Keep in mind, you'll always be using the sticks to keep it under control. I can't go more than a few seconds hands free on any of mine that aren't using a GPS position to hold it in place.
Drones, not just for .gov surveillance anymore
- Thread starter Oso Grande
- Start date
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
It's probably freezing to death, poor little drone.
Ratdog68
LSB Official Story Teller
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Otay, a little progress. Anchored each motor mount to the frame with Super Glue, it's sort of taking a liking to trim settings with the first charge/flight. Time to tinker some and see how it progresses.
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Sweet. Get er' flyin time!
Confidence is key!
Ratdog68
LSB Official Story Teller
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
What a HUGE difference !! I picked up a Blade Nano QX today (and a couple of spare batteries). This one will hover (a few stick tweaks throughout to maintain, but NOTHING like the littler one) !!
Gonna see if I can get this one trimmed better than "out of the box", but at least I'll be able to learn the basics with this one. With removable batteries (and two spares) you can have a fresh one ready to go in the time it takes to burn through the first pair of 'em.
Radio is a middle sized unit. Definitely nicer than the pocket sized one, and, I THINK I can bind my full sized radio to this one as well. That should make it really nice. But, this is a nice tool to learn basic flight on.
Long story short, if you're considering a "Blade" product to learn on, the Nano is a good choice for an additional $30 over the Pico. Two spare batteries for the Nano were just $16.00 extra, and they were 1800Mah, over the OEM's 1500Mah rating. Meaning... a little more flight time per charge. This way, you can keep flying while charging another. The Pico's built in battery means a LONG wait for your next 3min. flight, and won't really hover much at all.
We're havin' fun now, and I've got a few days of R&R to play with it. Got most of my errands done (the most critical ones at least).
Gonna see if I can get this one trimmed better than "out of the box", but at least I'll be able to learn the basics with this one. With removable batteries (and two spares) you can have a fresh one ready to go in the time it takes to burn through the first pair of 'em.
Radio is a middle sized unit. Definitely nicer than the pocket sized one, and, I THINK I can bind my full sized radio to this one as well. That should make it really nice. But, this is a nice tool to learn basic flight on.
Long story short, if you're considering a "Blade" product to learn on, the Nano is a good choice for an additional $30 over the Pico. Two spare batteries for the Nano were just $16.00 extra, and they were 1800Mah, over the OEM's 1500Mah rating. Meaning... a little more flight time per charge. This way, you can keep flying while charging another. The Pico's built in battery means a LONG wait for your next 3min. flight, and won't really hover much at all.
We're havin' fun now, and I've got a few days of R&R to play with it. Got most of my errands done (the most critical ones at least).
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Sounds like fun. I was just using my new key fob "spy" cameras to spy on ....well nothing, but they are too heavy for the lady bug. Could barely get off the ground and I had it mounted on top so it was all prop noise. So I decided to practice in the house. Put it on beginner mode inside for better control.
Ratdog68
LSB Official Story Teller
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
No, too expensive to fly home for just four days off... nearly half of that time off would be travelling. I'm hanging out in Anchorage for my four days off. Cheaper to just get a hotel room and rental car.
Dan... there is a Blade Nano QX FPV model. It doesn't record, but you can view your "cockpit" perspective with goggles or a monitor screen receiving the transmitted signal. I think those run about $130 (not including the sinal reception/viewing gear.
I'm opting to not have a camera on board of a little trainer. Once I get some more piloting skills, I can adapt an FPV camera to my bigger one waiting for me.
I got a chance to eyeball some multis first hand today... including my Blade 350 QX3. Makes me want to start building one from scratch. LOL
Dan... there is a Blade Nano QX FPV model. It doesn't record, but you can view your "cockpit" perspective with goggles or a monitor screen receiving the transmitted signal. I think those run about $130 (not including the sinal reception/viewing gear.
I'm opting to not have a camera on board of a little trainer. Once I get some more piloting skills, I can adapt an FPV camera to my bigger one waiting for me.
I got a chance to eyeball some multis first hand today... including my Blade 350 QX3. Makes me want to start building one from scratch. LOL
Last edited:
Ratdog68
LSB Official Story Teller
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Yeah, the break will be good. I was ready for a little rest. 90hrs. a week for five straight (twice thus far this year) runs the batteries down a bit. Stayed up late last night watchin' a number of episodes of Swamp People (the 'gator hunter series). Had me a nice round of fajitas for lunch today, and kicking back with some good coffee this afternoon.
Told you it was going to come to this.... ;)
The small ones as you guys are finding don't like carrying recording cameras. Every gram counts.
Ratdog68
LSB Official Story Teller
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Oh, 'twas my intent all along, but I figured I'd better learn on one pre-built. LOL
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Those little key fob cameras are all plastic weight. I was thinking of taking off the covers and using a little tape to hold it all together. The guts weigh very little. Bad idea?
Not a bad idea, I've done it before. But while the ladybird will lift off with the stripped down camera, it won't fly well enough to be useful. Been there done that, even tried removing the cam's battery and powering it off the flight battery...
The little ones are great trainers, but the only way to really record anything well is by recording the downlink which has its own challenges.
Its fun watching you guys make leaps and bounds learning these things!
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
Are you getting goggles? I feel intimidated by them somehow.
RattlesnakeDan
San Antonio Texas
LSB TURKEY BUZZARD PRESERVATION SOCIETY
SUS VENATOR CLUB
LoneStarBoars Supporter
I'm glad you have tried the same things, keeps me from ruining more stuff.
Don't let the goggles intimidate you too much, they give a much more immersive feel. I'm bound to be out your way before too long and I'll set you up with my spare set of goggles and take you for a ride. You'll see the draw over a screen.