{"id":2444,"date":"2018-06-17T02:06:59","date_gmt":"2018-06-17T02:06:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/?p=2444"},"modified":"2019-12-31T00:50:38","modified_gmt":"2019-12-31T00:50:38","slug":"consistency-key-backups-fpv-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getfpv.com\/learn\/fpv-essentials\/consistency-key-backups-fpv-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Consistency is Key: Why you need backup FPV gear"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to FPV, Consistency is Key. \u00a0FPV is a hobby, for some and a sport for others. \u00a0It is something that requires the patience of mind and steadfastness of hand for all.[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2532″ img_size=”full” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Being consistent in the gear you fly means you intimately know precisely how your quad will behave in any scenario. \u00a0It can help to make sure that when something does need to be replaced.\u00a0 You have those parts on hand and know exactly how to swap them quickly to keep flying. \u00a0So much of flying a quad is building up reflexes and muscle memory.\u00a0 This allows you to judge intuitively with limited information exactly how far to move your stick to move the exact right amount through an obstacle. \u00a0Change any part of your setup randomly, and you are going to maximize your potential for failure.\u00a0 Keeping your gear consistent, is vital. Consistency is key.[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Time to get serious<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Once you decide\u00a0 FPV is for you, you quickly realize the cost of the parts (even the broken ones), is not the real cost. \u00a0Precious, precious flight time is the scarcest commodity you can trade in.\u00a0 So how do you maximize your returns on your flight time you get per week. \u00a0How do you ensure it is gaining you valuable experience? More importantly, ensure it is not keeping you on the sidelines due to a broken part.\u00a0 After all we all have those broken parts from a crash that you ended up having trying to do the most difficult of keyhole building dives.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Worst Case Scenario:\u00a0 Failure to Launch<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Now, how familiar is this? You get a message on your local chapter or freestyle crews Facebook group asking, no, pleading. \u00a0If anyone has a specific, motor, esc, antenna.\u00a0 Worse yet, how often have you been at a race across town an hour or more away.\u00a0 You see someone has just crashed hard enough to blow out their Flight Controller, and they only came with one quadcopter?\u00a0 We typically call that walk across the field when you crash the walk of shame.\u00a0 I tell you my friends, the drive of shame home is far, far worse. Especially if you the racing has barely even started.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Making yourself consistent is part of the equation<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Experts in exceptional ability such as Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers<\/a>, explains that the traditional concept of Genius, may not exist. \u00a0At least not exist in the way that most of us think.\u00a0 He studied many instances in exceptional skill, whether it be a professional athlete, a fighter pilot or a musician at an expert level at the violin or piano takes roughly 10,000 hours to master. \u00a0\u00a010,000 hours of focused practice.\u00a0 This means that the best pilots may yet to make it to this level.\u00a0 (For a full-time job at 40 hours a week, this is roughly four years worth of time.)\u00a0 Given that even the most dedicated of pilots can only put in half this amount. It may be 6-8 years into modern FPV that these master level individuals will begin to emerge.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”2470″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Now, given the quickly advancing technology, has anyone been able to reach this milestone yet? \u00a0Probably not, but if you want to reach towards this milestone, you need focused practice as mentioned. \u00a0Focused meaning, flying in a challenging way that puts your skills to the test in a repeatable, consistent way.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

How can I stay consistent and still try all the latest gear?<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Now, I know what you\u2019re thinking? \u00a0I like to try everything that comes out.\u00a0 So how can my setups all stay the same, and still allow me to hoard as many packs of the new Gatebreaker props, or Lumineer PoPo motors that are out? \u00a0Well, my strategy is always to have 1 quad that is mostly a test bed.\u00a0 I use this to try new equipment. At any time if I find a new ideal setup, this will become one of the new quads in the stable, and a new test bed will be created along with a copy of the new.\u00a0 This way I always maintain a balance of consistent quads.<\/p>\n

For racing, you need at least 2-3 identical quads. \u00a0I would say for freestyle depending if you fly on grass or are a bando basher, you also need 2-3 quads. \u00a02 for a grass flyer, and 3-4 for a concrete jungle flying.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Pay it forward<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]So, that said, what do you do when you decide to move on with the gear you were using?<\/p>\n

When you decide to switch to a new motor, frame, or Flight controller, the best practice would be to swap all across the board.\u00a0 You can then sell or give the old gear to family, friends, or whoever in your community is getting started. \u00a0This ensures a secondary market available to newcomers who can enter FPV with quality gear.\u00a0 You also introduce them to quality vendors like GetFPV, so that they can stock up on props, and other items they will need.\u00a0 Giving newcomers deals on stuff and tossing in freebies like straps, caps or other things you have a ton of. \u00a0This helps to break down those high barriers to entry.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Circle of Flight<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2621″ img_size=”large” onclick=”link_image”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/4″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Two of the hardest things for newcomers is the initial setup cost, and knowing what components to assemble.\u00a0 Afterall there is a sea of parts that exist today. \u00a0By making working, combinations available to them at a lower price point you can help them get started.\u00a0 It won\u2019t be long until they want a newer setup, or they crash the first one. \u00a0Now they will be familiar with what to buy, where to buy it. This works out so much better than just doing random google searches.<\/p>\n

