Hi there! I'm Juan, completely new here and I'd really appreciate if you could help me. I've already been reading many beginner blogs and opinions, but I'd like to know your experiences in quality as well. I'd like to buy my first FPV drone (quadcopter). The fact is where I live: South America. As some of you might know, it's really complicated to buy technology here: it can be TOO expensive (let's say an AR Drone 2.0 would be around 1000 usd here) and it can also be VERY difficult to find variety or quality. A friend of mine is flying to the USA in a couple of months and I'm considering asking for a quadcopter. What I pretend is: - An FPV quadcopter. I don't have any GoPro (yet?). I don't expect anything very professional, I'd use it as a hobby. - A relatively small drone: it would travel in a handbag if possible (is it too "impossible"?). I'd love to avoid it travelling in suitcases due to the risks handling them (not by my friend but the airports), but it could be the last option, wrapped in many many clothes. - It does not necessarily have to be Ready-To-Fly (especially if it helps the drone to fit in a smaller place), but it would be a plus not having to buy tens of separate parts, one of which could have a delay or problem arriving. Modding would also not be a problem, as I have a certain understanding of electronics and software. - It must be of a good quality. I mean, even if parts can be bought later, that wouldn't be easy for me considering my location. So it would be useful to buy a "life-resistant" drone, for indoor and outdoor use. And, a little less important: - I was expecting to spend not more than 600-700 usd. I know it is an inversion, but of course I'd expect a good price-quality relationship. - It would be great to have a relatively good range and autonomy. The options I've seen so far are: - Walkera QR X350 Pro with a DEVO 7 and an iLook Camera for $799 (http://www.amazon.com/Walkera-QR-X350-DEVO-Quadcopter/dp/B00JBD2TSI). - Parrot Bebop with the Skycontroller for $899 (http://www.amazon.com/Parrot-Fisheye-Camera-SkyController-Bundle/dp/B00OOR911E). - Quanum Nova/ CX-20 (http://www.amazon.com/Cheerson-CX-20-CX20-Auto-Pathfinder-Quadcopter/dp/B00J7OGX9C/r) for $350 plus some camera. - DJI Phantom FC40 for $649 (http://www.amazon.com/DJI-Phantom-Quadcopter-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B00HJOTIFS). The Bebop seems to be lighter and smaller than the Walkera. But also newer, which might mean it's not yet perfectly reviewed. The Walkera seems to be better in autonomy and many people like it. Both options are more expensive than my price target, but I could analyse it if there is no alternative... The Cx-20 seems to be a nice and convenient option. Many recommend it as a nice less expensive alternative for Phantom versions. But it's also quite new. I've found almost no information about non-RTF quadcopters. If there is a nice kit out there I'd really appreciate some comments about it. Thanks a lot in advance and sorry for the length of this post, but provided it's a big inversion I'd like to research as much as possible. PS: I've posted links to Amazon because I know they are trustworthy and I've already bought there many times when abroad. I've read about HobbyKing and some other sellers, but some people complained about hidden shipping costs or similar problems. Trustworthy alternatives would also be appreciated. The item(s) would be shipped to the hotel or picked up personally somewhere.
It's going to be very difficult with some models if you cannot order replacement parts, etc. An indoor model is 100% different than an outdoor model. Flying for fun is 100% different than flying to get pictures of video. No model is lifetime..... Out of the units you mention, the Phantom 1 (FC 40 or plain Phantom 1) is probably the most reliable and flexible in terms of adding things. For example, you could get a Phantom 1 and add FPV to it and add various cameras. Can't you order direct from DJI's web site? The boxes for these are fairly large - they would work as "carry-on", but you could not easily hide it.
Hi webman, thank you very much for your answer! Of course, I know no model is lifetime. It was just a way of saying that I would spend a couple of usd more just to have something a little more resistant. I've read not exactly nice comments of AR Drones with broken parts or so after slightly crashing. Maybe my philosophy would be like the Bebop's in terms of versatility (indoor/outdoor use) and relatively good for FPV as well, right? But I know it's quite expensive for what it offers, so maybe it's not the best option. I hadn't considered buying a Phantom 1 and adding a camera, I like the idea! In DJI's website there is a nice price for the Phantom 1 (479 usd). A brushless gimbal would not be important for me as long as it does have a fixed camera holder. However, I should buy a whole FPV kit as well, right? It's not only the camera (150 usd or more) I would need in order to have FPV, am I wrong? In Amazon I've seen kits for around 300 usd or more, which makes it inconvenient, I think. But if I can find a nice price for the FC40 it might be a good alternative, I think, as it is ready for live FPV as I understand. I could order from DJI's site but not ship it here, I think... I don't trust the post service here, and, even if it does come perfectly, import taxes might make it inconvenient as well. But ordering from DJI's site to the USA sounds good. Is the Cx-20 not good? The price and some comments I've read consider it a nice and complete option... Or another option I've not seen/mentioned yet? Thanks a lot again!
