Welcome to Laser Pointer Forums - discuss green laser pointers, blue laser pointers, and all types of lasers

LPF Donation via Stripe | LPF Donation - Other Methods

Links below open in new window

ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Looking for a recommendation - quadcopter

Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
286
Points
28
There are a few old threads out there on this subject, but at the rate things change these days, they are also a bit out-of-date too. So that's why I started a new thread.

With the demise of RadioShack I picked up the "Surveyor Drone w/camera" for less than the link states. I'm hooked. I've only had it for a few days, but see the addiction coming on. It's a bit like when you get your first laser. RadioShack 2.4GHz RC Surveyor Drone - Radioshack

So the reason for the thread is to ask for a recommendation for the next quad I should buy. I'd prefer something with a camera, but will consider something without while I'm learning to fly. I'd like to stay under $100 but will consider up to $150. I don't want to buy something too expensive as I'll probably crash it (terminally) while I'm learning.

So what can you suggest and why? I've been on an rc site reading a bit but first hand recommendations would be very helpful.

Also is a heli easier to control than a quad? Yes, I've crashed a few times already. :crackup:

Many thanks.
 





rhd

0
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
8,475
Points
0
There's a Hubsan with FPV and a video screen built into the controller for about $140 on Bangood. I wanted to grab that guy.

EDIT: Here's the one I was thinking of:
Hubsan H107D FPV X4 5.8G 4CH 6 Axis RC Quadcopter VS Estes Protox FPV (aff)
Hubsan H107D FPV X4 5.8G 4CH 6 Axis RC Quadcopter VS Estes Protox FPV (non-aff)

SKU067731.24.jpg
SKU067731.29.jpg



If you're adventurous, for under $200 you can build your own. I'm in the process of tackling that and it's a lot of fun. HobbyKing seems to be a good one-stop shop for all of the stuff you need to build one. They have a $50 Turnigy controller that comes with the receiver. Add a $25 KK flight controller, a $15 frame, another $90 for motors, ESCs, and props, and $10 for a battery, and you've got a sub-$200 DIY quadcopter project that will probably keep you occupied for a couple weekends :)

There are a lot of cool frames to choose from too!
http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.asp
 
Last edited:
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
286
Points
28
Thanks for the fast reply. I'll have to read more about that one.

Not to sound too stupid but what's "aff" ?

But I think building is a bit down the road right now.

and you've got a sub-$200 DIY quadcopter project that will probably keep you occupied for a couple weekends

It's tax season, I've got plenty to keep me busy. Maybe later in the year :yh:
 
Last edited:

rhd

0
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
8,475
Points
0
Thanks for the fast reply. I'll have to read more about that one.

Not to sound too stupid but what's "aff" ?

But I think building is a bit down the road right now.

It's tax season, I've got plenty to keep me busy. Maybe later in the year :yh:

Aff means "affiliated". I think it's shady when people post links containing affiliated or referral codes without discussing it visibly. So when I post a link that has a referral code in it, I think it's important to disclose it, and give the alternate non-referral link too.
 
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
424
Points
0
If you are really committed to learning to fly, don't waste your time on "mini-quads" and/or "mini-Hexies" (things like 250's, and such). Larger and heavier birds are more stable (once tuned in) and much more resistant to 'crash damage'. Parts are more expensive, but you'll end up buying far less.
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
4,364
Points
83
I disagree and say that in my experience, a decent $40 RTF mini/nano is indispensable in learning the basics of controlling the sticks and getting a feel for orientation. Getting past the natural instinct to panic when things go south takes a fair number of crashes, and little drones crash with no damage. I've crashed my 450 size drone twice, and that was after a few months on the mini, and both times required serious repair. It wasn't until I got to FPV that I became adept enough to fly the big drone without hazard.

Those Hubsan drones are excellent btw. I have the old H107 and the newest one with upgraded camera (but not the FPV one) and they are tough lil buggers.
 

ped

0
Joined
Nov 25, 2008
Messages
4,889
Points
113
There's a Hubsan with FPV and a video screen built into the controller for about $140 on Bangood. I wanted to grab that guy.

EDIT: Here's the one I was thinking of:
Hubsan H107D FPV X4 5.8G 4CH 6 Axis RC Quadcopter VS Estes Protox FPV (aff)
Hubsan H107D FPV X4 5.8G 4CH 6 Axis RC Quadcopter VS Estes Protox FPV (non-aff)

SKU067731.24.jpg
SKU067731.29.jpg

I have one of these.

You need countless AA rechargeables for the TX, It draws over half an amp when operating.

Spare batts for the copter is a good idea as well.
 

rhd

0
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
8,475
Points
0
I have one of these.

You need countless AA rechargeables for the TX, It draws over half an amp when operating.

Spare batts for the copter is a good idea as well.

