The best "toy grade" ready-to-fly quadcopter systems right now

"Toy grade" isn't an insult any more. They just keep getting better, rapidly. All prices include shipping to US, takes about three weeks.

HJ 993 Drone - Best Beginners Nano Quadcopter
Indoor and outdoor (in low winds)
$15

[video=youtube;SUceID6G7hE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUceID6G7hE[/video]

FY326 Q7 Drone, less expensive Syma X5C clone
Mid-sized, 150m range without antenna mods, ~70m range with 808 camera
$26 with coupon, $32 without

[video=youtube;mCSjh5x6KIc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCSjh5x6KIc[/video]

Tarantula X6
Large, can easily carry a Mobius cam, 300m range without antenna mods
$71

[video=youtube;iZyc6Ij2EmA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZyc6Ij2EmA[/video]

EDIT: corrected X6 range from 150m to 300m; corrected 808 camera data for Q7

I have some of these Nano Drones on order. These are an updated version with blade guards.




https://www.morrisoninnovations.com/product/nano-drone-beginners/

Cool! I love your tech updates & finds! Thanks!

Worsaer said:

I have some of these Nano Drones on order. These are an updated version with blade guards.

View attachment 259257

https://www.morrisoninnovations.com/product/nano-drone-beginners/

Click to expand...

Yes, those are CX-10 clones. The HJ 993 in the video above is the latest and greatest CX-10 clone to be released. Hate to say it, but $60 for one of those is a rip-off. I see it's only available as a "pre-order" and, if I were you, I'd cancel it if you can. Even US sources of CX-10s and CX-10As only charge around $25 for the quadcopter/TX combo and you can buy the prop guards for a few bucks or less shipped on eBay, from Banggood, Gearbest, and other sources, even from US sellers on Amazon. So paying $60 for a version with prop guards definitely isn't worth it, especially considering that even Morrison Innovations sells the CX-10 itself for $35 (high):

https://www.morrisoninnovations.com/product/nano-drone-worlds-smallest-quadcopter/

The claimed benefits of the $60 version:

Built-in side and top impact guards to help prevent blade damage (can be had for $2 or less shipped)

Landing Skids that help keep the rotors off the ground and carpet (not needed, props only touch if landing inverted and the prop guard prevents that)

3-Speed calibration that provides smoother lift and maneuverability (I think they might be talking about the 3 standard modes on nearly all micro and mini quads; if they aren't, controller cal on the HJ 993 is proven to be more than adequate; see the hands off controller hover in the HJ 993 video above)

Improved 6-Axis Stabilization for better hovering capability (possibly true, just that it is definitely Chinese sourced, so it may even be the new and improved HJ 993 CX-10 clone I linked to above that costs only $15 shipped, especially considering that the $60 quad is a pre-order and that the HJ 993 just came out from one of the CHINESE sources that always get new versions first)

Hard sided packaging that doubles as a protective storage and travel case (use an empty rectangular Altoids tin to store the quad, its USB charger and spare props, and put it and the TX in your pocket. That's what I do.)

Easy to read and comprehend instruction manual (written in real English!) (CX-10 manual isn't that bad and YouTube reviews by Quadcopter 101 and Flyin' Ryan RC tell you all you need to know; just watch their CX-10 videos)

When buying spares for the CX-10 or any clone, just look for CX-10 stuff. This US source is charging more than a China source would (understandable), but you'll get it quicker:

Cheerson CX-10 Part White Blade Guard Cover Protector with 16PCS Propeller Blade Blue Green Red Purple

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGRNFE0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

And, BTW, when ordering anything from HK/China, always look for the availability of "ePacket" shipment mode. It typically only costs a dollar or two more than the "free shipping" mode and is much faster.

The one from Estes is a lot of fun. Very small (they claim it is world's smallest).



the nano drones are slightly smaller.

Winston said:

Yes, those are CX-10 clones. The HJ 993 in the video above is the latest and greatest CX-10 clone to be released. Hate to say it, but $60 for one of those is a rip-off. I see it's only available as a "pre-order" and, if I were you, I'd cancel it if you can. Even US sources of CX-10s and CX-10As only charge around $25 for the quadcopter/TX combo and you can buy the prop guards for a few bucks or less shipped on eBay, from Banggood, Gearbest, and other sources, even from US sellers on Amazon. So paying $60 for a version with prop guards definitely isn't worth it, especially considering that even Morrison Innovations sells the CX-10 itself for $35 (high):

Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads-up. I didn't pay anything near that price. I was an early buyer on an Indiegogo funding drive.

