Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
SPEKTRUM FOCAL V2 FPV WIRELESS HEADSET
FPV flying has become hugely popular and has a wealth of applications. Aircraft that carry a camera aloft can be as small as an FPV Inductrix, up to a much larger quadcopter or fixed-wing airplane.
Obviously, a key component in enjoying this “in the cockpit” perspective is to have a set of FPV goggles or an FPV monitor. For most, goggles are the preferred way to fly because they provide a more immersive experience by blocking out everything in your surroundings and leaving you with only a view of what the onboard camera sees.
When it comes to FPV goggles, Fat Shark is arguably the best-known name and produces the most widely used goggles, so it was no surprise to see that Horizon Hobby partnered with the company to produce the Teleporter V4 Video Headset and the more recent Spektrum Focal V2 FPV Wireless Headset, which is the subject of this review.
Inside the box you will find the V2 diversity module, 1,800 mAh 7.4-volt LiPo battery, battery charge adapter, RHCP omnidirectional antenna, RHCP patch antenna, headset case, lens cloth, two foam pads, and a sheet of stickers to personalize your Focal V2 headset.
To get the headset ready for some 640 x 480 resolution flying fun, it’s a good idea to charge the battery. The battery has an integrated LED power meter on the side. With a press of a button you can see the status of the battery with the four LED lights. When only one is lit, it’s time to charge. The headset will also beep if the input voltage falls below 6.8 volts when the battery is connected to the headset.
To charge the battery, you must supply a charger and use the included battery charge adapter. The battery has a built-in balancing circuit and does not require the balance plug to be connected to the charger while charging.
While the battery charges, it’s time to decide which of the two foam inserts to use inside of the headset to pad your face from the goggles’ durable, hard plastic construction. The thicker foam option definitely seemed like the way to go and was installed, as was the RHCP omnidirectional antenna and RHCP patch antenna using the included adapters. The omnidirectional antenna goes on top.
After the battery is charged, it connects to the side of the goggles to power them and the balance plug provides power to the fan. The fan is a nice addition and will help prevent fogging on hot and humid days. At this point, it’s a good idea to connect to a signal so that the eye spacing can be set from 59mm to 69mm. The author found the maximum spacing to work best.
The Focal V2 goggles come with support for four frequency bands and can be changed by gently prying open the video receiver compartment cover with your fingernail. The video receiver has a set of DIP switches located between the two antenna connections. You can then move the DIP switches to access Band A, Band E, and RaceBand. The headset comes with the Fat Shark/IRC band set as the default. It worked with the BNF FPV Inductrix without making any changes.
The Spektrum Focal V2 features the FSV2445 V2 Fat Shark 32ch 5G8 Diversity Receiver Module. With Antenna Diversity, Focal V2 users can optimize headset reception with long-range antennas, omnidirectional antennas, or both.
Those who use cameras that support head tracking will be happy to know that pairing the Focal V2 headset with a Spektrum radio that supports the Trainer FPV function found in Spektrum AirWare radios with a wireless trainer will allow this feature to work. This enables you to control FPV head tracking in either wireless or wired mode. The default channel assignments are CH17 Frequency, CH18 Pan, and CH19 Tilt. You can assign incoming head-tracker channels to any available output channel in the transmitter.
The Spektrum Focal V2 goggles provide a lot of nice features and only lack a DVR function for those who want to record their flights. However, an external DVR using the AV In/Out is certainly an option.
The Focal V2 goggles are comfortable to wear and the high-capacity 1,800 mAh battery provides plenty of use before it needs to be recharged. Stepping up from the 320 x 240 resolution of the Teleporter goggles to the 640 x 480 display found in the Focal V2 is a worthy upgrade. The larger field of view allows you to see more of the environment you are exploring.
Even as someone who wears glasses, I found the display easy to see. If corrected lenses are required, Fat Shark offers a set of diopter inserts in -2, -4, and -6 correction that can be purchased from Horizon Hobby.
The Spektrum Focal V2 headset is a great option for someone looking for a pair of compact FPV goggles instead of a larger headset style. The inclusion of head tracking for Spektrum radio users is a plus, as is the antenna diversity found in the included FSV2445 V2 Fat Shark 32ch 5G8 Diversity Receiver Module, providing for strong, solid video reception with the combination of the included omnidirectional and patch antennas.
