Where to START !!! ?????

[I in da sky]

New to Quadcopters !! Never flown one. Not ready to build.....maybe someday !! Like Spywhite and NAZA combo

I have only flown Electric Old Timer planes....slow and gracefull !!

The new generation of 5.8 Gz HD electronics are amazing, I want to try a FPV set up.

I am thinking the TX 5808 camera/transmitter unit coupled to the Walkera UFO 400S quad.
SOOOO many questions !!!

I am luck to live near Toledo.....so I went to the big show !! I saw the unit from Rotor Concepts...and started my search. Seems as though this unit has major issues with the ESC units !! so...I started to do my homework and beguin the education process !!

Wow....A huge selection...and a huge price range !!! I have a budget of $500 to $ 750 USD.....so...the 400S seemed to be the a good entry point.....not to big...not too small ( like the Walkera Ladybug !!)

So....If I go with the 400S.....WHICH transmitter. I would like to have telemetry.....like GPS....and Battery status/motor temp....and altitude...So.....I think I understand I need the Walkera 8S for these options ?????? Correct ???? or the 7E ???? Confusing....need to study more !!!

Is Walkera good quality ???? I did not know that I was going down this path when at the show !!! Too bad......It is likely the 400S was there !!!

Anyone fly the 400S ??? I imagine.....someday....I will try some 3D things....someday !!

Suggestions for a quadcopter with a very stable platform.... I have seen some pro packages with gymbal camera mounts....really high end......not in my budget range !!! but very nice !!

Anyone use ther TX 5808 ???? Real range ??? 100 meters ??? CAn the signal be boosted with an amplifier???? they have a unit for the 5.8 Gz band.... If boosted....range ???

I know....lotsa questions !!! Thought this form MAY be a good place to start !!!

Like the name..." I in da Sky " ????? Thanx for reading !!!

 

[I in da sky]

New to Quadcopters !! Never flown one. Not ready to build.....maybe someday !! Like Spywhite and NAZA combo

I have only flown Electric Old Timer planes....slow and gracefull !!

The new generation of 5.8 Gz HD electronics are amazing, I want to try a FPV set up.

I am thinking the TX 5808 camera/transmitter unit coupled to the Walkera UFO 400S quad.
SOOOO many questions !!!

I am luck to live near Toledo.....so I went to the big show !! I saw the unit from Rotor Concepts...and started my search. Seems as though this unit has major issues with the ESC units !! so...I started to do my homework and beguin the education process !!

Wow....A huge selection...and a huge price range !!! I have a budget of $500 to $ 750 USD.....so...the 400S seemed to be the a good entry point.....not to big...not too small ( like the Walkera Ladybug !!)

So....If I go with the 400S.....WHICH transmitter. I would like to have telemetry.....like GPS....and Battery status/motor temp....and altitude...So.....I think I understand I need the Walkera 8S for these options ?????? Correct ???? or the 7E ???? Confusing....need to study more !!!

Is Walkera good quality ???? I did not know that I was going down this path when at the show !!! Too bad......It is likely the 400S was there !!!

Anyone fly the 400S ??? I imagine.....someday....I will try some 3D things....someday !!

Suggestions for a quadcopter with a very stable platform.... I have seen some pro packages with gymbal camera mounts....really high end......not in my budget range !!! but very nice !!

Anyone use ther TX 5808 ???? Real range ??? 100 meters ??? CAn the signal be boosted with an amplifier???? they have a unit for the 5.8 Gz band.... If boosted....range ???

I know....lotsa questions !!! Thought this form MAY be a good place to start !!!

Like the name..." I in da Sky " ????? Thanx for reading !!!

Well ????? Too many questions ??? After some more research.....the GoPro Hero 3 Black will be my camera of choice !! Getting more expensive as I go along !! But....I really do not want to buy....and then say...." O cr@p...I shoulda popped a little more !!! " Yes...I know....it never really ends !!! Perhaps I should just start with the " Ladybug + the Devo 7 transmitter for a start in FPV ????? To see if I like this hobby ??? That would likely be wise !!!....But...then again !!

 

[Mike]

Welcome to the forum!

I've never used any of the Walkera products, but they look nice - especially the 8s. Nice touchscreen. If you're flying FPV though, you probably want On Screen Display in your goggles. The Spywite/ Naza combo looks like it'd be a good start, and DJI sells an OSD unit. http://www.hoverthings.com/dji-on-screen-display.html

You may also just want to get a quad built and flying, then worry about FPV. Just get a frame that will fit your FPV equipment once you're ready. Getting everything built, tuned, and flying is the hard part. Slapping FPV equipment on is usually the easiest. I admit, it does take some time to get used to flying FPV, but flying third person a bit first definitely helps you get a good feel for how your quad is going to handle. Also, if you crash, there's much less of your money getting slammed into the ground!

