I cannibalized a whoop and some spare parts and mounted it on a fractal wingman today (3” folding 1s 18650 frame). I was curious about the range of the little ceramic antenna, but I was SUPER impressed. Just over a mile, or 1.5-2Km. I set the packet rate at 50 Hz, and my boxer radio at 50 Hz, dynamic and 1W max output. I had solid signal all the way out to over a mile before I chickened out. And I’m in suburbia! I don’t have transmit power in my OSD, but I’ll definitely add it now. Anyway, amazing little things. ELRS is the way.
I find it performs acceptably for packet rates of 150 or lower. Not as good as an external antenna but has its place for smaller or super light weight builds.
Hi Everyone. Thanks for checking out this video! If you want more information on the ELRS signal health indicators, there's a really good write-up on their site at the link below. Note that I have all the pertinent signal health information in the on screen display (OSD) so you can go back and form your own opinion as well. Signal Strength: dBm (e.g. -80) Note: Higher number means better signal strength. As this is a negative number, -60 is a stronger signal than -80 Link Quality: Refresh Rate Mode:% of Packets Received (e.g. 7:100) Note: 7 = 250hz, 5 = 150hz Transmitter Power: mw (e.g. 250mw) www.expresslrs.org/2.0/info/signal-health/
This video is perfect and perfectly timed! I had the Flywoo el24e on the Flywoo Firefly 1S Nano-Baby v1.2 and the newer Flywoo 1S Firefly FR v2.0. has stock Flywoo EL24E! I have always had issues with the ceramic antenna on those two. (Ironically, my AIO HM 2G4 uses same antenna but has better range). So, on the elder Flywoo, I swapped out to the old style EP2. Same issues! So, like you, I stopped using 500hz @100mw. I live near other houses with security cameras, shit ton of wifi and cellular stuff. Truth be told, Some of my newer FRSKY or Futaba were slightly worse with range. I actually tried 250hz at 100mw, a lil better. Then 150hz at 100mw, way better. Actually the video starts to suffer @250mw. Then, I went to the park....500hz and 250hz had more freedom at 100mw and could easily surpass video at 250mw. The 150hz at 100mw was way better than expected. To summarize: if using any receiver with a ceramic antenna, skip 500hz and go directly to 250hz @100mw. If more is needed, hit up the 150hz @ 100mw! Did I mention that these are 1S lil quads? I will try this on the HM Mobeetle with 400mw VTX when the weather gets better!!!! Haha
In my type of flying, I'm only comfortable flying these receiver at 150hz or lower. I did some testing on a similar receiver from BetaFPV and same experience.
Thanks for this! I recently just bought 4 EP2 TCXO RXs for my 5" HDZero Race quads. I think I'll be alright will see. I just love how there is no need for a chopped T-antenna when racing.
Nice video! I'm using the HappyModel EP1 TCXO on some of my quades. I like their small size and that the temperature compensated crystal may be helpful. It looks like you coated your FC board.
Nice, I'm using the same one! Yes I did, I used to do a lot of crashing in snowy conditions so wanted to add a bit of protection after I lost one FC/ESC stack in a snowy crash.
Thanks for the info 👍 much love just switched over to elrs myself but I like to use the iflight elrs reciever,(from race day quads)hasn't let me down yet !!
For sure, I mentioned in the video that the placement is not ideal but I can't think of anywhere better that would give the antenna better signal and also protect the receiver from crash damage.
@@StuartArmit I'll have to check but don't think I have enough height there and it would be right under the battery so would be even more shielded on top.
