By nature, any digital build is really a “premium” build! The FC stack will be the HD version of the T-Motor F7 series, 55A ESC. Plenty of plug and play on this one. Still have to solder the motors and the power supply of course.
Camera, the Caddx Retel 2.
VTX/Rx: TBS Sixty-9 AIO.
Same props as other Lumeniers
Waiting on a couple supplier availability questions, and we’ll start building. Exciting stuff!
Isn’t digital easier to build too? Like no soldering needed? Just plug stuff in. I’m just getting into fpv so still figuring it all out. $$ are definitely the biggest issue.
Hi Jon. Not necessarily (re soldering). It depends on what electronics are chosen for the build. Most times the Air Unit is a plug in, but you still have to solder the motors. And other add-on stuff like GPS, are hit or miss. Keep flying!
I’m still learning this hobby. I have a nice Tyro from here. I fly it a lot. Ready to go on and get more capability and power. So many bells and whistles available now.
But digital? I don’t get it really. I did look at prices: wow. Forgettng about price, is it really that much better flying?
I’m glad you’re enjoying your Tyro! Those are fun little quads, aren’t they?! The new Darwins are about a step up if you’d like to take small steps. Otherwise, consider a larger long-range quad like the Lumeniers.
As for digital, go back to the first post in this topic; in it, I outline the pros and cons. Basically, you get near perfect video feed for images & video, and a strong digital signal that resists interference much better than analog. On the con side, the biggest one is price, then latency issues, and RANGE. Analog still bests digital for long-range. Many of our customers here ARE interested in long-range, so that’s what we build. The Lumenier QAV-RXL2 10″, in particular is awesome long-range. The Darwin 7″ too.
Hmm. I really like digital, but darn it really is expensive. I enjoy the perfection of the video feed. That important to me as I do a lot of video. If you have a large budget, digital is certainly how to go. The downsides of digital really don’t affect me, other than the price. It makes me go analog for my smaller, long flight-time workhorses.
I hear ya Chad. That is the biggest issue w/ going all-Digital. But, like all advancements, eventually (who knows how long??) — prices will come down and features will improve. But for now, yes, a LOT of drone “solutions” will continue to be analog, for the reliability (DoD), long-range and no latency issues.
For the record, we build BY FAR more analog drone systems than digital. Like 4:1
IMO, if you can afford it, digital is SOOOOO the way to go! Yes, there are issues with digital that aren’t present with analog, but you can mitigate them with various “fixes”. I think analogue will be around for a long time yet, but it really can’t get an “better”…it is what it is. So digital HAS to take over eventually right? Just has to get more affordable.
I absolutely agree with you Brad! But it’s not a “perfect system” yet either! So there are challenges to the digital build as of yet that must be handled. In particular, choosing from the primary three digital players, given all of their pros and cons.
Good information, thanks. I’m new to the hobby, and glad I found this site. You guys seem to be on the cutting edge.
Digital? Too expensive. If it could even get to be maybe double the cost, it might be do-able, but it’s really pricey. In the future I’m sure it will take over, but not now.
SO… you want to talk DIGITAL (HD) drone building, eh?!
Let’s do it! Let’s start with FACTS ONLY:
COST: Digital is MUCH MORE expensive vs Analog, on an order of magnitude ~ 5x
VIDEO: Digital wins easily: incredibly clear, vibrant images/videos
WEIGHT/SIZE: Analog stays light and small, particularly useful in smaller builds (whoops -> 5″)
CRASHING: Digital means expensive parts replacements
RANGE: Analog wins for long range dependability
AVAILABILITY: Much more parts availability for Analog
LATENCY: Digital has issues with latency, important mostly for racers only
INTERFERENCE: Digital handles interference better
EASE OF SETUP: Analog wins here
ONBOARD AUDIO: Only Analog systems can do it. A ‘unique’ requirement, primarily for racers who wish to hear the drone during flight
The most important factor, IMO, is the first one on the list above: COST!
Analog was the only way to go until 2019, when digital systems were introduced, with expensive price tags. The prices are SLOWLY falling, availability is improving, and so is quality. Digital WILL take over from analog at some point. Precisely when is the big question. Due to price, it isn’t expected to happen anytime in the near future. Until then, you have to weigh the pros/cons of each system based on YOUR needs.
Happy to discuss specific aspects of each system. Just ask.
We can also discuss the three digital systems and their pros/cons. (DJI, HDZERO, WalkSnail)
I’ll be watching for this as well. Very curious how much is sooo much.
Any of the components chosen yet? This is an exciting build. Will it be a premium or a value build?
Hi Graham,
By nature, any digital build is really a “premium” build! The FC stack will be the HD version of the T-Motor F7 series, 55A ESC. Plenty of plug and play on this one. Still have to solder the motors and the power supply of course.
