LRS System Shoot Out

by StoneBlueAirlines | June 3, 2013 | (12) Posted in Reviews

Watch In HD for best viewing.

In this video Alex & I test the top 5 LRS radio systems in this shoot out.
If you just can't wait to hear what the results are check out the last 7 minutes of the video as we give a complete overview of our thoughts on this test and the results. (But really you should watch the whole video its good)

We wanted to thank all the guys that sent us their privately owned systems to test.With all the test setups, running in the rain, video editing, mad scientist inspired meetings we spent close to a 100 hours on this project. We received no compensation of any type for the making of this video. We hope you learned something from this video that will help you as you continue this fun hobby of flying FPV.

Video TX& RX Tested: 1258 &1280

At the start of the video I say 1256 but that signal is 1258 sorry for this mix up.

Below are the merits of each system in a nutshell:

EZUHF - A bit pricey, but rock solid. This is the best LRS for really tough RF environments.
OpenLRS - Cheap and it works. Best bag for the buck. Upgrade to the OpenLRSng firmware for best results. DO NOT use a transmitter exceeding 1 Watt with this system and it is a good idea to coat the RX in epoxy to keep it from breaking.
RangeLink - Inexpensive and it works well. The only issue is that there are harmonics on the 1.3GHz and 900MHz bands that is going to limit your ultimate range a bit.
DragonLink - Moderately priced but serious harmonic issues. This system has extremely long range capability but DO NOT USE 1.3GHz video or your range will be severely weakened.
Scherrer - Expensive but long range. Only very slight harmonic issues measured. The weakness of this system is other transmitters on 433 MHz.

LRS Systems:

EZ UHF: http://www.immersionrc.com/

Rangelink: http://www.rangepiloting.com/rangelink-uhf-lrs-accessories-c-65.html

Sherrer UHF: http://www.tslrs.com/

Open LRS: http://www.flytron.com/16-openlrs

DragonLink: http://www.dragonlinkstore.com/v2/

We hope this video helped you in picking your LRS system of choice.

There are lots of great systems here so make sure to watch the full video if you want to know all there is to each system.

Thanks for watching.

Jeremiah Aka Bondjr. & Alex Aka iBcrazy

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Build, Fly, Crash, Repair, Repeat.

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Flight Crew:
Bond Jr. :StoneBlueAirlines
iBcrazy: cagreve1231
Vango: Jasonglaze

FPV Gear:

FPV Dealers I like:
http://videoaerialsystems.com/
http://hobbywireless.com/
http://onlyflyingmachines.com/
http://www.securitycamera2000.com/

FPV Camera:
Sony CMQ1993X

Video:
808 #16 Keychain Camera modded lens.
808 #16 V2 D Lens
GoPro3 Black Ragecam

Planes:
iBcrazy Spector EPP
iBcrazy Raven EPP
iBcrazy Spartan 48 EPP Wing
Mini EPP Wing
Flight Test Nut Ball

Multicopters:
DJI F450 KK2.0 V1.5
Scratch built T-Copter KK2.0

Radio: Futaba T7Cap 72mhz
Spectrum Dx6i 2.4ghz
Receiver: Coronal RP6D1 / RP8D1 72mhz

Ground Station:
Helical & Cross Hair Antenna
1.2 Ghz Tx & Rx
900Mhz Plug & Play
5.8Ghz Plug & Play
2.4 Plug & Play

FPV Viewing:
Vuzix Wrap 920 Goggles
Vuzix Wrap 1200
7" LCD BEV-OFM

DVR:
Hobby Wireless VR1500

Great Stuff on YouTube:
flitetest
experimentalairlines

Flying Wing Calculator
http://fwcg.3dzone.dk/

T- Copter Calculator
http://tinyurl.com/bn2zjs2

Free Flight Sim for PC.
http://www.rcdeskpilot.com

Music:
www.freeplaymusic.com

My Job:
Branding, Media, & Business Inquiries:
www.stoneblueproductions.com
info@stoneblueproductions.com
Photo-Video-Marketing-Design
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Build, Fly, Crash, Repair, Repeat.

Find us on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/StoneBlueAirlines

COMMENTS

RoyBro on June 5, 2013
Wow! Great comparison guys. It's obvious that a lot of thought and preparation went into your test procedure. I'm extremely happy that the OpenLRS did as well as it did, because I'm a great fan of "cheap".
My only critique would be that you didn't wait for the BNC attenuator before performing the tests. I realize that you stressed the point that the tests were not exactly the same, but in that case, I would rather that system be excluded, or the test made the same.

That being said. I really appreciate the effort that went into the testing and the video presentation.

