DronesChart2015

 

Introduction/Definition/etc Body Text List Blade350QX3 HeliMax1SQ V-Cam RCYouRC350n250FPVFrame PropelProtonZ  7-11 Micro HoverJet techtoyz AERODRONE X6 491925 Table Remote Characteristics Future Transmitters? Others Considered Interesting Mariner Mariner2 Inland Products CX-20 GPS Swift Stream Z-9 at KMart Staples Like CVS techtoyz but with Camera Walgreens Sharper Image Box o Frame Parts, Cheap, kinda 3DR DIY Kit OpenPilot Nano Combo Kit Game of Drones Next Steps Video/Stills Walgreen's Sharper Image Sighting Links Conclusion Discussion License Page History Page Statistics Page Views:  since creating on 20151125

 

Introduction/Definition/etc

 

Document some comparisons of Drones, commercially available, to some, but not all...

 

 

Body

 

See DroningOnAboutMultiRotors2015 as a start of it, and this is followup, in a more than three type instances chart, to be built...

 

Text List

 

Copter

 

Blade350QX3

 

HeliMax1SQ V-Cam

 

RCYouRC350n250FPVFrame

 

PropelProtonZ  7-11 Micro

 

HoverJet

 

techtoyz AERODRONE X6 491925

 

Table

 

 

Copter	Cost	+	-	Notes
Blade350QX3	~$500 new w/o gimball	takes GoPro	not FPV big	crashed
HeliMax1SQ V-Cam	~$125 new $50 used	camera	broken?
RCYouRC250n350FPVFrame	$120 frame w/ 2x arms User Group discounted	FPV start of a build	just frame, unfinished expensive one real option/path	expensive, see new Blade FPV then add transmitter, batteries, HAM License, etc to real cost
PropelProtonZ	~$50 new @ one 7-11	portable availability wheels	small broken?
HoverJet	~$40 used ~$80-125 new online	odd soft foam multi remote	big? sidewinder? not listed on manufacturer's site	try trims
techtoyz AERODRONE X6 491925	$40 new now $30 til 11/28 CVS.com,  limited locations and quantities	availability guard as training wheels	no camera on this	Staples orders Camera version ~$99
TheNextBigOrLittleThing? see Others Below

 

 

Remote Characteristics

 

2 - 6 batteries AA (or AAA?), while many do 9V total 6x1.5=9, none seem to use 9V, like possibly the old days (pre NiMH rechargeables)...

USB plug on HoverJet , possible to charge LiPo on drone from remote?  High capacity and no power outlet nearby, charge from the remote, carry extra cheaper AA's?   Nowadays brick chargers...

LCD display hinted, but maybe covered over with a sticker, or higher end model HoverJet ...

Shown in FCC exhibits, but maybe not used in production?  Too expensive, confusing to users, production run costs, etc...

 

LCD display on HeliMax1SQ V-Cam , with camera, but not linked to the camera for a display like FPV with smartphones and display holders, etc...

 

Labeling says Control Multiple quads with HoverJet , most will not, and interfere with similar drones/quads nearby

 

Number of channels seem to make a difference later one, maybe connecting accessories, telemetry return data, etc...

 

None seem to have any lanyard connection to carry it around your neck, except Blade350QX3

and below...

 

Future Transmitters?

 

Spektrum DX9

 

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=SPMR9900

MSRP ~$550

SD card slot, $programmable, etc but certain protocols: DSM2/DSMX, etc

 

Spektrum DX6i

 

several vendors likely

http://www.rchelicopterfun.com/spektrum-dx6i.html

http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdId=SPM6600

MSRP ~$200

 

originally, no link to show, lost in a page conflict

try an exercise for the reader, eh, mate?

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454920/DX6i_DSMX_6_channel_Transmitter_Only_-_Mode_2

Mode 2 = left throttle?

~$130

 

 

OrangeRX 6 Channel Transmitter

 

Not even DSM2, but compatible, it says, hmmm...

 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__54821__OrangeRx_T_SIX_2_4GHz_DSM2_Compatible_6CH_Transmitter_w_10_Model_Memory_and_3_Pos_Switch_Mode_1_.html

 

~$65 + shipping

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2.4_GHz_radio_use

 

 

Others Considered Interesting

 

Not tried these below, but advertising, or similar marketing makes them interesting for some reason(s):

 

Mariner

 

https://youtu.be/UaRpTclSwX0

https://youtu.be/lz9C8ZbYBwA

water an issue?

~$1000 w/o camera(s)

 

Mariner2

 

http://www.fpvfactory.com/component/jshopping/category/view/49.html?Itemid=0

next gen Mariner called SplashDrone?

