Hello,

I wanted to put myself out there as a brand new member of the forum. I am new to drones, but I am hooked. Been practicing with my Holy Stone HS170 Predator. I set up some hoops to fly through in my garage to help me get the feel for piloting. I am trying to soak up as much info as I can, blogs, youtube, etc... I was looking at a possible simulator, but only have a work computer so I would need to figure out how to get it on my Phone/VR headset. Any way, I am drifting. I mostly wanted to just say hello and look forward to exploring the forum and chatting with you all.

Welcome Flood, I only have a rubbish laptop..! Velocidrone is probably the least graphically intensive sim available, it has loads of tracks, a fair selection of models, a track editor and only costs 15 quid. Ideally you should get a proper transmitter (TX) to control the sim, otherwise you won't actually be learning anything useful, the 'toy grade' TX that came with your HS170 will probably not work.

Do you have an idea of what size multirotor you want to start with? I see you are in the US so I guess it will be below 250g?

Welcome to a wonderful forum!  All the folks here are awesome and helpful and I am sure you will gain excellent insight as you start into the drone world.

I second what Tom has mentioned in terms of transmitters (Radio) as a good starting point.  Your radio is your hub for all of your RC fun and will carry through sims and various aircraft (ground craft too if you are inclined).  This is an area where I wish I had just bought the one I wanted in the first place (I use a Taranis Q7x now) and skipped the intermediate radio (FlySky i6).  I use it with my sim and it has all (now many) craft bound to it.

No matter what, enjoy this hobby as it is very rewarding!  

Hey flood, glad you decided to join us. Unfortunately as far as I can tell so far no one has made even an illigtimate simulator for VR setup on the phone. I have a samsung gear and search from time to time myself.

I think that there is a mobile version of FPV freerider though if you can get a radio hooked up to the tablet somehow.

What Tom and Kaitylynn says about the radio transmitter is a good point. You'll probably want to have a good solid radio to make the sims really valuable.

As for Tom's comment about keeping it under 250, if you're willing to register with the FAA then you're covered on that one. I am feeling lazy about labeling my quads myself though TBH.

Nice to meet you guys, thanks for the advice on getting a good transmitter. I have been doing some research online and I am leaning towards the FrSky 2.4GHz ACCST TARANIS X9D PLUS. I found it for $179 on hobby king (link 2 below). I would not really want to spend much more than that, but if you have any suggests at or below that price point I am happy to hear about them. Also, to not blow the budget I will probably build up my gear slowly, goggles will come later. Currently I was planning on getting a RTF or Almost ready to fly model since I have no experience Soldering, although I am excited to learn. On the simulator front, I have to get all applications pre-approved by my IT department and I would have trouble convincing them there is a business purpose for me to have this application. I know some of the surveyors use them on the mega projects, but accounting not so much. I will see if I can find the mobile version of FPV freerider. I am hoping that maybe this cable will work (link 1 below)? I won't really know till I get my transmitter though. Is it worth trying to pair a real transmitter to my HS170 to practice and/or is it even possible? Seems like if it is possible it would be better to practice with a real transmitter. Also, any advice on a first upgrade for when I am ready to graduate from my beginner mini?

Thank you for your help and input, there is just so much to learn!!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071ZS...CHXWF4185R

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/frsky-2-4ghz...trycode=US

Does your HS170 have 'acro' mode? If the model returns to level when you let go of the sicks - no matter what mode you select - then the answer is no.
Acro mode is the only way to fly proper aerobatic maneuvers, and I doubt that it is available on your little quad. Learning to fly in sim will help you learn how the quad reacts without auto-stabilization. When the model needs you to make it level, it is a completely different thing to fly!

Re. flying your little quad with a 'proper' transmitter - You can get a multi-protocol module for most radio's, it will probably not give you the same range when using the default protocol of the TX, but they work with most toy grade and other manufacturer RX protocols.

There are even TX's coming out now that are multiprotocol as default.

And yes the Taranis X9D for $180 is good, you could save a few $$ and go for the Taranis QX7. You can use either of these radio's for sims, I think all you need is a micro USB data cable.

My mini does not return to level when I let go of the sticks and I can't find anything in the manual about it. Sounds like, my practice isn't as fruitful as I thought it was. Does that mean I need another quad or just figuring out how to get it connected to a better transmitter? I will look at the Qx7, thank you!

The drone you have will likely not bind with any other TX (radio) than the one that was provided with it.  It would have to be built around a FrSky RX and most toy grade machines are not based on open RX protocols (FlySky, FrSky, Spectrum, etc).  For this, you would need a drone that either comes sans RX so that you can solder in one of your choosing, or pre-built based on your chosen radio's protocol.