Right now, I've got the following setup and it's pretty cheap:

Frame ($13): 450mm DJI Flamewheel style from RCTimer ($7.99 at Hobbyking (Q450) when they're not sold out. This is a nice stable frame and I bought multiple so fixing things up after a crash isn't an issue. I started building quads with friends and we went straight for a Hoverthings HT-450 ($100+) and never really got a good flight in before it was broken to pieces. Then, we went with a QAV500 ($200) and it flew nicely, til it fell out of the sky ($90 in replacement parts). These frames are better for filming, but I'd rather have started out with 5 Q450's for less than half the price of even one of those frames. Plus, there are tricks to get very clean video with these frames.

Motors ($60): 1200kv motors from HobbyKing. 28-26 NTM Prop Drive. These are nice motors and they're only about $15 a piece. Plus, you can buy replacement shafts and bearings for a dollar a piece ($3 per motor), so when you crash, you can tune them back up.

ESC's ($60): RC Timer SimonK Flashed 20A. If you're buying ESC's for a multirotor right now, I'd suggest SimonK flashed ones. Most vendors use the same Atmega chip and just flash them with this firmware and slap their logo on it. If you want to know why you should use SimonK flashed ESC's, read here:

http://wiki.openpilot.org/display/Doc/RapidESCs#RapidESCs-WhatisRapidESC?

Battery ($27): 3 cell (3s) 3300mah from HobbyKing. http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11923 I could use a cheaper battery, but this guy gives good flight time and doesn't swell up when it discharges fast.

Control Board ($90): OpenPilot cc3d. These are always sold out, and so is their new board. Naza is also good (more features), or you can go cheaper and get the kk2.0 board from HobbyKing, which is rated very well and there is tons of info about this board online.

Besides that, you're going to need a low voltage alarm ($1-5), battery charger ($15), and of course, transmitter & receiver.

I've flown with a Spektrum DX6i and now I'm using a Turnigy 9x TX/RX combo and honestly, there's not much difference. In fact, the physical TX is almost exactly the same. The Turnigy is only $59 or so and you can get a backlight kit for $5. Also, you can easily replace the battery holder with a lipo pack so you don't have to use AA batteries.

Oh, and don't forget 12g and 16g silicon wire, connectors, solder, soldering iron, etc if you don't have it.

Also, if you're shelling out the money for everything, you should probably buy multiple batteries and multiple chargers. You'll also likely want to buy an extra frame or two, an extra ESC, an extra motor, etc. to be safe (you're probably going to crash and they also sometimes come defective) =)

Still though, you can get something nice in the air for under $500 and then get FPV ordered once you're comfortable flying. You can get an FPV starter package from ReadyMadeRC.com for ~$270, but then you'll need some goggles (FatSharks for ~$200+). That's the setup I use and it works out very well.

The good thing about this setup is that everything is pretty solid and the only thing you'll really need to upgrade when you're ready is the frame. This is a good frame though. I really like it. It's strong and light and fits everything nicely. The only reason you're going to want to upgrade your frame is for attaining perfection in your video, but trust me, you're a long way away from worrying about that, and by the time you do, the newest and coolest frames will be completely different from what they are now and they'll probably be cheaper.

We don't have a lot of members here yet, but if you need any help, most of us here have been flying FPV quads for over a year and have learned and experienced a lot over that time, so we can definitely help you avoid some mistakes!

 

[I in da sky]

WOW !!! Alot of information there...and I imagine most of it was via a steep and expensive learening curve. OK...I will build it !!!!! First, let me state I very much appreciate ANY help ANY member provides. As I said, the above knowledge was likely aquired at a hefty cost !! I therefore choose to " Stand on the Shoulders of Giants"...and greatfully use the knowledge to guide my journey....from complete NUBE....to....well....a step above a nube anyway !!

I would add that I am a machinist ( with humble garage shop) and CAD operator....those things help. I have tinkered with electronics, put kits together....and know some about a used ocilliscope I bought. I can do some circuit trouble shooting....but electronics is my weakness. I have designed and built my own Laser Projector ( See www.Photonlexicon) ....under " CDBEAM. I mention that because....it is COMPLETELY true....when you put something together....you can fix almost anything on/in it !!! Well....at least....one can identify which component has crapped out !!

