(Part 2) Best products from r/diydrones

The simple answer is yes, the items mentioned and cost is pretty good for a DIY Drone with a good camera. However i would recommend starting with something cheaper for your first DIY. Between controlling the device and compatibility issues with parts and dont forget any mistakes leads to re-purchasing parts. Below are a few recommendation for starter drones.

• Holystone HS170
  
• DroCon x780
  
• UA18A
  
• Holystone F181c
  
  These are a few options which come with prop guards so you can crash without instantly breaking the device. UAVHaven has a huge selection of <$100 starter drones and drone kits which will allow you to build basic and medium grade devices with a tad less worry.

This is the drone that I have built:

Been slowly building my first quad over the past month or so. Just when I have time. I bought a cheap carbon fiber kit off amazon. I will list everything I have bought so far.

Fly Sky FS-i6 Transmitter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VE3PZ3Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fly Sky FSia6b RX (need this to run PPM instead of PWM): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VE3Q3XU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LHI quad Kit with ESC's, Motors and Flight Controller: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010FMGUS8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now the above kit comes with a CC3D flight controller, after some research, I decided that I would use a Naze32 rev6 board instead. I purchased that from Hobby king, I will list all hobbyking purchases after amazon.

Nylon hex nuts, screws and stand offs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EPLH08Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

XT60 connectors: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E9HM7NC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Lipo Voltage Checker: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E7UXVL8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Battery / GoPro straps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F7MEDW6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 PS: good velcro isnt enough!

Tri-blade Props. Buy a couple of these!:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CHDNRRK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Extra arms....JUST IN CASE! https://www.amazon.com/LHI-Carbon-thick-250mm-Quadcopter/dp/B01715HGNU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472346179&sr=8-1&keywords=LHI+arms


These are all the hobby king stuff that I bought:
Naze 32 FC ACRO: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__96841__AfroFlight_Naze32_Rev6_Flight_Controller_Acro_.html

1300 mah 3s 45-90c lipos: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__18207__Turnigy_nano_tech_1300mAh_3S_45_90C_Lipo_Pack.html

Besides a lipo charger, the above will get you flying! Below is everything needed for the FPV aspect! I used to run RC cars so luckily I had a lipo charger from those days

Camera and transmitter from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/262061528376?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Clover antennas from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272297376391?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Quanum Cyclops FPV Goggles from hobbyking: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__104150__Quanum_Cyclops_FPV_Goggle_w_Integrated_Monitor_and_Receiver_AR_Warehouse_.html

Now this is prolly the most basic, beginners fpv setup that you can buy... Its perfect for learning and crashing lol. I have about 3 flights with mine so far, about 4 batteries. Buy props lol, lots of props. Already had to change 1 arm too.

> I would like 30m to 1 hour of fly time so the batteries will be big and heavy...

Flight times that long are very inefficient and become extra heavy. It's generally regarded as a much better idea to shoot for 15+ minute flight times and have many batteries on standby that you can land and swap out.

eCalc will be your best friend on this journey. - http://www.ecalc.ch/xcoptercalc.php

I'd also highly recommend building a quad with an off the shelf frame and simple flight brain before trying to build your own from the ground up. Not as a replacement for your self build, but simply as inexpensive experience building and flying. Even a cheap kit will help tremendously. Also for more flight training indoors I can't recommend the little sub $50 Hubsan x4 enough. - http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-2-4GHz-Quadcopter-Lights-Silver/dp/B00OV4VVU4/ You may be building automation into yours, but it's still good to know how to fly manually.


Examples:

• http://www.myrcmart.com/h450q-quadcopter-red-white-with-kk21-30a-esc-h2214950kv-motor-1045-prop-p-8013.html
  
• http://multirotormania.com/multirotor-packages/303-f450-quad-complete-bundle.html
  
  You'll need to add a radio controller Transmitter/Receiver combo, batteries, and charger to either of those. Still can come in under $250.

