Newbie looking at first buy..

[Brian]

Hi all,
I am looking to buy my first Quadcopter on my next pay day and need some advice as I'm on a very tight budget!
I have been looking at this model on eBay, and I do realise that they will be using cheap parts/components etc. Will it do for a first time flyer (I have never flown an RC aircraft before!)

I notice that this frame seems to be a HJ copy of a DJI frame. Much cheaper, but I could replace the frame arms as and when I break them. (I have been stalking the world of Quadcopters for a few weeks and have learned a lot of theory!) I have been thinking of buying this one as it seems to be more adaptable and upgradable, am I correct here?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170896915512?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649


Also I have some spare 8" prop's in my watch list. Are there any other items I should consider buying/watching? My budget is really about £250 and I do not own any other RC gear. I do have a load of tools, and will also buy some Locktight (which type?)

Are there any un built kits available which is complete with battery controller and transmitter that fits within my budget? I have a lot of experience building PC's (including liquid cooling) so building a kit would be fun. I do require a kit with a fair payload capability – at least enough for a Gopro, LED cluster light, and possibly some water proofing, and floats in the future.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on there, I do seem to have a lot of questions!

Thanks for your time,
Brian 

[Gaza07]

That's quite an attractive package at that price I will go through some of the sites I know and see if it can be beaten or bettered for a similar price 

Teslahed on here had the FF flight controller he would know much more than me about that one 

[teslahed]

The FF controller works fine for basic flying around and can control a camera gimble. The default software is stable for learning to fly with but not very acrobatic or exciting. You can install 'Timecops' 32 bit MultiWii port on it to get better performance for acrobatics which is what i did.

I would be tempted to look at www.rctimer.com and see what the equivalent price of a frame, motors and flight controller source from there would be.

I think the ebay auction is someone selling off old parts - but it is a good deal, especially with the radio included.

[Gaza07]

Hi Brian I have been looking in to what you get for your money and what you could get if you are prepared to build it your self, below is a picture of a shopping cart from rctimer, the gear in the carts is very good and costs around £131 but is much better gear, and the controller has more sensors and is better supported 

the battery supplied with the ebay deal will be a crap one these can be had from HK very cheap and I'm sure we can find a tx / rx setup at the right price you can pick up second hand spektrums on ebay quite cheap

[attach=1]

[Brian]

Gaza07 If you can help me with a transmitter and receiver set-up, up to my budget line, leaving about £30 for bits/bobs (Locktight, cable ties, soldering kit etc.) I will buy and build that set-up!

I don't really know what some of these things are, but I'm sure I will get to know them all!

Question time, does the amperage rating of the ESC matter a lot? For instance if I go for a higher amperage will that effect anything?

More questions to follow!!!

Thanks all, I really appreciate the help I'm getting here :)
Brian :)

[Brian]

Here's my version- Do I need 5 speed controllers?



Brian :)

[Gaza07]

The 20a and the 30a esc,s from rctimer are the same size and weight so a good point you could go for the 30a and it will work fine, I am looking in to a tx/rx combo for you and also a cheap charger, dont order the ebay stuff I'm sure we can find you better like in the list above, also with the multi wii we can help a lot 
watch this space more info inbound  ::)

This wont mean much to you but the esc's from rctimer are flashed with simonk firmware which makes them an even better choice 

[Gaza07]

Your list looks fine the reason I put 5 esc,s is because you can get a faulty one from new and you then have to wait for another delivery and with then only being $10.99 they are about 7 quid so its worth having a spare,
20a esc,s will work fine or 30a I use both on the same motors 

[Gaza07]

Do rctimer have any chargers listed ?

[p1uke]

I'll be watching this thread, I bought an blade mqx a few weeks ago and  I'm now looking at buying something bigger and can take a camera with it.

[Brian]

Yup, under Lipo chargers.. And again I dont know which will go with which battery!

Brian :)

[Brian]

I have to go to work now for about two hours, will leave all windows open, and get back to you when I'm back at home. (Its a weird split shift thingy!)

Brian :)

[Longnail]

Work is a nasty four letter word plus its Sunday, Is the pub church open yet?

