Pre-FPV Trainer

J

Joshua Wentworth

New Member
I am new to the quadcopter scene. During my senior year of highschool I 3D printed an MHQ2 off thingiverse in my school's IT department. The end goal is to set that up with an FPV racing setup once I get the money. However, considering the low durability of PLA for the airframe I doubt that it would be the best idea to learn how to fly on that platform so I have been looking at cheap mini quads. I know that many FPV flyers use manual mode (rate mode, aero mode, etc.) instead of a self-stabilizing mode so I was wondering what the best way to learn would be. Should I start with a self stabilizing and move to a manual or just jump right in the manual so I don't have to relearn? What are good, cheap options for small quads with manual modes (i'm in a dorm so small is good)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joshua Wentworth
 
Joshua Wentworth said:
I am new to the quadcopter scene. During my senior year of highschool I 3D printed an MHQ2 off thingiverse in my school's IT department. The end goal is to set that up with an FPV racing setup once I get the money. However, considering the low durability of PLA for the airframe I doubt that it would be the best idea to learn how to fly on that platform so I have been looking at cheap mini quads. I know that many FPV flyers use manual mode (rate mode, aero mode, etc.) instead of a self-stabilizing mode so I was wondering what the best way to learn would be. Should I start with a self stabilizing and move to a manual or just jump right in the manual so I don't have to relearn? What are good, cheap options for small quads with manual modes (i'm in a dorm so small is good)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Joshua Wentworth
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You should start flying LOS, and most (including myself) suggest starting in manual mode or with just stabilization. This is because it is not much harder to fly in manual mode and you cannot trust self-leveling to keep the craft level as it drifts quite a lot. In FPV this actually makes it a bit harder to hover as you are not keeping it as close to a hover because you end up trusting the self level too much.
 
Ok. What about specific quads? I have been looking at pretty low end ones (Hubsan X4, Estes Proto Z, Syma X12, etc.) since I'm planning to upgrade fairly quickly but the descriptions tend to be pretty vague as to whether or not they have a full manual mode or not. Suggestions?
 
Joshua Wentworth said:
Ok. What about specific quads? I have been looking at pretty low end ones (Hubsan X4, Estes Proto Z, Syma X12, etc.) since I'm planning to upgrade fairly quickly but the descriptions tend to be pretty vague as to whether or not they have a full manual mode or not. Suggestions?
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Like Jackson said, if they don't have it don't worry. Flying FPV with a monitor is very different than with a set of goggles, as you can see the quad. Orientation is the hardest to get a hold of, and learning on a toy grade is a lot better than trying with something that cost a lot and may be a little harder to fly.
 
I have a lot of experience with remote controlled cars so I don't think orientation will be as much of an issue as it may be for some people. Out of the ones I listed does anyone have experience with them or recommendations of others?
 
Joshua Wentworth said:
I have a lot of experience with remote controlled cars so I don't think orientation will be as much of an issue as it may be for some people. Out of the ones I listed does anyone have experience with them or recommendations of others?
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That will help a lot then, half of the battle is already won haha. So your looking at a bout a $30 budget? You won't get FPV (not that the FPV is worth much until you get into more expensive quads) it will help you to learn to fly. The Estes is pretty nice, but I have a friend that has the Syma x12, he likes it really well, but with any micro quad you should buy extra props, motors, and extra batteries are really nice to have.
 
When I went to the local hobby shop the guys there recommended the LaTrax Alias for beginners. Its a larger quad and I would probably have to fly it outside but it does have full manual mode and is closer to what I will be doing in the future. Would you go ahead and jump to that since I'm probably good with orientation or start with a mini? BTW thanks for helping out so much and letting me bother you :)
 
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