Beginner drone options?

[blackbaby]

I am trying to get into the whole drone scene and just want to see if anybody here has any suggestions for a good one to start with. My budget at very most around CAD$120, I have seen many around that price and I already know not to expect anywhere near the performance as a $2000 drone. I had a Syma x5c about a year ago, had to flights with it and it got stuck it a tree... and then stolen lol. I have been looking around and I have seen a few options the first one is the JJRC H26W and the JJRC H12C (links below). The main use of them would be messing around with the video on them and hopefully using it for film class at my school. If anyone knows of something in my budget that has like a 720p or 1080p camera with video capabilities that would be great. Most flying would be outside. Are the ones I have found any good for these uses?

I do understand that at the budget I am looking at the options are limited and the quality is not the best. Any input is appreciated, thanks.

[The_Stig]

I think the JJRC H26W/H12Cs are your best bet. You could get the Syma X5C again though, excellent little drone and rather cheap.

[DaltonM]

I would think the cheapest way to entry level would be to get your own camera and a drone with just a mount for a camera. But I could be wrong as I don't know anything about either camera or drones lol. 

[Matt420740]

Finding a well built quality drone w/video for that price is pretty much impossible.   If you can solder and do basic wiring the best bet is to build your own, like I did.  

 

[blackbaby]

Finding a well built quality drone w/video for that price is pretty much impossible.   If you can solder and do basic wiring the best bet is to build your own, like I did.  

 

I wasn't looking for anything super great but making one myself looks like it could be a good option. where would I go about getting the parts for one? and how  much do you think a decent one would cost if I was to build it myself?

[Matt420740]

I wasn't looking for anything super great but making one myself looks like it could be a good option. where would I go about getting the parts for one? and how  much do you think a decent one would cost if I was to build it myself?

I've got around $200 in the quad itself, not counting the cameras.

 

As for parts, I get everything major (frame, motors, esc, flight controller) from these 2 places.

 

https://www.valuehobby.com/

 

http://www.getfpv.com/

 

 

I get my batteries from Hobbyking

 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.asp

 

 

And all video / FPV gear is purchased from e-bay, except for the FPV goggles, which I built myself.

[blackbaby]

I've got around $200 in the quad itself, not counting the cameras.

 

As for parts, I get everything major (frame, motors, esc, flight controller) from these 2 places.

 

https://www.valuehobby.com/

 

http://www.getfpv.com/

 

 

I get my batteries from Hobbyking

 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/index.asp

 

 

And all video / FPV gear is purchased from e-bay, except for the FPV goggles, which I built myself.

Thanks for the links, I will check it out!

[Andrew_C]

Finding a well built quality drone w/video for that price is pretty much impossible.   If you can solder and do basic wiring the best bet is to build your own, like I did.  

 

Seconded!

 

I built my own with plans from FliteTest and a 3D printer (gotta say, plenty of frames online to chose from). Probably about the same, £200 including the radio.

 

 

Parts wise -

1 x KK2.1.5 flight controller (Hobbyking)

4 x DT750 750kv motors (Hobbyking)

4 x HobbyKing 20A ESC + UBEC (Hobbyking)

4 x SlowFly Props (Hobbyking) CCW

4 x SlowFly Props (Hobbyking) CW

1 x 3000mAh 4S 20C Lipo (Hobbyking)

 

The rest is cables, metal, plastic, battery connectors, etc.

 

 

P.S. Mine isn't a small quad, it's capable of lifting just under a KG of payload. I usually run it with a Mobius action camera.

[blackbaby]

Seconded!

 

I built my own with plans from FliteTest and a 3D printer (gotta say, plenty of frames online to chose from). Probably about the same, £200 including the radio.

 

 

Parts wise -

1 x KK2.1.5 flight controller (Hobbyking)

4 x DT750 750kv motors (Hobbyking)

4 x HobbyKing 20A ESC + UBEC (Hobbyking)

4 x SlowFly Props (Hobbyking) CCW

4 x SlowFly Props (Hobbyking) CW

1 x 3000mAh 4S 20C Lipo (Hobbyking)

 

The rest is cables, metal, plastic, battery connectors, etc.

 

 

P.S. Mine isn't a small quad, it's capable of lifting just under a KG of payload. I usually run it with a Mobius action camera.

These parts overall don't seem way to far outside of my price range. Do you have any good links on where I can learn more about the whole idea of building one?  I have watched a few videos already but I am not really sure about how to make sure everything will work together, like a frame and its motors and what type of controller to get. I guess what I need is to be pointed in the right direction if you could. Thanks

[The_Stig]

These parts overall don't seem way to far outside of my price range. Do you have any good links on where I can learn more about the whole idea of building one?  I have watched a few videos already but I am not really sure about how to make sure everything will work together, like a frame and its motors and what type of controller to get. I guess what I need is to be pointed in the right direction if you could. Thanks

Here, this is the guide I semi-followed to build my first quad.

