If you’re only into FPV-flying a simulator might not be needed, especially if you’re ”just” cruising around in a forgiving Easystar. But if you’re like me, a total newbie to 3D then you might have to rethink this … An RC simulator is good in a lot of ways:
- Will give you a lot more hours of practice each year.
- You’ll save a lot of money thanks to less crash damage. (Especially if you’re a helicopter pilot).
- The RC simulator will work in any type of weather.

There are a lot of different RC flight simulators out on the market. Some of them are crap, a bunch of them are good and a few is brilliant.
Prices are between 150 SEK ($22) for the cheapest to 2000 SEK ($297) for the most expensive ones. A rule of thumb is that the ones mentioned last will have better graphics and be more realistic.

I decided to buy the Phoenix RC Flight Simulator V3 that is in the upper priced segment (1195 SEK, $178) due to several reasons. I like the latest technology and I wanted it to be as realistic as possible since my new (and loved) Sbach behaves like a person sitting on a unicycle for the first time in comparision to my Skywalker or Easystar. The package doesn’t include a dummy transmitter (as some other simulator does) and this is perfect for me since I already got my Futaba 7C.

The box contains the dvd disc, a starting guide and a cable to connect an Arttech/Graupner/JR-transmitter to the computer. Several adapters are available (Futaba FFP, Futaba (round) Hitec DIN, Multiplex and Sanwa RD + RDS. I bought the Futaba FFP and the fit of the adapter is perfect so there is no risk of a loose connection between those two.

The Phoenix is basically just plug-and-play but the first time you start it up you need to do a minimal setup your transmitter (and controls). The interface of the simulator is great so you don’t have to use a manual to get a grip of it. Every time you start up the simulator it will search for updates and install them. This means that you’ll always have the latest version. Best of all is that all updates are free (most other simulators take a fee for those). You can change and setup almost anything the way you like (weather, wind, time of day, failures etc.). There are also several training and competition modes so it’s definitely a simulator to grow with. Each month a couple of new models are added and they are of course free too.

I think the Pheonix RC Flight Simulator V3 is one of the best choices (for those of you who already own a transmitter). I really like it and it feels really realistic and the graphics are amazing. I practiced flying inverted in the simulator an hour or so and was able to do the same in a relaxed way with my Sbach outside – so it really works!

FPVStockholm: 5/5

I would say that an OSD (On Screen Display) is the best upgrade for your FPV-system. The OSD will take your flight to a completely new level, it makes them both more fun and safer.
There are a lot of brands and models to choose between. Even though there are a lot of cheap OSD’s I think the best ones cost between $125-250. The cheap ones are very limited since they can only show basic things such as battery voltage level while the more expensive ones will give you all the information needed for having a really good flight.

When I was about to buy my first OSD I checked out a lot of OSD-videos on youtube and I really liked the interface of the EZOSD. It looked very clean, got ”all of the essentials but none of the complexity” as it’s said, and it’s supposed to be really easy to install. One more reason I bought this clean OSD was that I thought that all the information showed on the screen were going to be recorded on my gopro’s memory card. I think the best FPV-videos are the ones in HD without all text and information from the OSD and I was scared that the information would distract the video. But I was wrong about this. The information from the OSD can just be recorded from the ground station only.

The EZOSD is basically just two parts (an OSD with three buttons and a 100A current sensor) plus a couple of cables. The current sensor has integrated connectors (deans). The installation is as easy as it’s said to be and it should look like this when you’re done (I’ve borrowed the picture from the EZOSD’s manual).

The system will work when you are done with the wiring above.

It may take <5 minutes for the GPS to find its position. The OSD will indicate that it’s searching for satellites with 9 small dots on the upper right corner of the screen and when that’s done they will disappear and now you’re almost ready for your first flight with the EZOSD. But on the first time using your EZOSD you’ll have to make a couple of basic settings. Those are all made directly with the OSD (no need to connect it to a computer). Push the mid button (MENU) to make the adjustments with the UP and DOWN buttons.

I think the menu is very easy to use. The max altitude and max distance are two very good features. You’ll notice that it’s very easy to get to far away or to high up when your flying. By choosing your limits before your flight the OSD will tell you to descend or turn back home by flashing rapidly with the altimeter or the distance (ground) to pilot. The last one sets your home position, exit the menu and go flying:)

The interface is splendid and you’ll feel like you have full control over your model from the start. The picture below shows what you will see on your screen.

All the information on the screen are shadowed which means perfect visibilty both against a bright sky and a dark ground. As soon as your model has touched down and stopped the EZOSD will turn into a Flight Summary mode and there you’ll get all the information from the flight.

Other features with the EZOSD:
I think the coolest feature with the EZOSD is the ability to connect it to your iPhone or iPad to either get live telemetry or to see your plane and your ”home” on a map. This is great if you land on a huge field with high grass or if end up in a forest. Hopefully you’ll be able to find your plane really fast thanks to this feature. You can also add an antenna tracker to make your antenna aim to your planes direction.

The EZOSD is meant to be easy to use and I think it might be one of the best basic OSD’s out there. But, it has its limitations and miss one feature that I think is really good to have and that is return to home (RTH). You can’t compare this OSD with other more advanced OSD’s since this one is made to be basic but I do think it’s very important for you to find out if you want a basic OSD with a clean interface or a more advanced OSD with a cluttered display where you will get all the information needed and even more.

FPVStockholm: 4/5