Quadcopters anyone?

Indeed my friend

 

I would definitely pick up a D4R-II. Gives you 8 channels in PPM which is plenty for that quad. It also weighs like 1/2 or 1/3 what the X8R weighs.

Delmarva gave you some good advice on the rest. I use 600mw Tx as well, but I did just order a 200mw micro Tx to test out. Only weighs in at 16g with antenna. I'll let you know how well it works when it gets here.

 

^
Let us know how the micro works out

 

If I wanted to get into it but not spend a lot of $$$. Do you guys have a recommendation? I want something with a camera or can pick up my gopro.

 

Lots of stuff to consider... if you want good stabilized video, this is usually going to drive up the cost... then if you want live video downlink from the aircraft to a video monitor on the ground, this will add additional costs.

For basic (no gimbal and no live video) aircraft that are relatively simple to fly, I'd go with the Phantom 1.1 (http://www.uav-outlet.com/products/dji-phantom-v1-1-1.html) Take note, that this is the original version of the aircraft.

The Phantom 2 is much better, but you'd have to come up with a mount for the camera on your own (I'm sure there's plenty of stuff online about how to do this.) Phantom 2 w/out gimbal: http://www.uav-outlet.com/products/dji-phantom-2-version-2-0-quadcopter.html

Also take a look at the Iris+ from 3DRobotics. It's a bit pricier than the Phantom 1 and 2, but has a pretty nice full featured autopilot with tons of flight modes. Can be had with or without gimbal - starts at $750. Can natively carry a GoPro, but also has gimbal options and video downlink available. https://store.3drobotics.com/products/iris

 

Ok thanks. As I said before I'm a total newb to this, I know I don't care about a live video feed but is the gimbal the part that stabilizes the video? What is the range of these? Do they come with the controllers? Anything around $300? Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for your help.

 

You say that now, but you will care about the live feed soon If you just want to test the waters for less than $100 and have video (like 480p) you can get started with my favorites the Hubsan X4 (various versions with video), or blade nano qx (video version is more expensive).

 

Oh I should have said, I want to use this outside

 

So im looking for a quadcopter that can carry my GoPro. I need very stable image, and reasonably high speed. I've flown Phantom II's and theyre fun, but I was hoping for something that doesn't have to try as hard to generate speed and lift. I looked into a steadidrone qu4d with pixhawk, but was wondering what you all would reccomend? Also looked into the iris+.
My requirements are pretty much this:
High speed, relatively long range
Able to carry GoPro without breaking a sweat
Stabilized gimbal
Folding is a huge plus
FPV either included or easily added (monitor)
Budget is 1k-1500 (with fpv and all the bells and whistles)

What do you guys think? I like the steadidrone but I really don't know enough about everything thats available on the market to pin it down.
Thanks for the input!

 

Also goggle are illegal now since you can't see the bird in the air

 

http://team-blacksheep.com/products/product:509

A little out of your budget but IMO the best one you can buy with your description.

 

Gimbal stabilizes the video and makes it look smooth for the most part no matter what you're doing to the aircraft... if you want pretty video and pics, this is the way to go. Less than 300 won't get you there.

x2... the live feed video is cool to have, but not necessary... I use it to frame shots and sometimes to fly FPV. Hubsan x4 with camera/video is pretty good little quad.

Wouldn't recommend the smaller quads outside unless it's a stupid calm wind day.

The Iris+ full up all the way is around 1700... it's a little underpowered for the weight in my opinion.. hover throttle is around 65% with all that weight with about a 12-14 minute flight time. My buddy at 3DR says to re-prop it to 10x4.7 APC slo-fly and it flies really well.

I have a Steadidrone QU4D and it's fast and fun to fly... it's very well weighted with all the gear on it to lift camera, gimbal, video tx, etc. Steadidrone wont however install a video downlink or OSD so those are things you'd have to do on your own. Price will then exceed 2k pretty easily.

Given your budget, I'd say the best bang you're going to get is the Iris+... Plus with all the different flight modes available, you can make it fly like a hot rod.

*Advised not be used by hobbyists and supported by AMA if I remember correctly.

lol

meh... too much tinkering.

 

So are the 1st ones that you recommended still the best for me for the least amount of $$$?

 

it's decent for the money... short flight times (sub 10 minutes) and the stock gopro mount is known for the 'jello' effect in videos... you may have to tinker to get the mount just right.

No experience with it yet, but the blade 350 qx3 comes with a gopro mount (no gimbal) for 500 bucks... it's a little newer than the old phantom 1

http://www.horizonhobby.com/350-qx3-rtf-with-safe-technology-blh8100

 

Cool thanks Mayor!!!

 

no worries... let me know what you decide on... a TW member here (his real name is Chad) owns UAV-Outlet.com

My company has done business with him and he's responsive to questions and billing...

Just a little shout out for ya Chad if you're looking...

 

Interesting, I'm in the market as it were. Would you forward your friend my username please?

 

Best way to reach him is via phone or web as he doesn't hang out much here anymore.... His website is uav-outlet.com

 

Finally got the charger adapter today. The charger I bought came with T connectors only and I got all my battery connections in XT60. I ordered a parallel charger board, but I am a little unclear of how to use it. Do you set the charger to 3 cell still and increase the amps or do you treat 2 x 3 cell batteries as a 6 cell? I'm charging the batteries individually right now so I can actually fly my quad but would like to be able to charge them all at the same time eventually.

 

Not a fan of those parallel boards... Only set to 3 cell if you're charging 3 cell packs.