Product Spotlight
New products that are Worth a Closer Look
SPEKTRUM FOCAL DVR FPV HEADSET
If you make your way to a flying site and catch a group of pilots flying FPV, chances are that you’ll find them wearing headsets made by Fat Shark RC Vision Systems. It is one of the top names in the market. Spektrum has formed a partnership with Fat Shark to create the Spektrum Focal DVR FPV Headset.
The Focal DVR is a successor to the Focal V2 headset with some serious upgrades. The most noticeable one is in the title: DVR. Spektrum has finally brought DVR capability to the Focal line of headsets and, thanks to the familiar Dominator-style design of the Focal DVR, anyone who has used a DVR-capable headset from Fat Shark will feel at home with this headset. Simple one-button operation will power up, record, and stop recording in an instant and save directly to a micro SD card (not included) that is located in the upper part of the faceplate. Do you want to review your footage while you’re still at the field? No problem! You can easily access the files directly from the menu system and watch through the headset itself. The optics included in the Focal DVR are 800 x 480 resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio and 640 x 480 resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio. The aspect ratio is manually
selectable, which makes it friendly to a variety of camera options on the market. The viewing angle is 32° and the image is quite sharp and clear.
In 4:3 mode, the black bars on the left and right are cropped in from the 16:9 image and can clearly be seen. After a few flights, they appeared less noticeable and fliers were better able to focus on the flight at hand.
The Focal DVR also features adjustable Interpupillary Distance (IPD) spacing, for a custom-tuned fit to your eye. It has the option of adding custom diopter inserts for further adjustment.
Another handy feature of this headset is the cooling fan used to reduce fog on the lenses. Whether you’re flying on a hot summer day or going for a snowy flight in the dead of winter, this fan will keep the picture in your sights, sharp and clear.
You’ll also find a Mini HDMI port on the underside of the headset. This port will allow you to plug it into your computer and use it with simulators or plug it into a digital video receiver system such as the Connex ProSight. This will bypass the analog receiver module in the goggles and feed in any video input you’d like. There is an analog audio/visual in/out port available for standard ground station use as well.
The headset comes equipped with some extras that don’t typically ship with a Fat Shark product. First, it includes a removable 5.8 GHz receiver module that can be used right out of the box. It has a bright LED screen that displays your channel, frequency, and signal strength. I found that this receiver worked well in most situations and that I didn’t really miss the custom diversity setup on my Dominator SE headset. The Focal DVR’s receiver is removable and can be upgraded to a module that suits your needs.
It also ships with an installed wireless head tracker that can be used with any modern Spektrum radio that has a wireless trainer link. This allows your goggles to send movement information to your radio and then on to your aircraft. If you have an installed pan/tilt camera mount, you will be able to gaze around the sky as you fly in FPV mode with the freedom of an eagle in flight.
Completing the package is a linear dipole antenna and the new Fat Shark 1,800 mAh Smart LiPo battery with USB charging capability. This is a great battery to use if you’re on the go. It offers a micro USB port through which to charge. This opens up the possibilities of using phone chargers and power banks to charge the battery in the field without needing a standard charger.
The Focal DVR FPV Headset currently retails for $499, and is available through Horizon Hobby. Horizon Hobby: Tel.: (800) 338-4639; 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; website: www.horizonhobby.com
Cessna 188 Ag Wagon @ $249.95 + S&H from VQ Warbirds, Box 3512, Bryan TX 77805; email: info@vqwarbirds.com; website: www.vqwarbirds.com
The full-scale Cessna 188 AGWagon is a light agricultural aircraft that was produced between 1966 and 1983. A total of 3,975 Cessna 188s, of four variants, were built during that production run. VQ Warbirds introduces this aircraft, often used for agriculture or as a glider/sailplane tug, to its 60- to 90-size Civilian model category.