[Gaza07]

Ok no worries see you later and dont work to hard  ::)

Ok heres some charger links

Rctimer charger and mains adapter although if you have some thing to power this with 12v you won't need the mains adapter and would be the best bet if you have

http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=559&productname=  $29.99 = £19.10

http://www.rctimer.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=587&productname= $14.99 = £9.55

the charger from giant shark inc mains but there will be postage on top

http://www.giantshark.co.uk/power-a606-dual-charger-p-405325.html  £29.40 plus postage

Before you order any thing we need to total it all up and make sure its all in stock as the turnigy 9x is out of stock but we might be able to find it else where

[Gaza07]

This thread will be use full for anyone starting out, its good gear at a good price and a very good place to start 

Multi wii might not be the best about but its open source easy to use and flys very well 

Its a shame you don't see the shout box as there is lots been going on in there too, although there is a full chat program being added and you will probably be able to get in to that 

I'll be watching this thread, I bought an blade mqx a few weeks ago and  I'm now looking at buying something bigger and can take a camera with it.

[Brian]

While I'm at work and nobody is watching me, another question... Will this set-up lift a Gopro and maybe a photography based LED light unit, and possibly some home made floats?

Brian :)

[Gaza07]

The answer to that is probably yes, a Gopro is very small and light and as long as the floats were blow up or some type of foam I cant see a problem,
The thing is with you being totally new to flying your going to need some time to learn first before risking a camera 
A lot of people that come in to this hobby have already had some experience in model flying of some sort, I'm sure your going to enjoy it though as flying is a real buzz 

[Brian]

Looks like I just need battery's and a transmitter now? Back at home, currently skiving!

Brian :)

[Gaza07]

Well the kit you linked to only had one, there is a thread here about some from the HK UK warehouse 

http://www.multi-rotor.co.uk/index.php/topic,233.0.html

[Brian]

Will I need any other cables? And what sort of tx do I need?

Brian :)

[Brian]

Along with some other bits and bobs, I'm up to £190 so far.


Plus...
http://www.giantshark.co.uk/power-a606-dual-charger-p-405325.html

And..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150866672167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

And...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WALKERA-DEVENTION-7CHANNELS-DEVO-2-4GHz-RADIO-TRANSMITTER-RC-PLANE-RC-HELICOPTER-/170895890848?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item27ca3059a0
Am I nearly complete?
Brian :)

[Gaza07]

There is this radio set as HK dont have any in stock http://www.giantshark.co.uk/flysky-fsth9xb-channel-transmitter-with-module-p-406149.html

your going to need some xt60 connectors a bit of heat shrink and a bit of black and red wire that's about it, I will post some more links shortly 

[Gaza07]

Is the £190 inc the links at the bottom the radio and soldering iron ?

These are xt60s you only need one end for your copter the batteries already the plugs fitted
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-PAIR-Of-RC-XT60-Lipo-Battery-Connectors-With-Heatshrink-1-x-Male-1-x-Female-UK-/230795006809?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item35bc745359#ht_2930wt_1186

[Brian]

Everything apart from the radio.

Up to about £265 now with the radio, XT60 Connectors, and heatshrink.

Brian :)

[Brian]

What am I looking for now? Or is my shopping list complete?



So far...
Brian :)

[Gaza07]

I think we have covered every thing up to you which radio set you go for 
make a final list and total it up did we get it cheaper and better ?

[Brian]

Ok, final (ish) list:




http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_showCart.asp

http://www.giantshark.co.uk/shopping_cart.php

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150866672167?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Makes a total of about £275 which I think is doable, but I'll find out on Wednesday (pay day), if not I could always order the main build minus the Tx, and do some serious building followed by some serious waiting!

Thank you all for the awesome help and advice you have given me today :)
Brian :)

[Brian]

All the items have been added to my bookmarks, and in the case of RCTimer my account's favourites - I started an order just to try and save the shopping cart - so I can just call it all up on Wednesday and buy the lot!!

Cant wait! I feel like Christmas is coming early!
Brian :)

[Brian]

Just a thought, do I need a receiver, or is that already in there somewhere?

Brian :)

[Gaza07]

The receiver should be included in the pack it is with the giant shark one,
you have linked to your shopping carts and they are empty now  ::)