MM....you are the lucky one !!!....I will base my construction within the options you have outlined. First....the frame...the 450mm DJI Flamewheel style from RCTimer.....That is where I will start. I assume this is a carbon fibre composite/Aluminum unit. I will read up in this !! I assume the frame is a real engineering compromise.....needs to be light as possible, Very strong....yet flexible to withstand the G forces of my many predicted crash landings !!!

After your explaination....I now understand why it will be a prefered path to fly Third Person View( 3PV ??).....before evolving to FPV....especially from a cost standpoint. One thing you did not mention was gyroscopic stabalization. Many ARF have listed " 6 gyroscope " I assume the controller board has this built in ??? I will read up on that !!!

With ALL the references above.....I figure I have at least a week of study.....just to learn the basics. Be forwarned.....this study will generate many,many questions !!! I will do my homework the best I can. The google display unit from hoverthings is really neat !!! Wow.....SOooo much to learn....BUT....THAT is the most rewarding part !!!...Study==>Learning==> Design/selection==> Building==> Flying==>...Rinse and Repeat !!!

I understand that there WILL be " bumps in the road ".... But....someday....I will payback to a Nube on this forum....who is just starting !!! THAT is how it is over at Photon Lexicon.....I was once a Nube.....but now.....well.....I can and do contribute to the group knowledge....to the best of my abillities and resources !! That is how it should be !! Anyone who is entering a very technical and very specialized hobby....as Quadcopters @ FPV would be very foolish indeed to not reach out for help and bypass many expensive learning curves !!! And....even more importantly...be appreciative for that help and try to educate yourself as fast as one can.

On PhotonLexicon...we have a huge group....many professionals in the fields of Lasers and Optics.....some members with unbeliveable resources ( $$$$$$$) from ALL around the world. It is amazing !!! Many of us are just hacks ( ME)....but we ALL share in common a passion for our hobby !!
THAT passion is the foundation for much synergy !!

OK...Off my S-Box...Anyway....I am in NO hurry !!! If it take 6 months to build my first ship....well....it will be worth the wait. It took 2 years to complete my projector !!

THANK you for your reply and help !!!!!!!!!! This will be the first of MANY posts !!

I in da Sky

 

[I in da sky]

OK....First the Airframe....Yes...I will go with the 450 V2 from RCTimer.....they have replacable arms....for when the " Ship hits the Fan " ( Excess inertia to ground event ) !!

And the : 1200kv motors from HobbyKing. 28-26 NTM look really nice....and a very good price !! Thanx.

 

[Mike]

Yeah, it definitely is a costly process, but the payoff is very well worth it! Plus, once you're a thousand dollars into building such a project, it's hard to just sell the parts for half what you paid and quit when you only have a few hundred dollars in repair parts to buy.

Your experience should definitely help you! You have a lot more experience with electronics than I had when I started, so you should be good! There are a ton of good resources for building copters that explain a lot of stuff.

Yes, the gyros are on the control board. Some boards also have built in or addon GPS and barometers for preprogrammed flights and altitude hold type functions. The main boards people seem to be flying with right now are the KK Board (~$30USD or less); OpenPilot CopterControl, CC3D, or Revolution (All around $100, usually sold out); or a DJI Naza board (most expensive, most features). If you're going to spend extra money on something, the board is likely where you want to spend it. The better the board, the more stable the copter, and the easier it is to fly. I've flown with a KK board and CC3D and I can tell you that the CC3D board corrected a lot of issues with the copter. Most of the tuning on the more expensive boards is digital, so there is a lot more room for your build to be not so perfect.

As far as frames go, carbon fiber is a good choice, but it can get very expensive and it breaks easily. Lowering weight by a few grams here and there increases flight time, but even with a bit heavier/ cheaper/ stronger parts, you can still get ~8 minutes of flight time at full throttle. These things can travel pretty fast in any direction, so you'll likely not be running full throttle much (especially at first). Also, 4-5 minutes is a long time when you have $1000+ of your money 100 feet in the air. It's probably best to spend money on extra batteries so you can fly 3x as much total, rather than an extra minute per flight.

You definitely have a lot to learn, but luckily, it's probably a lot simpler than building Laser Projectors. Also, building from the ground up will give you a lot of satisfaction! Not only that, like you said, if anything breaks, you'll know exactly how to fix it and what it's going to cost.

No problem! We're always here to help and as membership grows, there will be a ton of resources! People are super passionate about this hobby!