The VQ Cessna 188 features all-balsa and light plywood construction with a detailed cockpit that includes a pilot, fiberglass cowling, aluminum landing gear, and a battery hatch. The control surfaces are prehinged and installed, while the two-piece wing has an aluminum tube wing joiner.
The tail gear assembly, wheels, spinner, motor and engine mounts, fuel tank, decals, and all hardware are included. A two-stroke .60 engine, four-stroke .90 engine, or 1,000-watt motor with a 6S 5,000 mAh LiPo battery are required, as well as a six-channel radio and eight servos. Optional float sets are available.
Great Planes Giant Big Stik XL 55-61cc EP ARF @ $499.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (217) 398-8970; website: www.greatplanes.com
The Stik has been a sport pilot’s favorite model design for years. Great Planes has taken it to new dimensions with the Giant Big Stik XL ARF.
With an 8-foot wingspan that adds stability and visibility, the Big Stik XL delivers an impressive power-to-weight ratio for gas or electric power.
Prebuilt using high-strength wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber, and aluminum, it features a large hatch that removes quickly for battery changes or access to the fuel tank. A two-piece wing connects to a joiner tube, making transportation to the field easier.
A five- to six-channel radio with seven servos for gas or six servos for electric power is required. The Big Stik XL can be powered by a 55-61cc gas engine or 80-85-160 Kv RimFire 65cc electric motor, 160-amp ESC, and one 12S or two 6S 5,000 mAh LiPo batteries.
Gear Jacks @ $3-$150 + S&H from Random Heli, website: www.randomheli.com
Modelers who transport large RC airplanes often face problems with securing their aircraft to prevent damage. Many pilots cobble together bits and pieces of wood, foam, and PVC pipe. Customers of Random Heli who have used the company’s Skid Clamps for RC helicopters, asked for a solution for airplanes, so the company has introduced Gear Jacks, a modular storage, maintenance, and transport system for large RC airplanes.
Two models of the system grip the airplane’s struts, while a third supports the airplane from the wing tube, and a fourth supports the fuselage tail. Additional models can cradle the fuselage of large jet aircraft. The system’s flexibility is further enhanced by its ability to be mounted on a Gladiator Gear Track.
With optional hardware, Gear Jacks can be repositioned to fit different sizes or different configurations. A range of accessories, including handles, joiner plates, kits to build custom-length bungees, wide neoprene straps, tools, and more, are available on Random Heli’s website.
Holy Smokes Smoke System @ $185 + S&H from Up In Smoke Enterprises, LLC, 145 Crescent Bluff Dr., St. Louis MO 63025; Tel.: (636) 399-7764; website: www.holys mokesrc.com
Up In Smoke Enterprises is proud to announce the Holy Smokes Smoke System, the result of a three-year collaborative development and testing effort with Danhakl Designs, also known as Fourtitude RC. Providing superior, repeatable smoke system performance, the product’s goal is to eliminate the guesswork by minimizing the known variables and achieving remarkable performance.
Constructed of carbon-fiber composite, the 1.9-ounce pump is the lightest on the market and features separate power and signal leads. Power to the 2.4 GHz high-voltage receiver requires no auxiliary battery.
The system provides a variable and programmable flow rate via an 800 Kv brushless motor, ensuring optimal smoke fluid vaporization for applications ranging from 30cc gas airplanes to Giant Scale turbine jets.
The system includes the pump and plumbing kit (T fitting, check valves with Viton Diaphragm, in-line filter with stainless steel screen, and two 6-inch lengths of Viton tubing).
Holy Smokes is also proud to announce its new worldwide distribution partner, Desert Aircraft (www.desertaircraft.com). The Holy Smokes Smoke System is available through Desert Aircraft, as well as Performance Aircraft Unlimited (www.flypau.com).