There are plenty of craft that will work with the Taranis Q X7 and they can range in cost from $50 all the way through hundreds of dollars.  I began building a 5" race/freestyle quad when I first chose to get in to the hobby.  It took me a while to finish it, so I bought an Eachine E010S to learn on.  Relatively inexpensive, ducted and small, it was durable enough for me to run in to stuff around the house and not break.

I now have several racing drones that I have built, but I still regularly fly my Whoops!

Wizard x220 used. Flies great. I’ll post a video of me flying it tomaro. It’s has some bumps and bruises but still goes hard!! Everything works great. Flysky i6. 3 3cell bAtteries “3s”. Stock charger. Eachine 800 goggles. Extra set of props. The usb simulator trainer chord for flysky transmitter. Batteries are still good. You get about 3 1/2 to 4 min of flight. Digital 600mw vtx. The failsafe is already set. Transmitter switches are set with all 3 modes angle, horizon and air mode. Arm switch already set also. The esc’s beep after 1 min of non use in case you lose it in a field. When it arrives just strap the battery on and fly. Batteries stay in transmitter. If your new to the hobby please use the simulator first, lol. Again, this is a used package but everything works great. I’ll post a video of flying it tomaro. $225 shipped anywhere in the states.


I found this on a Facebook group I joined. Since I am new I have no idea if used is worthit or if I would regret it. Seems like the transmitter and goggles are not super high end.

Although it might be getting ahead of myself.

(29-Dec-2017, 10:36 PM)Floodj32 Wrote: My mini does not return to level when I let go of the sticks and I can't find anything in the manual about it. Sounds like, my practice isn't as fruitful as I thought it was. Does that mean I need another quad or just figuring out how to get it connected to a better transmitter? I will look at the Qx7, thank you!

Just to explain, 'Auto stabilization' means when you push the pitch stick fully forward, the craft pitches to a certain point (say 40 degrees in high speed mode) and stays there the whole time you have the stick pushed fully forward, selecting different speed modes means that the maximum angle applied to the craft at 'full stick' changes (say 25 degrees in low speed mode).

Simply, the further you push the stick, the further craft will rotate on that axis, finally reaching an 'end point'. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is the way your quad flies?

In 'Acro mode' however, the further you push the pitch and roll sticks the faster the quad will rotate on that axis with no 'end point,' so if you apply full pitch forwards, the craft will flip forwards over and over again until you release the stick. 

So with a tiny touch of the pitch stick the craft will slowly rotate forwards, when you let go of the stick, the craft will remain at that angle and continue to fly forwards, until you push the pitch stick backwards again to manually return the craft to level. 

There are 'toy grade' quads (like the Eachine H8 mini)  that you can flash with community developed firmware which will provide it with 'Acro' mode. The H8 was actually my 1st quad and flashing it with 'Silverxxx' firmware gave me my 1st experience with Acro mode.

Back to transmitters, I forgot to mention the Devo 7 and Devo 10, these transmitters can have firmware installed called 'Deviation.' Deviation firmware essentially allows you to change the protocol that the radio operates on, allowing you to bind with a wide range of models from 'toy grade' all the way to professional surveying / mapping craft.

Anyway, any further questions just ask man!

(30-Dec-2017, 05:35 AM)Floodj32 Wrote: Wizard x220 used.  Flies great.   I’ll post a video of me flying it tomaro.  It’s has some bumps and bruises but still goes hard!!  Everything works great.  Flysky i6.  3  3cell bAtteries “3s”.  Stock charger.   Eachine 800 goggles.  Extra set of props.   The usb simulator trainer chord for flysky transmitter.   Batteries are still good.  You get about 3 1/2 to 4 min of flight.  Digital 600mw vtx.  The failsafe is already set.   Transmitter switches are set with all 3 modes angle, horizon and air mode.   Arm switch already set also.   The esc’s beep after 1 min of non use in case you lose it in a field.  When it arrives just strap the battery on and fly.  Batteries stay in transmitter.  If your new to the hobby please use the simulator first,  lol.  Again,  this is a used package but everything works great.  I’ll post a video of flying it tomaro.  $225 shipped anywhere in the states.


I found this on a Facebook group I joined. Since I am new I have no idea if used is worthit or if I would regret it. Seems like the transmitter and goggles are not super high end.

Although it might be getting ahead of myself.

