Just joined and a question

The Hubsan Quads X4 is better as your 2nd or 3rd quadcopter! I tried it as my first and promptly destroyed it......but I have another now that I have more hours under my belt and I love it!

In general, the Syma X1 for less than $40 delivered is a great first copter - BUT, if you want to get one with a camera, I'd suggest the 959 from MassiveRC (if you are in the US, otherwise you can get it elsewhere).

Even if you get this quad, disconnect and remove the camera until you learn how to fly it well. That way you'll be sure to know what you are doing once you start taking videos.

http://www.massiverc.com/PrestaShop/en/69-wl-toys-v959.html
That price includes the camera!

The Hubsan Quads is tiny and cannot properly carry a camera, but it is good for indoor flying and also flies well in the wind outdoors. Even though it is small, it is a more advanced quad than the Syma in terms of what it can do (it's more like a race car - turns on a dime, etc.)

 

They'll be about 80 years old when they finish reading all of that!

I'm with you. Look at the blacksheep videos with lust - figure you'll get there in about 5 years, then buy a couple cheapos while you look at the heavy lifters...

Of course, some folks may never want or need heavier lift. If flying is just for some learning and stress relief, the Hubsan Quads, Eye one or other minis and micros may be all you ever need! My Hubsan Quads (and some parts) come with me almost where ever I go for outside flying - even in pretty strong winds. I even put it in my backpack when I take a long walk or bike ride - it provides a nice break at the 1/2 way point in a park somewhere (luckily I am in Florida for a few weeks!).

 

Some of the minis are starting to have cams, but you are correct that it's hard to fit the high quality ones - and FPV together - on the smaller quads.

The new v959 from WL Toys has a medium-res onboard video cam which works fairly well, but doesn't come stock with FPV. In fact, I don't know of any stock units with FPV in the "hobbyist" price range, except for the Parrot AR Drone, which has just about everything in a $300 package, but is a "toy" because of the limited range.

I guess it's important to define a budget as well as one's intention in the hobby! But just about everyone is in agreement with the idea of starting small so you don't destroy an expensive machine!

Also, it is important for folks to keep in mind their level of handiness and comfort with "scratch builds" or even kits. Maybe we should start using the term "plug and play" in this industry! Of course, even with plug and play you end up pulling out the soldering iron after you destroy a motor, etc.

In terms of plug and play, starting with one of the minis (Syma X1, WL 900 series, etc) is probably the way to go, and then save up your money for a DJI Phantom($700 plus camera)....or a bit more DIY with a Dualsky Hornet, etc.

If, however, you long for the "build one" side of the hobby...then there is no limit to the options! In that case, going over to RC groups and reading the suggestions is a good way to go. The experts like figgoat seem to suggest the DJI frames as the least troublesome and with the largest knowledge base. I've priced out those frames and complete with everything they seem to get into the same price range as the RTF Phantom, so building is more a matter of customizing and enjoyment than of saving a lot of money or time.

Within a few years I expect most every $500+ quad to come complete with FPV and GPS. The prices may even fall from there as the volume builds up (mass production).

 

Nasr, just so we don't confuse you - there are two items being talked about..

1. Aerial Video or Stills - these are taken from cameras like the Keychain cams (808) or the GoPro, etc. - however, you are controlling the quadcopter from the ground and you don't see what it sees - rather you see the pics and video after it lands.

2. FPV - this is First Person View - meaning that you look through a set of googles or to a screen and you see what the quadcopter sees. This is often a complete additional system to the regular video, as it requires a completely different type of connection between the ground the the quad...usually analog video similar to security cams, etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Person_View

An example of an FPV systems for quads is at:
http://www.foxtechfpv.com/horyzonhd-full-hd-1080p-fpv-camera-v3-p-877.html

 

If you are good with a soldering iron, this can provide some good experience. If not, it's a lot of frustration.
The prices are not too much lower - for build your own. But the experience is good.

 

It's a personal preference. I've ripped my micros down to the last screw and soldered on new motors, etc. with no problems. But I'd rather fly and modify than build and troubleshoot. I was a HAM radio guy and loved building my own antennas, but never quite got the nerve to build on of those Heathkit radios! I have great respect for the quality control of mass production!

I think my next machine is going to be the Dualsky Hornet - mid-sized, assembles in an hour or so, and can probably accept a lot of modifications and improvements. It also has a nice payload if I do want to fly some cams, although that is not going to be my main use. I'll also keep up a stable of micro's and minis.....

 

Nice - I just did a review on it.....
https://www.droneflyers.com/2013/03/review-wltoys-v959-2-4g-4-axis-4ch-rc-quadcopter-with-camera/

I think it will give some good hands-on practice in low winds while you research your heavier build.
I am starting on a Dualsky Hornet soon....which is not a "build", but it is an assemble and program/install receiver model. This will provide a much heavier lift capability for me to fiddle around with various cams and other payloads.

 

Just a suggestion, but if you have not ordered yet you could wait a week or two and get the newest version of the v959, which is the v222. It is a bit more stable...

As far as other cameras, I think this could be tough without some shopping around in order to find cams and electronics that are extremely light weight. Lots of people have done it, but they are generally handy with a soldering iron and electronics. I think you have to keep the weight of all of it under about 13 grams in order to make it fly well.

There are a number of mini and micro quads coming out which include FPV systems - basic, but functional. So another option is to get a starter quad and learn the sticks and maybe clip a keychain cam on for fun and then get a unit set up for FPV when you are confident in your control, etc.

 

V222 is an upgraded version of the same exact copter - they will probably eventually discontinue the older one. It has a camera.
The price is similar - maybe $10 more but worth the money if it works as advertised...that would mean better stability, which is nice for a cam-carrying copter.

In the states, I usually suggest ordering from MassiveRC because they personally inspect and test each unit which saves you a LOT of potential problems. They also stock parts, etc.
They don't have the v222 in yet as it just came out a week or two ago and there were some production problems.....

If you are going to put your own cam in, the v212 is the new stabilized unit without the cam.
http://www.massiverc.com/PrestaShop/en/116-wl-toys-v212-rtf-space-ship-canopy.html