I am just starting out kinda. I have a whoop but i broke the contorller and never bothered to fix it. But, I want to try and get back in with a freestyle drone and I am not trying to spend a huge amount of money (under 600 dollars) what should I get?

it sounds like a micro could fit, maybe a build with a tadpole frame?
or a pnp?

Hi Maxy,

Welcome 


Here is my 2 cents worth. It sounds like you haven't bought any gear yet so:

In my opinion, the transmitter is the single most important part of the system. 
It will last almost forever so if you get a decent one to start then you are done
and won't need to buy anyone. The one that I would buy and will when I need
a new transmitter is the RadioMaster TX16S MK 2 (newest model) that costs
$ 199 USD at both PyroDrone and RDQ. This is a full sized, full featured radio
transmitter. This is money well spent.

Since you are on a budget, I would go with analog video. Yes, it is a lower quality
than digital, but a LOT LESS expensive. There really isn't anything wrong with 
analog and it is easy on the budget. Just for the record, I am all analog and enjoy
it very much. The quality is good enough for me.

Now, if you go analog, you can get decent goggles for about $ 100-150 USD.

So, if you have about $350 USD in the transmitter and goggles, that leaves you
with about $ 250 USD for the quad.


Personally, I would buy a pre-built quad to start out. That way you can get in the
air and have fun while you figure out if you want to build one or not. For less than
$ 200 USD you can get many decent 2.5 inch and 3 inch BNF quads. The smaller
quads are nice as they can be flown in both small and large spaces. 

Following this methodology, it will be possible to get a workable system within
your budget. 

Before you buy anything, do some research and see where you really want to go.
If you just want to have fun then stay with the smaller quads. 

If you haven't looked at the FAA regulations, then now might be a good time. 
I focus on sub-250 gram drones because I Do Not want a Part 107 pilot's license,
I Do Not want to register my drones, I Do Not want to install or use Remote ID,
I Do Not want to have any flight that the FAA would consider a Part 107 activity;
I fly solely and purely for my own recreational enjoyment ONLY; no one gets
and benefit, period. Refer to this post.

(25-Feb-2023, 02:22 PM)iFly4rotors Wrote: Hi Maxy,

Welcome 


Here is my 2 cents worth. It sounds like you haven't bought any gear yet so:

In my opinion, the transmitter is the single most important part of the system. 
It will last almost forever so if you get a decent one to start then you are done
and won't need to buy anyone. The one that I would buy and will when I need
a new transmitter is the RadioMaster TX16S MK 2 (newest model) that costs
$ 199 USD at both PyroDrone and RDQ. This is a full sized, full featured radio
transmitter. This is money well spent.

Since you are on a budget, I would go with analog video. Yes, it is a lower quality
than digital, but a LOT LESS expensive. There really isn't anything wrong with 
analog and it is easy on the budget. Just for the record, I am all analog and enjoy
it very much. The quality is good enough for me.

Now, if you go analog, you can get decent goggles for about $ 100-150 USD.

So, if you have about $350 USD in the transmitter and goggles, that leaves you
with about $ 250 USD for the quad.


Personally, I would buy a pre-built quad to start out. That way you can get in the
air and have fun while you figure out if you want to build one or not. For less than
$ 200 USD you can get many decent 2.5 inch and 3 inch BNF quads. The smaller
quads are nice as they can be flown in both small and large spaces. 

Following this methodology, it will be possible to get a workable system within
your budget. 

Before you buy anything, do some research and see where you really want to go.
If you just want to have fun then stay with the smaller quads. 

If you haven't looked at the FAA regulations, then now might be a good time. 
I focus on sub-250 gram drones because I Do Not want a Part 107 pilot's license,
I Do Not want to register my drones, I Do Not want to install or use Remote ID,
I Do Not want to have any flight that the FAA would consider a Part 107 activity;
I fly solely and purely for my own recreational enjoyment ONLY; no one gets
and benefit, period. Refer to this post.

so I did buy the BETAFPV Literadio 2 SE because I have a small whoop and i wanted to play around with it before I spent all this money. So do you think I should return it (its supposed to come to day) and get the one you recommended or keep it.

i would suggest to return it and get a radio with opetx and display. maybe a jumper t-lite pro or a radiomaster tx16

Hi Maxy,

First, a agree with Bat. I would likely return it and get a better radio transmitter.

Now, I don't know what protocol you ordered, but it is still a single protocol
transmitter and no expansion. 

Let's consider the Control Link protocols. Yes, the up and coming protocol is
ELRS and some day pretty much all BNF quads will likely use that protocol.
However, there are still other protocols that are being used and not all BNF 
quads offer the same protocol options. As long as the transmitter has a JR bay 
in the back, you can use just about any protocol with the appropriate module. 
I also prefer a transmitter with OpenTX or EdgeTX. The full size radios fit my 
hands just fine, but some like the smaller formats.

In my opinion, it is worth spending a little more and getting a better radio transmitter.
This is the one item that you will likely have the longest without the need to buy 
another one. One and done. 

I have had my original Jumper T16 for about 4 years now and it is still working fine.
The only downside is that it will not run ELRS so I will likely get a new transmitter
at some point in the future, but not yet since there is no compelling reason. My next 
transmitter will likely be the RadioMaster TX16S MKII or whatever the newest model 
is at that time.  

Welcome… advice given here is honest.. gatherered by those who have discovered “mistakes”..