Budgetcopter

Not surprisingly the X525 frame has sold out already, and the next best price I could find it for was 150% the price. So while I wait for it to be restocked, I'm researching the best combination of components to make a stable quadcopter for the minimum cost. Obviously a scratchbuilt frame would be cheapest, but considering what you can get off the shelf for very little money and the importance of a rigid frame, I have gone for a pre-built frame.

I chose the x525 frame which looks excellent quality. I have seen another, which is better...
The Turnigy Talon V2 is similar size but all carbon fibre chassis, and thus weighs in at 280g vs the x525's 385g. That's over 100g difference.
However - it costs twice as much. Decisions decisions...

I will try the 39g FC2822 motors, as I have an FC2805 that has run well for over a year. Should get 700g+ thrust on a 10x4.7 at 14A, for $6 per motor. That gives 2.8kg max thrust on a 1kg setup, so 9x5 props could work as well.


Parts for 'Budgetcopter 1' will be:

1 x X525 V3 Glass Fiber Quadcopter frame 600mm              $21.77
4 x FC2822 - FC 28-22 Brushless Outrunner 1200kv             $27.96
4 x TURNIGY Plush 25amp Speed Controller                       $47.24
1 x HobbyKing Multi-Rotor Control Board V3. Atmega328     $19.99
Total $117
(With the Talon frame it would be $145)

I'll add a build log as I go.

How much beer would a multicopter lift if a multicopter could lift beer?

Now here is a fun idea. Hobbyking's Multirotor beerlift 2012 competition! You can win Turnigy Talon Carbon Fiber Quadcopter Frames and a ton of store credit. Hopefully I can get mine ready in time. This should both be instructional and hilarious.

Who's taking a copter to SEFF 2012?

If you've forgotten SEFF 2012 is coming up on April 22-25, this is a reminder - REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY, April 1. Go Here to register.

What is SEFF? ... Well, it's arguably the most fun weekend a flyer can have, and if you've never gone it's something you really must experience. This video probably describes it best: