Long Range FPV with the GEPRC 2.5W Maten VTX

We'll take a close look at the GEPRC Maten VTX as well as how to set up the activation of GPS rescue & maximum VTX power to a switch on your transmitter. (and of course there's lots of long range fpv footage!)
My Long Range FPV frame designs:
-Falcon RPM 7.5" Cinematic / Long Range @ AddictiveRC - bit.ly/Falcon_RPM_AddictiveRC
-Falcon RPM 7.5" Cinematic / Long Range @ CNCDrones - bit.ly/FalconRPM
- RAD Li-ion 7" Long Range - bit.ly/3MFoCdg
- RAD Scout 7" Xtra Long Range - bit.ly/3kyvPDy
- AOS Falcon 7 Cinematic Long Range - bit.ly/3jUiLUI
Parts list and affiliate links for 6s long range build - (great reliability and balance between power and efficiency)
T-Motor F7 Pro flight controller - bit.ly/3xtW1mE
T-Motor F55 Pro II ESC (4in1) - bit.ly/3uITNOF
Motors for 7" props: T Motor F90 2806.5 1300kv - bit.ly/3M4fjDg
Motors for 7.5" props: T-Motor Velox 3008 1500kv - bit.ly/3QJ8Gcf
Camera Butter ND Filters - bit.ly/3WZmSQR
7" props for RAD Scout - Gemfan 7035 (tri-blade) - bit.ly/3vdSzKu
7" props for RAD Li-ion - Gemfan 7037 (tri-blade) - bit.ly/3rvCz5f
7" props for Falcon 7 - Gemfan 7040 (tri-blades) - bit.ly/3YaxFrZ
7.5" props for Falcon RPM Gemfan 7535 (tri-blades) - bit.ly/3vdSzKu
VTX antenna TrueRC Singularity - bit.ly/3xvXFEg
VTX - GEPRC Maten 2.5w
Receiver - bit.ly/3xuMGv8
FPV camera (analog) - bit.ly/3JL88OT
GPS - bit.ly/3uJjRci
Receiver antenna - bit.ly/3jG7o2L
Video Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:26 - A close look at the Maten VTX
03:50 - How does it do at long range?
04:25 - First batch BetaFlight VTX table setup
07:00 - Setting up GPS rescue & VTX power to an Aux switch
12:05 - Final thoughts
Consider supporting the channel on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/user?u=48131636
Check out my frame design page @ CNCDrones: bit.ly/3vvRrD7
Use this link for the purchase of anything from GetFPV with no extra cost to you, but it helps the channel out: bit.ly/3roKZui

[@MrHeretic666]

Great video as always. Tip for beginners: ALWAYS turn on the artifiial horizon on your OSD when you're going to fly in the clouds or fog. I've drowned my first quad in the ocean because I was disoriented when dove in low dense clouds.

[@FalconRadFPV]

oh damn, that's a really great tip! I've gotten disoriented in cloud cover several times, this would have helped a lot.

[@Welcome2It]

Funny you say that, when I first started flying acro my cinewhoop clipped a guard rail on a balcony and went into an uncontrollable roll. I panicked and tried to punch to throttle when my artificial horizon looked flat. It saved me! Without seeing that I probably would have throttled into the cement lol

[@OnelastgoTV]

The angle mode with power increase is so smart

[@gregdavidd]

I would love to see a video where you compare 5.8g and 1.2G versions. I am curious about video quality differences at the same distance and then maybe a penetration test :).

[@AErefrigeration]

1.2 is like am radio. Static

[@koalafpv]

You know it’s a good Saturday night when FalconRad uploads 🤙🏻

[@FalconRadFPV]

Thanks buddy!

[@th13f]

very smart move with vtx power boost. love it

[@NorgeSquad]

That is genoius. gonna set up angle mode with 2.5W myself now on a switch

[@colibrifpv]

Wow, really enjoyed that scenery! I'm building up a Chimera with the Maten VTX to do some mountain surfing down here in the Andes ⛰ Really excited to see what this VTX is capable of after watching your video. Super helpful info on those VTX tables. Cheers!

[@danialfpv]

For me, this is not tip, this is fpv LR hack😄😄. @8:06 that had my thinking hat on to configure the switch for angle mode + max vtx power + max rx power. Appreciate for this very much.

[@John_Doe_6996]

For this particular video, it would have been nice to see just the DVR footage. Looks pretty clean from what I can tell.

[@argyleskyfpv461]

Great flight and review!!!! This will fit perfectly in my AOS Falcon 7 frame!!!! Im currently runnin the 1.6 watt rush vtx in it and there is plenty of room for this one.

[@WindjumbieFPV]

Wow that's a really cool feature GEPRC made an excellent VTX there.

[@FalconRadFPV]

The power adjustment along with GPS rescue is a BF thing, any VTX with smart audio or IRC tramp can do it.

[@WindjumbieFPV]

@@FalconRadFPV good to know, ive switched to digital....can i do that with digital?/

[@MANTA_FPV]

i have set up my GPS rescue the exact same way👍🏻 Wow i think you really sold that VTX to me 😊 Looking forward to more testing videos from your side.

[@hendriannor6599]

Analog never die ❤

[@Bitathisandthat]

Wow another amazing flight MR Rad.

[@413fpv9]

Very informative thank you. Installing mine soon

[@mamatfpv]

Great job!!! The VTX look insane!!!

[@McShakyFPV]

Thanks for the BF screenshots and explanation. I was hoping you’d do that.

[@FalconRadFPV]

Glad to help!

[@Sonic_Ox]

Beautiful video as usual. Very informative too. Thank you for sharing that.

[@ACatTooFar]

Wow thanks for the BF set up brother!

[@FalconRadFPV]

No problem 👍

[@Sleeperknot]

1.2GHz may be illegal to use in many regions. One more reason to avoid 1.2GHz VTXs are that it can interfere with the GPS reception too because GPS signals are also in that range. 5.8Ghz is the way to go.

[@FalconRadFPV]

I agree, 1.2ghz is really more for something like a plane that might go 20 or 30 km away. 5.8ghz is more than good enough for a long range drone.

[@k4x4map46]

great stuff!!

[@xORLOCKx]

Wish I had the terrain to need something like this! 😂

[@SummerCrowfpv]

I really wish other companies could make vtx units available like this only in digital protocol so I can bind it to my DJI goggles or to my Walksnail goggles or whichever like they do now for analog

[@Chillin-fpv]

Ive wanted that vtx ever since it came out. Ive had a couple foxeer reaper extreme 2.5w vtx and never had em at that max power. I have the same switch set up for angle mode then angle and gps RTH but I don't have the extra power thing set up.

[@MCsCreations]

Awesome flying and review, dude! 😃 I wonder if it would work in 800mw on a rc car, because of the fan. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@FalconRadFPV]

Thanks so much! The website says the 5v out can be used for either an FPV camera or a secondary fan for situations where there is less air flow during use.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

With a decent fan and enough airflow around it you could probably run 2.5w. You can find some really good fans for cooling rc car motor and esc's.

[@MCsCreations]

@@thirtythreeeyes8624 Sure, but as it already has a fan... You know? 😬 I'm going to build a small FPV pod to use in rc cars and airplanes, with a Caddx Turtle v2 and a Rush Tank Mini and a fan. (Probably today, if everything works out.) But the idea of a VTX with an integrated fan is tempting!

[@SummerCrowfpv]

I would love to see the full flight viewed just from the goggles DVR in full screen 👍

[@madladdan]

Check out the foxeer reaper infinity, it has 5W of power!

[@FalconRadFPV]

But it's GIGANTIC, I think it's only for planes.

[@mark6302]

2.5 my god man :0

[@robertrosicrucion]

I actually do use those whip antennas! LOL maybe i havent went far enough away to understand.

