Hello, i'm new in quadcopters, so i have a few questions. I have ordered a qr ladybird to learn the basics, but i'm interested in quadcopter drone that could carry my dslr camera. I have some basics in electronics,so that is not the problem. All i have now is arduino mega adk, that i used for a few other projects. i'm interested what motors, controlers, gps and all the stuff i need, i'm also getting a dx8 in a few weeks. i know that i'm gonna need two servos for camera rotation. What would you pro's suggest me to use, o keep that about 1kg of weight camera in the air?
Thank you.
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Getting the QR Ladybird is a great start. Spending hours flying it will be a direct investment in saving your more expensive equipment, and it's also fun.
To build multicopter of any kind, this is what you need:
A flight controller, which consists of:
* A processor
* 3-Axis Gyros
* 3-Axis Accelerometers
* RC Inputs (if you want to control it)
* Servo outputs (at least as many as you have motors)
* Software for the processor to mix the sensor data and control the motors to maintain stable flight.
Aircraft:
* A ridged frame to mount the motors
* Electronic Speed Controllers (assuming electric motors)
* Motors
* Props - these come in counter clockwise and clockwise. You'll need some of both.
* A battery. Lipo is a good choice.
* A power distribution system to distribute battery power to the ESCs
* A BEC to step down the battery power to something your controller can use (BECs are also included in many ESCs)
* An RC receiver
* Wires to connect all the parts
* Nuts, bolts, or fasteners to connect it all together
Ground stuff:
* An RC transmitter
* A battery charger
Now, your Arduino Mega could be useful, if you plan to build your own IMU (the collection of gyro and accelerometer sensors) and also create your own software. However, if you do that, you are going to spend a *lot* more than if you just buy a flight computer.
If you just want a remote controlled quad or hex, you can get something like the KK Multicopter board for a flight controller or a cheaper Hobbyking version. This is nice because it is only $20 USD. However, it will be just like flying a larger version of the Ladybird. It is just a remote controlled model. Everything else on your copter can be the same, and you can swap out this controller latter for something more powerful that you can implement programed flight, telemetry, that offers gyro-stablization for your camera, and many other features.
If I were you, however, I wouldn't waste time on the KK or HK Multicopter boards (they are nice, but not what I want) and this is what I would do:
* Buy a Jdrones quad, with an APM2, a turnigy 9x (and flash to er9x) with rx, a few Flightmax 3S4400 mAh batteries, an IMAX B6 lipo charger, 4x850Kv motors, 4x18amp ESCs, and a spare parts bag and three cheap 9g servos.
* Get a nice soldering iron, shrink wrap, solder wick, and a multimeter
* Buy an old point and shoot digital camera w/ video support from eBay. 4-8MP is fine.
Then I would build the Jdrones quad. I would tune it up good, attach the cheap digital camera to the quad. Learn to build on this quad, learn to control the camera, learn to tune the PIDs.
Then, when you are happy with it, tear it apart. Go talk to Jani at Jdrones, and ask him to sell you parts to convert the quad into a jdrones hexa. Get the extra arms, new frame, two more motors, two more propellers, some landing gear, and a camera gimbal. Also get some 3DR telemetry models at this time, if you haven't already gotten them. Then build your hexa. This is the beast that will carry your DSLR camera.
THat is what I would do if I were you. Hope this helps.