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I (and many others) run two cameras on my quad. One is for first person view (FPV). This is a relatively low (about 420-600 TV lines typically) resolution camera that connects to a wireless video transmitter. On your end, you have a video receiver and a screen or pair of goggles. This puts you "in the cockpit" in real time. Obviously, the other way to fly, other than FPV, is by line of sight, basically looking at your aircraft from the ground. The second camera I run is a Mobius action camera, which records in HD quality. This basically records your flight. This can be cool if you're flying in a scenic area to give you a high definition recorded areal view. And yes, it just records on a micro SD card.

I've been shopping these a bit. Nothing crazy, just something to fly around the neighborhood a bit. Can you get a decent RTF with video capability for under $200? I see some in that price range, but don't want to waste my money on a p.o.s.

THEYTOOKMYTHUMB wrote:I've been shopping these a bit. Nothing crazy, just something to fly around the neighborhood a bit. Can you get a decent RTF with video capability for under $200? I see some in that price range, but don't want to waste my money on a p.o.s.

I'd be pretty leery of something with FPV for 200 bux. If you haven't flown before I would learn to fly LOS (line of sight) first, then switch to FPV when you are comfortable with controlling it.

mk-Zero wrote:

THEYTOOKMYTHUMB wrote:I've been shopping these a bit. Nothing crazy, just something to fly around the neighborhood a bit. Can you get a decent RTF with video capability for under $200? I see some in that price range, but don't want to waste my money on a p.o.s.

I'd be pretty leery of something with FPV for 200 bux. If you haven't flown before I would learn to fly LOS (line of sight) first, then switch to FPV when you are comfortable with controlling it.

That's kinda what I thought. thanks

How about a Nano QX to start with? I bought one and it is great to fly around the house.

Two versions, RTF and a BNF. Price is great, batteries are inexpensive. Search around for other types of batts and they get cheaper.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/product/multirotor/blade-helicopters/ready-to-fly-15086--1/nano-qx-rtf-with-safe-technology-blh7600

http://www.horizonhobby.com/nano-qx-bnf-with-safe-technology-blh7680

That's a cool little quad! I really like flying indoors, its a blast. With the smaller ones like that typically it needs to be pretty calm wind-wise to fly them outdoors, so the size is something to consider if you think you would be flying mostly outdoors or indoors.

I bought my son a Blade 350 QX for Christmas and he just loves it - more than driving cars. One thing we've heard is that the props on these tend to break. Haven't had a problem yet - but there are these adapters you can buy online that allow you to use other props such as the DJI ones. Can anyone shed some light as to whether or not this is a good idea? I've seen mixed reviews on the carbon fibre props too.

I just use regular HQ brand props. They're like a buck-fifty each, so it's not a big deal to break one occationally. I just keep plenty of spares around. No different than having, say, spare arms for a car you run.

I saw this today on Yahoo, pretty cool Quad.

http://techcrunch.com/2015/03/13/this-guy-turned-a-quadcopter-into-a-star-wars-speeder-bike-and-its-amazing/

Also, looks like a new magazine is available that is dedicated to quads called "Rotor Drone. It's published through RC Car Action. Looks promising. Tower Hobbies is offering a 3 month trial for $5.

- Limestang

I am eyeing Hubsan X4 RC Quadcopter from http://www.nitrotek.co.uk/rc-helicopters/mini-micro-100-250mm/hubsan-x4-rc-quadcopter-with-video-recorder-hd-720p.html . This is the upgraded high definition version of the X4 that records in stunning 1280x720 HD resolution. The 6 axis gyro automatically adjusts the speeds of the rotors to keep the X4 stable even if there is a gust of wind so it can be used outdoors. What do you suggest folks, Shall I go for it?

Go for it! The toy grade quads are generally very easy to fly and durable, and so they make a good way to get into it and learn to fly. If you like it and get more into it you can build your own that will have more performance.

I started becoming very interested in racing quads after watching the guys at www.flitetest.com make videos about FPV flying and such. I picked up a Estes Nano-x micro quad to ease into the hobby and holy cow this thing is a blast to fly. I practiced a bunch indoors and now i'm able to fly it off my 2nd story and around my apartment complex and back into my balcony. Soon i'm gonna step it up and get fatshark goggles with a racing quad and a gopro video capture. Ive had an eye on FPV and camera setups on quads and I predicted right that this was gonna be the next huge RC category.

Awesome! That was one of my first too, it is a total blast to fly!
If you haven't seen them yet, look up "tiny woop." They are Blade Inductrix outfitted with an FPV setup. Mine is one of my current favorites, and they're cheap!

https://uav-review.com/build-tiny-whoop/

Ive got an alien frame quad, uses off brand 3dr type control, gps,, flies well, but my gps is junk. Havent flown any rc aircraft or quads in months, like possibly 8-9 months... Been difficult to maintain interest in them. I shouldda just bought an rtf fpv quad. These home built units are a real head ache! My flying buddies and I were into racing quads, and fpv for a while,, we just sort of lost interest. They are expensive toys, and a crash can really mess up alot of stuff. The rtf quads are really really nice now. Better than the kit builts in many cases. Ive still got a hubsan fpv as well, but without real position hold stabilization, its kinda useless for anything but screwing around.

Yeah, crashing can get expensive. Luckily the props for my ZMR 250 are only like a buck twenty-five each, cause I went through six of them last time I flew