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by dirktheman
4395 days ago
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The DJI Phantom is pretty much the standard in consumer-grade multirotors. It's plug & play, sold as a complete package with transmitter included, and for what you get it's actually not that expensive. If you're reluctant to fly a $500-$1000 UAV, get a cheap multirotor first and learn to fly. The Hubsan X4 is under $50, for instance. If you're a tinkerer you can build your own for a lot less, but be prepared for a LOT of fiddling to get it right (and the crashes that come with the fiddling). I fly a DIY F330 (same dimensions as the Phantom, only 'naked' frame) with an Arduino-based flight controller (APM2.6). It has some advantages over the DJI system, such as unlimited waypoints for autonomous flight. It can carry a gopro, and replacement parts/batteries are a lot cheaper if you get them from China. I don't get anywhere near the battery duration of the DJI, though.
So: if you're looking for a new hobby: build your own. If you just want to fly: get the DJI. |
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Among the differences: the Phantom has an actual radio, with ranges of over 500m (it would be very surprising if Wifi covered the advertised 300m of this new Parrot); you can change cameras as you wish (or, after a crash), it can fly really high and really fast, etc.
You can get a Phantom 1 for under $350 these days (without a gimbal), or a 2+ (camera and gimbal included) for around $1000. I would recommend buying the 2 without gimbal ($550) and the Zenmuse gimbal ($150-$200) -- and if you already have a GoPro you're all set.
Alternatively, you can buy a Hubsan H107D FPV which comes with a radio with a screen, for under $150! I don't own that one, but I have the Hubsan X4 which is a lot of fun (and completely safe to fly indoors).