(Part 2) Best products from r/fpvracing

I bought the Wizard and I LOVE IT! It's plenty of power to start with some very solid components for the price. I wanted to build one myself as well... But then I found the Wizard.

I'll give you a list of the things that I bought along side the Wizard.

1. RunCam Swift 2 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY9IFJU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
   
   
2. Quanum Cyclops V1 Headset (about 35$ on HobbyKing). The Quanum Cyclops is a wonderful headset for the price. The thing you need to watch out for when looking at cheap headsets is whether or not you get static or a bluescreen when you start losing signal. These headsets give you static. That is most certainly what you want. (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/quanum-cyclops-fpv-goggles.html)
   
   
3. Two clover leaf antennas (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M9IER0E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
   
   
4. x3 3s batteries. (The other great thing about the Wizard is it's 4s ready for when you are ready for more power).
   
   
5. Keenstone UP100AC LiPo Charger. (https://www.amazon.com/Keenstone-UP100AC-Battery-Minimum-Balance/dp/B01JV826I0/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1492193093&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Lipo+charger&psc=1)
   
   
6. Parallel charging board (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UBOAXEI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
   
   
7. XTronic Soldering Station (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DGZFSNE/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
   
   
8. FrSky XSR Receiver (https://www.amazon.com/FrSky-2-4GHz-Receiver-Output-Support/dp/B01HZB6XTI/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1492193206&sr=1-1&keywords=FrSky+XSR)
   
   
9. FrSky Taranis X9D Plus (https://www.amazon.com/FrSky-Taranis-2-4ghz-ACCST-Transmitter/dp/B01D7QHB9G/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1492193250&sr=1-2&keywords=taranis)

Yeah, there's a lot to digest. It doesn't help that the hobby is evolving at break neck speeds. So keep that in mind as you read guides. As mentioned in a previous post, a year ago you would have had individual components for your OSD and FPV 5v step down filter. Building a drone is a lot like building a computer. The components required haven't changed. The form factors and integration are what evolve (flight controller, ESCs, motors, camera, receiver, video transmitter, etc).

I think the route you've laid out is a good one. I haven't used an XBox controller before, with the dual analog sticks it should be an alright start. Always great to toe dip, this hobby gets VERY expensive VERY quickly.

Instead of a hubsan, I started with a nanoQX because with the right module you can bind it to a Taranis which means that I get to practice with the same TX that i'm going to use for my bigger drones. You can't bind the taranis to a hubsan (proprietary code). When you're ready to step it up a few notches, you dig all of the guts out of the nanoQX and put them in a micro carbon fiber frame by Phoenix Flight Gear. Then you buy yourself a horizon micro fpv camera and tx. Now your humble nanoQX is a full fledged carbon fiber fpv drone. I have a buddy who actually practices in the park with this unit when it's not too windy out. By now you've also purchased your FPV goggles.

Now you can decide if you want to really go for it which means building a full sized quad, 180mm to 250mm.

As for the receiver (x4r): ELI5 version -- your taranis connects to if over RF and gives the drones your commands. The receiver is connected to the flight controller (most likely via SBUS). The flight controller then translates your commands into actions and tells the ESCs how much power to give to each motor. Your motors spin and make thrust which causes the drone to fly fly. Here's a layout for better digestion.

Considering these kids likely do not have multirotor experience, much less FPV experience, I'd recommend the FPV version of the Hubsan X4. For people interested in getting into quadcopters, its a good idea to start small because lighter quads are more crash resistant. Its not a question of if you will crash, but when. I learned how to fly with a bare-bones Hubsan X4. The FPV version (H107D) includes a screen on the transmitter so you can fly FPV or line of sight comfortably, and switch between the two flying styles quickly and easily. The cost is lower than you'll find for any 250mm+ DIY setup. These can fly inside or outside, so even on a rainy day you can still have fun.

A quick google search brings up prices ranging from $119-199, median cost about $145.

http://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107D-FPV-Mini-Quadcopter/dp/B00GSNWB5K

Once you and the kids get better at controlling the quads and want a more capable setup, I would look into the DIY 250mm kits/builds other posters have suggested. Its a lot of cash to drop to build nice 250 quads if your pilots have no experience.

