Hi everyone, I've been researching quads and helis for some time now and I've been unable to find anything that fits what I'm looking for, and I don't want to start building something from scratch before asking enthusiasts (all of you). Thanks in advance for your help! How would I go about finding out how much weight any particular model can carry and how much weight one can lift (off the ground)? etc. Also, what determines stability? Can a heli theoretically carry a camera with the stability that a quad can if it were programmed to do so? or does the quad setup offer stability that a single (heli) can't achieve efficiently? How powerful are the motors on the helis and quads? Which RC heli/quad is most friendly to custom programming (i.e. I literally code the flight instructions for the transmitter)? Maybe hacking might be the right word, I'm not sure. Thanks everyone! I look forward to your replies! -Justin
Maybe the Cheerson CX-20 will work for you. I have been flying the CX-20 for 6 months or so and it is a very hacker friendly platform. It does have a USB port and ALL variables can be programmed via "mission planner" software. The CX-20 has an impressive flight control computer for an over the counter quad. It even goes as far as planning a flight path and you can send it off on it's own! It is open source so the limits are only your own. Take a look at the CX-20.... well worth the $300 (or less) It does use brushless motors so you can upgrade the ESCs, motors, and props to meet your "special" requirements. With proper upgrades to the battery, props, antennas it can fly a good distance, carry a fair load, and support a decent camera / gimbal setup. I'm used to fly the RC copters.... but they are not as easy to master. A Quad with a good motor / prop / battery setup can lift a great deal of weight. DO your homework on motor KV and prop length relationship. A 'Low" KV number (more torque) with long props can lift..... a lot