The Focal V2 headset, connected to my FPV Inductrix and guided by a Spektrum DX9 transmitter,
SPECIFICATIONS
Field of view: 32° diagonal
IPD distance: 59mm to 69mm (adjusts to user’s eye spacing)
Input power: 7 to 13 volts (2S to 3S LiPo battery)
Battery: 7.4-volt, 1,800 mAh LiPo battery with safety circuit (included)
Power consumption: 200 to 350 mA (direct/wireless)
Video receiver: 5.8 GHz (32 channels available)
Weight: 163 grams
provided plenty of FPV entertainment throughout the cold winter months and is definitely worth a closer look. The Focal V2 is available for $399.99 directly from Horizon Hobby.
Horizon Hobby: 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.horizonhobby.com
Spirit Stabilization System FrSky Adapter Cable @ $9 + S&H from Esprit Tech/Model, Box 360815, Melbourne FL 32936; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Esprit Tech is proud to announce that the Spirit and Spirit Pro Stabilization Systems (sold separately) can now be operated with OpenTX transmitters by using the FrSky Adapter Cable.
The Spirit stabilization systems are perfect for pilots of all skill levels and disciplines—whether flying flybarless helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft. The new OpenTx (FrSky) full integration is similar to the Jeti Duplex integration. No computer is needed. The configuration can be done anywhere and at any time directly with the transmitter and the adapter cable.
The integration works with PWM, PPM, and S.Bus receiver protocols and supports FrSky Taranis and Horus transmitters.
Inductrix 200 FPV BNF @ $249.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
The Inductrix 200 FPV is ideal for drone pilots who want FPV capability with an easy-to-fly, compact multirotor. Inspired by the micro Inductrix quadcopter, this larger ducted-fan planform features powerful brushless motors and multiblade rotors that provide a smooth cushion of air.
The Inductrix 200 FPV features SAFE technology, which helps you fly with confidence regardless of your skill level. The integrated FPV camera operates with a wide range of compatible Fat Shark 5.8 GHz FPV headsets or FPV monitors.
Other features include an LED lighting system that provides an excellent reference when flying near other aircraft and can update the pilot about the quad’s flight status, durable rotor housing to prevent damage, and powerful brushless outrunner motors. A quick-change 800 mAh 3S LiPo battery and LiPo flight battery balance charger are included.
A full-range, five-plus-channel multifunction transmitter with Spektrum technology is required in addition to an FPV headset and/or a monitor.
CPS-1 Channel Power Switch @ $39.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Suite #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (800) 637-7660; website: www.towerhobbies.com
Take the excitement of LED lights on any RC model aircraft to another level by turning them on and off from your transmitter using the CPS-1 Channel Power Switch.
This easy-to-install switch is simply plugged into a vacant receiver channel and assigned to a switch. It can operate the lights that are installed on your model at any time. Use the switch for airplane or helicopter orientation and night flying, operating light bars, or even as running lights or chassis underbody lights on RC cars and trucks. The applications are endless!
For use with a three-plus-channel radio with switches, the CPS-1 Channel Power Switch requires a NiCd or NiMH four- to five-cell-equivalent battery for power.
EDGEtra EP ARF @ $289.99 + S&H from Sig Mfg. Co. Inc., Box 520, 401-7 S. Front St., Montezuma IA 50171; Tel.: (641) 623-5154; website: www.sigmfg.com
Experience 3-D pilots’ two favorite airframes in one hybrid aircraft with the Sig EDGEtra! Merged with the wings of an Extra and the fuselage of an EDGE, this airplane offers all-out 3-D aerobatic thrills like pilots have never flown before.
The EDGEtra features handcrafted wood and is CAD drawn, laser cut, and factory jig assembled. The two-piece wing utilizes an aluminum tube joiner, while the removable magnetic hatch/canopy makes battery changes quick and easy.
The painted fiberglass cowl and wheel pants are matched to the UltraCote covering, and removable side-force generators add stability for knife-edge and 3-D flight.
A four-channel radio with four high-torque mini servos; a brushless 600- to 1,200-watt, 550 to 800 Kv motor; 75-amp ESC; and 4S 4,000 to 5,000 mAh LiPo battery are required. A complete hardware package and illustrated assembly manual are included.
