Here is how I arrange my OSD using Walksnail Avatar FPV gear and ELRS RC link.
Link to the Diff file for this layout - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mwzIve5VPeCUxOykSMxM8u7kcGjdz56K/view?usp=sharing
RC Aircraft - INAV - EdgeTX - FPV
Here is how I arrange my OSD using Walksnail Avatar FPV gear and ELRS RC link.
Here are some suggestions for the best beginners RC and FPV gear in 2025.
I am recommending radios with EdgeTX operating system and ExpressLRS RF link for the best future proofing. This gear will be suitable for beginners and basic models right through to advanced users.
ExpressLRS has now matured enough to be a reliable RC link system with superior range and link security. I would recommend using an ELRS radio with ELRS receivers, then adding an external 4in1 Multiprotocol Module for non-ELRS receivers.
RC Gear
Transmitters
The Pocket is the cheapest and smallest radio but has all the functions and range of much more expensive systems. It has two 3 pos switches, a latching button, two momentary buttons and a slider on the top right.The antenna is fixed but able to rotate and fold away.
The screen is quite small which might be a problem for aging eyes.
Maximum output power of 250mW gives range of several km.
Output power of 1W gives range of tens of km.
Radiomaster ER PWM receiver range
The ER ELRS receivers have PWM pins for each channel and are designed to operate servos directly.
Range of several km is possible with the Pocket and Boxer radios.
4, 6 and 8ch receivers are available, some with a barometer for vario feedback and battery monitoring.
Radiomaster RP serial receiver range
The RP ELRS Serial receivers are designed for use with Flight Control Boards where a serial connection is required.
Serial connection means all 16 channels are sent down one wire.
Analog FPV Gear
The following gear is all standard definition analog because it is much cheaper than Digital HD. It is best to learn FPV using the cheaper analog systems then step up to digital later.
Goggles / Screen
The dual screen goggles like Skyzone or Fatshark are too expensive for beginners and it's best to save your money for future digital goggles purchase.
Eachine EV800D single screen gogglesThese are a good compromise between cost and features. The screen can be detached from the goggles and used just as a screen. It has built in DVR recording and dual antennas.
FPV cameras
Runcam Phoenix 2This is my favourite analog FPV camera with 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratio and great picture quality. The lens has a nice wide angle view.
There are many other camera options and anything similar will work for FPV as long as you pay attention to the required input voltage. Some cameras can only handle 5V and others can handle a wider range.
I prefer 16:9 aspect ratio and a wide angle lens (2.1 - 2.5mm) for use on fixed wing models.
Video Transmitters (VTx)
There are so many options for VTx that it's hard to narrow down the choice.I would avoid the ultra high power VTx. More than 1W power is just not necessary for normal FPV.
Anything with 1W or less is all you need for a few km of range. More range is best achieved with a high mounted directional receiver antenna, rather than pumping out more power.
You may also need to buy an antenna for the VTx. Take note of the antenna connection style such as SMA, RP-SMA, MMCX, uFL.
Here are some suggestions
The cheapest and easiest entry to FPV is to use an AIO camera and VTx
They are not the best quality or range but you just have to supply power (usually 5V) and find the channel in your goggles.
They can also be easily swapped from model to model.
HD video cameras
For high quality onboard video recording here are some great options.
Runcam Thumb 1080 and Thumb Pro 4kThe Thumb cameras are small and light weight but can record excellent video. They don't have an internal battery and require 5V input to operate. This can come from the receiver or another 5V source.
They have a gyro built in and can record a motion data file to be used for Gyroflow stabilised video.
Runcam 2 4k
Has a removable battery, so power from the model is not required. If you remove the battery and connect to the VTx it can also be used as an analog FPV camera as well as 4k HD recorder.Here are my settings for GyroFlow with the Caddx Walksnail Moonlight @ 4K 30FPS on a Finwing XBird.
Using Gyroflow 1.5.4 because 1.6.0 didn't work with the Moonlight motion files at the time of this post.
Lens profile - Github lens profile list
Smoothness = 0.200 (reduced from default of 0.500) for a more natural fixed wing flight look rather than DJI Drone style super stabilised.Lens correction strength = 20% (reduced from default of 100%) to retain a wider view rather than totally correcting the fisheye.
The exported GyroFlow result is 4K 30fps but I have to make the Final Cut project 29.97fps to avoid jumpy video. I don't understand why but it works.
Video using the above settings.
With Mixer Profile switching and a Transition mode we can now change between horizontal and vertical board alignments on the fly.