BONUS TABLE

All of the above is assuming you have everything required for building your quad if not below is a table with everything i think is necessary for building a quad. All these links will be from amazon

Part Type | Part Name | Quantity | Total Cost | Reason | Link
---------|---------|----------|----------|---------|----------|
Soldering Station | Hakko FX888D-23BY Digital Soldering Station | 1 | $100 | When it comes to working with quads and electronics you really don't want to skimp on the thing that's putting it together. A good soldering station can change your entire experience when it comes to building quads. For this reason we go with a Hakko once bought you will not need anything else later on. | http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888D-23BY-Digital-Soldering-FX-888D/dp/B00ANZRT4M/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1458237822&sr=8-7&keywords=soldering+station
Hot Glue Gun | CCbetter® Mini Hot Glue Gun | 1 | $15 | You will use this more than you think, everything from securing your camera, antennas, etc to adding extra insulation to your components to ensure nothing falls off or gets ripped off. | http://www.amazon.com/CCbetter%C2%AE-Temperature-Melting-Flexible-Projects/dp/B01178RVI2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1458237957&sr=8-3&keywords=hot+glue+gun
Velcro | VELCRO Brand - Sticky Back | 1 | $11 | Sometimes you need things to only stick for a bit then take it off. Velcro is pretty much self explanatory keep your vtx in place among other things | http://www.amazon.com/VELCRO-Brand-Sticky-Back-Black/dp/B00006RSWT/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458238198&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=stick+yvelcro
Zip Ties | Heavy Duty Black Cable Ties | 1 | $11 | The corner stone of fpv IMO. These are keeping more quads flying than anything else. | http://www.amazon.com/Heavy-Black-Cable-Ties-120lbs/dp/B003Y61A10/ref=pd_sim_60_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41r7oTe3IpL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1G5GJ28Z3M8JBJDW67RV
Solder | Miniatronics Corp 1064004 Rosin Core Solder 60/40 4oz | 1 | $12 | You are always going to need solder and this as the flux mixed in meaning it will be a very easy to use solder. | http://www.amazon.com/Miniatronics-Corp-1064004-Rosin-Solder/dp/B0006O933K/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1458238393&sr=1-7&keywords=solder&refinements=p_85:2470955011
Velcro Straps | Reusable Dubbex Black Velcro Cable Ties | 1 | $13 | Can be used for pretty much anything like batterystrap, hold wires down etc. | http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AW0BDNK?psc=1
Voltmeter | Blackcell DC 3.2-30V LED 0.56inch Panel Meter Digital Voltmeter | 1 | $7 | Eventually something is going to go wrong and you are going to have to ensure that your voltages are correct. You are going to need this to verify volt outputs and to figure out what they are when there is no documentation for what you are looking at | http://www.amazon.com/Blackcell-3-2-30V-0-56inch-Voltmeter-Two-wire/dp/B00ZZIXT8W/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1458238663&sr=1-6&keywords=voltmeter&refinements=p_85:2470955011
Desolder Tool | LyonsBlue Desoldering Vacuum Pump | 1 | $9 | Very useful for cleaning up to much solder or removing solder from contact pads to redo. Simply heat up the solder and suck it out. | http://www.amazon.com/LyonsBlue-Desoldering-Vacuum-Solder-Removal/dp/B003FHYL7I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458238959&sr=8-2&keywords=desolder
TOTAL | FOR | ALL | $178 | |

Since there is very little consumer interest in a product like this, nearly all of the available products are geared towards the professional video market, and are super expensive.

The simplest way to do it as a consumer would be to feed the video into a PC and use software to stack it up. For example, this video capture interface is around $35:

http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-Touch-Capture-Device/dp/B000VM60I8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1449258258&sr=1-2&keywords=video+capture+card

And you might be able to use something like the iSpy open source security camera software to view the feeds live.

https://www.ispyconnect.com/

The iffy part here is that I'm not 100% sure how many of those capture devices you can run at the same time, and whether they will be compatible with iSpy.

I use this and it works great. Heats up super fast, you can shrink tubing and reflow components, and even supply test voltages. It's been going strong for a couple years now.

I use this one. I've had it for about a year and a half with no signs of wear. It holds 8-10 ~1500mAh 4S batteries pretty snugly. The velcro seems a bit sketchy, but it's very wide and surprisingly secure.

To be fair, I've only ever owned 2 types of lipo bags, but this is the one I prefer.

hmmm, thanks for the input. which 4s batteries would you reccomend?

i've heard these are pretty good.
https://www.amazon.com/Tattu-Battery-1550mAh-Airplane-Drones/dp/B013I9S89E/ref=sr_1_6?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1491323559&sr=1-6&keywords=4s+lipo

also, what mAh is reccomended and how many cells?

OK well I mean like something like:

https://www.amazon.ca/Air-Hogs-Official-High-Speed-Flying/dp/B01N41LVJ5/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1540746957&sr=8-9&keywords=fpv+drone

Or

https://www.amazon.ca/EACHINE-Quadcopter-Wide-angle720P-Altitude-Foldable/dp/B0776QJNS3/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1540746957&sr=8-8&keywords=fpv+drone

$30.00. Tons of fun to fly, a great cheap introduction, and a great way to learn the basics. There's a learning curve, you're going to crash, so why not use something easily replaceable.

I got a great one for you and it's cheap. I love mine iFlight FPV Racing Drone Quadcopter Backpack Carrying Case Bag RC Plane Fixed Wing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JGSF2XY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GfIrDb3NX8MTH

Note, that copter will not allow FPV. The camera on board is only for recording to the SD card. The version of that same drone which actually has a vtx is this one