 

http://fpv-flightclub.com/how-to-build-fpv-quadcopter/

[blackbaby]

I am also thinking that since I want to go for more of a video taking stable flight kind of thing that maybe a hexcopter would be better, what are the difference of building one versus a quadcopter?

[Matt420740]

maybe a hexcopter would be better, what are the difference of building one versus a quadcopter?

More of everything......  LOL

 

A quad is more than stable enough for filming, and cheaper to build, plus less parts to fail.

 

And as far as figuring out what parts work with what, that takes a lot of research and googling, but its worth the time and effort.

 

But if you want to make sure you get the right stuff the first time you could always go with a kit.

 

This is a killer little quad for the price - http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_729_761&products_id=5103

[blackbaby]

More of everything......  LOL

 

A quad is more than stable enough for filming, and cheaper to build, plus less parts to fail.

Ok, I will go with a quad then. do you think the parts that Andrew_C link above would be good for what I intend do use it for, and does it look like that would all work with this frame?

[Matt420740]

Ok, I will go with a quad then. do you think the parts that Andrew_C link above would be good for what I intend do use it for, and does it look like that would all work with this frame?

That Rotorbits frame doesn't really have room to mount any video gear.  Ask me how I know........

 

That said, if your going for a larger quad, I'd recommend this - http://www.valuehobby.com/multicopters/multicopter-frames/hj450-spider.html

 

If your going for a smaller 250 sized quad these frames are great - http://www.valuehobby.com/multicopters/multicopter-frames/fpv250-fiberglass-frame.html

 

Both of those have plenty of room for FPV gear.  The second one I linked is the frame I used for the quad in the pic I posted earlier.

[catzambia]

snip

What transmitter are you using??

[Matt420740]

What transmitter are you using??

Flysky TH9X

 

Got some FPV videos on my Youtube if anyones interested - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkQeFcpf66EOx0vS1KrdaHQ

[Andrew_C]

These parts overall don't seem way to far outside of my price range. Do you have any good links on where I can learn more about the whole idea of building one?  I have watched a few videos already but I am not really sure about how to make sure everything will work together, like a frame and its motors and what type of controller to get. I guess what I need is to be pointed in the right direction if you could. Thanks

 

Okay now I have to be weird and say don't build it with ALL the parts I listed. The DT750 motors are decent for the money, but you HAVE to balance them yourself when you get them, else it'll never fly. I'd probably stump up a little more cash for better motors out of the box. Also the KK2.1.5 board is getting a little old-hat, mines actually broken at the moment - stupid thing only turns on if you warm it up. It's probably a broken PCB trace but after talking with Matt I'm going to go for a Naze32 next month. Not decided on Acro yet...

 

The "quad" originally came to life as a tricopter, I butchered their plans and found a nice frame on Thingiverse. 

 

FliteTest - http://flitetest.com/articles/The_Tricopter_V2_5_build

Thingiverse (my build) - http://www.thingiverse.com/make:139580

Thingiverse (source) - http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:792942

 

 

Flysky TH9X

 

Got some FPV videos on my Youtube if anyones interested - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkQeFcpf66EOx0vS1KrdaHQ

 

Good choice sir, you running telemetry?

[Matt420740]

Good choice sir, you running telemetry?

Thanks.  Na, just barebones Naze32. 

[Andrew_C]

Darn, sorry I'm hijacking - I butchered my FlySky TH9X to accept a DJT TX module with telemetry. Got given a D8R-II Plus but haven't got a clue how to get it up and running yet *one day*..

[Supercian411]

this is has a 720p camera and is fpv

http://www.hubsan.com/productinfo_20.html

[blackbaby]

So after looking around more I have decided that I would go for a more expensive quad and just save until I can buy most of it. I found this frame and I really like it but I am not sure on my motors or ESC's. I picked 2 options for flight controllers but I am not really sure which one will be able to support all the things I will want to put on it.(2 or 3 axis gimble and the retractable legs) Do you guys think this is ok?

 

Frame
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__77174__HMF_U580_Pro_Carbon_Fiber_Folding_Quadcopter_Kit.html

Motors

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__67018__Quanum_MT_Series_3110_470KV_Brushless_Multirotor_Motor_Built_by_DYS.html

 

ESC

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__65156__Turnigy_Multistar_30A_Slim_V2_ESC_With_BLHeli_OPTO_2_6S.html

 

Battery

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__84098__Multistar_LiHV_High_Capacity_5200Mah_4S_Multi_Rotor_Lipo_Pack.html

 

Flight controller

Option 1
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__89563__OpenPilot_CC3D_Revolution_Revo_32bit_Flight_Controller_w_Integrated_433Mhz_OPLink.html

Option 2
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__54299__Hobbyking_KK2_1_5_Multi_rotor_LCD_Flight_Control_Board_With_6050MPU_And_Atmel_644PA.html

 

Props

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__84404__APC_Style_Propeller_14x5_5_Grey_CW_CCW_2pcs_.html