Quadcopter options

pullandbang

I'm looking to buy a quadcopter that will take my GoPro - just for fun - not looking to create major artistic videos.
I've seen the DJI Phantom but am wondering what peoples thoughts on them are here and if they'd suggest any alternatives for similar money (€400 - €500)

SnowDrifts

Bump..

Barry087

Thinking about building a quadcopter myself. Probably using Ardupilot and Arduino Mega.

Never used Arduino before buy gonna just jump in feet first and start assembling.

Thinking of getting the parts from Aliexpress I'm in no rush and they will be cheaper.
Just gonna add as little as possible to it first, then add more sensors when I'm up and flying (and crashing), like sonar and GPS.

Shame there's no hackerspace near Donegal or I'd go there to built it.
Anyone else ever built an Arducopter?

Might take photos and update post as I go.

Mr X15

Was considering it myself, but I was planning on ordering from hobbyking uk and using a mobius action cam instead seems much cheaper, am I missing some thing?

Barry087

Hobby king looks to be the place where almost everyone buys from. Be alot quicker than ordering from China.
Dont know about cams as need to get quadcopter going and practicing before adding expensive camera for it.

What frame you thinking of using?
Was looking at the F450.
Wouldnt mind using same kit as someone else so we can bounce ideas off each other and get some help.

Mr X15

Yeah seen that frame and it does look quite good but decided I'd rather get something that can be folded for easier transportation http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__42933__Hobbyking_X525_V3_Glass_Fiber_Quadcopter_Frame_600mm_UK_Warehouse_.html

Was thinking of some thing like this. My only requirements are ability to fold and get spare parts.

Barry087

Looks good and decent price.
Might do up a parts list and see what it'll cost. And maybe put list on quadcopter forum to see what pros make of it.

1 x frame
4 x brushless motors
4 x esc
1 x arduino board
1 x transmitter and receiver
4 x propellers (2 x clockwise, 2 x anticlockwise)
1 x lipo battery

Probably missing a piece or 2.
Any ideas?

Mr X15

Depending on the motors used this might works sure looks interesting http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__47923__Q_Brain_4_x_25A_Brushless_Quadcopter_ESC_2_4S_3A_SBEC_UK_Warehouse_.html

If your going with 4 separate esc's a power distribution board mightn't be a bad idea

civdef

Wouldn't rush to get an x525, I have one, they're pretty heavy and the folding feature isn't great.

99c7076

Have a look at this frame

http://www.immersionrc.com/product-details.php?fpv_product=31&fpv_product_name=XuGong-10

Excellent company, I have some of there other products.

civdef

If it's your first quad I'd hold off on the APM and get something like a KK2 flight controller instead. The APM needs a fair bit of fine tuning and at the start you'll need to focus more on flying skills. The KK2 is cheap and works very well - onboard lcd means you don't need to connect to a PC to change settings. You can always upgrade to APM later (or the new Pixhawk which is the replacement from 3DR). This way you also have less money tied up in the quad at the beginning and less to break / replace.

I'd definitely get around 4 batteries and a good charger like the Accucell 6, flights normally are around the 10 minute mark, waiting an hour to recharge will be a pain if you only have one battery.

You'll need way more than one set of props at the start, luckily they're very cheap now - you'll be breaking a good few probably - so just get cheap ones and balance them before flying. Save the Graupners etc for when you get more experience.

http://www.hovership.com/2012/12/beginner-quadcopter-kit-buying-guide/
or http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2052820

have lots of ideas.

This is what I actually recommend to anyone getting into quads, cheap as chips, flys really well and nearly impossible to break whilst learning the ropes.
http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-WLtoys-V929-Beetle-4-Axis-Quadcopter-UFO-RTF(Mode-2)-+-2-Extra-Batteries-+-Extra-Blade-Set-p-50090.html


For the OP -
http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/DJI-Naza-M-Lite-GPS-F550-Flame-Wheel-p/dji-naza-m-lite-gps-f550-flame.htm
or
http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/DJI-Naza-M-Lite-GPS-F450-Flame-Wheel-p/dji-naza-m-lite-gps-f450-flame.htm

are probably more flexible Phantom alternatives - still DJI quality with pretty much the same flight controller. You'll need your own radio - something like a Turnighy 9XR will be way more flexible than the controller included with the Phantom.