No, I don't use a separate beeper but if you find one for another frame you can remix it. I made a video a while ago on how: ruclips.net/video/EMkQSWrRglc/видео.html
Everyone talking about how fragile the ceramic is and you mentioning not really wanting to use it because of the signal you were getting, if anything I feel like with it's size and being able to put it pretty much anywhere the supposed fragility shouldn't even matter because it should be protected by the frame. You pretty much couldn't have had a worse situation for that poor RTX where you put it so the fact it was doing THAT good in that terrible spot I'd almost say that's a good selling point. In my case I'm looking to replace an XM+ on my alien frame and it's mounted to the bottom rear of the frame, having the EP2 in the same spot which is much a much more OPEN area, I'd imagine it would do much better than what's happening in your setup and it's not like you had failsafe micro failsafe issues like I do with the XM+ at closer range and direct LOS. Had to get new frame pillars n such with one of the failsafe issues when it pancaked on the street, I was doing a dive when it suddenly failed to respond when I needed it the most for punchout so if it does even a little bit better than that, it's certainly worth it I'd say. If I can get good range with my setup and the EP2 and not have to worry about antennas getting tugged out, chopped up etc I'd say that's an absolute win.
The EP2 has its place but if you can find the space for the EP1 that would be preferred. The ELRS antenna are small enough that fitting them to a smaller quad isn’t challenging like what we had with crossfire.
@@Mangorille Very true. I ended up getting the EP1 but have the QX7 radio and while it works it does have it's issues. That said signal and speed compared to the XM+ I used is amazing.
@@Mangorille Oh it's just due to the slower hardware of the older QX7. Need to use 1-bit mode to get it to work but then I have issues with "telemetry lost" repeatedly and I guess the hardware mod for it might do the trick. Part of me wants to do said hardware mod cause I put the hall gymballs on it and part of me also wants a nicer radio in general lol. But really aside from that annoyance like I said I have rock solid control over the quad whereas the XM+ would micro failsafe constantly regardless of how close or far I was. The seemingly limitless signal and reactive controls gives much more confidence to say the least.
Nice Test my friend. I did also test Out EP1 EP2 and RP3 if you want see it, check out my Last 3 Videos. I managed to find the Edges i can say. The numbers work different on ELRS you totally fine here i would say🤩. On Crossfire it's different, Lq drop means Signal can get worst very quickly ELRS not so.
Thanks bud, I'll check it out. I read the really nice write up on the expresslrs site about link quality and they still say "Remember, LQI is all that matters". Still do have to remember that at 250hz you're getting a lot more packets out there than crossfire at 50hz so even with a 70 percent link quality, still better refresh rate than crossfire. :) www.expresslrs.org/3.0/info/signal-health/
Hi Mangorille I am building rejon 5 analog version and I want to best place to mount my Beta FPV ELRS flat antenna rx. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated…
@@anubhavsingh2916 Why do you want to run an EP2 on that build? It looks large enough to fit the EP1 instead with a normal antenna coming out the back. You'll get way better range that way.
yeah, I played around wiht the EP2's on larger quads... I would not run it. The other thing about them, the ceramic antennas are VERY VERY fragile. IMHO just not suitable for bigger quads like 3" and up. I just use it on tiny whoops.
@@Mangorille for me the draw had it worked was assuming you could mount it someplace the ceramic antenna can't be touched that you'd never have to worry about antenna damage, but... it just doesn't do the job for larger quads.
I replaced my crossfire rxs with these on my three 5" quads about 1.5 months ago and all is well so far. I haven't had a place to fly more than a kilometer out yet though. Flying at 250hz dynamic power.
Depends on the packet rate you want to run and the amount of obstacles/interference around. I've been running this receiver at 150hz up to about 500ft away and been perfectly okay. Most of the time the transmitter is at 10 - 25mw.
ELRS LQ has completely different behavior compared to (), values much lower than 50 are fine and you are still under control ... And the key parameter to switch power is RSNR! You were pretty far from fail saving that EP2 ...
Agree, even with 70% of packets getting through, you're in control especially at this dbm signal strengths (I have that on the OSD as well). There's a really good write up on the expresslrs site about the signal health but ultimately it says that both link quality and signal strength are important, BUT, "Link Quality Indicator, this value indicates how much of the conversation is being understood and ultimately all that matters" www.expresslrs.org/3.0/info/signal-health/
Normally you will not FS because of very low RSSI dBm or lower RQLY, you will probably sooner reach the critical RSNR. With ELRS v3.0 and higher the really critical threshold for RSNR is somewhere around - 6 to -7 dB (depends on packet rate), standard BF4.4 alarm (very safe) is at 4 dB, normally you are somewhere around 13 to 14 dB. That is brief explanation.