 

[I in da sky]

Thanx for all the help so far !!! Yes......I think I understand your philosophy !!! Go inexpensive on some things....like the frame.....which will predictably take the abrupt change of inertia... See Hobby King version....reinforced Q450 for $ 12.00 Looks almost exactly like the RCTimer one for $ 23.00 !! There are alot of neat frames out there !!!.....but....at the end of the day....what counts now.... is to make it thru the learning curve....at the lowest cost.....then....MAYBE....or...,maybe not.....evolve to a higher tech frame.......but....the Q450 looks VERY nice to me....so....I may very well stick with it !!!!!

I think I will pop for the Naza....with GPS add-on...of course.....and be done with the FC portion.........I have researched the CC3D and the KK2.....And I will take your advice....and put $$ into the FC.....really for platform stabillity to compensate for my lack of flight experience. The Naza is expensive....any thoughts on the best place to buy ????? Is Hoverkings the best place to buy ??
One could suggest a Simulator....BUT.....There is likely nothing that eproms flight line concentration and solid learning like the real high $$$ thing in the air....Sink or Swim...as they say !!!

Next area for study....TX and RX....Seems as though you are partial to the Turnigy 9x TX/RX combo ???? OK...I will study this......and report back. After reviewing MANY FPV videos......I am inspired !!!!......and I see a GREAT amount of pure fun !!!! Thanx again for your great help !!

IIDS

 

[Mike]

The HK frame is identical and possibly even manufactured by the same factory, but I didn't go that route because it was sold out when I bought my frames. I was going to suggest that to you as well, but it was sold out again when I looked on their site. With their prices on those frames, I think a lot of people buy them and sell them on Ebay over here. That frame is actually a copy of the DJI Flamewheel Frame:

http://www.dji-innovations.com/products/flame-wheel-multi-rotor/overview/

They are nearly identical though. I know the RC Timer frame is good quality and the Q450 from Hobby King is reviewed well also. The DJI version is $30 or more.

I haven't flown with the Naza, but the people who do seem to swear by it. I haven't seen a lot of boards breaking in crashes. For KK and OpenPilot boards, it's best to get a case, but the Naza is already protected. When I first started out, I built with a couple of different guys and we even dropped a copter out of the sky from 60 feet up and the board didn't have any problems. The frame and propellers are normally what take the most damage. Which brings up another great point: buy extra props! They are the first thing to break. Also, when you do get them, balance them (look up prop balancers). The motors move so fast, that even slightly out of balance props will burn up your motors quickly.

As far as where to buy the Naza board goes, I don't know the best. All I can say is to shop around and always take shipping cost into consideration as well. Most of these parts are coming out of Hong Kong/ China and there are plenty of retailers that sell direct from there. Some have dirt cheap prices and charge shipping by the gram to the US. Some mark up the price of the goods to eat some of the shipping cost and ship cheap or for free. There are US companies that sell them, but you have to be careful because I notice a lot of the US hobby shops have high markups. Some people don't mind paying them though because shipping takes days instead of a week or more. Also, if you do buy from an overseas company, they're likely going to mark the shipment as "hobby parts", so there are no import taxes when it passes through customs. I've have one order now that was marked as integrated circuits/ printed circuit boards and it got held up in customs and I may have to pay 3.5% to get it. This is direct from a manufacturer though, so that's probably why.

I've honestly never looked into simulators, but flying FPV is almost like a video game... until you realize you're piloting something that costs a lot of money and has the potential to really hurt someone if it comes down in the wrong spot. Like you said, it's sink or swim. Also, so you don't get your hopes too high, what you see in the FPV goggles is about the equivalent of the picture on an older tube TV - maybe a little better. Not a lot of people talk about this, but when I first started watching videos from FPV flights, I assumed the view from the goggles would be almost as amazing. I'm not sure what I was thinking =)

For the price, you can't beat the Turnigy 9x TX/RX combo, but a lot of people spend a lot more money buying other transmitters and receivers. The Turnigy 9x is actually a copy of a popular tx and it's rebranded and sold by a few different companies. One of the cool things about the Turnigy 9x is that there are a ton of things you can do to upgrade the software and hardware to make it better and since it's only $60, it's not as scary to take it apart and mess with what's inside. I haven't installed new code or different modules in mine yet, just a back light. Here is some info on upgrading the code:

https://code.google.com/p/er9x/

No problem! I've only been building quadcopters for a year and a half or so, and I'm not definitely not an electronics expert, but hopefully I can share my experiences and help you avoid some mistakes!