It is not yet perfect, lots of experimentation with PIDs and rates is required to make each different model work smoothly.
INAV VTOL doc - https://github.com/iNavFlight/inav/blob/master/docs/VTOL.md
Tailsitter initial setup tips
At this stage (INAV 7.1.2 June 2024) Tailsitter is not available as a platform choice so you need to enter this CLI command - Set tailsitter_orientation_offset = ON
This allows the board orientation to be horizontal for Mixer Profile 1 and vertical for Mixer Profile 2 with a 45ยบ pitch forward transition mode.
Start with a normal fixed wing INAV setup. This will be Mixer Profile 1 / PID Profile 1.Turn on "PID Profile will use same index...." so that the mixer and PIDs will match when switching Profiles.
Again turn on "PID Profile will use same index...."
Later we will need to alter the Quad X mixer settings depending on the fixed wing model we are using.
I am testing the AtomRC Theer wing and AtomRC Penguin.
Low channel value enables Profile 2 (VTOL), middle value adds the Transition Mode, high value switches to Profile 1 (level flight).
OK that covers the basics for all INAV tail sitters.
Now we need to make changes depending on the particular model, and play with the PIDs
AtomRC Theer Tailsitter settings
13th June 2024 - My Theer Tailsitter is now working OK for takeoff, hover, transition and level flight. I am having problems switching back to vertical and remaining stable.
Profile 1 - use a normal twin motor flying wing mixDelete motors 3 and 4
Change Motor Roll values to 1, -1. Adjust directions as required to give the correct stabilisation direction..
Change Motor Pitch and Yaw values to 0, 0
Add elevon servo mixes and adjust directions and weights as required
Initially the Theer did not have enough pitch stability action to keep it vertical so I added more elevon area.
The preset Quad PIDs are incorrect for servo control so it's best to use values closer to Airplane PIDs for pitch and yaw, then adjust from there.
For more elevon action in Angle mode I increased the pitch P value until the servos started shuddering, then backed off a bit.
Then I increased the Level Pitch P value for more aggressive Angle mode pitch stability.
set mc_p_level = 40 (0 to 255) Default value is 20
Here is my latest Theer VTOL Diff_All file Use with caution.
AtomRC Penguin Tailsitter settings (Not yet tested)
Profile 1 - normal mix for a twin motor plane without rudderDelete motors 3 and 4
Change Motor Roll values 1, -1. Adjust directions as required to give the correct stabilisation direction.
Change Motor Pitch and Yaw values to 0, 0
Add elevator and aileron servo mixes and adjust directions and weights as required
Try increasing the Level Pitch P value for more Angle mode pitch stability
set mc_p_level = 40 (0 to 255) Default value is 20
In VTOL mode Elevator controls Pitch as usual but Ailerons change to Yaw
WARNING - The INAV VTOL code is still being developed and is not yet complete.
My tailsitters are still fairly unreliable and I haven't added GPS yet. More tweaking is required.
How to connect two FrSKY TaranisQ X7 radios for shared Instructor and Student control
The Instructor and Student radios are connected via the DSC sockets using a 3.5mm stereo audio cable (TRS style)Note that RadioMaster radios require different cables. 3.5mm TRRS (Smart phone style) for "Old" radio and TS for "New" radios. Link to RadioMaster Trainer Cable information
FrSKY TaranisQ X7 trainer setup
Instructor radio (Master)
In the Model Setup page - Set Trainer Mode to Master/Jack
Mixer page (Adjust weights and expo as required. Best to be the same as in the Student radio)
Ch1 100 Ail E30
Ch2 100 Ele E30
Ch3 100 Thr
Ch4 100 Rud
In Special Functions page - Select a switch, Select TRAINER and STICKS and tick box
Bind Instructor radio to the receiver
In Radio Setup > TRAINER page
Ail := 100 CH1
Ele := 100 CH2
Thr := 100 CH3
Rud := 100 CH4
Student Radio (Slave)
In the Model Setup page
Turn the Internal RF module OFF
Set Trainer to Slave/Jack
Ch Range 1 to 8 (just has to be more than 4)
Mixer Page (Adjust weights and expo as required)
Ch1 100 Ail E30
Ch2 100 Ele E30
Ch3 100 Thr
Ch4 100 Rud
Check direction of throws on both radios and adjust or invert channels as required
You can get by with just about any radio system including RadioMaster, FrSKY, FlySKY, Futaba and Spektrum as long as the receiver can output a serial signal using a protocol like iBUS, SRXL2, SBUS or CRSF.
