Beginners RC and FPV gear for 2025

Here are some suggestions for the best beginners RC and FPV gear in 2025.

I am recommending radios using running EdgeTX operating system and ExpressLRS RF link for the best future proofing. 

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 and adding an external 4in1 Multiprotocol Module for non-ELRS receivers.

RC Gear

Transmitters

Radiomaster Pocket ELRS

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.

Radiomaster Boxer ELRS

The Boxer is closer to a normal sized radio with longer battery life, bigger screen and more switches. Two 2 pos, two 3 pos switches, one latching button, one momentary button and two pot knobs.

It has higher output power and a removable external antenna.

Receivers

Radiomaster ER PWM receiver range

The ER 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 series 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 goggles

These 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 2 

This 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.

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 AKK VTx with more than 1W power, they are 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.

Here are some suggestions

AtomRC TX800 

AKK TS5832S 

AKK X2 

All In One units

Eachine TX05 AIO FPV 

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 4k

The 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.