Camera, the Caddx Retel 2.
VTX/Rx: TBS Sixty-9 AIO.
Same props as other Lumeniers
Waiting on a couple supplier availability questions, and we’ll start building. Exciting stuff!
We’ve added a DIGITAL BUILD to the upcoming build list. It’s currently expected to be the:
iFlight Nazgul XL10 10″ DIGITAL
Yes, it will be pricey. We’ll only build a couple until we can anticipate demand. Feedback will be vital! Thanks!
Isn’t digital easier to build too? Like no soldering needed? Just plug stuff in. I’m just getting into fpv so still figuring it all out. $$ are definitely the biggest issue.
Hi Jon. Not necessarily (re soldering). It depends on what electronics are chosen for the build. Most times the Air Unit is a plug in, but you still have to solder the motors. And other add-on stuff like GPS, are hit or miss. Keep flying!
I’m still learning this hobby. I have a nice Tyro from here. I fly it a lot. Ready to go on and get more capability and power. So many bells and whistles available now.
But digital? I don’t get it really. I did look at prices: wow. Forgettng about price, is it really that much better flying?
Hi Greg,
I’m glad you’re enjoying your Tyro! Those are fun little quads, aren’t they?! The new Darwins are about a step up if you’d like to take small steps. Otherwise, consider a larger long-range quad like the Lumeniers.
As for digital, go back to the first post in this topic; in it, I outline the pros and cons. Basically, you get near perfect video feed for images & video, and a strong digital signal that resists interference much better than analog. On the con side, the biggest one is price, then latency issues, and RANGE. Analog still bests digital for long-range. Many of our customers here ARE interested in long-range, so that’s what we build. The Lumenier QAV-RXL2 10″, in particular is awesome long-range. The Darwin 7″ too.
-Fred.
Hmm. I really like digital, but darn it really is expensive. I enjoy the perfection of the video feed. That important to me as I do a lot of video. If you have a large budget, digital is certainly how to go. The downsides of digital really don’t affect me, other than the price. It makes me go analog for my smaller, long flight-time workhorses.
I hear ya Chad. That is the biggest issue w/ going all-Digital. But, like all advancements, eventually (who knows how long??) — prices will come down and features will improve. But for now, yes, a LOT of drone “solutions” will continue to be analog, for the reliability (DoD), long-range and no latency issues.
For the record, we build BY FAR more analog drone systems than digital. Like 4:1
-Fred.
IMO, if you can afford it, digital is SOOOOO the way to go! Yes, there are issues with digital that aren’t present with analog, but you can mitigate them with various “fixes”. I think analogue will be around for a long time yet, but it really can’t get an “better”…it is what it is. So digital HAS to take over eventually right? Just has to get more affordable.
I absolutely agree with you Brad! But it’s not a “perfect system” yet either! So there are challenges to the digital build as of yet that must be handled. In particular, choosing from the primary three digital players, given all of their pros and cons.
Hi Jeff. I’m glad you found us too!
I agree: digital is wayyy too expensive for the masses to accept, at this point. But it is the future; just not sure how far into that future it is!
Good information, thanks. I’m new to the hobby, and glad I found this site. You guys seem to be on the cutting edge.
Digital? Too expensive. If it could even get to be maybe double the cost, it might be do-able, but it’s really pricey. In the future I’m sure it will take over, but not now.
SO… you want to talk DIGITAL (HD) drone building, eh?!
Let’s do it! Let’s start with FACTS ONLY:
COST: Digital is MUCH MORE expensive vs Analog, on an order of magnitude ~ 5x
VIDEO: Digital wins easily: incredibly clear, vibrant images/videos
WEIGHT/SIZE: Analog stays light and small, particularly useful in smaller builds (whoops -> 5″)
CRASHING: Digital means expensive parts replacements
RANGE: Analog wins for long range dependability
AVAILABILITY: Much more parts availability for Analog
LATENCY: Digital has issues with latency, important mostly for racers only
INTERFERENCE: Digital handles interference better
EASE OF SETUP: Analog wins here
ONBOARD AUDIO: Only Analog systems can do it. A ‘unique’ requirement, primarily for racers who wish to hear the drone during flight
The most important factor, IMO, is the first one on the list above: COST!
Analog was the only way to go until 2019, when digital systems were introduced, with expensive price tags. The prices are SLOWLY falling, availability is improving, and so is quality. Digital WILL take over from analog at some point. Precisely when is the big question. Due to price, it isn’t expected to happen anytime in the near future. Until then, you have to weigh the pros/cons of each system based on YOUR needs.
Happy to discuss specific aspects of each system. Just ask.
We can also discuss the three digital systems and their pros/cons. (DJI, HDZERO, WalkSnail)
-Fred.