Steer clear of used models, especially for your 1st quad, you won't have the knowledge or experience to diagnose any problems it may have, also you are entirely reliant on the honesty of the seller. You can get the wizard X220 new for $125, but without goggles and transmitter. Rather choose the TX and goggles you want, as you will use these with all of your models.

Remember as well that LiPo batteries need to be stored specifically at 3.8v per cell, if they are over discharged (ie. lower than 3.2v per cell) you can cause permanent damage to the battery, when you buy second hand you have no idea how the batteries have been treated. Technology moves really fast in this hobby too, I have a Runcam Split FPV camera, by the time it was delivered the Runcam Split 2 had already been released, buying 2nd hand stuff just compounds the likelyhood of receiving out of date products.

Really, just don't buy second hand!

(30-Dec-2017, 05:58 AM)Tom BD Bad Wrote: Just to explain, 'Auto stabilization' means when you push the pitch stick fully forward, the craft pitches to a certain point (say 40 degrees in high speed mode) and stays there the whole time you have the stick pushed fully forward, selecting different speed modes means that the maximum angle applied to the craft at 'full stick' changes (say 25 degrees in low speed mode).

Simply, the further you push the stick, the further craft will rotate on that axis, finally reaching an 'end point'. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe this is the way your quad flies?

In 'Acro mode' however, the further you push the pitch and roll sticks the faster the quad will rotate on that axis with no 'end point,' so if you apply full pitch forwards, the craft will flip forwards over and over again until you release the stick. 

So with a tiny touch of the pitch stick the craft will slowly rotate forwards, when you let go of the stick, the craft will remain at that angle and continue to fly forwards, until you push the pitch stick backwards again to manually return the craft to level. 

There are 'toy grade' quads (like the Machine H8 mini)  that you can flash with community developed firmware which will provide it with 'Acro' mode. The H8 was actually my 1st quad and flashing it with 'Silverxxx' firmware gave me my 1st experience with Acro mode.

Back to transmitters, I forgot to mention the Devo 7 and Devo 10, these transmitters can have firmware installed called 'Deviation.' Deviation firmware essentially allows you to change the protocol that the radio operates on, allowing you to bind with a wide range of models from 'toy grade' all the way to professional surveying / mapping craft.

Anyway, any further questions just ask man!

You describe how mine flies, yes. For me to do flips I have to click on the right thumb stick them push a direction to execute the flip. Thank you for clarifying.

Thanks for the heads up in used stuff. I will just get me a controller and figure out a sim.

Cheers!

Hey guys, I am moving slowly and keeping it all in the budget. I got a book that talks about quadcopters hardware and some of the basics in flight controls. I am looking at this kit, I know the transmitter is not as nice as QX7 but should allow me to get on a sim as well as fly this mini around the garage as well. 2 questions, 1) any issues with this kit 2) can I use batteries I already have?

The kit uses: 3.7V 600mah 25C Lipo battery, the ones I have are 37.V 400mah 25C Lipo batteries. I think I can, it just won't have the same amount of flight time. But since the batteries are delicate I wanted to make sure.

https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Tiny-QX...rehouse=CN

That radio is a FlySky i6 as near as I can tell. Nothing wrong with that one as a starter radio, but you might find its limitations sooner than later. For that, it is a good radio and it will allow you to bind 20 distinct craft to it. Just remember, if you start to build your own, then you will have to take that into account and order the correct RX.

That also goes for bind n fly (BNF) craft you may acquire. You will have to be careful though, many of the new Fly sky models are actually a different protocol. That was my first radio and I shifted away from Fly sky to FrSky because of too much work keeping track of RX types compatible with the i6.

(05-Jan-2018, 09:45 PM)Floodj32 Wrote: Hey guys, I am moving slowly and keeping it all in the budget. I got a book that talks about quadcopters hardware and some of the basics in flight controls. I am looking at this kit, I know the transmitter is not as nice as QX7 but should allow me to get on a sim as well as fly this mini around the garage as well. 2 questions, 1) any issues with this kit 2) can I use batteries I already have?

The kit uses: 3.7V 600mah 25C Lipo battery, the ones I have are 37.V 400mah 25C Lipo batteries. I think I can, it just won't have the same amount of flight time. But since the batteries are delicate I wanted to make sure.

https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-Tiny-QX...rehouse=CN

For close to the same price you can get Eachine Tiny QX95 and Flysky FS-i6X (a newer version of the same transmitter that supports both FlySky protocols)

or Eachine QX95S which looks like a newer version with a newer flight controler, OSD, and a buzzer. However it only comes with one 450mah battery instead of two 600mah.