Updating this thread some...


1. So, I'm still waiting for Burtonrider to post some of his cousin's quad collection! Let us have a peek now man.

2. Holy Smokes!!! The "portable" HD video streaming technology (for consumers) has really gone through the roof!
Check this tiny package out >

DJI's LightBridge
(It's Not cheap - starting at $1,200 for the system, but it's definitely advanced!)
>> 1920 x 1080p@30fps video data transmission from up to 1.7km (1.05miles) away. (Can go up to 3 miles with better antennas!)

 

Take a look at this >

Quad with a parachute.
(you can skip to 6:01 to get to the flying portion.)


(From the same guy.)
Check this Beast out >
what on earth!?..
"Gigantus"??

 

WOW!
Look at this >

is it a Transformer or a baby Skynet copter?



and it's got a stock 4K vidcam, Plus Lightbridge built-in ! Awesome.

 

Alrighty..
I believe I really need a "trainer" Before I jump head first into this addictive hobby.

I'm thinking of picking up an inexpensive RTF quad first, that comes with everything. So, I can at least cut my teeth on the general controls and flight characteristics of these vehicles (and be allowed to crash) without feeling much pain in the wallet.

Looking at a few to consider... >

1. UDI U818A






2. WL Toys V222






3. Syma X5C






All three models are under $100.
Difficult choices!..

 

Ha! A few days before you bumped this thread I added the DJI Phantom FC40 to my amazon wish list, I'd been looking at that lightbridge too, very cool.

The FC40 uses wifi for fpv so not real range at all for that but it's a ready to fly set up and there are plenty of upgrades available. I really like the idea of adding telemetry, the Flytrex Live 3g is a reasonably priced upgrade that is really straight forward to install. People are using Dashware to overlay their telemetry to their videos, it looks slick.

Not sure I need another expensive hobby but it's quite appealing to me, combining a couple of things I'm interested in. Not sure the wife will go for it for a Christmas present, I also added a PS4 to my wish list thinking it might force a purchase either way. I'll probably end up with a bag of nuts and some clementines haha.

Just noticed the FC40 went up $50 since I added it, damn.

 

Alrighty...
I think I'm going to settle on the Syma X5C!
Hopefully I made the right choice, we will see soon enough.

Can't wait to get my hands on it and put some flight time in under my belt.
( I hope I don't crash & burn the thing down on my first maiden flight )

In the meantime, I saw this video and these Quads racing through the forest (I'm so damn jealous, that looks like so much fun.) & certainly reminded me of them hoverbikes from StarWars! Or mini Millennium Falcon(s) zipping thru the woods.

 

Now for those of you who may not be following the advancements in quadcopter developments... Here's something pretty impressive >

Keep in my this quad is custom designed by MIT students and is controlled by an external computer system with an array of external IR sensors providing feedback coordinates to perform these acrobatics (- in a controlled lab environment).



Here's some very neat and tricky maneuvers, kind of spooky what they can make these little things do -

 

When you thought that "crazy flight maneuvers" was ONLY possible if controlled by computers/machines... Well, I was wrong!

Nothing is impossible.
I am blown away when I saw this >


Holy crap that's some amazing flying/piloting skills!!!

I hadn't even imagined it was possible to control FOUR collectives all at the same time during these aerial tricks, but obviously you can.

 

Found this under the Christmas tree!





Testing the controls, check!


Ready for my first test flight...
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Damn tree jump up from nowhere.. typical.

 

that's awesome, looks like you had a fun Xmas!

 

Seems like there's going to be competition for the Stingray 500..

I do like this design more, simply due to the "enclosed" drive system to the propellers. (Plus, the prices seems a bit more reasonable for their kits.)




Also, over the weekend I saw this little quad - Blade 200QX.
Apparently this is the only commercial-grade "toy size" quadcopter that can do INVERTED flight Without variable-pitch propellers.

Honestly, I didn't believe the salesman behind the counter when he mentioned it can do sustained inverted flight... But after search the Youtube, I found that he wasn't kidding >

 

Got myself one of these too >


Syma X6

 

Waiting over an hour just to charge up the Lipo battery (with the stock charger) - to get only 7~8 minutes of flight time - is getting Old real fast!

Went ahead & ordered a dedicated charger/balancer >

video for my reference:

 

Decided to peek under the hood.


Flight Control Board -




Amazing how small they have it now, I remember just a couple of years ago there were several dedicated boards (remote Receiver, 3-axis Giros, Control board, and ESCs - they were all separate pieces) you need to wire together just to get a quad to get off the ground, let alone be able to do flips and/or acrobatics.

 

This was amazing when I saw it, over a year ago. It still is!
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