nd/3rd/4th gen intel i3/i5 try FPVFreerider Recharged (what I use and a few others). Use it to learn to fly for a few hours then get yourself into an open field away from people and fly for real. Sims are there for learning to do new tricks without wrecking your quad, but they don't make up for real flying. Do both. You get more experience by flying in the real world.

(04-Aug-2022, 11:19 AM)Jipster Wrote: Thank you.. This pushed me to take more time and figure out what set up I want to start with. I would go for whoop, but conroler is limited to the whoop.
I'll concider the smart combined with yet to find controller and goggles. I'll look into yours.

Thx mate
Zl

Almost all radios work with any drone as long as they both use the same radio protocol. So an ELRS controller will work with an ELRS drone. A Crossfire radio will work with a Crossfire drone. A D8 controller will work with a D8 drone. Most controllers are not just for whoops or just for 5" drones, probably with the exception of the DJI monstrosities.

If you buy, for example, a Radiomaster TX12 multi protocol, you can fly any drone that uses D8/D16, Flysky and a bunch of obscure protocols that are probably used by things I haven't encountered yet (Futaba, Bayang, etc). If you buy a Jumper T-Pro ELRS, you can fly any drone that uses the same version of ELRS. If you buy a TBS Tango, you can fly any drone that has Crossfire.

You ultimately determine what receiver you use by buying a compatible radio. Most prebuilt drones use ELRS, D8 or Crossfire. Whoops tend to use ELRS or D8. Bigger drones often use D16 or Crossfire, but ELRS is getting a bit more popular a late. Or you can solder your own receiver to them and fly what you want. Your choice in the end.

Thx for your pov. I like what is read about GEPRC, have seen many reviews on it already. However don't like the controller being limited to the quad.
I read some nice things about their Phantom, no followed up by the SMART. I lean towards getting that, plus controller TX16 and goggles yet to decide.


[quote ="iFly4rotors" pid='177253' dateline='1659560566']
Hi Jipster,

I would go through the YouTube review videos for both kits. The GEPRC TinyGo has
many of them.

As for products, I have both GEPRC and EMAX and prefer the GEPRC ones better.
GEPRC generally uses standard parts, but EMAX has a habit of using propriety parts in
the quad. Of course, this only becomes an issue when you have to repair it or replace
something....like the FC. I have had a couple of GEPRC quads and have used many of
their parts for builds. In my opinion, GEPRC is the better of the two products.

As for what the receivers control. Well, I didn't go through the videos so I am not
sure what protocols each of them have.

The goggles should work with any FPV quad. Yeah, the quality might not be the
betst, but they will work.

Are you better with a kit. I would say that depends on you finances and where 
you think you will go with this. If you don't know for sure that you will like it,
then maybe go with a kit. If you really think that you might like it, then getting
separate components might be the way to go, but will definitely cost you a lot
more. So, there is the dilemma. 

I would do more researh before making a final decision. 
[/quote]