Blade Inductrix FPV + RTF and BNF Drone @ $139.99-$229.99 + S&H from Horizon Hobby, 4105 Fieldstone Rd., Champaign IL 61822; Tel.: (800) 338-4639; website: www.bladehelis.com
The Inductrix FPV + from Blade is the next generation of micro FPV, building on the success of the Inductrix FPV and Inductrix FPV Pro.
This new version has been overhauled and is packed with unique features, including larger 8mm motors and larger propellers for impressive speed, SAFE technology and new flight modes for exceptional flight performance, and a Meow Mode for flipping an upside-down aircraft to an upright orientation with the push of a button.
The new flight controller now has an Altitude Hold mode to maintain a safe distance from the ground, while the Agility Mode has been tuned to take advantage of the new power system.
The RTF version includes the Inductrix FPV +, a DVR monitor, an MLP6DSM transmitter, a 1S 500 mAh LiPo battery, and a USB charger. The BNF version includes the drone, a LiPo battery, and USB charger. A five-plus-channel Spektrum transmitter and compatible 5.8 GHz video receiver or headset are required.
Jeti LiFe Receiver Batteries @ $10-$19 + S&H from Esprit Tech/Model, Box 360815, Melbourne FL 32936; Tel.: (321) 729-4287; website: www.espritmodel.com
Esprit Tech/Model and Jeti introduce four new Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFe) receiver battery packs for your model aircraft.
Available in 650 mAh, 1,300 mAh, 1,800 mAh, and 2,100 mAh, all are 6.6 volts and include a JST-XH balancing connector, a receiver lead with a universal connector, and 14-gauge high-power leads.
P-38 Lightning 46-Size EP/GP @ $589.95 + S&H from VQ Warbirds, Box 3512, Bryan TX 77805; email: info@vqwarbirds.com; website: www.vqwarbirds.com
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American propeller-driven fighter aircraft that was developed for the U.S. Army Air Corps. It was used in a number of roles, including interception, dive and level bombing, night fighting, and photo reconnaissance. It was extensively used as a long-range escort fighter. Now you can own the legend with the VQ Warbirds 83-inch P-38 Lightning model!
VQ has updated its 2017 P-38 model with an improved center pod plywood structure that is bonded with Hysol adhesive. Fully covered in weathered detail with a painted pilot, the P-38 features two booms with the left and right fuselages made of balsa and plywood, and a fiberglass main fuselage pod. The turbo superchargers are ABS vacuum-formed. The control surfaces are all prehinged and installed, and the aircraft is ready for ailerons and fowler flaps. Mechanisms for the flaps are preinstalled at the factory.
A nine-channel radio with 12 servos, two-stroke .46 to .52 engines, four-stroke .62 to .70 engines, or .46 glow-equivalent electric motors with ESC are required, as well as two 14.8-volt 4,500 mAh LiPo batteries for electric power. Sierra VQ P-38 landing gear retracts with struts are available and sold separately by VQ Warbirds.
Great Planes Dynaflite Series Bird of Time 3-Meter Sailplane EP ARF @ $219.99 + S&H from Hobbico, 3002 N. Apollo Dr., Ste. #1, Champaign IL 61822; Tel: (217) 398-8970; website: www.greatplanes.com
The Bird of Time was introduced as a kit in 1981, and has proven to be timeless. This easy-to-assemble ARF joins the original for relaxing, inspiring flight, with less build time.
No hi-start, towplane, or large launch area is needed for superior Thermal and Duration Soaring. The Bird of Time features strong wood and fiberglass construction, with a three-piece wing for easy transportation and storage. The full-flying stabilizer is removable, as is the fuselage hatch for quick battery changes. The beautiful MonoKote trim scheme is easy to see.
A low-drag folding propeller, spinner, and propeller adapter are included. A three-plus-channel radio, standard receiver, one standard and one micro servo, a 42-50-800 Kv outrunner motor with 50- to 60-amp ESC with BEC, a 4S 14.8-volt 3,300 to 3,600 mAh LiPo battery, and a compatible charger are needed to complete the sailplane.