FPVFactory.com website company address is China, in case it matters...  so shipping? customs?  other dealers?

~$600 DIY w/o Flight Controller, transmitter, battery, charger, assembly

~$1600 "Auto" (camera included?)

 

Inland Products CX-20 GPS

 

http://www.microcenter.com/product/453131/CX-20_GPS_QuadCopter_RTF_-_White

MicroCenter house brand like quadcopter with some interesting features, at a price point...

~$200 on sale, regularly ~$300

open box, if available, $160?

w/o camera but none shown on their website(s)

 

http://www.microcenter.com/product/453140/CX-10_Replacement_Propellers

InlandProducts website found...

http://inlandproduct.com/about-us.aspx

but quadcopter/ drone not shown...

 

Swift Stream Z-9 at KMart

 

KMart sales money mail listed

072256, 02319363 for 3 Day Thanksgiving sale (now past)

$59 with camera, $40 off

"Also available in white. At least 2 per store. No rain checks."

ship to store?, etc...

only a 2 MP WiFi camera?  Not HD?

only 7 minute fly time

only 7 minute recording time

 

$99 black

http://www.kmart.com/swift-stream-rc-z-9-indoor-outdoor-camera/p-018W007225626001P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

$99 white

http://www.kmart.com/swift-stream-rc-z-9-indoor-outdoor-camera/p-018W002319363001P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

 

http://www.swiftstreamrc.com/z9/

for support, manuals, parts (~$40 WiFi camera), etc

 

Staples Like CVS techtoyz but with Camera

 

http://www.staples.com/Drones-UAV/cat_CL216560

techtoyz plus camera, special order? online order, ship to store, make sure you get it?

how notified?

pickup arrangements?

waitlist numbers?

out of stock?

any good?

only about 7-8 inches depending on guard size included, small props,

most online can't tell the size/weight of the drone, have to register them in January time frame with feds (FAA?),

but might be delayed, guberment takes some time, always...

Hurry up and wait...

 

Walgreens Sharper Image

 

Saw a Sharper Image drone available in Walgreens, with down facing camera for about $80, iirc

but could not find in paper flyer I took out of the store, just kickback type, buy Sharper Image, get something back, rewards/ bonus card like...

Sharper Image website doesn't show one in that range, so might be last years/ discontinued, but if not listed, not supported, also problems...

Otherwise, a different option to CVS's techtoyz AERODRONE X6 491925

and keep in mind availability and other issues.  While they had a few on display, not many likely even days later...

Limited quantities, limited stores, etc...

But if putting together a drone flying club and want different birds, commercially available instead of building skills, then more options better...  Sharper Image doesn't seem to have brick and mortar stores, like they used too, afaict/rumor(s)...

 

Photos of items on store shelf

https://picasaweb.google.com/102844625019554131696/20151203?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL33uI2tyMz-ggE&feat=directlink

 

 

Box o Frame Parts, Cheap, kinda

 

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idproduct=42504

first photos look like a complete drone for $20, called Hercules, but read "electronics not included" buyer beware, Caveat Emptor, iirc, maybe Achille's Heal is better name?

~$20 discount clearance

but ~$18 more in international shipping, but no P.O. Boxes...

 

3DR DIY Kit

 

http://store.3drobotics.com/products/diy-quad-kit

model uncertain 2014, but now 2015, going on 2016, maybe clearance / discount item?, updated description, etc

FOLDING, but to what degree, smallest size?

~$550  ARF, missing the standard stuff(s), transmitter, battery, etc

lists export control number on bottom

 

OpenPilot Nano Combo Kit

 

Not sure what all is included in this, and buyer beware, could be old/ incompatible stuff, but OpenPilot.org seems like a good org...

http://newstore.openpilot.org/usa/official-openpilot-hardware/26-openpilot-revolution-nano.html

~$250

 

Game of Drones

 

At Odds, with your $RedNeck neighbors?

https://youtu.be/pl2Z9N4Q82g

http://www.gameofdrones.com/shop/

http://www.gameofdrones.com/shop/preorder-game-of-drones-clear-action-sports-build-it-yourself-kit

preorder DIY kit ~$420

"REMOTE CONTROL RADIO TRANSMITTER, RECEIVER, BATTERIES AND BATTERY CHARGER NOT INCLUDED IN THIS KIT AND MUST BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY."

i.e. BNF plus batteries, and other essential parts

check out their manual, see how easy/hard it is to build...

