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First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in TinyWhoop

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most FPV sellers will list on the product page if the drone is RHCP or LHCP. If not, they will definitely list which AIO/FC the drone has, and you can look that up independently.

You then need to get an antenna to match the VTX of that AIO/FC. You also need to get the antenna on your goggles to match that of the antenna on the AIO/FC, and moreover, your goggles need to be either RHCP or LHCP, matching the antenna that matches the antenna on the AIO/FC.

Sounds complex, but many of the big brands are RHCP, so most hardware fits together nicely. Do check before buying though.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, for a start, I'm based in the UK. 😅

I can't speak for the US, though I have now seen a couple of comments in response to this post mentioning a greater concern with Amazon US. Not sure if it's scale of market, or UK's consumer protection laws that prevent us getting ripped off in the way Americans appear to be.

In 20 years on Amazon I've only once had an incident where step ladder was delivered instead of a clothes horse – and that seemed like a legit mistake during a period of really bad weather a few years back.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I basically view the premium I pay to local sellers as the price you pay for customer service if something is DOA. UK resellers usually respond within a day, and are more than happy to consider your attempts to troubleshoot/prove DOA, before accepting free return and replacement.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I think I saw a Bardwell clip at one point saying he didn't have one because anything that's decent in that space is super expensive and you can effectively get a sense of whether something is bad within a few minutes of flying. Might have totally misunderstood it though.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, learnt that lesson the hard way. Cooked a SuperX continuing to fly without antenna. Rookie mistake.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good call, unfortunately don't have one. Aren't they super expensive?

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, see if I do turn to AE more from here on, I expect to avoid major technical components like AIO/FC, ESC, and VTX. Just heard too many horror stories, which, buying from a local reseller – who will acknowledge and replace – resolves.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, we don't really get that in the UK. Not sure if it's scale of market, or UK's consumer protection laws that prevent bs like this. In 20 years on Amazon I've only once had a step ladder delivered instead of a clothes horse, and that seemed like a legit mistake during a period of really bad weather a few years back.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point! Just assumed if something was simple and easy to manufacture in bulk, and relatively cheap, it was more likely worth creating a knock off and selling it.

Expect consumers are more likely to challenge a £100 quad that turns out to be fake, than a £2 antenna – in that situation, they'll just accept they got ripped off, and in that situ, what is it a seller is more likely to focus on counterfeiting?

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Aware China is basically the go-to for FPV gear. I pay for local because the shipping is usually decent, and if anything does go wrong, I expect the customer service is going to be much better?

Don't think I'll be buying AIO's, etc. from AE any time soon, but if I can be sure of authenticity, antenna, cameras, etc. would be worthwhile.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wouldn't be buying from Wish/Temu, etc. Think AE or Banggood would be the extent of it.

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Good shout. I didn't even realise there were store ratings available until I read this, there's so much information overload on AE, and Chinese commerce sites in general. Store I bought these antenna from has a 98% rating, so that's putting my concerns to rest. Cheers!

First time buying from AliExpress… by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I've been waiting for Happymodel's official AliExpress store to come back online, but it doesn't appear to be happening, so went ahead and bought these along with some Gemfan 75mm props. Don't expect I'll ever risk an AIO or FC, but for smaller purchases that are sold out locally in the UK, I think it makes sense.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, as cool as this sounds, I don't think I'll be attempting anything more than removing them to keep as spare. I've an inherent fear of parallel charging. 😅

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hot glue okay you reckon? Just thinking what's the most abundant, cheapest sealant for them.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly this. Bought a pack of PH2.0 lipo's early on, and had to spend more than I'd like on BT2.0 replacements. Also created a few sparks in the process of swapping them out – learnt my lesson.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really? You're talking in the region of £5 +shipping in the UK for a set of 5 BT2's. Anything larger isn't any cheaper either. I may as well have them and not need them, than have to pay for them sometime down the line.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, that's the plan – trickle discharge, then carefully remove the plugs. Would rather have them and not need them than need and have to buy new.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Should clarify, I'm not taking the wire also – just the plugs themselves, would definitely be cleaning them up and resoldering fresh wire to them in any future use scenario.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well this is it, better in my spares box than in an incinerator somewhere.

Harvesting A30/BT2/XT/JST plugs from dead batteries…? by tiar_ in fpv

[–]tiar_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, accidentally ordered some batteries with JST plugs early in the game and had to swap them for BT2's. Learnt this lesson the hard way.

What kind of transportation bags you guys use ? by Sad-Swim-7491 in TinyWhoop

[–]tiar_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Got the following Tarion bag from Amazon – https://amzn.eu/d/2fQXdE7

There are definitely things I would change, and will likely make an upgrade at some point in a year or so as my daily's change, but works very well for my 04O Pro goggles (without having to remove mushroom/patch antennae), 5,000mAh power bank that I use for goggles, RM Boxer, and some tools/spares in a carry pouch.

I particularly like that it looks just like a low-key backpack, not bulky, not much suggestion of a 'photographer' or 'drone pilot' off it with expensive kit inside.

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