Quadcopter

[JoeBloggs]

Hi all, I'm looking in to buying a Quadcopter (and didn't want to resurrect an old thread!)

 

I've never had one before and never flown one!

 

I need an easy to use / fly, and be able to take some decent pictures of land / properties! (video isn't very important, still photos are the priority)

 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[pcstru]

If you have never flown, a small husban X4 would be a sensible choice to get the hang of the basics. You will not really be able to do what you want with that, but it will teach you to fly without too much cost in breakages. You will want something bigger for use outdoors.

 

BTW (just in case) if you are taking pictures of property as a commercial endeavour (charging for a service or in relation to a private enterprise inspection), you will need to have an operators licence in order to get insurance cover.

[GuyJD]

I know this is probably way out of your budget and doesn't really fit the bill but I saw this on Facebook a few days ago and I really want one now, even though I have no reason to have one.

 

https://www.lily.camera/

[JoeBloggs]

@GuyJD that is seriously cool!!

 

$499 seems very reasonable!! Shame it's not out until Feb 2016!

Edited June 5, 2015 by JoeBloggs

[GuyJD]

@JoeBloggs

it's only $499 if you pre-order after that it's going up to $999, it's more of a vanity product than actual functional and reviews all say it's got no object awareness in the current generation, so it could just fly into a tree or building while tracking you.

 

I still want one though.

[halbaradkenafin]

I'd second the Hubsan X4, it's a pretty good little thing and cheap enough that you don't mind crashing it (and you will crash it alot), I'd pick up a pack of extra prop blades for when they inevitably snap as well.

[JoeBloggs]

The DJI Phantom 3 looks decent ?

[FragglePete]

Talk to @JAB1a - he's the resident expert.

 

I built one myself last year and have had loads of fun with it, but to be honest, it scares the willies out of me! I'm just scared of it hitting something or someone and I've spent a lot of money building it. The new breed of 250 Racing Quads do look like more fun, but you need to spend some decent dosh on some good FPV gear (Fatshark is the one that everyone is after)

 

Yes, get a Husban X4 first; loads of fun and you can fly indoors and drive your cats crazy with it You can then build to better and greater things as you go.

 

The Phantoms have a bit of bad rep as although very good, it just that any one can pick one up and fly it with realising the rules and regulations needed to operate it correctly. I haven't heard much recently, but I know some of the earlier phantoms were notorious for unexplained fly aways.

 

Check out www.multi-rotor.co.uk - friend bunch on there that helped me a lot when I was building. Haven't flown mine for a while, just don't have time at the moment.

 

Pete

[JAB1a]

Hi @JoeBloggs,

As others have said here, buy yourself a Hubsan X4 and get flying, these will give you the basic skills to fly any size multirotor, the most important thing is to get some muscle memory working while you fly so that is something goes wrong you have the skill set to minimise the danger/damage to your quad and others.

 

Get a ton of spare lipo's and loads of spare props as well as a prop guard and you will have some awesome times and all the time you are having fun will also be very good training for your big quad and a lot less expensive for When (not if) you crash

 

DJI Phantoms are geared towards your needs, they are plug and play and are a very capable photography platform, if all you are interested in is LOS flight for taking photo's then its perfect, anything more than that then you would be looking at building your own to customise to your needs. A cheap alternative to the Phantom would be something like the 200Qx Blade or 350Qx blade, both are very reliable and can carry GoPro's.

 

The next stage would be going FPV and then the draw of FPV Racing might just catch you, its an addictive sport that gives pure adrenaline as your reward, I have seen 250 quad kits ready to fly with remote etc for about £100, then just add FPV gear for another £50-£60 and you can have some awesome times.

 

Let us know what you go for in the end or need any more info

 

Here is some time trial laps I did recently in a 310mm quad:

 

James

Edited June 9, 2015 by JAB1a

[JoeBloggs]

It's been put on the back burner for now due to the idea being for commercial which required extra stuff. I might buy one of the listed for myself to have a play around with though so thanks for the info all. For those who may be interested in the commercial side:

 

To gain the BNUC-S™ Qualification candidates must pass both Part 1 and Part 2 as follows:

Part 1: BNUC-S™ Theory Examination (Section 1 in the attached FTCs) £700+VAT

Part 2: BNUC-S™ Operational Assessment & Flight Operations Examination (Section 2 in the attached FTCs) £350+VAT

 

(N.B. The UK CAA charge a separate cost (from £112-£224) to issue organisations with a Permission for Aerial Work)

 

Then there is also an "airworthiness" test for your device which comes at another additional cost!

[JAB1a]

Oh yes the system at the moment is just a cash cow, thrown in there to try and organise the commercial side of this. Unless your business will not survive without the cert then I would not suggest getting it until they work things out properly (fingers crossed for this or next year).