KDE2306XF-2550 Brushless Motor @ $28.95 + S&H from KDE Direct, 20760 Carmen Loop, Ste. 140, Bend OR 97702; Tel.: (360) 818-4215; website: www.kdedirect.com
KDE Direct continues to be a leader in FPV racing performance and quality by bringing the KDE2306XF-2550 brushless motor to the market. This motor, which is designed for electric-powered multirotors, has an optimized active centrifugal fan for improved cooling and sustained performance, and a new mounting schematic that is ideal for competition-level racing.
The KDE2306XF-2550 motor features high-grade 240°C continuous high-temperature, solid-core copper windings for failure-free operation; Japanese-built 0.2mm silicon-steel stator laminations and Kevlar tie wraps; and triple-bearing-supported ABEC-7 bearings.
With clear, anodized mirror-polish CNC gloss end bells and a black electro-plate CNC gloss central core finish, the motor includes 200°C 19 AWG 250mm silicone wire leads that can be easily modified and soldered as needed and 3.5mm-diameter 24-karat gold bullet connectors that are presoldered to the motor leads.
Freewing Avanti S 80mm EDF Ultimate Sport Jet PNP @ $299 + S&H from Motion RC, 320 Cary Point Dr., Unit B, Cary IL 60013; Tel.: (224) 633-9090; website: www.motionrc.com
If you’re looking for the ultimate sport jet in a sleek, affordable package,
Motion RC and Freewing have what you need with the Avanti S 80mm EDF Ultimate Sport Jet PNP. The world’s only officially licensed foam electric Avanti is courtesy of SebArt and its designer, Sebastian Silvestri. It won first place for Best Flight at the 2017 Arizona Electric Festival.
The Avanti features a powerful 12-blade electric ducted fan with an all-new 3530-1800 Kv outrunner motor and 100-amp ESC, optimized ducting to eliminate the need for a cheater hole, electric retracts, removable wings, a magnetic removable nose, split flaps, LED position lights, and much more.
This 48.6-inch wingspan sport jet requires a minimum six-channel radio, six-channel receiver, six-cell 22.2-volt 4,000 or 5,000 mAh LiPo battery with EC5 connector, and a compatible LiPo battery charger.
Jeti Telemetry Fuel Flow MFlow2 T and G EX Digital Flow Sensors @ $205-$215 + S&H from Esprit Tech/Model, Box 360815, Melbourne FL 32936; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
The Jeti Telemetry Fuel Flow MFlow2 T and G EX digital flow sensors from Esprit Tech measure the true fuel flow of your gasoline or turbine jet fuel.
The MFlow2 EX sensor allows you to set low/high fuel alarms, gives you an accurate reading of fuel consumption, and lets a pilot set up remote commands for a transmitter wireless value reset. Using a Jeti Duplex 2.4 GHz system and either a JetiBox Profi or Jeti transmitter, data and alarm conditions can be monitored in real time.
The MFlow2 Turbine EX sensor is equipped with Festo 4mm fuel line connectors. The MFlow2 Gas EX sensor can be used with medium ⅜-inch or large ⅛-inch inside diameter fuel tubing. The turbine sensor is available with a flow rate of 50 to 3,000 milliliters per minute with 2% resolution, or 20 to 800 milliliters per minute with 2% resolution. The gas sensor has a flow rate of 20 to 800 milliliters per minute with 2% resolution.
D-Series Titanium Gear and Full Metal Case Titanium Gear Servos @ $147.99-$169.99 + S&H from Hitec RCD USA, Inc., 12115 Paine St., Poway CA 92064; Tel.: (858) 748-6948; website: www.hitecrcd.com
Hitec’s D-Series servo line sets a new standard for advanced, programmable technology. Powered by Hitec’s 32-bit Microcontroller Unit and 12-bit Analog to Digital Converter industrial science, the D-Series is a dominator in this servo arena.
The D-Series combines wide voltage capabilities, high resolution, rapid response, and Smart Sense technology to bring maximum performance to all RC applications. Servos in this D-Series group are designed with durable titanium gears. Three servos boast full-metal cases.
Fully programmable, the D-Series servos have a splash-proof design and feature Hitec’s 25-tooth spline.
