ready to order .. almost lol. Help us choose please.

[Colinevan]

Need to pick your brains guys as im almost ready to take the plunge.

Iv dabbled with the 959 and my broken 911 ( if im being honest the 959 is sat awaiting 2 new booms as well lol ) and im ready to buy my first reasonable quad.

Iv followed most of the updates you guys have put up and think the list below is somewhere that I need to be. Id love your input though and general advice .

Thanks in advance.

Col.

Genreal list of

450 style frame - probably the hk 450 as its cheap and parts appearsto be in the uk.
kk2 - also from hk. Iv read there a dying technology and not always in stock, however the price is attractive and I am on a budget.
turnigy 18a speedo?? iv read there in use on here, however im up for recommendations.
turnigy 9x - again most people love this tx, however im a little confused on the module talk. Is it a case of tx with 2.4g module and a receiver or is there more to it.. not sure what frsky is etc.

Motor, props and lipo im unsure on . What would you guys recommend.

In the long term I would add a camera of some description. Is it worth me getting a better bigger frame for now, or simply upgrade as and when the camera and skill level improve.

If iv missed anything, feel free to post up.

:thumbsup:

Thanks again.

[neallewis]

If buying radio gear today I'd get the FRSky Taranis: http://www.frsky-rc.co.uk/frsky-news-frsky-taranis-transmitter-2.4g-receivers-telemetry-modules


The HK 450 frame that's a clone of the DJI one has much more flexible arms. If this hinders performance I don't know? its cheaper though.
to be fair, this isn't badly priced at all: http://quadcopters.co.uk/dji-f450-flamewheel-frame-kit-123-p.asp

[andys]

Just popping out - but i'll reply a bit more later..

I have the 330 frame and i've recently built a 450. Initial thoughts / feelings is that i prefer the 330 as it's super agile and a blast to fly. The 450 feels a bit 'big' and cumbersome in comparison.

I bought the 450 to carry a camera though - if it's just to fly and I had to keep one, currently it would be the 330 - cheaper too....

[Col]

Get a couple of spare arms with the quad. I haven't used any of mine yet, but better safe than sorry!
Lipo - get something around 3000mah and 3cell.
If it's available, get an integrated power distribution board for your frame - much neater and therefore easier to install extra's in the long run. If you don't get one (and don't want to solder motors to esc's) then you'll need ways of joining them. Most motors and esc's seem to come with 3mm bullet connectors installed, and the other ends of my esc's came with either XT60's (on the turnigy TI) and 3.5mm bullets (on the afro's). Originally I used this PDB: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=23140 which worked fine, but have since changed to integrated.
You'll need these: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=21758 to join KK2 and receiver.
Props - 1045 SF (slowfly) for a 450, athough you can use 9", or 8045 on 4cell. You need 2x CW and 2xCCW. Buy spares!
My KK2 is mounted on standoff's (DO NOT USE METAL TO MOUNT THE KK2!) but you can use anti-vibration stickypads if you like.
These are my motors: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=12921 and I really like them. I've since ordered some sunnysky ones, but intend to use these in a tri (along with my old esc's)
Don't worry about a USBasp flashing tool (for the KK2) - you can borrow mine whenever you need to. I'm about to go onto 1.6++, so after that I won't need it for a while.
Velcro - to attach your battery's to the quad. I use these: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11736 as well as velcro.
Prop balancer: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=20982

I think that's most of what I have now. DO NOT order anything from hobbyking without getting in touch with me, or Andy, first - we can provide you with "buddycodes" that will give you discount (and us store credit!)

HTH

[andys]

Plenty of good advise there from Col.

You can't go far wrong if you buy similar kit, or at least gear with a similar spec. I have the Turnigy SK3 motors from hobbyking uk, these little fellas :

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38060__Turnigy_Aerodrive_SK3_2822_1275_Brushless _Outrunner_with_Short_Shaft_UK_Warehouse_.html

They are great on the 330 - but on the 450 id want to go a tad bigger, maybe this one from again the UK store.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__38041__Turnigy_Aerodrive_SK3_2830_920kv_Brushles s_Outrunner_Motor_UK_Warehouse_.html

The Uk store has lots of motors that can be used - they are not listed under the multi rotor section though as they had full length shafts as opposed to short shafts. Not a problem, just means the shaft protrudes through the frame arm.

KK2 is the one to go for - it's so easy to change stuff. If they make a KK3 with GPS then I reckon DJI will not sell another Naza !

I'm using the Turnigy 9X radio and receivers - so far with no problems. Just using it as it comes as I don't fly that far away from myself. No FPV for me yet.

If I was (and a I am considering) going for FPV and ariel photography, then I would go for the Naza light as the return to home and gps is a lifesaver. With the KK2 you are on your own, if it goes wrong, it's bad. The ArduPilot 2.5 looks ace too, but not as plug and play as the Naza.

I bought the 330 to learn to fly. Ive flown it into a tree, mustered up enough courage to flip it and skimmed the ground and rolled it along the ground a few times - so far very few breakages. I did one arm after panicking as I hit a big tree and the quad fell quite a way to the ground !

As Col said - whatever you go for (frame wise) buy 2 and get a few extra props. I'm running 8x5 on the 330 and 10x5 (I think) on the 450.

A prop balancer is good to have as the cheap props are badly balanced.

Also, buy a few lipo's. I use the Nano Tech 2650's at around £10 each - bargain. Also you do not really need higher C ratings. I've tried 20C and 70C cells and can't tell the difference.

Also - esc's - it seems you don't need silly highly rated ones for a Quad. My 450 flew lovely with 18amp esc's - although I have put the new Afro ones on it now.

Be careful - this stuff is addictive :)

[Col]

Be careful - this stuff is addictive :)

:thumbsup:

[Colinevan]

Some good advice there guys. Iv just seen the pic of your 450 Andy and it looks fabulous. At first I was going to bold out for dji gear but having seen the hk stuff im going to order from there.

Where did you get the landing skids from Andy as they look like a must have.

I'll keep everyone posted as its going to be a slow purchase as and when funds allow.

Thanks

Col.