Reddit mentions of Hubsan X4 H107L 2.4GHz 4CH RC Quadcopter with LED Lights RTF, Black/White

So many questions you need to answer for yourself before you start on this quest/project. I recommend documenting all these decision points and reasoning behind choices for your project.

• What's the primary goal of the build?
  
• To see if you can do it?
  
• To calculate estimated thrust/speed/lifting power/flight time? Then test to see if you get those results?
  
• To perform a specific flight mission? i.e. Program out a flight to run along and record footage of a fence line so a farmer can check for breaks? / To get a aerial shot of the school at a particular altitude and angle? / To run a tight obstacle course or circuit?
  
  
• How big do you want it? What do you want to do with it?
  
  
• Want to do acrobatics or FPV racing? You'll be looking at 200mm-300mm sized quads and Hexes.
  
• Want to do GPS and 3-axis gimbal stabilized aerial photography? You'll be looking at 450+mm quads or 550+mm hexes.
  
• Want to do a bit of everything with a fixed camera or simple 2-axis gimbaled camera? 350mm-450 quads.
  
• Want to fly indoors primarily? You'll want Micro quads in the 100-150mm range. These are a relatively new class of self-built quad. Parts are a little harder to come by.
  
  
• What materials do you want to use?
  
  
• Off the shelf parts?
  
• Fabricating frames with a 3D printer?
  
• Building your own Arduino flight controller from scratch? Or Programing/Setting up an already established flight controller?
  
  
  
• What type of primary control do you want over it?
  
• Standard RC Controls?
  
• Intelligent Orientation Modes (aka Headless mode) where craft movement is relative to starting position/direction?
  
• GPS and autopilot waypoint flight programed from a PC/Tablet "Groundstation"?
  
• What's your budget?
  
• What parts do you already have?
  
• Do you already have any RC equipment like LiPo batteries and charger or RC Transmitter/Receiver?
  
• Do you already have any lightweight action cameras like a GoPro? Mobius? or 808 Keychain cam?
  
  If you are starting from nothing this could be $250-$500 endevor at the lower end ... and much closer to $1000 if you are going for FPV flight and/or stabilized aerial photography and advanced GPS mission planning.
  
  Most importantly as a training tool ... I HIGHLY recommend getting a cheap toy "trainer" quad + some extra batteries:
  
  
• Hubsan x4 - No Camera $45 / 720p Camera $75
  
• Syma X5C-1 @ $50-$70
  
• Blade Nano QX with plastic controller @ $90
  
• Blade Nano QX $60 + Hobby grade 9-Channel RC Controller Transmitter $60 + DSMX Tranmitter Module $30 - This RC combo would also be used for your larger quad build. This way you are practicing with the exact same controller. Expensive way to start out, but recommended if you have the funds.

Get a Hubsan X4, they are a lot of fun. With the prop guards on they are almost indestructible.


You'll learn a lot of really good flying skills that will absolutely be handy when you are flying a larger drone.

When those big expensive drones lose GPS signal they basically fly like this little guy. Pilots who don't know how to fly in manual get into trouble in a hurry!

If you're new to multirotors or RC in general we usually recommend you start small with something like this Hubsan: http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107L-2-4GHz-Quadcopter-Lights/dp/B00OV4VVU4/ref=dp_ob_title_def

Once you've mastered the micro you're ready to move up to the mini quads with FPV. Budget about $500 to get started which will cover the cost of the quad, radio transmitter, FPV goggles, batteries and battery charger. You'll need to build it yourself but people in the community (like our club) can help you learn the basics. You quickly become very good at soldering. If you're looking for something pre-built and ready to fly then expect to pay even more.

The reality of FPV quads is that you will break stuff, and soon you'll be looking to go faster, so you'll be upgrading or building new quads.

It's a bit of a money pit at times.