For Christmas I got both of my boys one of the small nanocopters (Syma X12) and an extra one for me to play with. Lots of fun! Time to charge it up and play with it, now that I've been reminded!

Hubsan x4 is a lot of quad for the money. Base model around $40, programmable dual rates transmitter. The HD video model is ok, but has a microscopic lens so the video isn't that great. Skip the FPV model, just get the base model, extra batteries.

N

Wow. Thanks Winston. I was looking for a good deal on one of these. I'll let you all know when "MINE GETS HERE". I ordered the FY326 job. Not a bad price on a quad measuring nearly a foot in diameter. (less the prop guards)

Gary Byrum said:

Wow. Thanks Winston. I was looking for a good deal on one of these. I'll let you all know when "MINE GETS HERE". I ordered the FY326 job. Not a bad price on a quad measuring nearly a foot in diameter. (less the prop guards)

Click to expand...

Besides the recently improved stability and maneuverability allowed by the progressively better hardware and firmware of the toy grade quad controller boards, the control range has been improving, formerly typically 75 to 100 meters for the mid to large size toy grade quads, but with the Q7 and X6 it's at least 150 meters, perhaps 200. Since 400 ft is the max FAA permitted altitude, that covers it.

Plus, with toy grade quads, if you wreck them, you're only out $15, $32, or $71 for these examples and in many cases they can be repaired. For high quality aerial photography, the X6 can handle a Mobius with no strain at all.

The only reason I'd need to build a 250 size quad with brushless motors from parts would be to use it as a racing quad, something I'm not interested in. Admittedly, that type of quad would be better for aerial video in higher wind conditions that the X6 couldn't hover motionless in.

[video=youtube;8jbpwqCCVbs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jbpwqCCVbs[/video]

[video=youtube;CNDe6dhKhXo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNDe6dhKhXo[/video]

[video=youtube;-feiwYvF55Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-feiwYvF55Y[/video]

Dang it!!! Now I want one.

In the last few days, I have been flying a Blade Nano HQ. It flies very nicely. I added some orange tape to the nose so I could see the yaw orientation better. So when I want to bring it back, I yaw it till I can see the orange and push the stick forward.





Until today, I had flown it indoors only. The wind was about 5 mph today, so I took a shot at it. Handled the wind well. If I let it fly level, it gets blown downwind quickly, but when I pointed the nose into the wind then pitched 5 about degrees forward it pretty much hovered. But I had a lot of fun pitching as far forward as my set-up would let it, about 30-40 degrees, and zoomed upwind. When I wanted to come back from upwind, I didn't even need to yaw it 180, I could just let it get level and the wind would blow it back.

Anyway, very freeing to not have a ceiling to bump into or walls. Didn't hit a tree or anything. Only times it didn't land where I wanted was when the battery went dead. Usually it just descends slowly at low throttle, landing horizontal. But a couple of times it was up pretty high when the battery got low, and it pretty much fell the last 10-20 feet (but is so light it had no damage in falling into the grass). Indoors I was getting about 5 minutes. Outside, flying fast and with the cold hurting battery performance, it was 3 to 4 minutes. But I have a lot of batteries available to be charged up and swap out.

I'm working up my own 250 sized quad, using a "racer" frame (classic 90 degree "X" type). But I'm not doing it for racing. More for a lower cost version of the bigger quads that carry cameras more easily. I'll put a keychain camera on it. And I'll run a timer to warn me when it's time to land, if I cannot add a voltage sensor warning to flash to let me know. Anyway, flying this little Nano has helped me improve my multicopter flying skills. The way this Nano flew in "free open skies" today, in some wind, has really boosted my confidence in flying the 250 when it is ready.

BTW - one huge plus for a model like this is that it can bind with other transmitters. The really tiny copters with the teeny little transmitters…. my hands are too big and used to a full size transmitter to mess around with something smaller (I would have bought the tiny Estes one if it could bind with my Tx). Also I like the ability with my normal transmitter to set up different rates and exponential for flying.

