[EdwardMSmith]

If you're interested in a quad loaded with open source software right out of the box, take a look at the Sky Viper v2450 GPS. It runs about $150.

It runs full ardupilot code, has a ublox gps chip, a taoglas gps antenna, and the video board and transmitter software is open source.

It runs a tiny webserver that allows you to configure any of the ardupilot variables, and is compatible with most of the ardupilot ground control software.

http://sky-viper.com/product/info/V2450GPS-sd

http://ardupilot.org/

https://github.com/SkyRocketToys

[StavrosK]

Jeez, all that for $150? That's almost for free, the parts alone must cost more!

Can I connect a custom RX to it so I can use it with my Taranis? Although I guess I'll have to reconfigure everything in that case...

EDIT: Now I kind of wish there were a version of this drone with just the body, so I could save money on the radio (as I already have one).

[Ardren]

I think it's DSM2/DSMX so you'd need a OrangeRX module for your Taranis

http://ardupilot.org/dev/docs/skyviper.html

[StavrosK]

Oh wow, nice resource, thanks!

[samstave]

Also, just as an FYI, check out hovership.com - Steve doll runs that and he does some interesting things providing 3D printable components and kits, plus he’s just an awesome dude

[StavrosK]

That's interesting, if US-only, thank you!

[ptero]

Do you know how physically robust the Sky Viper is -- the article reports Bayangtoys X16 as being able to take a lot of beating; it would be great if Viper is robust as well.

[sp00ls]

Totally different classes, the bayangtoys is a brushless copter while the sky viper is a very lightweight brushed copter. Brushless will have an insane amount of power compared to brushed motors. Plus the ones on the sky viper are tiny.

The sky viper will hold well in crashes, you can pick up the non-gps version at Walmart. It's a kids toy so its made to be durable. That being said..if you're crashing your GPS assisted quadcopter you're already doing it wrong. I'm not really sure what applications a brushed GPS assist copter has though. It isn't powerful enough to carry any sort of payload and the camera quality is limited severely by that fact. Maybe useful for learning/tinkering with the code without the blender-ing capability that brushless motors have I guess.

[Nexxxeh]

Is it not a toy for grown kids? I'm pretty sure I'd get a kick out of messing about with one, and I'm an adult age-wise.

[sp00ls]

Maybe I worded that incorrectly. What I mean is that you would be fine giving a kid a brushed quadcopter without worrying that they're going to filet themselves (for the most part. Yeah they could cut themselves but the damage would be order of magnitude less than with a brushless). Giving a brushless quadcopter to a kid without any instruction would be totally irresponsible. They're still toys yeah but can be pretty dangerous if you're careless.

[exhilaration]

I'm trying to understand the difference between the two types of motors and found this: https://lifehacker.com/are-brushless-cordless-tools-worth-th... They talk about the more efficient battery use but not the added power or danger of brushless motors. Can you find a link that does explain it?

[yial]

In short brushless motors are a 3 phase ac induction motor for the ones used in quads.

Brushed motors are the classic motors that you may have played with as a kid, put in a dc current and they spin.

Brushless motors are much much much more powerful and essentially only wear out due to heat, or bearings failing.

Brushed motors can be damaged by stalling, heat, etc and much more easily.

The important part that the above poster was trying to make is that a brushed motor, any size that would be used on a retail drone/quad/ etc might spin a prop with enough force to cut..... maybe even need a stitch or two but unlikely that bad.

Whereas the brushless motors used in even small quads would most certainly need stitches, and maybe even sever a finger.

[pbhjpbhj]

Best I can find in UK is £100 on Amazon, http://amzn.to/2jblHQP (affil), https://www.amazon.co.uk/Viper-V2450HD-Streaming-Video-Drone....

Toysrus is £120, http://www.toysrus.co.uk/pdp/product.jsp?productId=TRUP21226... Smyths is £130, https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/construction-and-ca...

[WaylonKenning]

Your Amazon link I think is for an older model that doesn't mention GPS I believe?

[pbhjpbhj]

Ah, yes, I think you're right - why do companies use the same model numbers over again. Do they really have more than 26000 models, or whatever.