 

[I in da sky]

Thanx again for ALL the detailed insight and guidance.... I greatly value this info....as I am sure it was generated by many hours and dollars spent !
There are many, many ways to get a ship up the air. After doing some homework on the net.....I can see there is a GREAT range of products and price ranges. I think that Quadcopters and FPV will be (are) a major market segment within the next 10 years !!! Where the market goes...so goes the development. Yea...I know...I am likely about 5yr behind the curve...oh well....better late than never !... I figure....I will follow your path.....and at some point....when I have gained experience...possibly hack a path of my own.

As to the FPV goggle issue.....interesting....and not what I would have expected. At the Toledo Show...I spoke with a vendor....can't recall the name....they carried Fatshark googles....and there was a new one out with HD....IIRC ???... If it is not out yet....I hope it will be by the time I am ready to add FPV !! The googles will be an area that will receive top $$...when I am ready...perhaps by the fall ????

IIDS

 

[Mike]

You're not too far behind the curve. This is a great time to start because the products are really starting to be developed nicely now and you don't have to hack EVERYTHING to make it work right! I think we'll continue to be blown away by every advancement for another several years!

The goggles thing isn't really an issue, it's just something that may surprise and even disappoint you at first. I'm sure that it will get a lot better as new products come out, but you're streaming real time video wirelessly from 100+ feet away, sometimes with obstructions between you and the camera... on a vibrating platform. The screen on the Fat Shark Dominator (most popular goggle right now) is 640x480 and the screen size mimics a 45" screen at 7' away. It's very sufficient for flying, but you definitely don't know how awesome your GoPro video is going to turn out until you get it home and upload it to your computer. My buddy was flying the other weekend and he had a cop coming at him and from his goggles, he thought it was just another car. The person spotting him could tell it was a cop car from across the park, and on the GoPro video, it was very, very clear that it was a cop car. It really gives you a better appreciation for some of the flying skills of the pilots posting videos online.

Anything that stays on the ground is definitely a good candidate for investing more money in at the start since can be pretty sure that it has a lot less chance of breaking than components on your copter!

 

[I in da sky]

Well....Go to www.fpvlab.com for the latest info on the Fatshark Dominator HD goggles. Not much there !! Look under the " Fatshark " area....under " new products for 2013 " Looks like someone from FS keeps this tab up to date....that's good ! Sez the HD should be available June 2013.....we will see !!! as I know that release dates can be BS !!

Seems as though....this HD upgrade has been awhile comming....so.....perhaps the June date is correct !! I will not be ready for it....or maybe I will.....I guess it depends on how good the Naza FC is at compensating for extreme sinusoidal overcontrol at the hands of a REAL nubie !!! hahaha OH....and with all that Naza telemetry available.....OSD is a must !!

Should be interesting what an improvement the HD will be !!! Timing is everything !! And YES....this does appear as a great time to be entering the hobby !!! Thanx again !!

IIDS

 

[I in da sky]

Purchased the Naza + GPS today from Hoverthings. I spoke with Tom there... as I had some questions. I would say..." BUY FROM THEM !!! First....if there are problems....no calls to " Susie" in HK needed !!! Second....they are very friendly and helpful !!! Tom really took time to explain things to me....and...finally...they are competitive.....Perfect !!

So....I have the " Brain "....now on to other parts of the ship. Oh....and Tom is in complete agreement with the philosophy....Put $$$ in the FC,Googles and a good radio. Pass the Popcorn !! IIDS

 

[Mike]

Those HD Dominators are going to be nice! Hopefully they keep the price point about the same as the current ones. It will probably be later in 2013, but it will be well worth the wait, I'm sure! Hopefully they won't require more powerful transmitters and receivers for the video to keep up with the quality the goggles can produce.

Hoverthings is a good outfit. I've bought frames and other parts from them before! It's definitely nice to work with the smaller shops as far as service goes - especially when they're competitive on the price as well.

I like your new icon. Hahaha.

 

[I in da sky]

Well....The intro of the HD Dominators dovetails nicely with my projected need. It IS an exciting time indeed !
!!

