Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

I want to get a quadcopter. I previously had helis, starting with coaxials and ended up with a Blade MCPX. I could just about control it, managed inverted flight once then I got bored and gave up.

I fancy a quad now, looking at the Hubsan Q4 or X4, not sure which one to get. Or is it worth me getting something a little better? I do have a DX6 sat in a cupboard which I could use.

Suggestions greatly appreciated.
 
If you used to fly choppers and could fly inverted you'll be bored stiff with the hubsan x4 or anything else without a full acro mode after 10 mins.
 
Ordered a Phantom 2 Vision lens filter mounting kit and some 46mm lens filters. Just hoping/waiting for some good weather now.


The few times Ive flown, Ive noticed the camera signal on the phone from the phantom seems to freeze. Do I need to send a keep alive command, ie get it to take photos every 30 seconds etc to keep it active?? :confused:
 
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PinkFloyd said:
If you used to fly choppers and could fly inverted you'll be bored stiff with the hubsan x4 or anything else without a full acro mode after 10 mins.
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When I said fly inverted I meant once outside and just managed to keep it out of the dirt, a lot of the time I wasn't in full control lol. I really needed a lot more time but didn't have the patience. I'd have been better off with a 120 SR, the MCPX is a bit of a handful.

I just fancy something I can buzz around indoors and annoy people with lol.

So Q4, X4 or push the boat out to a small blade nano qx bnf or something?
 
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Can anyone recommend a setup around the Blade 350? I have nothing.

Don't laugh but I'm coming from a Syma S107 and absolutely love it, had it about a year. The 350 with all its modes sounds like a perfect upgrade and something that will last me a while.
 
Setup, as in?

If you mean as basic as getting the Blade 350qx as RTF so you get a modified DX5e with it then you likely need to buy a proper plug in the wall charger, an extra battery minimum even though one will last comfortably for 12 minutes.

Or you could go with the BNF version buy a DX6i or above and then using the additional functions of it in setup you can trick it in to doing auto leveling in Agility Mode.

Larger props 9x4.7's with prop adapters will give you better thrust. (£35)

If you want to attach a camera but don't want to spring for a Go Pro you could buy a Go Pro camera mount (99p) for a tripod and spring for a Mobius Actioncam (£65)

As with any you can get gimbal and fpv quite easily...


I had a Blade mQX for a year to learn with, I find the 350qx easier to control obviously in Smart/Safe Mode and Stability Mode its easier to get yourself out of trouble, but you could get all this stuff with most other medium to big quads.
 
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Fair enough Nick, I'd push for the blade nano. I'd only recommend the Hubsans for complete rookies, anyone who has flown rc quads/helis before will be flying it flawlessly in no time as it's so user friendly. The self levelling is so quick!
With the Blades they still have a full manual mode to my knowledge, so you'll actually be able to work up to doing proper acrobatics.
 
PinkFloyd said:
Fair enough Nick, I'd push for the blade nano. I'd only recommend the Hubsans for complete rookies, anyone who has flown rc quads/helis before will be flying it flawlessly in no time as it's so user friendly. The self levelling is so quick!
With the Blades they still have a full manual mode to my knowledge, so you'll actually be able to work up to doing proper acrobatics.
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Thanks, I was leaning towards the Blade Nano, sadly out of stock most places. There is a shop not far from me so will talk to them next week.
 
What are people's opinions of HobbyKing?

So far, I've found it a rather clunky website and the payment process a bit limited.

Maybe it's just me being crap at online buying but I don't have a lot of confidence with them at the moment :/
 
d_brennen said:
North London, but often in/around Hertford during the week. I was thinking more via post, but if you are near enough ;)
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Thanks for the offer but I manned up and bought a cheap (£13) soldering iron, some solder and a cheap microo screwdriver set yesterday for a total cost of £20.50. First time I have used a soldering iron since DT in school ~15 years ago when we used to have a competition who could get the largest ball of solder, hit it with the iron and splash it onto your arm. sensible.

It took a few attempts because the pads are so small but its back working now with a bit of duct tape over the terminals so it hopefully wont come off again.

I think im going to order a Blade 200 QX BNF when I get paid in a couple of weeks then get a new dx6i. Total cost around £245. MQX would set me back around £200 but the 200 looks a lot better made, more like the 350 QX, but smaller

brennen, I will buy you a pint if im down south (in fact next weekend) if you are around for offering to fix it for me
 
Cheers Guest and well done ;) My tri will be operational again by then, just needs tiding up on the wiring harness and prop/motor balanced, I'll show ya how "simple" a scratch build can be. My tricopter stands me about £100 give or take, is basically motors on sticks :p
 
FunkyCowie said:
Finally got my prop adapters and 9x4.7 carbon props on my Blade 350qx.

Half prop'd so you can see the difference in props
halfprop.jpg

Close up of prop and adapter
propclose.jpg

Fully prop'd
fullcarbon.jpg

Test flight tomorrow to see if it still works as well as OEM 8x4.5's, some have reported that this prop size works well. Just hope its not chucking it down all day tomorrow. :D
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FunkyCowie said:
Setup, as in?

If you mean as basic as getting the Blade 350qx as RTF so you get a modified DX5e with it then you likely need to buy a proper plug in the wall charger, an extra battery minimum even though one will last comfortably for 12 minutes.

Or you could go with the BNF version buy a DX6i or above and then using the additional functions of it in setup you can trick it in to doing auto leveling in Agility Mode.

Larger props 9x4.7's with prop adapters will give you better thrust. (£35)

If you want to attach a camera but don't want to spring for a Go Pro you could buy a Go Pro camera mount (99p) for a tripod and spring for a Mobius Actioncam (£65)

As with any you can get gimbal and fpv quite easily...


I had a Blade mQX for a year to learn with, I find the 350qx easier to control obviously in Smart/Safe Mode and Stability Mode its easier to get yourself out of trouble, but you could get all this stuff with most other medium to big quads.
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Hi there,
Appreciate the reply. I don't have any gear so just wanted to make sure I get the right kit to go with the 350. Is this the best radio option? I was thinking Taranis?
 
Looks good pazza, interested in the Mobius cam, are you FPVing with it? My sony tvl700 has seen better days and is next to useless in the morning/evening, the only times I can fly. How does it handle contrast in bright/low sunlight mate?
 
d_brennen said:
Looks good pazza, interested in the Mobius cam, are you FPVing with it? My sony tvl700 has seen better days and is next to useless in the morning/evening, the only times I can fly. How does it handle contrast in bright/low sunlight mate?
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I will be Doing fpv with it,havent tried it yet though,i have been warned there is a slight delay in the video out.
 
@The Asgard: I have zero experience with the Taranis but if it has all the functions of a Spektrum DX6i or higher you will likely be able to use all the modes on the 350qx and do the auto leveling trick/mod in Agility Mode.

@d brennen: Mobius Actioncam handle changes from dark to light quickly, in low light its better than most others, it comes with software that has lots of settings one of which enhances night time videography and you can also alter the settings via a suitable Android Phone.
 
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