Like the title says Im looking to order my first race quadcopter this week. I have been doing a lot of reading and still not sure. Think I confuse myself more then anything. I have read about the diatone tyrant 215, emax nighthawk pro 280 , and the walkera runner 250. I'm looking to stay in the 250 dollar range as I just bought a few other planes. Thanks in advance.
Looking for my first race quad, what is everyone's opinion on the best starter quad?
- Thread starter mcn5085
- Start date
PsyBorg
Wake up! Time to fly!
If you have a radio and receiver already the Versacopter can be had easily within those limits. The frame kit (most expensive color options) with the basic power pack E and a 4s 2250mah lumineer battery come to 208 dollars. Add a NAze FC for 29 dollars or the Lux for 39 and your set to build. You can save money on that with basic black color scheme and starting off with cheaper 3s batteries which would allow you to get an FPV camera / tx combo and some LEDS for line of sight orientation and be right around your 250 dollars.
That will give you options as you get better for upgrades as well as cheaper repair costs as its not proprietary stuff that only works on one quad. I have one and have modded mine and crashed the heck out of it a few times. Its pretty durable and versatile as you don't have to make it a quad or if you get bored you can change it from quad to tri to a bunch of other configurations easily enough.
I also have a runner 250 and they are hit or miss for quality. You get one that works or you get a nightmare.. luckily I got one that always worked. Pre built kits are usually more expensive in the long run then a DIY kit build. I don't know about the diatone at all but the Nighthawk pro is popular but I have not owned one to talk about reliability.
That will give you options as you get better for upgrades as well as cheaper repair costs as its not proprietary stuff that only works on one quad. I have one and have modded mine and crashed the heck out of it a few times. Its pretty durable and versatile as you don't have to make it a quad or if you get bored you can change it from quad to tri to a bunch of other configurations easily enough.
I also have a runner 250 and they are hit or miss for quality. You get one that works or you get a nightmare.. luckily I got one that always worked. Pre built kits are usually more expensive in the long run then a DIY kit build. I don't know about the diatone at all but the Nighthawk pro is popular but I have not owned one to talk about reliability.
so your looking for a ready to build set? or more like bind and fly?
im currently finishing to build my first one and went with picking a frame to then add all other components myself
that could also give you more flexibility to adjust the price point part by part, but also requires reviewing a whole lot more
in general, not only with quads, but specially with them, since they do tend to crash
the best advice i could give is to not go too cheap, since you will have more fun and it will cost less in the long term
buying very cheap might even get you fake parts, that are as useful as a ... you get what i mean
and end up buying twice, which is even more expensive
if your very uncertain, maybe try getting one of he small living room drones, to get a better feeling for how much the whole hobby is worth to you
also very helpful, is making a little list with all the things you are looking for, rated with how important it is
ie. fly fast 10, soaring 7, stunts 3, indoors 4, outdoors 8, toughness 10 etc
then do the same for the model your evaluating and compare (very easy with excel)
im currently finishing to build my first one and went with picking a frame to then add all other components myself
that could also give you more flexibility to adjust the price point part by part, but also requires reviewing a whole lot more
in general, not only with quads, but specially with them, since they do tend to crash
the best advice i could give is to not go too cheap, since you will have more fun and it will cost less in the long term
buying very cheap might even get you fake parts, that are as useful as a ... you get what i mean
and end up buying twice, which is even more expensiveif your very uncertain, maybe try getting one of he small living room drones, to get a better feeling for how much the whole hobby is worth to you
also very helpful, is making a little list with all the things you are looking for, rated with how important it is
ie. fly fast 10, soaring 7, stunts 3, indoors 4, outdoors 8, toughness 10 etc
then do the same for the model your evaluating and compare (very easy with excel)
thanks, I do have 3 small indoor drones. I have been building a few planes at the moment so I dont want to jump in with a super expensive quad. I do have a transmitter and open to a bind and fly or kit version. I have seen the number of ZMR 250 kits and all the copies of it. I have a bunch of 2200 batteries and would like to be able to use them as well. I am kinda leaning towards the Nighthawk at the moment. But with the Tyrant it has ESCs that could be replaced and that appeals to me as well.
Look at the Martian frame and build your own. Once you build your own with your own electronics, you won't go back.
Since you are already into RC you can save on a transmitter and possibly on batteries depending on what your planes use. I feel like a decent set of motors and ESCs will run you about $150 An FPV system $30 - $50, and a flight controller and receiver less than $50. The problem there is a headset will run you another $70 on the low end and can run as much if not more than the quad on the high end. :-( A Martian frame comes in at ~$30.
I would recommend either expanding the amount of money you are willing to spend, or going with the versacopter because it will better fall within your price range, and it is a decent quad platform.
Hope this helps,
DB
I would recommend either expanding the amount of money you are willing to spend, or going with the versacopter because it will better fall within your price range, and it is a decent quad platform.
Hope this helps,
DB
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