I would be interested in some help as well. This is currently what I am looking at for the build. Can anyone tell me if these will work together/other better parts? I am looking at the PixHawk specifically to work with DroneKit.io

• Frame
  
• Motor
  
• Camera
  
• Antenna
  
  Usmile DALRC 5.8G 3DBi 4 Leaf Clover Antenna for 180-250 FPV Racing Quad
  https://www.amazon.com/Usmile-Clover-Antenna-180-250-Racing/dp/B01LXCP07O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480361941&sr=8-2&keywords=TBS+Triumph+RPSMA
  
  LHI 4Pcs DX2205 2300KV Brushless Motor 2CW 2CCW
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KFIAUWY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1VCJ11DLIX7DF
  
  Crazepony Martian II RX255 FPV Racing Drone Carbon Fiber Quadcopter Frame
  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRN5OVS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2TESRXGGXB2TR
  
  Crazepony Foxeer FPV Arrow Camera 600TVL NTSC 2.8mm Lens Sony Super Had II CCD IR Blocked with OSD AUDIO Orange for QAV Multicopter
  https://www.amazon.com/Crazepony-Foxeer-Camera-Blocked-Multicopter/dp/B01HT784R2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480359820&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=Foxeer+HS1190+Arrow+V2
  
  Crazepony Pixhawk PX4 2.4.8 32 Bit ARM Flight Controller Integrated PX4FMU PX4IO
  https://www.amazon.com/Crazepony-Pixhawk-Controller-Integrated-Multicopters/dp/B01JIUVE84/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480362083&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=PixHawk+px4&psc=1

Hey thanks for the response. I'm stupid I forgot to mention about the battery and the tx and rx.

​

I already have a taranis qx7, and d4r-II receiver. I also already have a battery(and a charger), it is 3s 1350mAH. I know it has a relatively small capacity, so my plan was to just use it temporarily and then buy a 4s battery with a bigger capacity. And I thought the motors can run on 3s-6s, is that not right? And do you have any specific batteries or ESCs to recommend?

​

I did not know about the inbuilt PDB though, thanks for letting me know that.

​

Thanks for your help!

>It also supports changing transmitter power remotely by connecting it to your flight controller.

This feature applies to ALL flight controllers right? As in, I can use my current [controller] (https://www.amazon.com/Spektrum-SPMR6650-DX6E-6Ch-Transmitter/dp/B01LY0GL0B) and be able to switch outputs? Where did you see that I could switch outputs via flight controller? If I was reading what you were reading, it sounds like I need to press and hold a button on VTX itself.

>The goggles do need to support the video format from the cam ie PAL or NTSC but most are good with both.

On the camera, it mentions PAL and NTSC, meaning its compatible with both, but only uses one encoder at a time?

I probably will have to use a [monitor] (https://www.amazon.com/Blomiky-D43-Wireless-Receiver-Quadcopter/dp/B072N8BBX6?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3) instead of goggles since I need to know my GPS heading and this should work since it supports PAL/NTSC.

That stuff is Great! Best purchase decision I made on this build. The name on the bag is "PET Expandable Braided Sleeving". I used 3/8" which was just the right size for all applications, though maybe smaller would have been more appropriate for something like the ESC signal wires.

I got it from Amazon here:

http://www.amazon.com/Inch-Expandable-Braided-Sleeving--10ft/dp/B00H2RG20G/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1419879746&sr=8-11&keywords=braided+sleeving

Like you said its a good idea to filter the vtx power source. That's probably what the CAP port is for (there is a CAP+ and CAP- right?). Capacitors absorb voltage spikes and act as a filter. Use a high capacitance low ESR cap like this one
It's uncommon for VTX power sources to require 12v. If you use a modern vtx like this you can just run it straight off the battery without a BEC, with a cap attached in parallel ideally.

Not sure about homedepot, perhaps they may, but I think an electronics shop that sells circuit components is for sure to have some. You can order some on amazon as well if you are in a pinch. Something like this should do, though you may not need 10ft's worth https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TFR6SM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

a good charger is key, avoid any that look like a black power brick (usually the $10 kind) as they are a bit of a fire hazard. im a big fan of the imax chargers, theyve always worked well and i have several

as for batteries your going to want 1300 or 1500mah 4s. also dont bother with anything below a 65C rating. C rating is basically how many amps the battery can provide at max draw.

also the flight controller on that drone is good but your going to want to update the software to betaflight 3.0.1., and like i said the flysky i6 is a decent starter transmitter just the little rx is kinda bulky and lame, but they sell tons of other rx by now.

one final note: assembly required, your going to have to solder parts, make sure you have a soldering iron and remember carbon fiber is a conductor, dont let bare wires touch it!

source: I build, race, and code for drones daily

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017Y2G4Y2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Pg5AybFSQJ9TD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LXKYINF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-l5AybA4R2VW8