If your quad workspace starts to look like the FPV equivalent of the new Yankee Workshop, it may be time to sell some of your old gear so you can buy more.<\/p>\n

It is the Circle of Flight, and it moves us all.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Scroll over the images below to see how much of each you should have back-ups of.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_hoverbox image=”2496″ primary_title=”” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Motors” css_animation=”none”]This is one of the critical parts where you want consistency, and you also want spares. \u00a0Motors, especially popular ones go in and out of stock routinely.\u00a0 When you decide to buy, buy enough for all your quads, and then maybe even a few more as spares. \u00a0I do not typically burn out motors very frequently, but nothing can get you grounded longer than a motor dying.\u00a0 Especially if no one anywhere has any in stock.\u00a0 Should you be forced to try a new motor at this point? \u00a0Possibly, but having those spares on hand can keep you up in the air.\u00a0 A good option for some crazy power is the Brotherhobby R3 2207 2550kv<\/a>. (pictured)[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”2493″ primary_title=”” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Flight Controllers”]Flight controllers are one of the most quickly advancing parts of FPV. \u00a0This is something you generally want to have maybe one backup of, but you don\u2019t want to stock up on 10 of these.\u00a0 These generally last a decent amount of time, and they also advance 2-3 times a year.\u00a0 Whether you use Betaflight, Butterfilght or RaceOne can help you determine which best fits your needs.\u00a0 Keep in mind features such as black box, build in On Screen Display and new things like Camera Control.\u00a0 One particularly handsome FC is the Lumenier SKITZO Flight Controller V3<\/a>.[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_hoverbox image=”2494″ primary_title=”ESC’s” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Electronic Speed Controllers”]ESC\u2019s do advance quickly but not as quicklyas flight controllers. \u00a0They also tend to burn out at a slightly higher rate.\u00a0 If you run a 4 in 1, I would advise having 1 or 2 more than the number of quads you run. \u00a0If you run individual ESC\u2019s, I would recommend having 1 or 2 quads worth of extras.\u00a0 My personal favorite ESC at the moment is the Aikon AK32 4-in-1 35A 6S BLHeli32 ESC<\/a>.[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_hoverbox image=”2464″ primary_title=”Recievers” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Recievers”]Now, this is something you can stock up on if you want to. \u00a0Receivers don\u2019t typically go wrong, but when you want to build up a new test bed build, you need another receiver. \u00a0If you are handing off an old quad to a friend or selling to someone in your community, you will likely need to include the receiver. \u00a0With that said, receivers are more plentiful, so if you do need to order some more, they are likely to be in stock more often.\u00a0 I run the FrSky XM+<\/a>, which is at a reasonable price point, and I keep 3-5 extras. (Including one in my flight bag).[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”2462″ primary_title=”Cameras” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Cameras”]I like to keep the number of of quads I have divided by 2, to determine how many spare cameras I keep.\u00a0 Depending on how you fly, you may go through less or more cameras.\u00a0 Also the size frame you fly will determine if you fly a full size camera, or a micro.\u00a0 I switched to all micro’s a while back since I do a good amount of racing.\u00a0 The best racing camera image I would say is the Foxeer Predator Micro.<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are more of a Free Styler and want the best image possible with the most image adjustment options, I would recommend the Runcam Micro Eagle<\/a>.\u00a0 The ability for this camera to switch back and forth from 4:3 and 16:9 make it very versatile and the image quality will blow you away.[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][vc_hoverbox image=”2465″ primary_title=”Props” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Props”]If there is one thing in your cache of gear you should be able to make it rain with, it is Props!\u00a0 I tend to keep at least 50 sets, and I will go as high as 100, especially when on sale.\u00a0 I keep both low pitch and high pitch from most of the manufacturers on hand, because you never know when you may try a new motor that will need a new prop.\u00a0 Props are a personal selection, so go with whatever works best for your needs.<\/p>\n

My recommendations for a light build are the HQProp DP 5×4.3×3 PC V1S<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For free style with thrusty motors I really love the DAL Cyclone T5046C.<\/a>[\/vc_hoverbox][vc_hoverbox image=”2525″ primary_title=”Batteries” primary_align=”justify” hover_title=”Batteries”]Everyone wants to know how many batteries you should have.\u00a0 The real answer is, however many you can afford (and carry).\u00a0 I personally take about a dozen with me.\u00a0 Some people carry less who have invested in a 2 port field charger such as ISDT D2 Smart Balance charger<\/a>.\u00a0 They hook these field chargers up to their car batteries in the field.<\/p>\n

Most racing formats are 3-5 practice rounds, followed by 4-5 actual counted racing rounds.\u00a0 This means that 10 packs is usually enough, so 12 works perfectly for me.\u00a0 If you have buddies who drive to the race site, sometimes you can sneak a battery or two onto their charger for added flight times.\u00a0 For 4S builds, I really enjoy a nice high C 1300mah pack like the\u00a0Lumenier 1300mAh 4s 95c Lipo Battery (XT60)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_hoverbox][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][dt_vc_list]Other items you always need with you<\/p>\n