Talk to me Goose!

[Ainglis4243]

Alright gentlemen/lady-gentlemen, I am about to undertake my first build. I'm using The Tarot IronMan 650 carbon fiber frame.....aaannnnnd that's about what I know for sure. I'm wondering what good (efficient and moderately priced) motors would be, what ESC's to use (I'm willing to pay a good amount for these), also what flight controller to use (side note: I've looked at the Pixhawk, and I'm just not willing to invest in one that expensive for my first build). Also for my first build I wont be doing telemetry or GPS, or at least not until I feel comfortable with every phase of flight.

Thanks,
Austin

 

[ringolong]

I would recommend taking a look at the dji e600 tuned propulsion system or the e800.

These motors are super high quality for the price. I am flying the e600 on a tarot 680, and I loved them so much I purchased the e1200 for a quad I am currently in the middle of building right now.

Here is a pic I just took of the bottom of one of my spares. This is the dji e600 3508

 

[HDtallrider]

Welcome, Ainglis4243! Can you give us an idea of budget? Do you already have a radio for example? Have you flown before? Believe me when I say that we would be more than happy to offer our opinions on how to spend your money!!

 

[Ainglis4243]

Welcome, Ainglis4243! Can you give us an idea of budget? Do you already have a radio for example? Have you flown before? Believe me when I say that we would be more than happy to offer our opinions on how to spend your money!!

I haven't flown much. My price point is $600-650, but I'd love to stay under that! I'm basically looking for a good starter that is good quality, but won't break the bank. I major in Unmanned Arial Systems and I'd like to build a beginner drone that I can log some hours with, and also get my hands dirty. I'm already a licensed pilot and as soon as I can get a job doing this commercially, I will!
Thanks,
Austin

 

[ringolong]

Not sure what type of flying you are hoping for, but here is a setup that I was highly impressed with.

On sale right now
http://store.dji.com/product/e600-4

These are awesome for the price(What is on my hex above when I shot that video)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tarot-ZYX-M...762949?hash=item1ea3f50605:g:pxcAAOSwpDdVbRal

The gimbal that was on it during that video.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tarot-T4-3D...887262?hash=item419bb027de:g:MhMAAOSwgQ9V4CBB

You should be able to have a smooth and steady quad under your budget

 

[HDtallrider]

I haven't flown much. My price point is $600-650, but I'd love to stay under that! I'm basically looking for a good starter that is good quality, but won't break the bank. I major in Unmanned Arial Systems and I'd like to build a beginner drone that I can log some hours with, and also get my hands dirty. I'm already a licensed pilot and as soon as I can get a job doing this commercially, I will!
Thanks,
Austin

Ringalongs choices are good ones. You will be very pleased with the performance and quality and the power system comes as a complete, matched set. You can always add the camera and gimbal later. Another controller to consider( my favorite) is the XAircraft MiniX. Very small and complete with GPS and OSD. It takes only a few minutes to set up. The gyros, altimeter, barometer etc. are some of the best out there. It is so flexible that I rigged up a mount with my Rx and controller that I can move from quad to quad as a unit. A couple Tx adjustments and it's good to go.

http://www.cnchelicopter.com/xaicraft-minix-package-a-minix-flight-controller-gps-plus-osd/

One other thing to consider is to get the best radio you can afford. It is the one component that will be with you for years. The good ones are updatable so are unlikely to become obsolete for many years. Look at Futaba, Spectrum and Taranis for examples of really quality radios. Think of your radio as buying a quality tool that you will keep and use for a long time.
One more bit of advice; This is not a hobby. It is a disease!!! Hahahaha!!

 

[Ainglis4243]

Ringalongs choices are good ones. You will be very pleased with the performance and quality and the power system comes as a complete, matched set. You can always add the camera and gimbal later. Another controller to consider( my favorite) is the XAircraft MiniX. Very small and complete with GPS and OSD. It takes only a few minutes to set up. The gyros, altimeter, barometer etc. are some of the best out there. It is so flexible that I rigged up a mount with my Rx and controller that I can move from quad to quad as a unit. A couple Tx adjustments and it's good to go.

http://www.cnchelicopter.com/xaicraft-minix-package-a-minix-flight-controller-gps-plus-osd/

One other thing to consider is to get the best radio you can afford. It is the one component that will be with you for years. The good ones are updatable so are unlikely to become obsolete for many years. Look at Futaba, Spectrum and Taranis for examples of really quality radios. Think of your radio as buying a quality tool that you will keep and use for a long time.
One more bit of advice; This is not a hobby. It is a disease!!! Hahahaha!!

Yea that does seem like a good device, definitely something I will check out when I build a better rig. Next one will probably be something for cinematography, but for now I'm not looking for GPS or telemetry. Just something that I can experiment with. How do you feel about the "CC3D open pilot" control board. I know it's basic but will it get the job done, and is it easy to use?

 

[HDtallrider]

The CC3d is a great little controller and is expandable. It is the darling of the racing crowd because of it's quickness and infinite fine tuning capability. It can adapt to non "square" wheelbase designs easily. It is not "basic" at all. Quite sophisticated. The hands down winners for newbie simplicity are the KK boards. The CC3d requires some serious programming skills to dial in while the KK will fly nicely on the factory default settings. Once you get used to YOUR quad the KK has the ability to get a little more refined and "frisky". Very simple. Great for getting your feet wet with just enough options to help you learn.

 

[RGJameson]

Go with the CC3D. I don't agree that it takes 'serious programming skills' to dial in. There are many presets to choose from that have been dialed in by experts and are easy enough to try. You can also put Cleanflight on it if you choose.

Here's a good place to get it, a rather complete package too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CC3D-Flight...296868?hash=item1ea67e0a24:g:WjcAAOSw9mFWNgwA

A good, long time seller and if you are in the US the ePacket delivery will get it to you in <2 weeks.

As far as 'adapt to non "square" wheelbase designs', the KK2.1 actually has a slicker way of doing it.

 

[HDtallrider]

Go with the CC3D. I don't agree that it takes 'serious programming skills' to dial in. There are many presets to choose from that have been dialed in by experts and are easy enough to try. You can also put Cleanflight on it if you choose.

Here's a good place to get it, a rather complete package too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CC3D-Flight...296868?hash=item1ea67e0a24:g:WjcAAOSw9mFWNgwA

A good, long time seller and if you are in the US the ePacket delivery will get it to you in <2 weeks.

As far as 'adapt to non "square" wheelbase designs', the KK2.1 actually has a slicker way of doing it.

Haha! My version of serious is installing Uber on my phone! You are probably right about the CC3d. I went online a year ago before grabbing a KK2 and found the instructions daunting on the CC3d. That's probably just me. I'll take your word on the KK2 being "slicker" adapting to different arm lengths. I have never needed it. I haven't used one since March but I remember it taking about 2 minutes to get flying. Austin was asking for easy to use. That's why I made the suggestion.

 

[Ainglis4243]

Hmm I think I'll stick with the CC3D , I'm pretty computer savvy, and I'd like a little challenge. Any tips or advice for setting it up for the first time? Also, should I use the DJI ESC's for the DJI motors, or does it matter (I.e. Will I have any sort of compatibility issues)?

 

[HDtallrider]

The e600 kit ringalong suggested comes with motors,esc's props and all the accessories. You're good to go and it's on sale!