Discussions

Recommended quadcopter frame for fpv aerial video using GoPro

Posted by Jack Ruddat on March 1, 2017 at 2:40pm

Hi all,
      I have been looking into various quadcopters frames for fpv aerial video using a GoPro hero 4 and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions. The criteria would be that the quadcopter frame and therefore props allow for 20 to 30 minutes on a full charge while still being stable enough for smooth video. I have read that larger props are more efficient and therefore increase flight time but also cause more vibrations due to their ability to flex more easily. I was thinking that maybe a 450mm to 500mm frame would provide the best flight time to anti-vibration ratio?

Here is a list of the frames that I have found to have the best reviews:

250mm
- QAV250 (http://www.getfpv.com/qav250-mini-fp...r-edition.html)
- YKS C250 (https://www.amazon.com/YKS-Carbon-Fi...pter+Frame+Kit)
- Nighthawk 250 (https://www.readymaderc.com/store/in...oducts_id=3647)
- Blackout Mini H (220mm) (http://www.getfpv.com/blackout-mini-h-quad-frame.html)

650mm
- Tarot 650 (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/tarot-fy...t-tl65b01.html)
- ARRIS M650 Pro (http://www.hobby-wing.com/arris-m650...ter-frame.html)

450mm
- TBS Discovery (http://team-blacksheep.com/products/product:98)
- CineTank MK 2 (423mm) (https://flyingcinema.com/quadcopter-frames/cinetank-mk2)
- Q450 v3 (https://hobbyking.com/en_us/q450-v3-...b-version.html)

500mm
- QAV500 V2 (http://www.getfpv.com/qav500-v2-fpv-quadcopter.html)

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks,
Jack

You need to be a member of diydrones to add comments!

Join diydrones

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Jack Ruddat March 2, 2017 at 4:01pm



    andrew cutter said:

    Did a little research on the flight time , qav 500  . To get the 30 minute you are going to have to go the 540mm arms . Which is what remember with team blacksheep attempts to get more flight time . A minor thing to get more flight time .

         Yeah. That's probably what I'll go with. However, since the arms and therefore props will be longer, will there be a significant increase in vibrations throughout the frame or will I not have to worry so much about that aside from proper PID tuning, gimbals, etc?

  • andrew cutter March 2, 2017 at 3:47pm

    Did a little research on the flight time , qav 500  . To get the 30 minute you are going to have to go the 540mm arms . Which is what remember with team blacksheep attempts to get more flight time . A minor thing to get more flight time .

  • Jack Ruddat March 2, 2017 at 3:16pm



    andrew cutter said:

    what your talking about will get  20  min or less . the qav500 or cinetank have been around for a while . Was looking  at them two years ago (not a bad choice) . 20 min or more require a 6s battery and 15 inch props.

         Actually, people have gotten flight times of 25 - 32 minutes with these frames using 12" props and a 6s lipo battery with the right motor and prop combinations.

  • andrew cutter March 2, 2017 at 2:40pm

    what your talking about will get  20  min or less . the qav500 or cinetank have been around for a while . Was looking  at them two years ago (not a bad choice) . 20 min or more require a 6s battery and 15 inch props.

  • Jack Ruddat March 2, 2017 at 2:29pm



    andrew cutter said:

    I would say 650 as the bare minimum . You forgot wind and how it handles in the wind . Also , gimbals plays a big role in vibration and steadiness of the camera pictures. Take a look at sky hero quads . I tend to favorite quads that can use a camera boom . easy to switch out cameras . Sky hero frames are a little pricey. The material of the propeller and size aid in the length of flight. Sky hero has a chart of how their quads handle in wind , flight time and lifting abilities .

         I would say that's a little bit too pricey for me ($200 max). Also I don't see any Sky Hero frames in that size range. I think I might go with either the QAV500 v2, CineTank MK 2, or Tarot FY650 Iron Man frame as they all have very good reviews in terms of stable FPV aerial video. Too big of a frame will make it harder to fly around trees or other tight spaces so 650mm is the largest size I would consider. I will most likely be flying within 1 or 2 kilometers for now.

    Thanks,

    Jack Ruddat

  • andrew cutter March 2, 2017 at 12:45pm

    I would say 650 as the bare minimum . You forgot wind and how it handles in the wind . Also , gimbals plays a big role in vibration and steadiness of the camera pictures. Take a look at sky hero quads . I tend to favorite quads that can use a camera boom . easy to switch out cameras . Sky hero frames are a little pricey. The material of the propeller and size aid in the length of flight. Sky hero has a chart of how their quads handle in wind , flight time and lifting abilities .

This reply was deleted.

Activity