Which quad copter for a newbie?

[Raduque]

If you get an 808, you definitely want to make sure you're getting the #16 camera. I have a #3, and while it's ok, the #16 is miles ahead. You can also modify settings in the #16 with software.

 

[Blanky]

Raduque what do you know much about FPV?

I see that with non RTF like the Phantom people use gear such as Fatshark, but damn the footage looks soooo bad even on the Dominator HD. Does it look that bad in real life? On youtube the footage looks so bad I can't imagine I'd ever want to bother using it.

And I know that other people don't use goggles but instead use screens on the transmitter. Do those tend to have higher resolution?

My ideal scenario is to be able to use FPV to fly up to 1/2 mile around woods and stuff. I know range will drop in trees, though I don't know how much.

 

[Harrod]

I had a syma x5c-1, I really didn't like it until I took off the camera, the landing skids and any extra weight, after that it was exceptional at flying, I also was playing with it at work last week and lost it in a tree.

A co-worker and I taped a jello cup to the bottom of it and it was able to barely lift it off the ground and fly for a while, I would guess it only rose a few inches due to ground effect providing more lift. Shortly after this I crashed it into a desk, the jello cup came off, and the blade sliced though the side of the cup, throwing jello all over the place. I should mention I work 3-12 each day, no one else witnessed this event.

Here is the loosing the quad story from the what 1st world problem did you have today thread.

Lost a toy drone in the parking lot at work. I was demonstrating it to a coworker when the wind blew it into a tree. We then threw a football at it and got that stuck, and then an umbrella and got that stuck in the tree as well. As a last ditch effort I threw the remote and that fell out and shattered when it hit the pavement.

 

[Raduque]

I actually don't know a whole lot about FPV. To me, the recorded footage from the FPV camera don't really look that good, but that's not the footage you show people - most with an FPV setup also have a gopro or similar recording the flight. I think it's because FPV mostly uses the 5.8ghz band but it's an analog transmission so it's prone to interference.

I keep wanting to buy an FPV setup, but holy hell the goggles are expensive. I can get a 32-channel VTX and camera for around $30, but it's almost 10 times that to get a set of Fatsharks.

 

[Blanky]

I actually don't know a whole lot about FPV. To me, the recorded footage from the FPV camera don't really look that good, but that's not the footage you show people - most with an FPV setup also have a gopro or similar recording the flight. I think it's because FPV mostly uses the 5.8ghz band but it's an analog transmission so it's prone to interference.

I keep wanting to buy an FPV setup, but holy hell the goggles are expensive. I can get a 32-channel VTX and camera for around $30, but it's almost 10 times that to get a set of Fatsharks.

Just spent a week researching multicopters in general. I've come upon some fairly cheap FPV setups such as the goggles from hobbyking for under $100, which look like an abomination, but people say they work well.

I am thinking I may go the route of a diversity LCD monitor. They are under $200 and attach to the TX.

Demand is very high on this and the field is growing very quickly. I expect that we'll see HD goggles for very low prices in the near future. Cheapest HD I've found are the Headplay goggles which, again, look so ridiculous you'd never want to be caught dead in public with them except among other people geeking out with FPV.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Bought my first quad(DJI Phantom 1) in Feb this year and it took off from there. Picked up a Hubsan X4 to warm up before flying the big bird. After 10 flights or so I wanted to get a gimbal system. Grabbed a P2 with H3-3D for $700 and never looked back. If you really want to take pictures/videos a gimbal is a must.

I got into FPV a month ago by picking up a P2 Vision+ for $500 used. I spent more time just flying flying around looking at landscape than actually recording! FPV is incredible although the stock range extender isn't that great with trees around etc.

after 4 or 5 successful flights I was hovering at 35ft with the P2V+ and a motor died, sending it straight to the ground. Did about $125-$150 worth or damage. It was my first crash and really made me consider the expense of this hobby. If I didn't have a small website for videos/pics I make from gopros/quads I probably wouldn't have more than a mini quad or used Phantom. However, having access to shots like the one below make it worth every penny. I took the P2 on my honeymoon last week in Jamaica as a carry on.

 

[Blanky]

Bought my first quad(DJI Phantom 1) in Feb this year and it took off from there. Picked up a Hubsan X4 to warm up before flying the big bird. After 10 flights or so I wanted to get a gimbal system. Grabbed a P2 with H3-3D for $700 and never looked back. If you really want to take pictures/videos a gimbal is a must.

I got into FPV a month ago by picking up a P2 Vision+ for $500 used. I spent more time just flying flying around looking at landscape than actually recording! FPV is incredible although the stock range extender isn't that great with trees around etc.

after 4 or 5 successful flights I was hovering at 35ft with the P2V+ and a motor died, sending it straight to the ground. Did about $125-$150 worth or damage. It was my first crash and really made me consider the expense of this hobby. If I didn't have a small website for videos/pics I make from gopros/quads I probably wouldn't have more than a mini quad or used Phantom. However, having access to shots like the one below make it worth every penny. I took the P2 on my honeymoon last week in Jamaica as a carry on.

That isn't many flights for a dead motor. I'm building a drone from parts partly because if it gets lost I won't be out so much money. There are lots of phantom transmitters on Ebay for $40 for obvious reasons; you lose it you're out $800+ if it was set up for photography. The phantom is a great buy if it does what you need, though. Building one from bits with the exact same capabilities is probably not going to be cheaper.