@@Mangorille It doesn't have to be a rural area. The main thing is a direct line of sight between the antennas in the correct polarization, always vertical polarization. With a tower antenna, it is not so important, although it is also a little. And your placement of the antenna is wrong, once it is shielded by Vista, secondly by the frame and thirdly by the battery.
I cannibalized a whoop and some spare parts and mounted it on a fractal wingman today (3” folding 1s 18650 frame). I was curious about the range of the little ceramic antenna, but I was SUPER impressed. Just over a mile, or 1.5-2Km. I set the packet rate at 50 Hz, and my boxer radio at 50 Hz, dynamic and 1W max output. I had solid signal all the way out to over a mile before I chickened out. And I’m in suburbia! I don’t have transmit power in my OSD, but I’ll definitely add it now.
Anyway, amazing little things. ELRS is the way.
I find it performs acceptably for packet rates of 150 or lower. Not as good as an external antenna but has its place for smaller or super light weight builds.
Hi Everyone. Thanks for checking out this video! If you want more information on the ELRS signal health indicators, there's a really good write-up on their site at the link below. Note that I have all the pertinent signal health information in the on screen display (OSD) so you can go back and form your own opinion as well.
Signal Strength: dBm (e.g. -80) Note: Higher number means better signal strength. As this is a negative number, -60 is a stronger signal than -80
Link Quality: Refresh Rate Mode:% of Packets Received (e.g. 7:100) Note: 7 = 250hz, 5 = 150hz
Transmitter Power: mw (e.g. 250mw)
www.expresslrs.org/2.0/info/signal-health/
Very good video! Can you tell me how you get transmitter power in your OSD please? Thanks!
@@AtomAnt_FPV Thanks. I just added the OSD element for the TX power. It shows the ELRS transmit power from the transmitter.
This is a very useful video especially if you're looking to get into ELRS. Thanks for the review 👏👏
Glad it was helpful!
This video is perfect and perfectly timed! I had the Flywoo el24e on the Flywoo Firefly 1S Nano-Baby v1.2 and the newer Flywoo 1S Firefly FR v2.0. has stock Flywoo EL24E! I have always had issues with the ceramic antenna on those two. (Ironically, my AIO HM 2G4 uses same antenna but has better range).
So, on the elder Flywoo, I swapped out to the old style EP2. Same issues! So, like you, I stopped using 500hz @100mw. I live near other houses with security cameras, shit ton of wifi and cellular stuff. Truth be told, Some of my newer FRSKY or Futaba were slightly worse with range.
I actually tried 250hz at 100mw, a lil better. Then 150hz at 100mw, way better. Actually the video starts to suffer @250mw.
Then, I went to the park....500hz and 250hz had more freedom at 100mw and could easily surpass video at 250mw. The 150hz at 100mw was way better than expected. To summarize: if using any receiver with a ceramic antenna, skip 500hz and go directly to 250hz @100mw. If more is needed, hit up the 150hz @ 100mw! Did I mention that these are 1S lil quads? I will try this on the HM Mobeetle with 400mw VTX when the weather gets better!!!! Haha
In my type of flying, I'm only comfortable flying these receiver at 150hz or lower. I did some testing on a similar receiver from BetaFPV and same experience.
Thanks for this! I recently just bought 4 EP2 TCXO RXs for my 5" HDZero Race quads. I think I'll be alright will see. I just love how there is no need for a chopped T-antenna when racing.
No problem, I'm curious how the durability of the ceramic antenna will be in a racing setting though.
only thing I've never broke n I break Everything! Always shrink wrap though!@@Mangorille
@@TorontoFPV Haha
Spot on video! Actually, good research being documented in this video.
