Hi UAVers!
A buddy and I want to get into UAVs as a hobby for now, but we do have aspirations for potential business opportunities. We have a strong background in programming, electronics, machining, 3d modeling, photo editing. We would like to explore areas where we can focus our strengths. For now we are looking to focus on aerial photography and videography and eventually move to automated flight paths and dual controller / dual camera.
Can you please suggest a start-up strategy that would lend itself to our areas of expertise and is within our budget (~$2000 not including camera).
We don't mind starting small but would prefer if we could use modular components so as to save on expenses when making the move to more expensive rigs. This will also allow us to retain some knowledge of certain systems after making the move.
Right now we're looking at the DJI Phantom as a simple starter (without utilizing GoPro), but the more I research the more I realize that DIY might be a better approach.
Thanks for the help!
FYI: I understand that taking plenty of time getting used to flying is crucial. We are hard core gamers so we're approaching this with the assumption that we will be expert flyers within hours ;)
Replies
I also need help for upgrading parts or if i'm doing it wrong or right for aerial video productions/photo, here is my set up:
http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/multicopter-not-lifting-too-heavy...
Hi Sky,
I can't disagree with Monroe or Tom's great advice but if you're looking to get going really quickly, my company makes an RTF 3DR hexa that's all set to go for aerial photography and well within your budget. Check out my post from yesterday:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/rtf-hexacopter-from-event-38-aphex
thanks for all the info!
What copter would you recommend to practice crashing with. Preferable one that handles similarly to that of an arducopter.
Also, is Flightgear the best simulation software? I was looking into Phoenix RC 4 and it looks very good.
Thanks again!
Monroe is right....First you need to learn to fly. Whatever airframe you get will end up being a beater and you WILL crash it many times, often in a spectacular and costly manner. My advice is to go with a an inexpensive (a relative term in this hobby) quad and beat the crap out of it. After you smash it a few times it gives you perspective as to what sort of expensive cameras you might want to loft into the sky.
A DJI is a good choice and will perform for you out of the box. Less ability to customize though. The 3DR stuff is good if you like to tinker and gives you more options to do stuff. Of course more options means more to learn versus the DJI. I think the 3DR would end up being a little less expensive though.
Although some are happy with Hobbyking RC transmitters I say go for something high end and quality, like Futaba. You will reuse this on all the other RC stuff you end up getting.
Once you're flying you can try adding things like GoPros or still cameras to get a feel for capabilities. You will find that maybe some things you thought easy are actually rather hard and other things turn out to be very cool. You don't need an expensive camera to do good images, but you do need a vibration free airframe and piloting skills. I use a cheap Canon A2200 (under a hundred bucks at Amazon) running CHDK which does an adequate job helping me learn and not a great loss if I drive it into the ground. Eventually I may replace it with something nice.
By the time you get to this point you will have all the answers to your questions as to what to get, as you will have figured it out along the way. The right equipment is unique to each of us, depending upon our desires and pocketbooks.