Quadcopter advice

[Brian]

I am thinking about buying a quadcopter and I would like some advice/recommendations.

My requirements are:
it should take (an existing) Go-Pro camera
it should have either, a controller where I can see what-the-copter sees, or, take an Android phone with wi-fi or similar
it gotta be dead easy to use (this IS a must)
it must have an inbuilt GPS capabilty
it must have "return to base" if it gets out of range or out of battery

Thats all
Willing to part with around 1000 English Pounds.

[Mytac]

Are you aware of the legal requirements of using one of these, the police and CAA are going to start clamping down really hard on unlicensed users soon, I wish you the very best with it, but just thought I would mention it. A mate of mine got hammered...

http://www.quadcopters.co.uk/caa-pfaw-guide-30-w.asp

These are the main ones to keep in mind:
• The maximum altitude is 400 feet (120 metres)
• The maximum distance from the operator is 500 metres
• The minimum visibility needs to be 5 km
• UAV must be flown in line of sight of the operator
• UAVs cannot be flown at night without special permission
• Permission must be obtained from the owner of the take-off point
• UAVs cannot be flown within 50 metres of structures, vehicles or people that are not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft. The rules are different for different weight classes unless a exemption is obtained.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mytac

A mate of mine got hammered...

Hammered as in he got hit by one or as in someone threw the book at him?

[Xk59D]

I have been flying rc for over 20 years and in particular fpv drones long before they were the in thing so I have a lot of experience with them.

If you intend to use the drone commercially then you will need to go on a course to be certified in their use. The course is normally a 2 day affair and last time I looked was about £600 and moves about based on where you sit the course. They have been quite shrewd with the use of these though and even accepting any form of payment for work you do would require you to be endorsed.

The rules for using them as a hobbyist are quite straight forward depending on how you are going to use it (I.e fpv or line of sight flying).

I would suggest you check out the rules and insurance requirements at BMFA.org and satisfy yourself you will be using it in a manner that is deemed safe and legal.

There are VERY strict regs about the power you can transmit if you intend to go the fpv route. The radio control you will use is 2.4 GHz normally so you will need to go with 5.8ghz downlink, so you are limited to 25mw of power....eBay specials are typically 200-1000mw of power and not legal to use in the UK. In this instance the CAA is not your problem, it is ofcom. I do know people who have had their equipment seized from them for being too powerful, note they don't take just the transmitter, they take the whole lot and your stuffed.

Now, the CAA is indeed the enemy of the drone flyer but it is only because of idiotic users flying in places they are not allowed to do so...I.e near airports or around people in London for example. The rules are constantly changing so keep checking and join the BMFA for the latest info and you will be fine.

For buying the kit then check out firstpersonview.co.uk and Quadcopters.co.uk.

Cheers

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

There are VERY strict regs about the power you can transmit if you intend to go the fpv route. The radio control you will use is 2.4 GHz normally so you will need to go with 5.8ghz downlink, so you are limited to 25mw of power....eBay specials are typically 200-1000mw of power and not legal to use in the UK. In this instance the CAA is not your problem, it is ofcom. I do know people who have had their equipment seized from them for being too powerful, note they don't take just the transmitter, they take the whole lot and your stuffed.

Are the Civil Aviation Authority and Ofcom the regulators in the Isle of Man (where the OP lives)?

[congerman]

DJI Phantom every time

versions 2 and 3 got better battery life

[Brian]

Yes, the Phantom 3 Pro seems to be winking at me.
Dubris, do you have any particular feeling for any model?
Or any comments on the above mentioned?

[Xk59D]

Brian,

The phantoms are expensive for what they are but they are aimed at the portion of the market who don't know anything about the hobby so they are pretty much plug and play, you pay for that. With that said they have been known to fly away on their own accord so nothing is foolproof! Google dji flyaway for info.

If I can use the rib analogy, the phantom is the Chinese sib maker, boat works well in certain conditions but it is what it is.

I would urge anyone getting in to this to do research rather than jump on the phantom. You could build it for about half what the package costs to give you an idea. So imagine what you could have with the same money!

With that said if you can't be bothered with the above then the phantom is a decent option if you get a good deal on one.

Check out other options via Google, loads about.

Rtf options-

http://www.unmannedtechshop.co.uk/scout-x4-quadcopter/
http://www.walkera.com/en/category2.php
http://www.walkera.com/en/category.p...&parent_id=117
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...pter_PNF_.html

Or build your own with bits from here-

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...rame_Kits.html

Cheers

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Poly

Are the Civil Aviation Authority and Ofcom the regulators in the Isle of Man (where the OP lives)?

CAA is world wide, if it flies they have the power to stop it if they wish. They hate the influx of people not knowing anything about rc buying these, it is a serious threat to the hobby for me with idiots buying these.

I don't know about ofcom, I would guess they cover it though as the frequency allocation is normally agreed in large regions. Anyways, one to look into for the Op.

[Brian]

That is absolutely excellent, Dubris!

Thank you very much for this info.

I shall read and continue my research.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

CAA is world wide, if it flies they have the power to stop it if they wish.

Eh? CAA is a UK body, it may have the power to stop a british flagged aircraft or registered pilot anywhere in the world but how could it stop a Frenchman using one in France, or an American in Texas?

[Lee40]

Phantom Vision 2 plus Selling mines with 2 batteries not used much.
Make me an offer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAFBF4gBoFQ

Cheers
Lee

[Xk59D]

Originally Posted by Poly

Eh? CAA is a UK body, it may have the power to stop a british flagged aircraft or registered pilot anywhere in the world but how could it stop a Frenchman using one in France, or an American in Texas?

They all sing from a very similar sheet when it comes to aviation rules as you would expect. Google your chosen country and CAA and you'll find rules pertaining to you. Even the FAA for our friends away yonder can be found under CAA via Google if you wish.

Put another way, if you do wrong "A" CAA will probably come calling or of com in our case for transmission issues. Again, Google whatever country you are in to be sure you stick within set power and frequency restrictions.

Cheers

[Alex Brown]

lagged reply on this thread, sorry! - did you end up buying a copter in the end Brian?

I take my copters out on the water with me when I can, although landing can sometimes be difficult depending on wave conditions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gy9yDNFbSI

-Alex

[Brian]

Hi, Alex. Nice to "talk" to you again after 12(???)years.
I will always remember your kindness when we popped into Milford in Cyanide.

Yes, I did buy a copter-a P3P-but not NEARLY as nice as yours though!
Here is a sample:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHlnPXWTazQ

[Xk59D]

Nicely done alex.

The phantom 4 is out in a couple of weeks but tbh it isnt worth upgrading from the 3 imo.

Ive pre ordered the new typhoon H, due next month.

I got this one because the camera can come off and go in a hand held grip, has retract landing gear, 360 degree continuous camera and it folds down into a small backpack.

https://www.dronesdirect.co.uk/p/yun...cLhhoCIJbw_wcB

[Brian]

Nice one Xk59D---very, very nice!