I know from flying planes that each flight carriers with it the potential for a total loss on everything in the air. This is why I cannot believe how some people buy these expensive drones without any experience flying even a cheap quadcopter!

 

[slightlyhuman]

That isn't many flights for a dead motor. I'm building a drone from parts partly because if it gets lost I won't be out so much money. There are lots of phantom transmitters on Ebay for $40 for obvious reasons; you lose it you're out $800+ if it was set up for photography. The phantom is a great buy if it does what you need, though. Building one from bits with the exact same capabilities is probably not going to be cheaper.

I know from flying planes that each flight carriers with it the potential for a total loss on everything in the air. This is why I cannot believe how some people buy these expensive drones without any experience flying even a cheap quadcopter!

It was almost a 2 year old unit unfortunately. Part of the risk as a failed motor/ESC falls into the "shit happens" category. :\

I've gotten pretty good deals on my quads with the release of the P3 resulting in price drops.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Just spent a week researching multicopters in general. I've come upon some fairly cheap FPV setups such as the goggles from hobbyking for under $100, which look like an abomination, but people say they work well.

I am thinking I may go the route of a diversity LCD monitor. They are under $200 and attach to the TX.

Demand is very high on this and the field is growing very quickly. I expect that we'll see HD goggles for very low prices in the near future. Cheapest HD I've found are the Headplay goggles which, again, look so ridiculous you'd never want to be caught dead in public with them except among other people geeking out with FPV.

This is the one I bought. http://www.amazon.com/FEELWORLD-Ant...=1434902420&sr=8-9&keywords=feelworld+monitor
It has the highest brightness, contrast ratio, resolution, aspect ratio, and response time. Note that it has it's own DVR, that allows you to turn video on/off, and take screen shots. Now, there's no need for me to send my $300 80gram GoPro up in the sky. I use a 18gram, lo-light capable mini cam, that gives me a sharp 67 degree field of view, unlike the WIDE 170 degree ugly fisheye of the GoPro. Also note, that the video out plugs are the standard composite, so unlike the RCA plugs which will shut off your monitor screen if you plug in a second monitor, (like a headphone jack), those won't. Handy cuz I have an old 19" computer LI-PO powered monitor on a stand 10' away, keeps people from hanging on/over my shoulders when flying.
Now that your GoPro is safely back on the ground, AND you have a small DVR monitor, ----- Hmmmm, http://www.ebay.com/itm/29148538798....MBE&ao=1&asc=20150120121922&meid=85da9e28456

 

[Blanky]

This is the one I bought. http://www.amazon.com/FEELWORLD-Ant...=1434902420&sr=8-9&keywords=feelworld+monitor
It has the highest brightness, contrast ratio, resolution, aspect ratio, and response time. Note that it has it's own DVR, that allows you to turn video on/off, and take screen shots. Now, there's no need for me to send my $300 80gram GoPro up in the sky. I use a 18gram, lo-light capable mini cam, that gives me a sharp 67 degree field of view, unlike the WIDE 170 degree ugly fisheye of the GoPro. Also note, that the video out plugs are the standard composite, so unlike the RCA plugs which will shut off your monitor screen if you plug in a second monitor, (like a headphone jack), those won't. Handy cuz I have an old 19" computer LI-PO powered monitor on a stand 10' away, keeps people from hanging on/over my shoulders when flying.
Now that your GoPro is safely back on the ground, AND you have a small DVR monitor, ----- Hmmmm, http://www.ebay.com/itm/29148538798....MBE&ao=1&asc=20150120121922&meid=85da9e28456

Which TX do you use for the video?

EDIT: saw it in your link

 

[artvscommerce]

I think this is a great way to get acclimated. Very inexpensive and it's very stable. It's perfect for getting a feel for orientation and it's quite resistant to breaking from a crash. I've crashed mine more times than I can count and I haven't even had to swap out the props yet.

http://www.banggood.com/Cheerson-CX10-CX10-Mini-24G-4CH-6-Axis-LED-RC-Quadcopter-RTF-p-926614.html

 

[disappoint]

TIL: There is a tree that has umbrellas, quadcopters and footballs as fruit.

 

[xSauronx]

GF and i went in on a lily cam preorder, wont be out until next year
i dont want to be bothered to fly the thing, but i would love aerial pictures
it is jaw-droppingly cool, and you dont get to fly it...just carry the tracker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vGcH0Bk3hg

 

[FeuerFrei]

I ordered a Syma X11c yesterday. Seems like a good option for beginners (like me) - at least that's what the reviews say. Closely resembles Hubsan's X4, BTW.

 

[Blanky]

GF and i went in on a lily cam preorder, wont be out until next year
i dont want to be bothered to fly the thing, but i would love aerial pictures
it is jaw-droppingly cool, and you dont get to fly it...just carry the tracker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vGcH0Bk3hg

Yeah it looks very cool. There will be some good vids of people lacerating their arms when they catch it like they did in the vid, for sure. But it is nice.

There is the Zano, which is coming out soon and only $300. But as with everything the devil is in the details. We'll have to see if they really live up to the hype. This video is funny because they even have a jonathan ive knock-off doing the narration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgkbhjXTbOE

 

[Ravenit]

If you are handy and like to build stuff you could make your own with instructions and parts from here http://www.notsealed.com/quad.html
I built this one and as well as seeing how it all works gives me the knowledge to fix it when something goes wrong.
Really easy to fly, stable and good value. I just need to add the gopro now