What I usually do with anything that takes AA bats is use one 14500 plus two spacers, instead of every three AAs. It works well for 6x AA transmitters, but a little less well for 4x AA devices.
 
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
286
Points
28
Another day, another crash. :crackup: or two.

1st - Into the house.
2nd - Into the house only this time it was the second floor. Bounced off the roof. Regained flight control after it fell off the roof.
3rd - Suddenly lost altitude when one of the props decided to leave. Bounced on to the car roof. After the bounce on the car roof another prop popped off.
4th - Semi-successful flight until a different prop decided to leave. Was close to ground to minimize crash.

note to self: check props after a crash.

I'm going to name this thing Timex. (for the overseas people and the younguns, Timex watches had an old slogan, 'it's takes a licking, but keeps on ticking')

This is fun. :D
 

rhd

0
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
8,475
Points
0
Another day, another crash. :crackup: or two.

1st - Into the house.
2nd - Into the house only this time it was the second floor. Bounced off the roof. Regained flight control after it fell off the roof.
3rd - Suddenly lost altitude when one of the props decided to leave. Bounced on to the car roof. After the bounce on the car roof another prop popped off.
4th - Semi-successful flight until a different prop decided to leave. Was close to ground to minimize crash.

note to self: check props after a crash.

I'm going to name this thing Timex. (for the overseas people and the younguns, Timex watches had an old slogan, 'it's takes a licking, but keeps on ticking')

This is fun. :D

Why are your props flying off like that?

I've noticed that DIY quads don't have self-tightening props, which seems ridiculous to me.
 
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
286
Points
28
I think it's after a crash, they must 'move'. They are only press-on, onto a smooth shaft. It's a cheapo version of the Hubsan.

I'm not worrying. This is the crash dummy for me.

I'm sure a bit (quite a bit) of it is me. My flying space is limited right now, lots of snow to contend with. And it tends to want to drift away, probably not doing the trim correctly, it just doesn't seem to want to hover well, so to stop it from landing in a restricted area, I have to cut power, hence the crash.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Feb 24, 2014
Messages
1,425
Points
83
the f803c is a good little quad with video capability. you can get them on gearbest for less than 45 dollars. I would stay away from banggood. I am a part of a couple of rc forums and they have had nothing but issues with stuff that come out of that store! x5c-1 iS A good quad as is the husan x107 this one is great for the entry in to fpv drones. though if you get this one upgrade to the large ma battery. if you want to really have fun and have about 1000 bucks to spend the DJI phantom 2 is the best quad rotor on the market. stable as all getout and mount a go pro under and you can take some really nuts pictures and video has a range some were around 600 meters or so. that is if you want rtf or ready to fly.
 
Joined
May 14, 2013
Messages
3,438
Points
0
note to self: check props after a crash.

I'm going to name this thing Timex. (for the overseas people and the younguns, Timex watches had an old slogan, 'it's takes a licking, but keeps on ticking')

This is fun. :D

I can never forget all the great Timex commercials going back to the 1960's, this one was my favorite, I remember seeing it for a time on TV in either the late 1980's or maybe 1990 or so:



I think it's after a crash, they must 'move'. They are only press-on, onto a smooth shaft.

Maybe they could be glued in place.

I haven't owned one of these things yet but I have thought about buying one. It seems to me like they should make these where the controller can plug into your computer and work with some flight simulator software so people could get skilled at flying it first without risk of crashing it.

Alan
 
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
286
Points
28
Opps. :eek:

I was flying in Expert mode. Or at least trying to. Hence all the crashes.

Part of the setup requires you to enter Expert Mode to calibrate the Drone & the Transmitter. I forgot to go back to Beginner Mode before flying. Way, way better now. No crashes last night. Still it seems to be very difficult to get it to hover. (no wind) But Beginner Mode makes it easier to control when it starts to drift away.

Yes, I'm flying at night. Under the street lights. I don't get home from work until after dusk. I have about 2 ft of snow everywhere, so the only open areas are the streets. The snow is crusted over too, so crashes are really hard landings. The snow crust will hold about a 100lb child before breaking through. Yet, Timex goes on....

A major deficiency with the 'toy' is there are no prop guards. Nor are any available. I wouldn't have lost so many props if I had a guard. Mostly my losses were from hitting something with the props and loosening them. I tapped the side of my car, the drone when down, the prop went up. It took about 3 seconds for the pro to return to earth (landing on the windshield). :D

Again, I'm not upset as this is the crash dummy for me. If anything, I'd rather break a cheapo than a cadillac. When I do finally break it, and that will happen, my next will probably be the Syma X5C-1 and eventually moving up to a real FPV later like the H107D. By then, the prices will most likely go down, or the quality may go up. win-win. Either way I'm hooked.

Love the angry mosquito sound. And lots of fun for not much $. Need to add a laser.... (low power to aim the camera).

Many thanks for the replies and suggestions. :wave:
 




Top