Quadrocopters :)

andys · #1 24-03-2013

Having seen Neal Lewis's Quadcopter fly at Batley - I bought one - Thanks for all the info Neal

I bought one of these - WLtoys V949 Beetle RC Quadcopter Mini UFO RTF - from Banggood as per Neal's recommendations.

Basically - indoors it's bloody amazing.

So - question is, now i'm getting the hang of flying it, I want a bigger, better one for outdoors, but there is just so much choice and confusion over these things.

Anyone know the 'Durango RTR' of the outdoor Quadrocopter offerings ?
Ideally i'd like to add a camera to one too.

Check out this video of a VERY high end setup

- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELr3U4l5HkQ

Cheers.
Andy

bodgit · #2 24-03-2013

That was a brilliant clip. Is it right they cost $4800 @£3300 in our money if its this one http://extremeaerials.com/buy-a-quadrocopter/ Is he flying that with the glasses because he never looks at it or down to any monitor. I thought for a moment as he went down that track and through the trees he was going to lose his way back as all treetops look the same but that climb he did to see where his shack was, was some hieght.

bandit · #3 24-03-2013

You can get a similar setup for under a grand or go for more budget equipment and it could be even less.
I got the bug last summer and now have a few mini quads and a big one that can do what you seen in the video. Infact i have had it out to close to a mile and back only being restricted by battery life.
You should look on rc groups they have some great projects and posts on there. Mind you it can be very confusing and mind boggling (what kit , what frequency , radio etc.)but if you read up enough you will get a good idea of whats what.

neallewis · #4 24-03-2013

Andy, I've been doing me research and what you are looking for is available from DJI Innovations. Their Naza flight controllers are the best.
Naza-M: http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...otor/overview/

Quad kits: http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...otor/overview/

I explored building one from hobbyking.com parts, with a cheaper KK board flight controller, but decided the dji kit is the way to go.

Got my radio gear, and three batteries, ordering the stuff above next week.

A gopro or similar camera will bolt on, either directly or in a gymbal, fpv setup will bolt on too, you just need to upgrade the props for better lift performance when carrying more payload.

bandit · #5 24-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by neallewis

Andy, I've been doing me research and what you are looking for is available from DJI Innovations. Their Naza flight controllers are the best.
Naza-M: http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...otor/overview/

Quad kits: http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...otor/overview/

I explored building one from hobbyking.com parts, with a cheaper KK board flight controller, but decided the dji kit is the way to go.

Got my radio gear, and three batteries, ordering the stuff above next week.

A gopro or similar camera will bolt on, either directly or in a gymbal, fpv setup will bolt on too, you just need to upgrade the props for better lift performance when carrying more payload.

i was going through my stuff to take some piccies , but as youve mentioned i also found dji stuff the way to go.
its reasonable price and solid quality is why i went for there gear.
i will try and dig out some of my fpv videos also done on the gopro.

neallewis · #6 24-03-2013

The kit meets my requirements, but you asked for the rtr...

DJI do the ready to fly Phantom..
http://www.dji-innovations.com/produ...ntom/overview/

which I believe is very good as well.

andys · #7 24-03-2013

Hi Neal

I'll check it out - URL sounds familiar as I had a look around

Happy to build it myself if I know what to buy

Looks like you are putting together the kind of thing I'm interested in

Cheers
Andy

Col · #8 24-03-2013

Neal, glad you got the 949 fixed! Did banggood sort it or did you buy another?

neallewis · #9 24-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col

Neal, glad you got the 949 fixed! Did banggood sort it or did you buy another?

I left it on the window ledge for two weeks after you saw it at York, came back to it and it's worked perfectly since!?!?

neallewis · #10 24-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by andys

Hi Neal

I'll check it out - URL sounds familiar as I had a look around

Happy to build it myself if I know what to buy

Looks like you are putting together the kind of thing I'm interested in

Cheers
Andy

Yes Andy.

Available here: http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/D...-NAZA-s/63.htm

and here: http://quadcopter.heliguy.com/Extras.../Introduction/

I'm going for the F450 quad kit plus Naza-M. Unsure if i'll get the GPS unit now or later?

I've gone for the Turnigy 9X radio gear, and i'll be using the FrSky (JR) plug in module, rather than the Turnigy/Spektrum ones. The FrSky is meant to be the best for range and no interference. The FrSky DHT hack modules also work.
Basic 4 channel gear will get you flying, but 8/9 channel is recommended for proper control. General consensus seems that Spektrum radio gear will give glitches and random interference, especially when using FPV kit.

I ordered 3x Turnigy 3S 3000mAh 40c packs from hobbyking.com UK warehouse, which were delivered next day, rather than in 10 days from the HK store. Cheap enough, but decent quality and seem popular with the flight people.