- George Gassaway

I was looking at them on Amazon and came upon this weird somehow related product:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT74AU2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I would bet an official authorized version of this will come out just in time for the holiday season, and it will sell zillions:

[video=youtube;xNsXQ8aNMvU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNsXQ8aNMvU[/video]

georgegassaway said:

In the last few days, I have been flying a Blade Nano HQ. It flies very nicely. I added some orange tape to the nose so I could see the yaw orientation better. So when I want to bring it back, I yaw it till I can see the orange and push the stick forward.

Until today, I had flown it indoors only. The wind was about 5 mph today, so I took a shot at it. Handled the wind well. If I let it fly level, it gets blown downwind quickly, but when I pointed the nose into the wind then pitched 5 about degrees forward it pretty much hovered. But I had a lot of fun pitching as far forward as my set-up would let it, about 30-40 degrees, and zoomed upwind. When I wanted to come back from upwind, I didn't even need to yaw it 180, I could just let it get level and the wind would blow it back.

Anyway, very freeing to not have a ceiling to bump into or walls. Didn't hit a tree or anything. Only times it didn't land where I wanted was when the battery went dead. Usually it just descends slowly at low throttle, landing horizontal. But a couple of times it was up pretty high when the battery got low, and it pretty much fell the last 10-20 feet (but is so light it had no damage in falling into the grass). Indoors I was getting about 5 minutes. Outside, flying fast and with the cold hurting battery performance, it was 3 to 4 minutes. But I have a lot of batteries available to be charged up and swap out.

I'm working up my own 250 sized quad, using a "racer" frame (classic 90 degree "X" type). But I'm not doing it for racing. More for a lower cost version of the bigger quads that carry cameras more easily. I'll put a keychain camera on it. And I'll run a timer to warn me when it's time to land, if I cannot add a voltage sensor warning to flash to let me know. Anyway, flying this little Nano has helped me improve my multicopter flying skills. The way this Nano flew in "free open skies" today, in some wind, has really boosted my confidence in flying the 250 when it is ready.

BTW - one huge plus for a model like this is that it can bind with other transmitters. The really tiny copters with the teeny little transmitters…. my hands are too big and used to a full size transmitter to mess around with something smaller (I would have bought the tiny Estes one if it could bind with my Tx). Also I like the ability with my normal transmitter to set up different rates and exponential for flying.

- George Gassaway

Click to expand...

Yeah, although I don't have one, one of the toy grade quad reviewers on YouTube says it's his favorite indoor quad. There are tons of clones of it because of its great popularity.

Latest news. The larger X6 quad can lift 300 grams (some guy's compact camera) at only 60% throttle!

Another video on the outstanding $26 shipped FY326 Q7.

[video=youtube;JVYktsq4CJ0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVYktsq4CJ0[/video]

Night flight FY326:

[video=youtube;YMBaXmJD_mI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMBaXmJD_mI[/video]

[YOUTUBE]NNezrVRfBoQ[/YOUTUBE]

This is the ultimate "toy" quadrotor: the PSI Tactical InstantEye.

The 10 kg combat go-box includes 2 all-weather quads, a dynamite controller, 6 batteries, chargers, spares.

The optional combat field case shown below fits in outer pocket of any military rucksack.



Our Motto: Eyes in before guys in.
Combat Tested. Soldier Approved.
DoD Air Worthiness Release Certified.
Federal Aviation Administration Certification: Experimental (certification required for individual vehicles)

Bob

bobkrech said:

This is the ultimate "toy" quadrotor.

Click to expand...

Due to cost and FAA restrictions on flight modes, a government toy only. I can't bring myself to spend the money for a Gen 3 NVG either, although while I had access to them, I found they were fantastic for my satellite tracking hobby! Try looking up with them in a dark sky area. Lots of otherwise unseen stuff orbiting up there.

Winston said:

Due to cost and FAA restrictions on flight modes, a government toy only. I can't bring myself to spend the money for a Gen 3 NVG either, although while I had access to them, I found they were fantastic for my satellite tracking hobby! Try looking up with them in a dark sky area. Lots of otherwise unseen stuff orbiting up there.

Click to expand...

Actually the combat go-box is only ~$6,500. Each Quad is ~$1200 which is actually less expensive than some of the "professional" quads. The controller however is >$2500 because of it's full sun to completely invisible total darkness modes.