My preference is for radios that use the EdgeTX operating system and ExpressLRS RF protocol. EdgeTX is the most flexible and programmable operating system and ExpressLRS gives the most secure and long range RF link.
Spektrum and FlySKY operating systems are less flexible and more locked down than EdgeTX.
Below are my top suggestions for a good INAV radio in 2024
Note: EdgeTX, INAV and ExpressLRS are all RC Community developed OpenSource projects so they are often updated and will require a little more research and experimentation to master than traditional locked down systems like Spektrum.
1. RadioMaster Boxer ELRS (or Boxer 4in1 with ELRS RF Module)
The Boxer is a very reasonably priced radio with plenty of switches. One momentary, one locking, two 2 position, two 3 position and one 6 position switch as well as two pots. It has a full sized JR RF module bay. The only things missing are sliders on the sides. There is a large battery bay for 2S LiPos.
2. Zorro and TX16S are good options too, although I am not a fan of the colour touch screen version of EdgeTX on the TX16S.
My daily radio is actually the Zorro 4in1 with Ranger ELRS RF module. The game controller form factor is not to everyone's taste but I like it. It uses 18350 Li Ion batteries which are hard to find and have less capacity. But I like the side sliders for panning cameras and also crow braking on gliders.ELRS Receivers
Any ELRS receiver can be used with any ELRS radio or module
RadioMaster RP1, RP2, RP3, RP4TD ELRS or any of the PWM receivers with Serial output enabled
BetaFPV - ELRS Nano, Lite, SuperD and Micro PWM or SuperP PWM with Serial output enabled
ELRS gear has amazing range, at least 5km even with the nano receiver versions. Or you can think of it as very secure RF link for short range even with obstacles. The diversity receivers like SuperD and RP4TD extend the link security even further for extended long range or close range penetration.
SBUS Radios
All RadioMasters radios come in different versions. CR2500 for one chip multi-protocol (Mainly used for RadioMaster and FrSKY receivers), 4in1 with 4 chip multi-protocol, or ELRS.
2. Zorro and TX16S are also good options. ELRS external module can be added
4. FrSKY Tandem and Twin radios (Higher quality hardware but more expensive and limited to FrSKY receivers)
SBUS Receivers
FrSKY X6R, RX6R
RadioMaster R81, R86C
FlySKY iA6B using iBUS or SBUS
My YouTube Playlists to help with the learning curve. It's worth the little extra effort of watching a few videos on the relevant subjects
It was originally designed to work with multi rotors and flight control boards and uses the CRSF serial receiver protocol.
However it is essential to understand that ELRS is quite different to the traditional RF protocols like FrSKY ACCST / ACCESS or Spectrum DSMX. To achieve the low latency and solid connection over long range the ELRS devs have optimised the data packets to be as short as possible and included safety checks.
Below are some of the compromises required for ELRS to function properly
Setup selections are made using the ELRS Lua script on your radio, and some of the default options must be changed for fixed wing models.
Channel resolution
To keep data packages small only the essential data is sent with every packet. This means with some Packet Rates not all channels are full resolution.
Low Latency Packet Rates
In the ultra low latency modes Ch 1 to 4 are full resolution, while Ch 5 is only 1 bit (low or high) and all other channels act like 6 position switches.
Full Resolution Fixed Wing Packet Rates
More recently lower frequency Packet Rates have been added, which do give full resolution on all channels and are recommended for fixed wing use.
Best settings for fixed wing models are:
Packet Rates 100 Full or 333 Full with Switch mode on WIDE.
However Ch5 should only be used for arming, even though it can be full resolution.
Latest list of Packet Rates on GitHub
Channel 5 requirement
To function safely ELRS needs to know when the model is armed or flying. So it looks at the data from Ch5, which is sent with every data packet, to check the PWM value.
Ch5 needs to be in the "High" state, or PWM value above 1500ms, to show that the model is armed or flying.
When Ch5 is high the buttons on your ELRS RF module are locked to avoid accidental mid air changes, which could cause a loss of control.
Dynamic Power only works when Ch5 is High. Dynamic Power continuously adjusts the RF transmitting power to the minimum required.
So Ch5 should be set as the arming or throttle cut switch or set as high, and not left unassigned or used for control surfaces or throttle. This applies to any model, even if they don't require arming, including motorless gliders.
Here is a great explanation by RC-Soar - https://rc-soar.blogspot.com/2023/08/an-introduction-to-elrs-including.html
ExpressLRS on GitHub - https://www.expresslrs.org/quick-start/getting-started/