What multi airframe for heavy lift use?

ROVguy

Member
Hello all!

My apologies if I have posted in the incorrect location.

I am planning and budgeting the cost of building/purchasing a heavy lift multi. Its main use will be AP and Videography and will need to be able to comfortably carry a brushless gimbal for dslr and the camera and lens (Canon 7D or larger). Im afraid cost is an issue (isn't it always) and ideally I would prefer good local (UK) support. I realise that nothing in this game comes cheaply, however, I do know that the likes of a Cinestar and Droidworx are well out of my price range. One of my big worries is that if I do not use one of those two airframes, if I decide to work commercially, I would not be taken seriously. I do know that the BBC are currently using the S800 themselves, however, I do not want to be restricted to a mirror-less camera such as the NEX 5/7, which I know has its limits.

I do have some airframes in mind and I would appreciate your thoughts on how well they perform:-

Vulcan Mantis X8 or Octo http://www.uavshop.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=70&products_id=446
Carboncore Cortex X8 http://shop.carboncore.co.uk
Gaui 840H http://www.fast-lad.co.uk/store/product_info.php?cPath=21_645_646&products_id=26381
Tarot 1000

The Gaui is by far the cheapest at just £850 not including flight controller, where as the Cortex is probably the most expensive of the bunch at £1750 exec VAT not including Flight Controller. I have been seriously tempted by the Vulcan Mantis X8 which at £2650 inc VAT, including WKM and iOSD seems like a bargain, but given that I do not know many people operating commercially with one Im not sure how well it performs. Also, now that the A2 is out, would I be better off investing that instead? The Carboncore Cortex is produced locally, just 1 hours drive away and it is also more easily transported given that its foldable, but like I said earlier it is the most expensive and a very new and relatively untried system.

Any advice, help, and pointers you could give would be much appreciated. Im hoping to purchase something around April time (my 40th birthday) if the mrs lets me spend a bit of money lol.

Thanks again in advance.

Richard.
 

Tuomas P.

Member
Vulcan frames. I use my frames almost daily in TV and video productions with Zenmuse Z15 gimbals. Very simple, strong and reliable. TP.
 



I have used the Tarot 1000 and it is very sturdy. I use it in X8 configuration and have flown it with 30lb. all up weight. I can give it a thumbs up. I owned a hex Carbon Core and I felt like it wasn't sturdy enough for big cameras.
 



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