$400 to spend, any ideals

Welcome to the hobby( disease:p?)!! To begin, jump on Amazon ( because returns are so easy ) and look into some of the mini/nano offerings from Eachines, Blade, Dromida, Syma, HeliMax and Hubsan. The Hubsan H107 is just about everyones favorite. Learn on these because you will crash and these are all less than $100.00 including crash parts. They come complete and ready to fly. You can beat the snot out of them and they still keep flying. Once you master one of these you will have a better idea of what type of flying interests you most. It could be racing, video or just sport flying. You will still have over $300.00 from your initial $400.00 to move on up the quad ladder. While you're beating up your mini read the reviews here, and on youtube, to help you make a good choice on your next quad. After you narrow it down jump on the forum here and ask for opinions on your pick. The folks on this forum are the most helpful you'll find anywhere. So pick a model from one of the brands above and you won't regret it. Get started! Times-a- wastin'!!!
 
HDtallrider said:
Welcome to the hobby( disease:p?)!! To begin, jump on Amazon ( because returns are so easy ) and look into some of the mini/nano offerings from Eachines, Blade, Dromida, Syma, HeliMax and Hubsan. The Hubsan H107 is just about everyones favorite. Learn on these because you will crash and these are all less than $100.00 including crash parts. They come complete and ready to fly. You can beat the snot out of them and they still keep flying. Once you master one of these you will have a better idea of what type of flying interests you most. It could be racing, video or just sport flying. You will still have over $300.00 from your initial $400.00 to move on up the quad ladder. While you're beating up your mini read the reviews here, and on youtube, to help you make a good choice on your next quad. After you narrow it down jump on the forum here and ask for opinions on your pick. The folks on this forum are the most helpful you'll find anywhere. So pick a model from one of the brands above and you won't regret it. Get started! Times-a- wastin'!!!
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Thanks for the reply. Ive had two mini , dog ate one and just flew the other to death. Looking to up grade. Think I could get into this. Have you checked out areosky x350?
 
I haven't heard anything good or bad. I'm sure there is a bunch of youtube and other reviews out there. My pick would be one of the Quanum Nova itterations from Hobby King. They come really well equipped. Look up availability from the warehouse nearest you. Really good reviews and upgradable. Easy parts availability. They are on sale right now if you order from the China warehouse. They are priced so you could get extra batteries and props for your $400.00.
 
Thanks for the tip. Will look into this as well as a few more. Let you know what I buy and how bad I messed up.
 
Ha! After talking about the Quanum Nova I just ordered one so I could have a larger copter to fly while I putz around with all my not quite completed builds:p. $209.25 RTF w/o battery/ charger and free shipping! Regarding build it yourself. It's a lot of fun and often more expensive than a RTF because buying quality parts piecemeal will just plain cost more. You can find cheap kits using cheap parts but once you add in a good Tx and Rx you'll be over your $400.00 budget and likely to experience component failure more often than not. The frustration and additional cost of replacing cheap parts with the good ones you should have bought in the first place just isn't worth it. That said, designing and building your own quadcopter is tremendously rewarding and an absolute ball! I can't recommend it enough. I spend so much time building and then changing my copters that I hardly get to fly! The first one will cost the most because of the radio, tools, extra wire, connectors etc. After that it get's a little better. I say go for it. Take a minute and read my very first post on this forum. It's under General Discussion and is titled: Newbie Wisdom....The Hard Way. Then go buy stuff and have fun!!
 
Back in the nam war I was a electrtoinc tect on the bell copter. Know how to solder a wire . Can up the budget to $500. What can you think of.
 
HDtallrider said:
Ha! After talking about the Quanum Nova I just ordered one so I could have a larger copter to fly while I putz around with all my not quite completed builds:p. $209.25 RTF w/o battery/ charger and free shipping!
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Can always get it here, with battery and charger.
http://www.banggood.com/Cheerson-CX20-Opensource-Version-AutoPathfinder-Quadcopter-RTF-p-932145.html

I've often looked at them, but we've had a rash of owner problems of it's various rebrands just on this forum. Some owners were quite angry about the whole ordeal. Bad soldering, unconnected motors, poor QC in general.
 
Sounds like we are about the same age. I have a few vision issues that stop me from flying acrobatic quads so my preferences are toward more relaxed flight. I like fpv but have to use a monitor instead of goggles for example. What kind of flying interests you?
 
Hey Jackson. I must have missed those bad reviews. I checked a bunch of reviews on line and no one mentioned any more problems than the DJI Phantom for example. We only seem to get posts asking for help solving problems for just about all brands so I didn't look to deeply.
 
HDtallrider said:
Sounds like we are about the same age. I have a few vision issues that stop me from flying acrobatic quads so my preferences are toward more relaxed flight. I like fpv but have to use a monitor instead of goggles for example. What kind of flying interests you?
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Good morning tallrider. Ive yet to try a quad with fpv but sure want one. I have been looking at a quad called the Areosky X350. You can see it on the Xheli web site. Take a look at it and tell me what you think. I would take the gopro mount off it and install a gimbal for a fpv. What do you think?
 
Look at these:http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/281628196136?lpid=82&chn=ps. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Imax-B6-Lip...875?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4193c727eb http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-3S-25C-1...058?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed5a5dea2 http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Pairs-945...-for-DJI-Phantom-2-3-Vision-E300/271877628857 The DJI F450 kit is far superior to any of the clones and you can easily add options to it later. versatile and easy to fly and build. Parts are available everywhere. The charger is a good entry level. I often use these batteries and like that they are here in the US. The Props are an absolute necessity. The radio is something you should go to a local hobby shop and check out. See how you like the controls. Get a good one with at least 6 channels. More is better. You will be able to use it for more than one model. The radio is like buying a good tool. I would consider it a separate purchase from your quad budget. Hope this helps.
 
Ha! looks like I sent you a post while you were. I just realized I jumbled all the links. Sorry. I'm gonna see if we can get holtneil involved in your Aerosky X350 question. He stays up on all the latest products out there. He's a Brit so we have a time difference. I will also see if I can find out anything for you.
 
It looks like the X350 is too new for very many reviews to show up. It looks like a Cheerson CX20 clone. Kind of like the Quanum Nova being a re-badged CX20. I dunno. Maybe wait for holtneil or perhaps Jackson has had some experience with Aerosky products. BTW. You do not want to mount your FPV camera on a gimbal. You want it to track the flightpath of the quad. Not the ground.
 
HDtallrider said:
It looks like the X350 is too new for very many reviews to show up. It looks like a Cheerson CX20 clone. Kind of like the Quanum Nova being a re-badged CX20. I dunno. Maybe wait for holtneil or perhaps Jackson has had some experience with Aerosky products. BTW. You do not want to mount your FPV camera on a gimbal. You want it to track the flightpath of the quad. Not the ground.
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The gimbal I would use is a servo pan and tilt. Find a POI go to gps hover mode Then I can look around.
 
The cool thing about the DJI F450 kit, unlike a RTF, is that you can take the components and use them on a different design quad later. Especially that one. The NAZA controller, for example, is one of the most versatile out there. It can run anything. You can add GPS, OSD, even autopilot. You can change the body out to an Alien/ Reptile style frame. The motor and ESC package is first rate and usable on a wide range of future projects. The kit will always get my vote before a rtf.
 
but not look strait down. I live on a lake and could check out boats for a quick fishing report;) Maybe I should look into a heavy lift:) The areosky c6 might work but would have to add gps. OK, I admit I have the mad Frankenstein scientist disease.
 
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