RC India

Idea is to build a photography rig mostly using a gopro to start out
And then slowly scale/upgrading it up to a hex/oct which can carry a cannon 5D. (A good 1 year from today (:|~)

This is my final Quad part list to fly a gopro: (Experts in the group please advice)

• Quad essential Parts
• Pixhawk PX4 2.4.8 Flight Controller 32 Bit ARM - http://www.banggood.com/Pixhawk-PX4-2_4_8-Flight-Controller-32-Bit-ARM-PX4FMU-PX4IO-Combo-for-Multicopters-p-1040416.html
• Emax  980KV Brushless Motor -  http://www.banggood.com/Emax-XA2212-820KV-980KV-1400KV-Brushless-Motor-For-RC-Models-p-918124.html
• Emax 4in1 ESC 25A with built in UEBC - http://www.banggood.com/Emax-Quattro-25A-X4-UBEC-Multirotor-4-in-1-Brushless-ESC-Quadcopter-KK-p-931805.html
• Diatone White Sheep FPV Quadcopter Frame - http://www.banggood.com/Diatone-White-Sheep-PCB-Version-FPV-Quadcopter-Frame-Kit-p-970933.html
• Mini Ublox M8N GPS Module NEO-M8N GPS - http://www.banggood.com/Mini-Ublox-M8N-GPS-Module-NEO-M8N-GPS-for-APM-2_52_62_8-CC3D-SP-Racing-F3-Naze32-Flip32-PX4-p-1035454.html

• Communication parts (TX/RX/Radio/FPV) - I will buy these in india for obvious reasons (stuck at customs :banghead:)
• DR Radio Telemetry Air/Ground Module 433MHz - http://www.banggood.com/500mW-3DR-Radio-Telemetry-AirGround-Module-433MHz-915-MHz-For-MWC-APM-PIXHAWK-Pirate-p-982005.html
• Upgraded FlySky FS-TH9X 2.4G 9CH Transmitter - http://www.banggood.com/Wholesale-FlySky-Upgrade-FS-TH9X-FS-TH9XB-2_4G-9CH-RC-Remote-Control-Transmitter-Mode-2-p-47904.html
• Boscam FPV 5.8G 400mW AV Receiver RC305 with Transmitter - http://www.banggood.com/Boscam-FPV-5_8G-400mW-AV-Receiver-RC305-with-Transmitter-TS353-p-918125.html

• Other minor parts
• Flight Control Anti-vibration Plate - http://www.banggood.com/Flight-Control-Anti-vibration-Plate-For-APM-KK-MW-MegaPirateNG-Rabbit-p-958099.html
• CRIUS Pixhawk I2C Splitter Expand Module - http://www.banggood.com/CRIUS-Pixhawk-I2C-Splitter-Expand-Module-For-Pix-APM-Flight-Controller-p-984147.html
• MinimOSD MAVLink OSD - http://www.banggood.com/MinimOSD-MAVLink-OSD-APM-APM2-Flight-Control-Board-p-73436.html
• Low Voltage Tester 1S-8S Buzzer Alarm http://www.banggood.com/2-x-2-in-1-Lipo-Battery-Low-Voltage-Tester-1S-8S-Buzzer-Alarm-p-973987.html
• FTDI USB to serial connector - http://www.banggood.com/FT232RL-FTDI-USB-To-TTL-Serial-Converter-Adapter-Module-For-Arduino-p-917226.html

• Battery
• 4S 14.8V 5200mAh 35C Lipo Battery Main quad - Please suggest seller
• 2S 800mAh 25C Lipo Battery for FPV - Please suggest seller

So far I have calculated the weight for frame+motors+esc+FC+props and it comes out to 880g (calculated)
It still needs to carry the gopro+ stand(optional)+telemetry+fpv transmitter+main transmitter+2 battery packs  = 900g aprox (Assumption ballpark)
thats roughly 1.8KG of flying weight

My main concerns

• Have I chosen the right frame (is my frame big enough to hold all components)? should I go for a H frame or a 500X frame
• Have i chosen the right motor and ESC pair to lift up all of this weight or should I go for the 880KV motors? if yes do I also need to change the ESC to 30A ??
• Am I missing anything important that I have not considered?
• Should I change any of the above mentioned parts???  ??? ???

You have done good thing posting here. Are you sure the frame is 450 size. I think it is a 500~550mm. But it has enough room for all electronics you want to put in. Next thing is motors, I dont think motors are rated for 4s do check before buying.
Escs rating is enough for your purpose but generally 4in1 escs have drawbacks like replacing everything even if one ESC is damaged.
Motors are small for your requirement if you are going to choose that frame.

If a photography rig is your aim, then don't go for that frame. Getting rid of vibrations will be a pain. Also in future, finding a decent gimbal will be near impossible. Since you plan to upgrade the camera later on, find a frame which has landing gear so you have the option to fit equipment below the quad.
I would suggest you consider the Naza for the FC, simple to configure and will get you in the air sooner, The pixhawk is good but not required for aerial photography.