Nice Job!
5 stars!
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RoyBro on June 5, 2013
One other item. I noticed that HobbyKing is selling an OrangeRX OpenLRS module for around $30 and receiver for $20. It would be awesome if you could do a comparison between that and the OpenLRS system that you guys are using. Like i said; I'm a fan of "cheap" and the HK system comes in at a third of the price listed for the OpenLRS sytem listed in the video.
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 5, 2013
They are not the same system. But yes feel free to contact hobby king on our behalf we would check there system out. From what we know its more of a copy than the original and for the cost get a 9xr and openlrs that is what i just did. More to come from my move to the new system as well.
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 5, 2013
We did not realize it needed BNC untll we opened it up. As the system tested about the same with the changes we made we left it in. There was not a drastic difference in that system. Plus in the other tests it was right on par again. Thanks for watching.
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Cyberdactyl on June 5, 2013
Great job guys. Love your videos.

Been thinking about LRS and this REALLY helps.

But referring to clean mobility. . . and going a mere 600 feet!? I can certainly think of a cleaner RF 2-wheeled vehicle. . .I think Alex should reconsider the handle to 'IBLazy'. ;-)
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 5, 2013
Haha Cyberdactyl. I wanted him to run with the helmet on :) Man we would have been out there all day had we used a bike.

Jeremiah
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sailorJohn on June 5, 2013
This video gives me a new understanding especially the part at Chads's location, I especially am amazed that all of these frequencies are available to used at any power without FCC license or FAA approval. Even my toaster had to be approved by FCC. I guess I have to be more concerned as I still have a radiotelephone license therefor the fines would be more than doubled.
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philbx1 on June 6, 2013
Fantastic work guys!
I'm super impressed at the sheer effort you've put into this experiment
and really do appreciate the time you've spent to help others.
I'd also be keen to see what the HK OpenLRS system does BTW.
Thanks much.
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 6, 2013
Maybe Hobby King can send us a set. Just can't afford to buy them for the test but would love to see how they do in a general distance test.
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 6, 2013
However they are a copy of Open LRS so I would just stick with the real thing anyway.
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pekote on June 6, 2013
Please check the comments from Thomas Scherrer about this LRS System Shoot Out->

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=25191670&postcount=11808

"The worst they did was to compare range, with antennas removed from the RX,
what they actually measure is ONLY how well is the bare pcb shielded,
the better it is shielded, the less range you get that way,
so less range measured that way is actually better :-)
does that matter ? not a darn thing, since what you want is to run the RX with antenna,
and that one pick up millions time more signal compared to what the board can pick up
unshielded, so no need to add nice tight and heawy shielding,
so that result is, even to put it nice, compleetly useless :-)

To measure HARMONICS, you dont use a video receiver..
you use a SPECTRUM ANALYZER !!
you need to find out exactly how many db the 3rd is under the main carrier..
it is called dbc for db under carrier.
By using a video receiver, you dont reveal a darn thing, since all systems hop
at a little bit different bands and a bit different timings, so how well this hit the video rx
is just pure random result, and dont tell a thing at all..
Correct video (system frequency band planning) is always a mandetory task to perform.
and you will NEWER EVER be able to use a video band at EXACTLY the 3rd
of any other TX frequency in a system.
Any user simply change the video channel to the one, with as little as possible
conflict with his LRS :-) problem solved.."


and continues.....



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StoneBlueAirlines on June 6, 2013
Thanks for the link. So we did not have the new version but one most people are using and one that was just loaned to us. Sherrer is not a bad system just issues we ran into with it just like DL. Trust me with this video Alex could have done a crazy set up with lab gear but then it would have gone over most peoples heads. We just tried to keep it real and do the same set up over and over. As with all things just a pros and cons things as you look at each system.

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pekote on June 6, 2013
I'm fully agree with TS that range test done with receiver without antenna is completly useless.
Receiver is very sensitive, and is catching all signals from air with the entire circuit board, I mean, A receiver is working without antenna because the receiver is not fully shielded. If you put the receivers into a metalic shielded box, the transmission distance will be strongly reduced. In fact, it is better for the receiver if you put it in a shielded box since you are protecting the receiver circuit from external interferences.
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StoneBlueAirlines on June 6, 2013
We were flying a few weeks ago and had an issue on one of our video systems when flying and guess what antenna came loose while flying real world range test for video. Got back quick and fixed it but this stuff happens. The other thing has to do with shielding and I may not be an expert in this area where Alex is the complaint is only a small one and of all the systems if its working for you keep it. If all systems are tested the same and some show faults they are what they are. In the case of DL even with all the shielding it does not help it walk on video signal. What we need is a nice blend of the best of all the systems then we will be in FPV long range heaven.
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LRS System Shoot Out