Greetings, all,
I am a fixed-wing R/C pilot. I work in the audio/video field and am interested in getting started in drones, eventually doing FPV and camera work (as a hobbyist, not Part 107). I have been reading and studying the subject extensively, watching Painless 360's excellent series, as well as DroneTech postings, etc..
I would like to build a drone that I can grow with. I don't have a lot of $$ to work with, so building a basic drone that can be expanded upon (FPV, camera gimbal, etc.) with additional gear as my skills develop is my goal.
I have settled (at least, so far) on the heavy, but strong, S500 frame - it's everywhere, strong and cheap to replace arms, etc, with room to expand. I will likely use a QX7, as my Turnigy 9X doesn't support sBus and other features.
I have pretty much settled on the Pixhawk series to control it, but I don't need the latest/greatest and am considering the Pixhawk 2.4.8 as it is still 32-bit and widely and cheaply available ($ is an issue). I am a little concerned about the re-sellers, though, as on Ebay there are lots of people "picturing" the Pixhawk 4, but listing details as the 2.4.8. Also, I know there are a lot of counterfeit issues with the accessories.
Does anyone here fly the 2.4.8 or PX4? Do you like it? What is bad about it? Should I just spend the extra for a Holybro Pixhawk4? Any reputable re-sellers that you deal with on Ebay, etc.?
Also, do you use ESCs and the distribution board? With the Pixhawk 4 would it be preferable to use an all-in-one ESC or separate ESCs?
Lots of questions, I know but I can't seem to find solid information on the above.
Thanks!
Curtis
I am a fixed-wing R/C pilot. I work in the audio/video field and am interested in getting started in drones, eventually doing FPV and camera work (as a hobbyist, not Part 107). I have been reading and studying the subject extensively, watching Painless 360's excellent series, as well as DroneTech postings, etc..
I would like to build a drone that I can grow with. I don't have a lot of $$ to work with, so building a basic drone that can be expanded upon (FPV, camera gimbal, etc.) with additional gear as my skills develop is my goal.
I have settled (at least, so far) on the heavy, but strong, S500 frame - it's everywhere, strong and cheap to replace arms, etc, with room to expand. I will likely use a QX7, as my Turnigy 9X doesn't support sBus and other features.
I have pretty much settled on the Pixhawk series to control it, but I don't need the latest/greatest and am considering the Pixhawk 2.4.8 as it is still 32-bit and widely and cheaply available ($ is an issue). I am a little concerned about the re-sellers, though, as on Ebay there are lots of people "picturing" the Pixhawk 4, but listing details as the 2.4.8. Also, I know there are a lot of counterfeit issues with the accessories.
Does anyone here fly the 2.4.8 or PX4? Do you like it? What is bad about it? Should I just spend the extra for a Holybro Pixhawk4? Any reputable re-sellers that you deal with on Ebay, etc.?
Also, do you use ESCs and the distribution board? With the Pixhawk 4 would it be preferable to use an all-in-one ESC or separate ESCs?
Lots of questions, I know but I can't seem to find solid information on the above.
Thanks!
Curtis
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