Thanks, happy flying!
Nice video! I'm using the HappyModel EP1 TCXO on some of my quades. I like their small size and that the temperature compensated crystal may be helpful.
It looks like you coated your FC board.
Nice, I'm using the same one! Yes I did, I used to do a lot of crashing in snowy conditions so wanted to add a bit of protection after I lost one FC/ESC stack in a snowy crash.
@@Mangorille 🇨🇦 nice! Maac has me grounded, so no outdoor flying for me, just been flying indoors.
Thanks for the info 👍 much love just switched over to elrs myself but I like to use the iflight elrs reciever,(from race day quads)hasn't let me down yet !!
No problem. Liking it as well, a bit more tinkering but love the size and compatibility!
Position matters.
With the receiver/antenna between the battery and Vista its reception is impaired.
For sure, I mentioned in the video that the placement is not ideal but I can't think of anywhere better that would give the antenna better signal and also protect the receiver from crash damage.
Stick it on top of the fc, I suspect it would do quite a bit better.
@@StuartArmit I'll have to check but don't think I have enough height there and it would be right under the battery so would be even more shielded on top.
Do you have a lost beeper, 3d Print for the Qav-s Mini? Nobody can hear the Qav in the park, it's great
No, I don't use a separate beeper but if you find one for another frame you can remix it. I made a video a while ago on how: ruclips.net/video/EMkQSWrRglc/видео.html
@@Mangorille You da man! Thanks
@@CrashingfpvNo problem, happy printing!
Everyone talking about how fragile the ceramic is and you mentioning not really wanting to use it because of the signal you were getting, if anything I feel like with it's size and being able to put it pretty much anywhere the supposed fragility shouldn't even matter because it should be protected by the frame. You pretty much couldn't have had a worse situation for that poor RTX where you put it so the fact it was doing THAT good in that terrible spot I'd almost say that's a good selling point. In my case I'm looking to replace an XM+ on my alien frame and it's mounted to the bottom rear of the frame, having the EP2 in the same spot which is much a much more OPEN area, I'd imagine it would do much better than what's happening in your setup and it's not like you had failsafe micro failsafe issues like I do with the XM+ at closer range and direct LOS. Had to get new frame pillars n such with one of the failsafe issues when it pancaked on the street, I was doing a dive when it suddenly failed to respond when I needed it the most for punchout so if it does even a little bit better than that, it's certainly worth it I'd say. If I can get good range with my setup and the EP2 and not have to worry about antennas getting tugged out, chopped up etc I'd say that's an absolute win.
The EP2 has its place but if you can find the space for the EP1 that would be preferred. The ELRS antenna are small enough that fitting them to a smaller quad isn’t challenging like what we had with crossfire.
@@Mangorille Very true. I ended up getting the EP1 but have the QX7 radio and while it works it does have it's issues. That said signal and speed compared to the XM+ I used is amazing.
@@MidnightMarrow What kind of issues are you having?
@@Mangorille Oh it's just due to the slower hardware of the older QX7. Need to use 1-bit mode to get it to work but then I have issues with "telemetry lost" repeatedly and I guess the hardware mod for it might do the trick. Part of me wants to do said hardware mod cause I put the hall gymballs on it and part of me also wants a nicer radio in general lol. But really aside from that annoyance like I said I have rock solid control over the quad whereas the XM+ would micro failsafe constantly regardless of how close or far I was. The seemingly limitless signal and reactive controls gives much more confidence to say the least.
Nice Test my friend. I did also test Out EP1 EP2 and RP3 if you want see it, check out my Last 3 Videos. I managed to find the Edges i can say. The numbers work different on ELRS you totally fine here i would say🤩. On Crossfire it's different, Lq drop means Signal can get worst very quickly ELRS not so.
