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Should I get into drones?
#1
I am debating getting into drones but there are many cons to it. I am a high schooler and building my own drone will take up much time and money. From most of what I have read, building your own drone is much better than buying one ready to fly. Unfortunately, I do not have many of the tools required to build a drone but I know someone that does. Is it worth all of the time, money, and commitment? I already have one hobby and I'm not sure starting another one is a great idea. However, it does intrigue me and I love photography. With the drone and GoPro you can get some amazing videos and shots.
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#2
If aerial photography is what you want to, get yourself a DJI. Building an AP drone will cost you more and not as refine.
[-] The following 3 users Like voodoo614's post:
  • Tom BD Bad, Oscar, Esy
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#3
I agree with Voodoo, if you just want to take aerial pictures then a DJI or similar is the way to go. Scratch building an AP rig will cause much head pain for a 1st timer. Keyboard Kid (aka Bob Young) is one of the forefathers of RC technology and has been working with RC since the 60's, check out the 'Heavy Lifters' thread to see 30 odd pages of frustration for him trying to create a quad that will lift 4kg's of payload. Seriously though have a look at the thread, the frustration is interspersed with many interesting and humorous stories from one of the hobby's greats!

If you are looking for something to fly 'like a fighter pilot on LSD', then check out this $180 build by Oscar...
Windless fields and smokeless builds
[-] The following 3 users Like Tom BD Bad's post:
  • Oscar, Esy, unseen
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#4
+1 to above posts. If you want an aerial photography platform, get something that works out of the box. To the more expensive DJI option, there's also cheaper "faksimiles" though, a friend of mine is for example using a Yuneec 500 with great success.

If you want "action stuff" like you mostly see in the video section of this forum, in order to find out wether you might like it you could try one of the free simulators with a gamepad if you have one, and already take the first steps in learning to fly. Smile

About the tools - a soldering iron, a screwdriver and some hex wrenches, a bit of loctite and you're good to go. Thumbs Up
[-] The following 2 users Like fftunes's post:
  • Carl.Vegas, Oscar
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#5
My take on it... if you're going for aerial photography then the guys above have you covered.

If you're thinking about flying race quads, with minimal sensors running and full control and constant repairs and learning all about battery technology and all that fun stuff... Then you need 2 things. Time and money. If you have both it's VERY worth it. Its one of the best hobbies I've ever had. I wouldn't have been able to keep up with the hobby as recent as 4 or 5 years ago though because I am constantly putting money into something and I am not sure my income would have supported it. Luckily for me I make more money now, and when I don't feel like forking over a ton of cash for builds I just spend more time on simulators. Sometimes what does hold me back, is time. Between the time you spend repairing the quads, charging batteries, flying on simulators learning new tricks and techniques, watching tons and tons of youtube videos (I consider this a requirement personally :p ) and then the actual time you spend flying... it's a LOT of time commitment. On weeks that I actively fly I could spend a total of 10-30 hours that week on my quads. Of course, some of that time is multitasking. Like I'll probably watch TV or do work on my computer while I am charging batteries for example. Or better yet, watch the youtube videos in the video forum here on intofpv Smile

Oh also, I know people might disagree with this... but don't be too afraid to get an ARF quad to start... I know that everyone says start with your own build but sometimes having solid equipment when you're new is a big help.
carl.vegas
Current Quads: Operational: Diatone GT2 200 In need of repair: Bumble Bee, tehStein,  Slightly modified Vortex 250 
[-] The following 1 user Likes Carl.Vegas's post:
  • xcalibur
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#6
This hobby may be a little too time-consuming as I'm sure at your age you're pretty busy going to high school, studying and GIRLS. My advice? Don't do drugs, go to college.
[-] The following 1 user Likes RENOV8R's post:
  • Tom BD Bad
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#7
(11-Jan-2018, 03:00 PM)RENOV8R Wrote: This hobby may be a little too time-consuming as I'm sure at your age you're pretty busy going to high school, studying and GIRLS.  My advice? Don't do drugs, go to college.

I read this as "and studying GIRLS"  ROFL
Windless fields and smokeless builds
[-] The following 1 user Likes Tom BD Bad's post:
  • Carl.Vegas
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#8
(11-Jan-2018, 03:00 PM)RENOV8R Wrote: My advice? Don't do drugs

You have to say, FPV is like a drug. You fly high like a kite (actually more like a bird), you are always looking for that next high (whether a new build or breaking your quad doing that next trick), you are always spending money and you are addicted!

To OP, don't get me wrong, this is a great hobby. FPV is a lot more fun than AP. Don't recommend AP as a first build but definitely FPV as a first build.
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