Ashim.

Thanks Bala, Yes you are right its a 500mm Frame, I had been looking at so many frames that I made an error while writing my post! The reason for choosing 4in1 ESC was to reduce weight, But if you think I should go for independent ones please suggest a possible option that you have tried, Again made an error in the battery pack it should be 3S not 4S.

My bad! i will go over each and every specification again...!!! thanks for pointing out my issues

What motors do you think I should go for right now... I will anyways be upgrading the motors when I build the Hex.... I just want to get the quad up in the air and learn from it !!!

Thanks Ashim for your comment, what frame do you recommend for my purpose? H frame of X frame? if you have a model in mind please do share....  as for the stand I was planning to use the normal plastic stand thats available... do you think I should go for those fancy carbon fiber frame/stand... please suggest the model if you have something in mind!!!

As for the FC i am going with Pixhawk because I require GPS mode incase I loose Signal I want it to return to base automatically from what I have read online doing the same with the NAZE FC will be more costly than the PX4 another reason was to learn PX4 as it can be customized a huge deal....

I would suggest you to opt for a rigid and stable frame like the TBS discovery with 880kv sunny sky motors.
For batteries- rchlipos.com

If you can up your budget, I would go for the Tarrot 650 or a clone of the same. It is carbon fibre and very rigid.
I have a Tbs Discovery and I have used it as video platform. The frame design and the DJI arms cause camera jello which defeats the purpose.
Also with the stock arms, your prop size is limited, which limits flight time. IMO The Tbs discovery is more suited to FPV.
The Naza lite with GPS will cost around the same as Pixhawk. The Pixhawk is brilliant. I have one on my Skywalker, but for AP I use Naza.
Very simple to install without the hassles of configuring much, and works great.

Ashim.
 

TBS discovery is a very good one.
You can also go for Hercules frame for a small size with higher props for high thrust.(supports 12 inch props for such a small sized frame!)

Onething for sure. Higher you go better you get. Before that what is you budget so as to suggest a better build which can compromise between budget,requiremnet and quality. On other hand what size quad do u need. Do u want to go for quad or hexa. If you want to upgrade for any mirrorless or DSLR it is recommended to go for a hexa.
As suggested tarot ironman pro 680 frame is very good for many applications.

I am building the quadcopter for practice sake, My budget is 25K Max for all parts. I plan to upgrade the frame eventually to build a Hex, So I wish to upgrade to carbon-fiber once i am completely ready to fly the Hex as it will be holding heavy/expensive equipment eventually.

I read someplace that as the frame size gets bigger it becomes tougher to maneuver the craft, not as agile.

I am planning to write some custom code for the quad with "Damped" ;D movements so that the rig can perform a bunch of pre defined moves, With a button flip once I lock it in place... Something like an "aerial dolly"  I don't know if thats a common term or if I have coined it... Thats another reason why I planned for the pixhawk as I read that coding for it is much simpler.. I might need help with that too.

I started with the 500/450 mm frame as I read someplace that its a descent platform which has a good mix of agility and weight lifting capacity. I might be wrong please do educate me If I am wrong   :).

Do you mean Tbs Discovery is not a good AP platform... what about if I use a pair (2 layers) of anti vibration plates  before the gimbal?
I feel that is a good dampener without adding a bunch of weight.... I might be wrong... (based on a review I read)


I had one more question about the tarot!!
 
Can i take the Tarot IRONMAN 650 frame http://www.banggood.com/Tarot-Full-Folding-Carbon-Fiber-4-Axis-IRON-MAN-650-TL65B01-Rack-p-89713.html
and convert it from a quad to hex? is there like an upgrade kit that comes for that???

It is not possible to convert quad to hexa as it does not have slots for extra 2 booms to be mounted but reverse is possible. Conversion of hex to a quad. You can now buy hexa frame and build as quad later on you can upgrade completely

The Tbs Discovery is a very good AP platform but we are talking about the Discovery Pro with the Aerial mob arms.
For the money that will cost, you can get a better package.

TBS disco is an FPV platform , though some (including me) use it for AP/AV , its not an ideal frame for that purpose.

For your current requirement , (AP platform to carry gopro) -  A S500 quad frame is the best bet.

Go for Emax 2213 935Kv motors or DJI 2312 960Kv motors Coupled with DJI 9" self locking props http://rcmumbai.com/products/e305-960kv3s-4motor2pair-propsaccessories/

A4 in 1 ESC is okay , but for the S500 frame its better to have seperate 20A simonK ESC (chose any lightweight one from a goodbrand) .

With this setup , A 4S 4000mAh 10-20C battery Will provide the best endurance (up to 15min)

Also for the Gimbal, get a Lightweight one like Walkera G3D or Feiyutech MINI 3D (Both these gimbals weigh less than 180 gms)

Same setup here , never got 10 mins on air

Bring it over

for gimbals and other parts .  http://hobbysea.com/index.php?cPath=97

Should i again , what all you did is enough