I am a complete beginner and based off the info on the site I am going with an EasyStar. My question is, what is the breakdown of exactly what I should buy now (brushless motor, good transmitter, etc...) to prepare it for possible UAV use in the future. Or should I just go with the Tower Hobbies RTF and start accruing some flight time before worrying about the mods. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Thanks for the reply. You aren't kidding....I've found the easystar threads over at RCgroups, and it's pretty insane.
I think I'm going to poster tape my fuselage together, and modify the rudder. Used goop for the motor, and ran a third wire for going to brushless. I broke the original motor in in water, and that seems to be a pretty good tip. It's noticeably smoother.
Anyway, I look forward to talking with you guys some more when I have a few flight hours under my belt, and a few extra dollars to add the autopilot.
I picked up the latest issue of Make, and have always wanted to try RC airplanes, and this drone idea finally put it over the edge for me.
I was looking online, and no-one seemed to have the easystar right now.
I went to my local hobby shop, and sure enough, there's the basic easystar kit with motor for $59.99
I wasn't planning on buying all of this stuff today, but I did...local shop comes through strong, so I feel it's best to keep my money here in town. I know it's not the best setup, but I have ZERO experience with this stuff. I just need to get off the ground and actually fly a bit, and then start adding this fun stuff. Here's what I wound up with.
I had a crappy old Airtronics VG400 4 channel transmitter that someone gave me.
Easystar kit
Berg 7p programmable receiver
Kept the stock motor while I learn the craft here...will upgrade to brushless next
ElectriFly C-12 ESC with LiPo cutoff - replaced when I move to brushless
2 x E-flite S75 Sub-Micro Servos
Pro-Peak Quattro LiPo charger
2-Cell 7.4V 20C Pro Lite V2 LiPo Battery
So that's where I'm at. I've bench tested it, and everything seems to work. I may try and get it together tomorrow.
I'd avoid the RTF kit. As Reto mentions, the radio won't carry you into the UAV world and the stock brushed motor is woefully underpowered.
If you just want to learn RC, get a cheap Hobbyzone Firebird and expect to eventually destroy it. Then get a bare EasyStar kit and get proper RC gear and a brushless setup for UAV use.
With the TH RTF kit, you'll get only a 3 channel Tx. This is not enough for a later UAV setup which needs at least a 4th channel with 3 phase toggle switch. And I do not know wether the preinstaled Rx is only 3 channels too or more. But for sure this kit seems enough to get into basic RC flying.
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I think I'm going to poster tape my fuselage together, and modify the rudder. Used goop for the motor, and ran a third wire for going to brushless. I broke the original motor in in water, and that seems to be a pretty good tip. It's noticeably smoother.
Anyway, I look forward to talking with you guys some more when I have a few flight hours under my belt, and a few extra dollars to add the autopilot.
Thanks!
JC
I picked up the latest issue of Make, and have always wanted to try RC airplanes, and this drone idea finally put it over the edge for me.
I was looking online, and no-one seemed to have the easystar right now.
I went to my local hobby shop, and sure enough, there's the basic easystar kit with motor for $59.99
I wasn't planning on buying all of this stuff today, but I did...local shop comes through strong, so I feel it's best to keep my money here in town. I know it's not the best setup, but I have ZERO experience with this stuff. I just need to get off the ground and actually fly a bit, and then start adding this fun stuff. Here's what I wound up with.
I had a crappy old Airtronics VG400 4 channel transmitter that someone gave me.
Easystar kit
Berg 7p programmable receiver
Kept the stock motor while I learn the craft here...will upgrade to brushless next
ElectriFly C-12 ESC with LiPo cutoff - replaced when I move to brushless
2 x E-flite S75 Sub-Micro Servos
Pro-Peak Quattro LiPo charger
2-Cell 7.4V 20C Pro Lite V2 LiPo Battery
So that's where I'm at. I've bench tested it, and everything seems to work. I may try and get it together tomorrow.
Is there a "Total Newbie" FAQ on RC aircraft?
Looking forward to expanding on this.
Thanks!
JC
If you just want to learn RC, get a cheap Hobbyzone Firebird and expect to eventually destroy it. Then get a bare EasyStar kit and get proper RC gear and a brushless setup for UAV use.