[@FalconRadFPV]

I have about 50 of them if you need any spares, lol...

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

With perfect los and orientation linear can actually go further there aren't many great linear directional antenna though.

[@peeweeherman5590]

This is FalconRads channel and we know it. 😮

[@nmrlab3807]

Nice view, thanks for sharing this. I've get some diagonal lines on my fpv feed, it is subtle but annoying. I wonder how you got such a clean video feed from the VTX, I use 12V BEC, LC filters, and capacitors but cannot get rid out the diagonal lines. Thanks again.

[@FalconRadFPV]

It might be interference from your ESC. It likely is if the lines get better and worse as you move the throttle up and down. Some flight controller and ESC combo's are better than others for power filtering. With newer gear often using the flight controllers 9v or 10v BEC is the best choice for a VTX.

[@nmrlab3807]

​@@FalconRadFPV I think you are right, there is some interference from your ESC or wires causing diagonal lines. Interestingly, they are always there and not affected by throttle though they are much more noticeable when seeing the cloud, I have to investigate more. Thank you.

[@voidrunnerv6394]

What camera do you use for your videos? It's so much sharper all around than most! I'm looking to get a camera

[@nr0o]

Thanks for the great review and the beautiful landscape! Did you map the power levels together with angle mode / GPS rescue on AUX3? I'm asking because you used 3 in the "vtx" CLI command, which should mean AUX4.

[@FalconRadFPV]

Haha, nice you caught that! Ya I had to use the wrong switch since it was on aux 4 not 3. I messed around with my firmware alot playing with VTX tables so my setup was off. Thanks for reminding me that I need to fix that!

[@LynxGenisys]

Im curious, I can't find anyone testing and/reviewing the 5 and 10watt versions. I knows it's likely overkill for not alot, (but not a little either, ) gain. But you could in theory run them in the lower 2.5w mode, and not be maxing out the vtx. And i just wana see the range n penetration at 10 watts.. 😂 (I'm sure some1 out there's been testing them out... 😅 )

[@dailyfunnytv358]

can you share the parts for this build please

[@4helixFPV]

Nice review and fantastic flight!! Im looking for rush tank solo max 2.5W, what do you think about it? It would be useful to have a comparison between these two

[@FalconRadFPV]

I haven't tried it, ya, it would be nice to compare them.

[@gregdavidd]

Thanks for another great video! Just wondering if you tested the output of that VTX because other reviews show its 2.5W mode outputing from 1.3W to 2.2W?

[@FalconRadFPV]

I don't have an RF power analyzer. I'd take test results cautiously, did they have the VTX sitting on a table for 5 or 10 min at 2.5W? That will not give an accurate (in my opinion) result. It would need to have a VERY strong fan on it the whole time to simulate being in flight (a little desk fan probably doesn't even equal the air flow of the props at idle!) At 2.5W the VTX should hopefully cut power to reduce heat after a fairly short amount of time (unless a ton of air is flowing over it). It has to or it will melt itself, 2.5W for one of these little RF amplifiers is sort of like running a 2306 with a 5" prop at full throttle non stop (imagine doing that to a motor in a vacuum with no air flow going over it (or just a tiny desk fan). I've also seen a lot of back and forth between reviewers and companies debating how accurate the RF signal testers are that people are using. Apparently the companies making these things use ones that cost thousands and they debate the validity of the $100 ones people are using at home. The built in tiny fan on it just helps gets air away from the cooling fins on the heat sink, the VTX will still rely on having a significant amount of air flow to be able to push out 2.5W and keep the RF amplifier below a temperature that will cause damage to it. One I just watched showed the RF power at 50 to 60% of whats rated, even at 25mW it was reading 14mW, seems odd that EVERY power level be off by the same amount? It could also be a faulty attenuator. Anyways, not saying the VTX does or does not put out the rated amounts, just that it's kind of hard to know for sure. The best way for the $100 Rf analysers to be relevant is to use the data comparatively. For instance testing four different brands of VTX at the same time, and just divide the lower results by the highest one to get a comparative percentage result. That's some testing that I would really be interested in seeing.