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/53bef550e4b01539a52ade0b/t/55427ff9e4b0b376b18863d3/1430421497748/Hiro-BuildBook2.pdf

 

Next Steps

 

TBD, like a lot of things, rugged would be good, small, also good...

Inexpensive, fool proof, easily available, and many other characteristics also good.

Open Hardware and Software for tweaking, but easy enough that not a burden to get working...

 

PID programming...

 

Modular and reusable parts, also nice...

 

Make one with a Kevlar (tm) frame?

 

 

Video/Stills

 

Walgreen's Sharper Image Sighting

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/102844625019554131696/20151203?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCL33uI2tyMz-ggE&feat=directlink

 

Links

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2.4_GHz_radio_use

 

 

Conclusion

 

Summary of experience or similar

 

Still an expensive hobby, learning some, but very little flight time, more a function of where I have the options to fly and seasonal nature of the events...  In better weather, I'd rather go outside, but outside not an option locally, have to commute significantly/travel, use other people's places, when they approve, and/or events with several others...

 

Each of those listed is significantly different from each other to show the breadth of the different types of drones/quads available, so to call something a drone, and not specify, could be a micro, hand size, 14x8 inch fighter replica, and/or action camera base, on up to military or professional use...

 

FPV not fully explored yet, First Person Viewing, you are the bird, and can see as it does, learn the controls, instead of mentally twisting your mind around where it is pointing at this moment, based on what you can see from a distance... 

 

SAFE (tm) and hover are nice features, as is the camera transmitting, but if not taking photographs, and/or not allowed to record, just fly for a bit (5-20 minutes depending on bird), usually 5-10 minutes max for 50 minutes of charging, add another 10-15 per cool down before charging, then different birds. 

 

Can you just fly a $500 bill type thing into a tree?  Crash and lose money and time?  Sure, but why do that, like pencils, different colors, sharpnesses, darkness, sizes, shapes (carpenter's, mechanical, stubby, etc), etc...  And probably will need more than one, just start cheap, tempting to go all out, but likely a loss, by crash, and/or something else...

 

Worth taking a HAM radio class in order to do advanced FPV?

 

 

Discussion

 

A place for feedback on the page presented

 

Are you old enough to fly responsibly?

 

What rules do you think should be in place?

 

Check other flyers frequencies?

Signup whiteboard/ table showing what you might get interference from/ interfere with, like races?

No jamming allowed...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2.4_GHz_radio_use

 

Anyone else flying the same thing?  In the same place?  That will interfere?

 

How expensive are the other birds at the event?

Just there to watch?

And/or risk flying with others?

A social activity?

 

How much did it cost?

How often can you do that?

Do you need to join something to do that like AMA?

 

What did you learn?

What are your next steps?

Logging time and flying learning in a record book?

For later documenting safe flying?

Taking it seriously?  Like a real pilot would?

Lives at risk?

Or just a piece of metal/ plastic/ etc that you play with?

 

What design considerations do you have?

 

How much custom work is necessary?

Scrounge parts?

Economy of scale of buying off the shelf, v. each individually?

Package deal?

RTF (Ready To Fly = includes remote)?

BNF (Bind aNd Fly = use your existing multi remote)?

ATF (Assemble to Fly = Build it first)?

invest in a good multi use remote?

What comms standard?

 

How much commerce?

How much learning?

How much fun?

 

 

License

 

Creative Commons Share and Share Alike, Non Commercial, Non Derivative, for the whole site's contents unless otherwise explicitly stated

 

Page History

 

20151215 20070510EthicsDignityRiskJerry

• Add page headers for the text list items to make them easier to find

 

20151211 JerrySpeak

• update a little, found InLandProduct.com  website(s) , but no drone/quadcopter(s) on it, file download not working InLandUS.com, so checking on that
• spell check typos, etc
• BTF->BNF

 

 

20151209 JerrySpaceIdea

• add international shipping costs to bag o parts frame only kit

 

20151207 Jerry

• Add Video/Stills and Walgreens Sharper Image store link
• totally unauthorized in a store, but said I would write about it, so did...

 

20151204 Jerry

• Edit all the links, adding open in a new window, so flipping back and forth reduced, but likely lose all that when save, having to do it again...
• add Walgreens Sharper Image drone, but not found
• missing link for Spektrum DSM6i, lost when page conflict, multiple windows/users accessing same page, and locked

 

20151201 JerrySpaceIdea

• Adding Others and Next Steps sections plus a little cleanup/clarification, etc

 

20151129 Jerry

• Adding significant, to me, info...

 

20151125 Jerry

• Jerry created this page to compare options, prices, availability, technical capabilities, and other issues with these little birds, mechanical as they are, for future personal use...

 

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