What should I get?

[airplanedog]

Hi, world. I'm 13 and I'm learning how to fly via Liftoff Simulator. (8 Hours) I was wondering whether I should get the IRC Vortex 285, IRC Vortex 250 Pro, IRC 150 or build an ImpulseRC quad. I saw that the IRC 285 is only $200, I thought this was a good deal. But looked at some of the specs of the 285 and some reviews and review videos. I didn't really like the F1 Chip or that the props could cut the Lipo Batteries in a crash landing if I don't disarm my quad fast enough or if the impact is immense as impaling the props in the Lipo.

As well as the durability of quad itself like how often do I have to replace the plastic parts on the quad, etc. The IRC 250 Pro is a lof of money for me. But for the reviews it is an absolute Tank and that it's a pain to take apart but easy to work on. I would get the 250 but it is pricey.

So I'm wondering is it worth it fro all that money to get it or are there better alternatives like the IRC 150. I think it's too tiny but what do I know I don't own one all that I know is that it is 15omm diagonally that that about it in terms of size. The final option I'm considering should I finish my build of a quadcopter. One of the concerns has in to tune it.

I'm not very knowledgeable on the PIDs and such stuff of that nature. I'll put a list of the parts I plan to build with. I will eventually build this I'm just wondering whether I should Start with a pre-tuned good flying machine to just fly with or should I build it now and not have to spend the extra money for an IRC quad.

So I have what I personally think a lot of FPV Knloage from A Lot of research fro Articles and videos. But lack in the experience/Wisdom side of things.

I plan to make an article and post it when I have my final choice. My point of the article is to pretty much beg random strangers to give money to a 13-year-old so I can buy that option. ( As I'm Re-reading this I seem like an old desperate person posing as a 13-year-old, No offense to old people)

I currently own one Tiny Whoop, A few Lipos (2x 1000mah 3s, 2x 2200mah 3s), Spektrum DX6i, FT Tri-copter, ImpuseRC 5",4x Lumenier 2206 2350kv, Fatshark HD3 and some miscellaneous stuff.


1x Flyduino KISS Flight Controller $44
4x http://store.rotorriot.com/flyduino-kiss-24a-esc/ $106
1x http://store.rotorriot.com/rotor-riot-special-edition-runcam-swift/$40
20x http://store.rotorriot.com/hq-prop-5x4x3-props-pair-red/ $40
1x iSDT SC-620 500W 20A MINI Smart LCD Battery Balance Charger $85
1x ISDT 160W 27V XT60 PFT Power Supply Adapter (CP-16027) $60
1x XT60 Parallel Balance Charging Board (XH 2-6s) $15
1x http://store.rotorriot.com/tramp-hv-600mw-5-8ghz-video-transmitter/ $50
$427

15x Thunder Power Adrenaline Series 1300mah 4s 80c $35
15x http://store.rotorriot.com/lumenier-1300mah-4s-60c-lipo-battery-xt60/ $30
15x Tattu 1300mAh 4S 75C lipo battery pack with XT60 plug $27
Average $30.61
$459.15

Total
$862.15

(Maybe)
1x DX9 Black 9-Channel DSMX Transmitter Only, Mode 2 $449
or 1x http://store.rotorriot.com/taranis-x9d-plus-tx-with-soft-case-mode-2/ $225

Total
$1311.15
$1087.15

 

[Liam B]

I'm 13 too. I'm getting a KISS'ed Alien 6" for my birthday in April. I don't have have that much money, but I'm working this summer and I think an Alien sounds appealing. The Vortex's are really good too, but I think building your own quad would be more benificial, especially since you learn how to fix it.

Also, go Taranis. I've asked the guys at my flying club, and they love their Taranis's. Plus, they're WAY cheaper but full of value.

As for the charger, a dual charger like https://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84_815_873&products_id=5700 might be a bit better in the long run.

Just out of curiosity, how are you coming up with $1311.15?

 

[PsyBorg]

Impressive and ambitious wish list ya got there.

Several things to consider. Buying a prebuilt has its advantages of open the box/ slap a battery on it and go out to do your thing. The ones you are talking about are proven models but as you said pricey. You do have the advantage of direct support for issues or problems. Draw back is you are locked into specific parts, have to deal with one place for them so if they happen to be out of stock you happen to be out of luck.

Building one is really pretty straight forward if you can follow instructions specially a KISS Alien build. Not only that I think it is a step up from even the Vortex prebuilt. The minus is you have to build and you have to have decent soldering skills as well as a high degree of attention span to follow each step to do the build. The plus is you KNOW the craft literally inside and out when it is finished. Its a tank. Its also an extremely agile and stable craft once you get past the tuning curve (BUT the new Dshot flies great with stock pids as well as no longer needing some of the more complicated set up steps)

In any case between your two choices there are many people here to help guide you thru getting in the air either way.

I do suggest you start watching several people in the community's videos for different methods to tune a quad as you will have to do that for any and every multi copter you will own at some point. If you are detail oriented or technically based in thinking I suggest both Painless360 and Joshua Bardwell's video series for tuning the various flight controllers. If you are more of a monkey see monkey do learner like myself Skitzo did a tuning video that got me in a better way in a few days time then I got in the previous year trying traditional methods.

In any case I will give the wisdom of do not rush into race quads. Do some research, do some learning, and rack up a bunch of hours on flight simulators like FPV Freerider (this one feels the most realistic to actual flying to me), Hotprops would be next on my list, and if you want a more video game like sim where there is more to do but not necessarily the best flight modeling there is DRL. (my opinion only nothing wrong with any of these to learn on)

I also agree on getting a Taranis for a radio if you have the funds. It is extremely versatile after you get over the new thing to learn curve as well as upgrade-able to use on any type of protocol used today. I recently got thru scratching my head a lot to learn all the features and how to use and set them up (Not really as bad as that sounds)

 

[airplanedog]

Just out of curiosity, how are you coming up with $1311.15?

Working at Family business during the summer, Birthday, Chrismas money. Over about 1 1/2 - 2 years.

 

[Liam B]

Working at Family business during the summer, Birthday, Chrismas money. Over about 1 1/2 - 2 years.

Cool. I'm also going to be working in the family business over the summer.