I am glad you find the new icon entertaining !!! The ship pictured is the famous C-57D.....from the All time SciFi CLASSIC: "Forbidden Planet".....and....then....there is " Crumb"....from the very original cartoon series: "Real Monsters". Crumb is a monster I can relate to !! He has his eyes in da sky !! IMHO....Two PERFECT iconic images to combine for my avatar on this forum !!!!!! HAHAHAHA
IIDS

 

[I in da sky]

And the quest continues. After doing more homework....I have decided to go with these motors:
http://witespyquad.gostorego.com/motors/brushless-outrunner-hacker-style-20-28m.html
I will also go with the Rapid ESCs from witespyquad. This IS a good site !!! I spoke with Paul this afternoon from Readytoflyquads.com (link above)
He was very helpful and explained some factors in considering the correct motor for a quad.

I think both http://witespyquad.gostorego.com and www.hoverthings are two VERY good sources for anyone starting out !!! Both sources are willing to help a newbe....and take time to explain things. This does NOT mean that you should not do your homework !!!! I am simply stating IMHO....These are good suppliers....and will get my business !!! That is the way it should be !! Sometimes...a few, just a few more dollars spent really are an investment in future customer service and support !! Both websites have alot of information....and these are people who fly quads....I am a believer....and wil buy from them !!

IIDS

 

[Mike]

I'm glad to see that things are coming along good for you! Those motors look like a good buy and it's definitely worth paying a few extra bucks to get better service. I notice that most of the suppliers in the US are willing to go the extra mile to help! Hopefully that doesn't change much as the hobby gets more popular and more suppliers get into the game!

 

[I in da sky]

Well....Purchased Props, Motors and ESC's from http://witespyquad.gostorego.com and received Naza+GPS today. Outta $$ for now....Spektrum 6xdi will hafta wait a while !! Also got the F450 frame from http://www.ebay.com/itm/360628530754?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 Good price, in the USA and free shipping !! Just a few more bucks than the clone's...Might be good....cause I know I will crash....multiple times !!! Yikes !!

Outta $$$ for now....Will get the Spektrum 6XDI Radio/Receiver next.....
This project will slowly come together !! Hope to get airborn by Memorial Day.

IIDS

 

[Mike]

That is a good price for the real DJI frame. Your setup is coming along nicely. Hopefully you'll be in the air in a month!

 

[I in da sky]

Received frame from gonitrohobbies and all components from witespy !! Good companies !! Now...to start the build. Put up a few pics later. There are many really good assembly video's on Youtube and on the DJI site. IIDS

 

[Mike]

Nice! Did you get a transmitter yet? If you do go with the HobbyKing, take this into consideration:

I had a crash where I turned off the tx without disarming the control board (stupid thing to do, I guess), and when I turned back on the tx, the copter went half throttle for a couple of seconds... into the ceiling =) I thought it was full, but I rebuilt the copter and tested without props and it seems to be about half.

I read online that the 9x transmitters with stock firmware seem to have that problem as well as some people reported that when they turn off the tx with the board armed, their copter flies away. I guess it's time to upgrade sooner than later =) I just purchased the following upgrades:

9x Solderless Programming Board - This board some of the screw holes on the PCB within the controller to be secured in place to make contact with the pins on the board that need to be contacted with to flash the board. It then has a USB port that plugs into it and mounts conveniently to the inside of the battery holder. This ships from Canada.

And since the receiver on the Turnigy 9x doesn't have failsalfe (throttle cut when it loses signal), I went for the FrSky setup below. There is DIY kit for the tx that requires soldering, but for a few bucks more, I got the plug n' play module. Also, the tx module supports telemetry, so I got a receiver that supports it as well and the LCD and mounting kit for the receiver. This will allow me to hear beeps when the receiver starts to see a weaker signal. It will also show me the status of my battery right at the tx.

I got this all from Aloft Hobbies in Southern California (I'm also in CA, so shipping should be quick!). Their prices on the FrSky stuff is actually cheaper than Hobby King and shipping is dirt cheap =)


FRSKY DJT - JR TRANSMITTER TELEMETRY MODULE

FRSKY D8R-XP- 8 CHANNEL RECEIVER W/ TELEMETRY, RSSI, & CPPM

FRSKY FLD-02 - LCD DISPLAY

FRSKY LCD MOUNTING ARM

FRSKY FLVS-02 - LIPO VOLTAGE SENSOR (NO DISPLAY) - the one with display is out of stock.


Also, I'm not sure if you're researched "Failsafe" yet, but this functionality allows you to set a certain throttle position for your rx to run your motors if it loses signal. While you'd think that something that would provide a slow descent would be ideal, almost everyone online suggests 0% throttle so the copter drops from the sky immediately. Since there are so many conditions that affect how much throttle would create a safe and slow descent, you always run the risk of a fly away, which is much more dangerous. Also, it is assumed that you're not flying over people.