Trying to spec out a build. Under $200?

R

RandomDude1776

Member
I am pretty competent in electronics and programming, but when it comes to hardware it takes me a little longer to get up to speed. I'd like a little help trying to pick parts for my first build.

I just want to make something fairly basic to begin with and familiarize myself with the whole process. No FPV or fancy GPS and flight modes, so the flight controller should be moderately basic. Thinking maybe the CC3D, but open to options.

I am thinking I'd like to only spend $200 to start if possible. Do you guys have any thoughts?
 
RandomDude1776 said:
I am pretty competent in electronics and programming, but when it comes to hardware it takes me a little longer to get up to speed. I'd like a little help trying to pick parts for my first build.

I just want to make something fairly basic to begin with and familiarize myself with the whole process. No FPV or fancy GPS and flight modes, so the flight controller should be moderately basic. Thinking maybe the CC3D, but open to options.

I am thinking I'd like to only spend $200 to start if possible. Do you guys have any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Gotta leave now, but if I don't post something before tomorrow remind me in a PM. This is a pretty common question, just have to taylor some other builds to your needs and apply any improvements that have come with time.
 
Sorry about the delay.

Motors, ESCs, and props
For the motors I'd suggest ~2300kv, 3S to 4S, for a cheaper build you should be able to get by with some 15amp ESCs or even a 4-in-1 ESC depending on your motors you could go lower or higher, I'd go with a 5'' 3 3-blade set of DAL props, or 6'' 2 blade DAL props (DAL are more expensive at first but they really last a lot longer). As the build is cheaper I'd avoid the bullnose props as they will cause higher current draws that your power system won't be equipt to handle.

There are a lot of cheap 32 bit flight controllers out there, your main concerns are compatibility on the ports you will need. So you'd need 4 PWM outputs for ESCs, and whatever type of input your receiver uses CPPM/PPM an parallel PWM are very common. CC3D is common and there are a lot of copies. One of my favorite CC3D style boards is the Skyline32 with OSD, but that might not be worth the extra for added capabilities you probably won't use. So about any Cleanflight board will work as long as it has the proper inputs and outputs.
Best flight controllers
Setting up a Cleanflight board

Not sure if you are including the radio in this. I'd usually suggest getting a better radio, but for a first build to see if you want to stay in the hobby and because not many people want to spend the extra money so often a cheaper one is fine as long as it provides what you need to get started. I'd suggest a minimum of 6 channels and a full range radio. The PWM receivers are very versatile if you are the DIY type and may want to do some later modifications, but PPM requires a lot fewer wires.

The camera can be cheaper, and the 5.8GHz video transmitters aren't really expensive, the goggles or screen however can be pretty expensive I like the quantum FPV goggles and headplay goggles, but have bought two Eachine VR-008 as gifts for people getting into the hobby as they are cheaper and do pretty good for performance.
 
GJH105775 said:
Sorry about the delay.

Motors, ESCs, and props
For the motors I'd suggest ~2300kv, 3S to 4S, for a cheaper build you should be able to get by with some 15amp ESCs or even a 4-in-1 ESC depending on your motors you could go lower or higher, I'd go with a 5'' 3 3-blade set of DAL props, or 6'' 2 blade DAL props (DAL are more expensive at first but they really last a lot longer). As the build is cheaper I'd avoid the bullnose props as they will cause higher current draws that your power system won't be equipt to handle.

There are a lot of cheap 32 bit flight controllers out there, your main concerns are compatibility on the ports you will need. So you'd need 4 PWM outputs for ESCs, and whatever type of input your receiver uses CPPM/PPM an parallel PWM are very common. CC3D is common and there are a lot of copies. One of my favorite CC3D style boards is the Skyline32 with OSD, but that might not be worth the extra for added capabilities you probably won't use. So about any Cleanflight board will work as long as it has the proper inputs and outputs.
Best flight controllers
Setting up a Cleanflight board

Not sure if you are including the radio in this. I'd usually suggest getting a better radio, but for a first build to see if you want to stay in the hobby and because not many people want to spend the extra money so often a cheaper one is fine as long as it provides what you need to get started. I'd suggest a minimum of 6 channels and a full range radio. The PWM receivers are very versatile if you are the DIY type and may want to do some later modifications, but PPM requires a lot fewer wires.

The camera can be cheaper, and the 5.8GHz video transmitters aren't really expensive, the goggles or screen however can be pretty expensive I like the quantum FPV goggles and headplay goggles, but have bought two Eachine VR-008 as gifts for people getting into the hobby as they are cheaper and do pretty good for performance.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Very helpful.
 
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