Hi to all Just dipping my feet into the water and need some questions answered

[tectic]

Hi everyone on Multirotorforums.com

Well I am just starting out with a feeling for a Multi rotor not committed yet!
I have been looking at the DJI F450 & DJI F550 also the possibility of building a similar from Hobbyking parts with the DJI Naza flight controller and GPS
I have a background of RC cars both petrol and electric so I am not new to Lipos ,Soldering ESC's and motors also I have a strong background in building and repairs on electrics.
I also have a couple of dual rotor Helis which I can just about keep in the air :nevreness:

So my questions are Build from scratch and gain the Experience or buy RTF and gain on flying time!
Go with the F450 OR F550 or should I be thinking of something completely diffrent?
Buy DJI or start out with hobbyking and save a few bucks for the inevitable crashes and repairs till I get more competent?
As I only have Car radio gear do I go with Futaba, Spektrum or Hobbyking ( I Would not use Spektrum at all with cars as too many range issues) ?
Buy a used unit or go from a shiney new unit?

I know these are probably dumb questions but as I am starting out I wish to make the right choices and I have spent my time answering some silly questions from RC Car newbies so hopefully i may get some sound advice back from you guys

Thanks for any helpful replies

 

[BorisS]

Hi Tectic,

for sure build yourself. It will be a little learning curve but you will make it. Concerning the Radio hmm
its the question how far you want to take things if you will stay with f450 and f550 frames or go bigger and want a camera gimbal later
for bigger cams etc. But for the beginning any 8 channel capable Radio setup will do the job.

For me personally although some FC either offer Telemetry via OSD or separate datalink the main decision point for a radio
is their support and availably or sensor / telemetry components. There still is no better solution than having all the
data directly on you radio !

Thus a futaba http://www.futaba-rc.com/systems/futk8010.html would probably give you anything you will ever need from functionality
but futaba is still behind on their sensor modules.

So maybe for the beginning buy yourself a cheap 8 channel radio and see were it takes you with the whole multi rotor venture.
If your plans gett bigger frame wise etc. than dig a little deeper cash wise and get yourself a full fletched radio telemetry setup !
By that time you will have done a lot of reading in the forums and the decision will be easier to make a decision !

Boris

 

[Jim in Massachusetts]

I built my DJI F550. Toughest part was soldering for me. Programming the NAZA via the NAZA assistant software was fairly easy. There are many video's on the net about building and setting NAZA via USB.

A 450 may give longer flight times VS a 550 will have more lifting power. I'm more into still photos than video. Either way video and photos from an unstabilized camera mount will be less than perfect. Most of my aerial photos need lots of color correction, distortion correction and the horizon leveled. I use a rigid camera mount. View attachment 11639

BTW, I highly recommend the GPS module. It makes flying easier as the GPS facilitates position hold. The GPS return to home feature has saved my craft from getting lost, TWICE!

I use a Spectrum DX8 and range is beyond 1/2 mile.

 

[Jim in Massachusetts]

But I don't recommend flying your MR anywhere near 1/2 mile away unless it's via a solid FPV set-up.