How to Choose Video Transmitters (VTX) for your Drone Plane

Hi guys, here is AKK. Do you find it difficult to choose Video Transmitters (VTX) for your Drone Plane currently? It is a common phenomenon since there are too many video transmitters in the FPV market. Today, we are going to talk about some significant features of 5.8Ghz video transmitter, which greatly helps to choose your GO TO VTX. Chasing these features, you will never wonder how to choose video transmitter again! If you are an FPV beginner, don't miss it because we just tell what you want and the most necessary！ So what should be the first thing to consider？Here we list the basic significance factors that should be considered? Let us cover the following topics: 

·The Size and Mounting Options

·Video Transmitter Input Voltage

·VTX Control-Smart Audio

·Pitmode

·Antenna Connector-MMCX Connector

·The size and mounting options

We must know the size of the video transmitter and the drone frame. The daily typical used mounting sizes of VTX for race/freestyle are M2(20*20)/M3(30*30), they can directly plug in the stack mounting in your FC. Great part dimensions range from 10mm to 40mm.

As for the frame, we can find the size from Tiny whoops(100mm) to 7 inches (280mm+) or larger. The 5 inch is most popular for it can be used in both freestyle and race.

So it is ridiculous to fit a large VTX in a tiny whoop or put a nano VTX for a long range drone. Make sure which size VTX you need, that’s all depend on the size of the frame!

·Video Transmitter Input Voltage

Don’t the neglect input voltage of the video transmitter. You may get into great trouble for this little thing.

Most new video transmitters by AKK have wide input voltage, from 7V to 24V, so you can choose a 2-5s battery and 6S battery may make the VTX burn out. Meanwhile, the flight controller should have an output over 7V or you may buy a step up regulator. Especially note some video transmitters can only handle 5 volts like AKK Race VTX, so if you accidentally wire it up to where it's going to get the full power of the battery, it will burn out. Low voltage will not make the video transmitter work. Choose a suitable range input voltage video transmitter or you may find them just a waste of money!

·Video Transmitter Channels

5.8GHz is most popular because it’s legal in most countries, and the antennas can be made small. It’s common to find either 32 channel FPV transmitters or 40 channel FPV transmitters.

Make sure your FPV transmitter is compatible with your FPV receiver, goggles, or monitor. Check that there are compatible channels between your FPV transmitter and receiver so that they can both run on exactly the same frequency.

·VTX Control-Smart Audio

“Tramp Telemetry” or “SmartAduio”is the main types of protocol help player change VTX settings. A VTX should come with OSD function to allow you to change VTX settings such as power output and channel. So you can no longer use the button to control setting again if you are tired of it. AKK VTXs support Smart Audio, that means you can select varies parameter via Betalight OSD.

·Pitmode

It is a must-have feature where the video transmitter will power up at a very very low output power less than 1 milliwatt. And the effect of this is that lets you can change the channel without disturbing others’ drone.

·Output Power

There are various outputs of video transmitters, which used in kinds of flying and range.

25mW VTX: It is designed for indoor flying and races with many pilots

200mW VTX: You can get a range of about 1.5km with this power.

600mW VTX: It is the beginning power for long range.

1000mW VTX: The distance can even reach 10km+

VTX 1000mW+: Great range and may heat seriously. Max range even over 20km.

·Antenna Connector-MMCX Connector

If you are new to FPV, you may find the antenna connector is really complicated. Here we just tell you the most popular and most reliable one--MMCX connector! The MMCX connector is durable and easy to use. Rated for 100s of mating cycles and provides easy and quick antenna changes.No more ripped-off UFL connectors.

That all the basic knowledge that we should learn before choose a suitable VTX. Any other factors you want to know, just tell us and we will add it. Thank you for your reading.

New FPV life begins with AKK. --Willian