Author Topic: Complete beginner (Read 105 times)

Ed Addis · « **on:** March 29, 2015, 02:19:58 PM »

I'm looking at getting a relatively cheap quadcopter/drone. The features I want are: FPV, reasonable range, safe to fly indoors but usable outdoors, reasonable flight time, fail safe (!). I'm handicapped by not understanding some of the basics. With an FPV drone, how is the real-time video viewed? Do the controllers have a video screen, or is it essential to have a separate monitor? Do the controllers always contain the video receiver? Do they have AV outputs?

I'm looking at these models: Syma X5C Explorers 2.4 GHz 6 Axis Gyro RC Quadcopter, Hubsan X4 H107C 2.4G 4CH RC Quadcopter, UDI U818A Quadcopter. Will any of these give me what I'm looking for? If not - any other suggestions please?

Apologies for my appalling ignorance!

Thanks

Ed

xxpitt · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2015, 03:31:59 PM »

Hi ed,

I have no experience with those models. with the little ready to fly models like that, they often have the screen built in to the controller but not always. Sometimes they will sell different packages. So they might sell it with a controller with a screen or sell it cheaper with a controller that doesn't have a screen. In this case you would need to buy either a monitor and a video receiver or a pair of fpv goggles such as fat sharks. Best thing to do is read the discription carefully so you know what it's coming with

Ed Addis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2015, 05:54:22 PM »

Thanks

The problem is that the descriptions given for these devices are never very precise or accurate, maybe because they're not written in the writer's first language. It's very difficult, particularly when you're not too familiar with the kit, to know exactly what you're getting.

Ed

gavnthat · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2015, 10:47:17 PM »

I got one of these A while ago its great for indoors and out. The transmitter has the received and screen built in so its ready to fly Fpv. The video range is not so good but a very easy mod to the received antenna makes a massive difference.

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=131293343444&alt=web

Here's a vid I did all stock except modded RX antenna and tx antenna.

http://youtu.be/Li99Ueo0Ias
	Small \| Large

bigMouse · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2015, 08:56:23 AM »

Don't get put off by the terminology There is not a lot to understand, the flight controller does it all for you! All you need to be able to do is solder reasonably well and be able to buy direct from china shops, and a little patience!

They are not drones, the media has named them that!

To fly them LOS (Line Of Sight) you need an r/c transmitter & receiver
To fly them FPV you also need an fpv camera, video transmitter video reiver and some thing to watch the video on, either goggles or screen, Goggles are best but most expensive, screen kinda works but need an enclosure to shade it from the sun but its the cheaper way! I'd say goggles for fast & slow flying, screen only for slow flying.

Hubsan is no good, its a toy, count flight time in seconds, Ladybird is much better and you can fit 500mAh batteries for evn longer flight times, crash-able but it is tiny!
you won't go far wrong with a qav 250 or 400. Naze or kk2 as a flight controller.

Please don't buy phantom shit...