Thanks bud, I'll check it out. I read the really nice write up on the expresslrs site about link quality and they still say "Remember, LQI is all that matters". Still do have to remember that at 250hz you're getting a lot more packets out there than crossfire at 50hz so even with a 70 percent link quality, still better refresh rate than crossfire. :)
www.expresslrs.org/3.0/info/signal-health/
Hi Mangorille I am building rejon 5 analog version and I want to best place to mount my Beta FPV ELRS flat antenna rx.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated…
Not familiar with that frame. You have a link?
@@Mangorille Sorry it's Rekon 5
@@anubhavsingh2916 Why do you want to run an EP2 on that build? It looks large enough to fit the EP1 instead with a normal antenna coming out the back. You'll get way better range that way.
Please did elrs slim pro module reach 1w with tango 2?
Thank u
My internal ELRS module in my Tango 2 only goes up to 500mw.
@@Mangorille thank u so much i wanna buy the external one
yeah, I played around wiht the EP2's on larger quads... I would not run it. The other thing about them, the ceramic antennas are VERY VERY fragile. IMHO just not suitable for bigger quads like 3" and up. I just use it on tiny whoops.
Ya, weight difference of let's say .5grams isn't that much for a larger quad anyway.
@@Mangorille for me the draw had it worked was assuming you could mount it someplace the ceramic antenna can't be touched that you'd never have to worry about antenna damage, but... it just doesn't do the job for larger quads.
I'm thinking of covering it in a big blob of hot glue. Any thoughts?
Once txco diversity came out for ELRS, thats the only thing ill run in all my builds except tiny whoops
It's out: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCJ5sdN
I replaced my crossfire rxs with these on my three 5" quads about 1.5 months ago and all is well so far. I haven't had a place to fly more than a kilometer out yet though. Flying at 250hz dynamic power.
@@Mangorille if you want one quicker you can get the BetaFPV SuperD from Amazon for the same price
@@shaneintegra Thanks, I'm okay with the non-diversity ones for my type of flying.
that's my favorite frame
Hey. Which one? The Lumenier or the Quadmula?
1000ft max if that?
Depends on the packet rate you want to run and the amount of obstacles/interference around. I've been running this receiver at 150hz up to about 500ft away and been perfectly okay. Most of the time the transmitter is at 10 - 25mw.
dude you really should move that ep2 antenna out of in between the carbon frame its blocking your antenna big time.
Yes, positioning is not ideal. Tough to find a good place that protects the antenna but also gives good signal.
ELRS LQ has completely different behavior compared to (), values much lower than 50 are fine and you are still under control ... And the key parameter to switch power is RSNR! You were pretty far from fail saving that EP2 ...
Agree, even with 70% of packets getting through, you're in control especially at this dbm signal strengths (I have that on the OSD as well). There's a really good write up on the expresslrs site about the signal health but ultimately it says that both link quality and signal strength are important, BUT, "Link Quality Indicator, this value indicates how much of the conversation is being understood and ultimately all that matters"
www.expresslrs.org/3.0/info/signal-health/
@@Mangorille Read about RSNR ... I was already flying 9 km away from me at 25 mW with Matek R24-D. EP2 can do close to 3 km at 150 Hz and 100 mW.
Normally you will not FS because of very low RSSI dBm or lower RQLY, you will probably sooner reach the critical RSNR. With ELRS v3.0 and higher the really critical threshold for RSNR is somewhere around - 6 to -7 dB (depends on packet rate), standard BF4.4 alarm (very safe) is at 4 dB, normally you are somewhere around 13 to 14 dB. That is brief explanation.
@@MomoBrut This sounds like perhaps more in a rural area without too many obstacles and competing signals. Correct?
@@Mangorille It doesn't have to be a rural area. The main thing is a direct line of sight between the antennas in the correct polarization, always vertical polarization. With a tower antenna, it is not so important, although it is also a little. And your placement of the antenna is wrong, once it is shielded by Vista, secondly by the frame and thirdly by the battery.
Don’t but the receiver where you have it, you will break it in a crash
Agree, not an ideal placement but good enough for the test.