I got watching the youtube videos from this kid in america...
http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCq2rNse2XX4Rjzmldv9GqrQ/u

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQkzrGMtY14

and has some pretty good narrated FPV vids like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03lBqTlCehI

DJI Naza kit build info and video: http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=365855

another review: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1562544

And this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xvmOEmbyco

enjoy ;-)

Col · #11 24-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by neallewis

I left it on the window ledge for two weeks after you saw it at York, came back to it and it's worked perfectly since!?!?

Interesting... Wonder if that will work for mine - it's currently sat in a pond. With the red bind led still flashing!

GrahamH7060 · #12 24-03-2013

I went to a customers house this morning to measure up for some electrically operated roof blinds in his conservatory , we got chatting about all types of gadgets and eventually got onto all things RC !

Then he unveiled his DJI phantom !!! Complete with the Hero Pro HD camera mounted underneath !

Showed me it flying in the garden in the snow ! It has this GPS function that automatically holds it in hover when you release the sticks !!

Then he pressed a button , let go of the controls and the damn thing landed itself about 1 metre from where it took off !!
Absolutely awesome !!

If I had the money I would get one of those , only downside is the price !

£500 then the cost of a go pro camera too which I think are about £400 too !

If you get one I'll be very jealous indeed !

James · #13 24-03-2013

DJI Phantom is the best allround RTR type quad.

We're all kitted out to film the nationals (if we're allowed) and other big meetings with a quad this year for the oOple reports. Its an expensive job to get decent kit with gimball etc though!

You've prob seen this, a quick, early vid from when I was getting used to the whole thing last year:

simon · #14 24-03-2013

You can also do a bit of stunt flying with em!!!!

http://vimeo.com/56548217

neallewis · #15 24-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon

You can also do a bit of stunt flying with em!!!!

http://vimeo.com/56548217

Yes I was going to link to Warthox's vimeo account. crazy stuff!

andys · #16 25-03-2013

Hi James.

What did you end up buying re camera etc - is it a GoPro that you used - also what did you use to stabilise it ?

I'm quite into Video / Filming etc and use a DSLR and After Effects and loads of other stuff for my real work - and quite fancy the idea of combining my 2 fav things (Film/Video & RC !)

Neal - I think i'll hold fire and hopefully have a look at yours when you are sorted as you seem to know what you are doing & what to buy !

Also - anyone know what's involved in getting the video feed from a GoPro to a pair of glasses so you can fly from the Quad's perspective - or is that going to be silly expensive.

Anyway - very tempted to sell all my Nitro gear and 'take the plunge'... Neal, get yours sorted then you can put me a shopping list together

James · #17 25-03-2013

Hi Andy, the video I posted was with a 450 quad, quadframe gimbal using the Naza gimbal controller and a Hero 2, no video stabilisation used. I also have an sony NEX 5 for a bigger machine but for a quality gimbal plus dedicated controller and a much bigger quad its the next level and talking a few thousand. The phantom really is the best starting point as you're bound to crash it a few times while you're learning.

The standard type FPV is fatshark but on the budget model the quality if poor and you'll have a delay, if you want to do it properly you'll really need a proper base station, its ideal to learn on though.

bandit · #18 25-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by andys

Hi James.

What did you end up buying re camera etc - is it a GoPro that you used - also what did you use to stabilise it ?

I'm quite into Video / Filming etc and use a DSLR and After Effects and loads of other stuff for my real work - and quite fancy the idea of combining my 2 fav things (Film/Video & RC !)

Neal - I think i'll hold fire and hopefully have a look at yours when you are sorted as you seem to know what you are doing & what to buy !

Also - anyone know what's involved in getting the video feed from a GoPro to a pair of glasses so you can fly from the Quad's perspective - or is that going to be silly expensive.

Anyway - very tempted to sell all my Nitro gear and 'take the plunge'... Neal, get yours sorted then you can put me a shopping list together

If you are looking to buy into the hobby I have lots of stuff that I may look to sell which should save you a fair few quid buying new.
Most of the stuff I have has only been used a couple of times infact I not even used my fatshark goggles yet as once I got all my gear I had a newborn and then winter came early (as usual ).
Get a shopping list together then give me a shout to see if I have what you need.
To give you an idea I have fatshark goggles , ground station in a nice neat case with no blue screen monitor (important) I have uhf radio system (50mile plus range) 5.8 video gear with cloverleaf , patch and standard antennas and also 1.2ghz video with similar antennas as mentioned. (Most of that is unused in packet) lipos loads more .f450 quad dji naza gps and flight control and even an osd so you grt a similar view fightrr jets get on screen.

Col · #19 25-03-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col

Interesting... Wonder if that will work for mine - it's currently sat in a pond. With the red bind led still flashing!

It lives! Looks like one of the carbon legs broke mid-flight (it's had multiple crashes) which threw it into the pond. Sat on a radiator for 12hrs and flew again - on the same battery!

Col · #20 27-03-2013