FAQ's of Quad Newbie

[speedstep]

Hi Guys,

I fly fixed wing as fpv already, but want to get into Quads. I had the AR Drone (more a toy). I've got experience with Coax Helis (very easy to control) and I kind of manage to hover and move a Blade 450 around a bit...

But now I'm looking for a Quad...

My need

good flight times
able to carry fpv gear + gopro
Be able to get good gopro footage (not too much vibration)
kind of windproof 8)
The focus is on being stable and good hovering, not so much aerobatics...
Frame if possible large 500-700 (more stable? in wind?)
good controller
Budget $750-1500

From what I read a Dj Naza seems beside CC the best controller out there right?

I would probably install a Ezuhf RC System
and lawmate video tx

I got quite a few 4S lipos and I like 4S setups

I wouldn't mind buying a kit or combine parts together
I'm not afraid of soldering and stuff...

I heard BSC's should be fast responding ones? Which make is best and reliable?

Which motors?
So what would you guys choose if you would built one?

Thanks for your help!

[milehigh]

For RTF just get a DJI Naza 450 kit and call it a day. I've seen some good footage from these. The price isn't bad either, and the Naza is easy to set up.

For a DIY setup there are literally a thousand different frames out there. Your best bet is to figure out what'll suit your needs. For ESCs you will want something that can be flashed with the new simonk firmware. Here's a database for compatible ones. But to make it easy, get these, they're easy to flash and come highly recommended by timecop (ESC guru). As for motors, get something cheap and get like 6 so you have two spares. In the likely event of a crash you don't have to dish out for new expensive motors. Naza is probably your best bet for a plug-n-play FC for a DIY solution.

[KellyR]

speedstep,

I'm new to this stuff too, but I've been studying the web & forums for a few months. A lot of guys like a G10 glass fiber frame for FPV. Less vibration & interference issues. A real popular one is the Witespy by Hoverthings.com. They're also coming out with a new FPV frame soon. It has the front arms spread further apart to keep them out of the camera view. This one here is Juz's.



He got a pre-release one because he's...well...Juz. You'll be able to get it with the Naza. It does run on 3S though. The place to get the video equipment seems to be ReadymadeRC.com. Good luck.

Kelly

[Kevinv033]

If you're planning on running 4s, you can get rctimer a2830-14 750kv motors when you grab the rctimer 30A esc since they are flashable with SimonK FW. These motors are great for the price. I started my 4s builds with these motors. I've run them on tricopter, quad and hexa. Taking into account that you may crash, these motors are a good place to start.

As far as frames, I like the Hoverthings VC450/550 and AGL Hobbies UAP1 sport. The UAP1 is very configurable. I have used it in quad, flat hexa and now y6. You'll have to get your own arm material and cut to desired length. Good if you wanna experiment with motor distances. They both can be configured to carry a stabdard fpv layout..

[speedstep]

Hey Guys,

thanks for the input! I read more and more and figured out that many great components are always sold out.. So I decided for a naza kit. And it's actually a Naza 550. I read very good things of it and it's very good for large 4S batterys and can carry loads of payload more than I need. Also it runs of 8 inch props (on 4S) I know there is 2 more props and motors to break, but I ordered spares...

Will fit 2,4ghz lawmate 500mw, Ezuhf diversity RX, Go pro, Ibcrazy bluebeam and will try different batterys (3300-5000mha 4s), Seawolf Pixim cam etc.

Will post my built here

[KellyR]

Can't wait to see it!

[speedstep]

Hey Guys,

I got the Naza 550 Setup

Naza 550
10 inch props on 4S (just till I break them ordered 8 inch)
4S 3300mha or 4S 5000mha
Naza FC
EzUHF diversity Receiver
Pixim Seawolf Cam
Lawmate 500mw 2,4ghz
Bluebeam Ibcrazy

I'm very satisfied with it, had around 2 hours airtime so far with it. Most of it FPV (90%).
Apart from broken props no problem so far. One time a HZ Stryker with keycam went into me while I was hovering a meter over the ground (see picture is before impact).


The furthest I went so far was 500 metres and even then the picture was perfect even while turning (thanks to the bluebeam)
I get more and more confident and now I'm wondering which gimbal for a Go Pro is the way to go?

Here some more pics







Here a very good built video:


View this video on Vimeo