[@ehsankeshtgar6734]

Thanks for the video. the list that you have provided, vtx is rush tank but in this video you are reviewing GEPRC Maten vtx ? Is that right ?

[@FalconRadFPV]

Yes it's the Maten VTX that I'm using for this flight. The description was a mistake.

[@ehsankeshtgar6734]

@@FalconRadFPV thanks, could you please provide the link for Maten one? Looks like I can not find it here in Australia!

[@spacekip38]

where are you flying? it's magnificent there!

[@FalconRadFPV]

its the west coast of canada.

[@maddercat]

I wish they would add a graph or button for putting variable vtx power on a switch. Having to do it through cli just makes me not want to do it.

[@FalconRadFPV]

Maybe that'll be a future upgrade for the VTX tab in the configurator!

[@mlentsch]

I always bitch about analog, though I understand why you use it, but your analog video seems particularly clear.

[@thirtythreeeyes8624]

With good cameras and proper setup it's totally flyable and the most predictable for long range especially if you use audio since it cuts out before video.

[@FalconRadFPV]

I think the extra output power is helping to improve the signal quality.

[@marcback1]

Hi . Thanks a lot for the video. How much tilt do you use on your camera?

[@FalconRadFPV]

I fly with the fpv camera at about 26 degrees and the gopro mount at 27 or 28 degrees. I use a little bit more on the GoPro because I often fly close to the ground and want the GoPro to be looking "up" just a little.

[@nofearjer1]

What Goggles, VRx and antennas are you using? If I remember correctly I’ve seen thumbnails of you using helical, but all the parts lists you’ve added in your video descriptions focus on the quad and don’t discuss what you’re using on the receive end.

[@FalconRadFPV]

Here is a video about how I made my own antennas to put on my goggles: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3mTlIpvja9nepY I've been using the same one I made just before this video for years, and I'm still using it. If you want to just buy something, the TrueRC X2-air is a great long range antenna.

[@nofearjer1]

That's awesome you made your own antennas! What VRx are you using ?@@FalconRadFPV

[@digipolVTX]

You talk about "good" Antennas, what set you would use for this VTX setup?

[@FalconRadFPV]

For on the drone, I don't use anything except the TrueRC Singularity, they are a bit expensive but worth it for a long range build. On your goggles its not as important, most patches that are 11dbi or more will do fairly well. I use DIY helical antennas that are probably in the range of 11dbi give or take a little. For something easy to just buy, I'd say the TrueRC X2-air antenna is one of the best for long range while still having a decent area of coverage I think it's 13 or 13.5dbi.

[@digipolVTX]

Thanke you very much!! That helps me a lots!! Always a plesure to watch you videos !!​@@FalconRadFPV

[@w1llyFPV]

One more things. What BF are you using 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5?

[@FalconRadFPV]

for this drone it's on BF 4.2.11. I don't upgrade just because there's a new one out. I like getting a build to fly well and then leaving it, that way I think it's more reliable than changing firmware on a regular basis. That said I'll probably upgrade to 4.5 when it's been out for a while since it has new GPS upgrades in it.

[@sparkey044]

I'm sure you have answered this before or it's in one of your build posts, but do you have and use a baro on your fight controllers?

[@FalconRadFPV]

I don't use the barometer, although the t motor F7 pro flight controller that I use does have one.

[@w1llyFPV]

Hi, is it really necessary to have angle Mode all the way up with gps rescue? I thought that gps rescue is already in angle mode. What is the advantage of such a solution?

[@FalconRadFPV]

Older versions of BF the quad would sometimes flip out when going out of GPS rescue, so I've always used them together. It's never caused an issue.

