Now that I have a flyable 250mm and I'm starting to understand what works and what doesn't in terms of my enjoyment of the hobby I think I should bite the bullet and start thinking about my next build.

I want to build a "larger" gimbal equipped quad (next is not out of the question) that will be capable of carrying a camera of up to 250g.  The camera will be either a GoPro or Sony Action cam (remember the action cams are fundamentally a different space to a GoPro) for general use, however I would like to be able to hang any tripod mountable camera from it up to 250g.

Ideally while carrying the heaviest camera flight time should be in the order of 10-15 minutes, but an option to use a bigger/heavier battery to get up to 30 minutes of hover time at the expense of camera payload would also be nice.

Initially I thought of putting together a TBS Discovery clone - it would mount my GoPro fine, has a nice looking design and there's plenty of endurance flying info out there.  The other cameras it's not really suitable for though.  

The classic DJI Flamewheel copies are an option but to be honest they always look like the lack "space" I want.  I also don't want to speed much money.  Although I will be honest and say that investing in motors and ESCs is a no brainer.

• I will use my current FlySky TX and just grab another RX (or use the i6C I have spare in PPM mode) for a full complement of channels.
  
• I am happy with my 8" Windows tablet as a ground station.
  
• Thinking a CC3D Revolution (F4) as the Flight Control as it couples the telemetry into one package.
  

So what do we all think?  Does such a beast exist?  

Oh and overall weight needs to be under 2kg - ideally 1.5kg so there's absolutely no questions about legality as a hobby flier.

For my "larger" quad, I've got a Tarot 650 Sport and with a 4S 5000 mah it's actually pretty sporty and gets about 15 minutes.  Also have a couple others including a Turnigy Graphene 10,000 mah (yeah, it's the size of a VW bus) which gives me close to 30 minutes.  As for the camera, check out the Git Up Git 2 Pro, it has exactly the same dimensions as the GoPro so any accessories and gimbals are a direct fit.  And at a fraction of the price it's every bit as good.

i'm still thinking of 450 beast,
consider also the following:
- this will not be a racing stuff more a photo/video platform
- get the FC with baro+ mag
- get GPS for it (RTH + other features)
- flying in angle or rate ? (i think angle as you don't want to break the camera on the first day)

I've got a DJI Flamewheel 450 flying with a kk2.1.5.  I built some landing gear out of carbon fiber arrows and rain-gutter straps.  This allowed a home-made two-axis gimbal holding a mobius camera to be mounted below and a battery carried between the plates.  Plenty of room for more up top or on side-plate extensions (compass, gps, etc).  With the mobius and battery, it came in under 1kg.  (I could have used a larger battery, but the flight time was longer than I could stand anyway.)   I haven't flown it in awhile, but it made a nice AP platform.

Nice landing gear idea Scotty!

Yes I'm thinking the 450-550mm size is best for me. Definitely will have a full featured GPS enabled F/C

Forming the idea more and more (it's so easy to spend money in ones head).

Because I like the way it looks I keep coming back to the TBS Discovery style of build, there's some carbon fibre decked clones around for around AUD30 delivered. I'd probably buy a couple just so I get spares

Most people seem to initially use 2212-800kvs on these things and get reasonable results. If I step it up a bit a look at 2216s I can choose between 2216-810kv OR 2216-1400kv and have the ability to swing just about any prop I could dream of if I can supply enough juice. Grabbing a set of Racestars at around AUD60 covers any of those options.

Racestars in that size come set up to use DJI style quick-release props, so I'd initially just use the 9450s and give it a go. They're about AUD15 a pair

Starting battery level is 4000mah 4S (although I can use my 1500mah 3S in parallel as well) - this enters will into the PDB discussion. I am likely to use a Pixhawk (or another cheap APM) which means I should set the input to the current sensor with a XT60 Y-cable (parallel) and then feed from the power sensor up to the PDB and beyond. Say I spend AUD50 on an entry level battery onsale.

The clone Discoverys don't come with gimbals, which is fine, and there's various 3D printed versions of the TBS style front available just BYO controller and motors... or use a set of Flamewheel landing legs and go underslung. This is what really interests me because I get "options" ...

Anyway current project looks like:

* TBS Discovery Clone in CF
* Racestar or similar 2216-800/2216-1400 (need to learn more about kv rating)
* DJI style 9450 Props
* Pixhawk or APM with GPS etc
* 4000mah 4S battery as a start
* PPM/SBus Flysky Rx
* Telemetry set

Decided to stick in the Arducopter space because my current build is APM and it just seems more "mature" when it comes to the GPS and Mission aspects I want.

Thoughts?

Well I umm-ed and ahhhh-ed about building a bigger quad for lifting a GoPro etc and finally decided to take the pennies I haven't spent building more quads and buy a DJI Spark.

It's an odd choice but in reality thanks to some savage discounting the Spark ended up costing barely more than a DIY build of much the same video capability would have cost me.

DJI Spark AUD780 in FlyMore with a 3rd battery compared to about AUD500 to build a decent 450-600mm Quad with 2-axis gimbal plus the cost of video linking and all that. The bonus for me is that I'll be carrying the Spark on holidays with me - and can even take it to the Lake near work and fly in my lunch break should I desire.