New FPV drone Purchase

[Chris Bishop]

So I know that these types of posts get put up quite a bit but I looked around and did not see any addressing the models I am potentially looking at...

So I am pretty new to drones and recently received a Hubsan x4 as a gift. I had also bought a cheap (and honestly can't even remember the specific model) micro drone as my 1st a year ago just to get the feel of the control for learning to fly. I played with my first for a month or so and it eventually died in a fatal crash but had not got around to getting another until recently when receiving the x4. I got my feet wet again and feel, while no expert by any means, I understand the basics on how to control it.

So now I am interested in getting something a little nicer (~$200 or less) and a FPV drone. In doing some research, I have narrowed my choices to the following:

Parrot Mambo FPV
Goolsky MJX Bugs 5W

I am no expert but both seem to get good reviews and fit in my price range. I would like others thoughts on these options, or if you have others that you would suggest over these. I don't have a separate transmitter or goggles but those are possible add-on (separate of the initial price investment).

Thanks in advance for others input on the matter.
- Chris

 

[mozquito1]

I fly acro maybe some survey work & build if anybody wants one on my travels.
I tend to stay away from manafactured quads unless someone needs help fixing it or modding it. Usually they don't hang about long. Building things yourself means you probably in it for the long haul.
Buy a toy & break it or a problem, most send it back. It comes with instructions but they don't read them properly. Aot of ppl help on here but you got to at least try & help yourself first. There is that many types & subtypes of drones it's hard to keep up.
So I just keep it simple & mainly to self builds or help with fix & mods.
Cowboy err I mean Jackson is the guy to see about your question.
The first syma I had lasted 2hours.
Never bought a factory made since.
Apart from a motor, props & a few naze
The first quad I made lasted 3 years
& cost me £120.
If you really want my input I'd go with the bugs.

 

[Chris Bishop]

I fly acro maybe some survey work & build if anybody wants one on my travels.
I tend to stay away from manafactured quads unless someone needs help fixing it or modding it. Usually they don't hang about long. Building things yourself means you probably in it for the long haul.
Buy a toy & break it or a problem, most send it back. It comes with instructions but they don't read them properly. Aot of ppl help on here but you got to at least try & help yourself first. There is that many types & subtypes of drones it's hard to keep up.
So I just keep it simple & mainly to self builds or help with fix & mods.
Cowboy err I mean Jackson is the guy to see about your question.
The first syma I had lasted 2hours.
Never bought a factory made since.
Apart from a motor, props & a few naze
The first quad I made lasted 3 years
& cost me £120.
If you really want my input I'd go with the bugs.

Thanks for the input Mozquito. I am definitely not opposed to building my own and agree with your point: you build it and you are more invested. Now building your own, obviously, add a lot more options. I would enjoy to hear what you would suggest parts-wise for to build a FPV copter in the sub $200 range.
Thanks

 

[mozquito1]

Sounds like you want an acro flyer.?
Tx/rx aside I have only ever broke one frame. Whether I've just been lucky, I don't see the difference in cloned frames.
4-5mm carbon arms is the norm.
You're only paying extra for champherd edges & fittings, which I swap out anyway.
Like shorter standoffs & vibration mounts.
An armattan frame or something alike would break the budget but you would never have to Buy another if it broke.
I got a fibreglass frame that just won't break also, it is bent but I take it out now & again for ppl to try at the park.
I could suggest an X220 ppl call it the wizard, but it was before it was marketed as that. Or the Stingy true X, but both with 30mm standoffs.
Since I've started this hobby I've always stuck with what works rather than swapping out all the time.
I did start off with DYS 1806, they where OK but didn't have the umph buy the time I learned acro. So I switched to emax & stayed with them since.
So for motors I'm saying buy emax.
Hopefully someone else might chime in with a different view on better motors but for price they are good.
For flight Controller any F4 OSD whether that's with pdb or not it will still fit in the 30mm stack.
Im from UK & we can get different esc's here. I've had & use littlebee for 3years.
Took plenty of knocks & still kicking.
My favorite are pocket rocket, the smallest esc's to date @ £7 each they are nails.
Never broke one yet & no come backs off them. Out of 36. Oh & only 1 broke emax 2206 out of 17 upto now.
I got 6 quads & 2 wings. Builds I do ppl tend to go for cheap racerstar 2206-2306 which are OK. I've never used a 4in1 esc as a 3in1 doesn't work. So I've always used separates.
If you got the dosh go for it.
Runcam sparrow all day for the camera.
& TBS for vtx I'm in UK so I use a pro nano which is 50mw & plenty for my needs.
It Weighs 1g & just hangs off the antenna.
Unbreakable & easy to totally H2° proof it.
If you can afford it go for a unify Pro.
If you pick a size frame 3" 4" or 5"
I can list all parts for you.
I've been busy this year & behind on all the new gear out. But like I said I go with what works or basically what still works lol.
What Tx are you leaning towards.
Taranis is the way but don't let the flysky throw you off, that's all I use,
i6 for 4 years & evolution nearly a year. Ranges are good, more than I use.

Emax motors
TBS vtx
FCB omnibus F4 osd pdb
Runcam sparrow/Eagle camera.
The only Lipo's I use are tattu or nanotech.
The OC-Day are OK.

 

[Chris Bishop]

Thanks for all the info. I'm not sure if I am looking for a true Acro copter or more just a FPV copter. Definitely not confident enough to do aerobatics but would mind having one when I get to that level.
I have been collecting info online as to an affordable build and so far have come up with 3 options that might work. Considering I do not yet have the Transmitter, charger , goggles or correct battery packs, the initial price is obviously higher than my original budget. So if I do go down the build route, I will be buying it in pieces until I have the full setup.
Here is the initial list I have come up with so far

Drone build checklist

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[mozquito1]

Actual quad parts are under the budget,
The extras take it over it.
I thought you said you had a feel for flying.
Get a Tx & get on a flight simulator.
Getting a DPD frame & cheap flexible dipole antenna. You can crash all day with no worries.

 

[Chris Bishop]

Correct. I knew the budget would go over with the accessories / add ons. While I am somewhat familar with the controls under normal conditions / general flying, when I try any acrobatics, I'm kind of a hot mess.
Thanks for all the info. Based on your advice, I will probably start with the transmitter and play around with a simulator while picking up the parts to build mine, while having fun and practicing with my toy drones.
Thanks again

 

[mozquito1]

My turnigy evo works with all my flysky rx's, not needed for a sim. I'm just saying.
I plug it into my mobile with an OTG cable
Or tablet. Take it anywhere.
I use freerider as that seems to be the only one on playstore. The free version is sluggish, but if you buy the full version it's perfect. The free version is just a test to see if your setup works.
There is a way to get console pads to work,
eg xbox ps4 ps3 dual shock.

 

[flhtci2006]

Chris, I'm new to drones and just bought a Hubsan. BUT, I absolutely love the spreadsheet. My kind of guy.

 

[Chris Bishop]

Chris, I'm new to drones and just bought a Hubsan. BUT, I absolutely love the spreadsheet. My kind of guy.

Thanks.
I'm a spreadsheet geek so any opportunity to make one and I'm in. I am going to continue to practice on my Hubsan x4 and continue to research until I either narrow down my list to the best / lowest price parts and then start piecing together and building the best budget FPV drone I can

 

[RENOV8R]

Some good tips here if you want to build your one quad.
https://rotorbuilds.com/build/6332

 

[SNSTRLefty]

Brushless: Emax Babyhawk/BabyhawkR/TinyHawk/Mobula7, etc
Brushed: SPC Maker 90X (1S & 2S) from BuddyRC ($55) is a great start.