[@matkoobad]

What do you suggest best packet rate for long range, My radio is radiomaster boxer I have Geprc MoZ7 elrs 2.4 03 air unit

[@FalconRadFPV]

Sorry I'm not sure, I don't use ELRS or 2.4G for my radio. I use crossfire and 915mhz on all my long range builds.

[@Nerijus_Monkus]

Can you realy plug this vtx from battery and do not have snowy screen when aplying throtle? Because on mine AKK vtx the screen is snowing from throtle inputs, im waiting now for bec that i could use 1.2w power because mine FC gives just 800 mw of power in vtx power port

[@FalconRadFPV]

Do you have a capacitor on your ESC power tabs? This is often the first thing used to help clean up video signal. It can also make a difference with how things are grounded. I'm quite sure your right the 800milli amps from your regulator won't be enough. Running off the onboard FC regulator is often a good way to get cleaner power to your VTX, but the regulator needs to be able to handle it.

[@Nerijus_Monkus]

Yes i have capacitor on esc. Im using mamba 60amp esc. Maybe the capacitor is dead i need to do more investigation. So you solder it straight to esc battery pads?

[@Chillin-fpv]

So do you use an antenna tracker with your helical antennas? And I thought that vtx was already released. Its in a pre order status. Do you know when the released date is? Or are they just out of stock?

[@FalconRadFPV]

I'm not sure, the links GEPRC sent me say pre-release. Although I think it might be the older RAD VTX souped up with a fan and heatsink. No I don't use a head tracker. I pre plan my flights and will ask my spotter to check my head position every now and again. But most often I can just sit facing the spot I'm flying out to and that's all I need to do, maybe look up or down a little to adjust for elevation changes.

[@Chillin-fpv]

@FalconRadFPV is an antenna tracker the same as a head tracker ? Cuz I was looking at some helical antennas and they recommended using an antenna tracker.

[@MrStevegibb]

Question really is why long range with analogue?

[@FalconRadFPV]

You must be new here! What has the best range of all systems? Costs less? Is most reliable in adverse conditions? AND NEVER freezes? Yes that's right, it's analog! Coming in at a close second is HD Zero, and in third is the DJI system(but only because it's so pretty). Watch and you'll see that most people (not all) flying DJI long range are floating way up in the air because they are freaked out about losing video and having it freeze or go blank. Us analog flyers (and the odd brave DJI pilot) will get with in 1ft of the mountainside due to the quick recovery time of the video signal with an analog video system (or bravery!) That said, I absolutely love flying long range with my Falcon RPM with the DJI 03 air unit. The video looks absolutely amazing, and I can see every little branch and leaf, until it freezes....

[@MrStevegibb]

@@FalconRadFPV loosing video is only a problem if you don't have decent RTH. If you really are worried about loosing signal then you should run inav as its RTH is as solid as a rock and now even has backttack ability in newer versions to avoid potential issues. But honestly betaflight GPS rescue if setup correctly (turn off sanity checks) is solid and as long as you go over the top and not around a peak should always return your drone to you. What i was getting at was that if your going to long range something like a mountain you need to maximise the reward and minimise the risk. Building an expensive analogue drone you are minimising the reward but maximising the risk. It would be much better to build a cheap zmr 250 drone with old parts and walksnail and strap a big lion to it.

[@freespirit2129]

i wonder why there is no high power vtx like 5w for digital goggles..

[@FalconRadFPV]

The FPV companies are pushing a little past the allowable power levels for these things. With DJI they just won't make anything that does that since they are such a large company they always get their electronics certified for sale in each country. The smaller manufacturers skip that step and just sell to distributors without getting certification for sale in that country.

[@freespirit2129]

@@FalconRadFPV ah right regulations and so forth. In the internet I found 5.8ghz signal booster module and I think that might work for o3 unit. Thank you for the answer!

[@Clickmaster5k]

Whoop builds might use the the little whip antenna but probably with this VTX lol.