It can be purchased by qualified buyers here: https://www.darley.com/robotics-products/product/instanteye-mk2-gen3 or here: https://dcs911.com/tactical-and-emergency-response-product-catalog/pti/

It was the first quad certified as an experimental aircraft by the FAA. getting FAA tail numbers costs a few thousand more per A/C but that legally allows for commercial use ........ by a pilot.......even thought it weighs only 320 grams (< 9 oz.).

https://www.uasvision.com/2014/07/04/faa-approves-first-unmanned-quadrotor/

References

https://www.navaldrones.com/InstantEye.html

https://www.army.mil/article/139281/Aerial_system_could_enhance_capabcapabil/

https://wiki.nps.edu/display/CRUSER/2014/04/17/Instant+Eye+Project+Office+-+UAS

bobkrech said:

getting FAA tail numbers

Click to expand...

:y: will need a license plate for your Rc car next

bobkrech said:

Actually the combat go-box is only ~$6,500. Each Quad is ~$1200 which is actually less expensive than some of the "professional" quads. The controller however is >$2500 because of it's full sun to completely invisible total darkness modes.

Click to expand...

Not bad for a system intended for commercial use. Eventually, the FAA might even get their rule mess worked out to where it won't hamper commercial use:

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=18295

I was going to try to order one of those Q7s after seeing the first video, but I want to fly an 808, and in the second they said it's not real good for that, so I think I'll just put the $30 I budgeted for it toward my next order from BMS or get an Aero Pack retainer.

TopRamen said:

I was going to try to order one of those Q7s after seeing the first video, but I want to fly an 808, and in the second they said it's not real good for that, so I think I'll just put the $30 I budgeted for it toward my next order from BMS or get an Aero Pack retainer.

Click to expand...

Actually, if you watch the video:

[video=youtube;bVOSsCEYlnU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOSsCEYlnU[/video]

you'll hear that an 808 simply reduces the horizontal control range (not vertical) of the Q7 to the fairly common 70m range of many other mid-quads without an 808 on-board. Without an 808, the control range is still 150m, 1.5 to 2 times that of any previously available mid-sized quad. When combined with the flight characteristics of the Q7 not even considering the unusually cheap price, this is still the best one right now for anyone wanting to get into quads cheaply.

Another commercial drone for $2,889:

Capture 4K Video and 12MP Stills
3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizes Camera
Up to 1.2 Mile Radio Range
GPS-Based Stabilization System

https://www.dji.com/product/inspire-1

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1097099-REG/dji_inspire_1.html

[video=youtube;Vv8hzWaZ0eY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv8hzWaZ0eY[/video]

Adam Savage's Inspire 1

[video=youtube;-JsGggcQRTM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JsGggcQRTM[/video]

But buyer beware for now for a new product:

As of March 26, 2015, Inspire 1 has software issues between the DJI Pilot APP and the Inspire 1. New launched product made from China, one can imagine the trouble shoot issues with DJI tech team. It was not proven on the market yet. One would want to wait until all hardware & software issues are solved (6 months).

Great design and has potential for camera upgrade. 13" propeller span can carry more weight in the future. However, the propeller material is too soft (cheap plastics) and has potential to come loose. DJI recognized the issue and has an upgrade propeller, not available with the unit yet. Case zipper will not last long. Also, DJI emblem glue start to come off.

Winston said:

Actually, if you watch the video:

[video=youtube;bVOSsCEYlnU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOSsCEYlnU[/video]

you'll hear that an 808 simply reduces the horizontal control range (not vertical) of the Q7 to the fairly common 70m range of many other mid-quads without an 808 on-board. Without an 808, the control range is still 150m, 1.5 to 2 times that of any previously available mid-sized quad. When combined with the flight characteristics of the Q7 not even considering the unusually cheap price, this is still the best one right now for anyone wanting to get into quads cheaply.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Might have to get one after all.

TopRamen said:

Thanks. Might have to get one after all.

Click to expand...

I ordered one yesterday. I've been looking for a cheap quad for my 808 cam. I'll be bringing it to my club launches.

bill2654 said:

I ordered one yesterday. I've been looking for a cheap quad for my 808 cam. I'll be bringing it to my club launches.

Click to expand...

Mine shipped yesterday. Maybe now, I should consider an 808.

Winston said:

Not bad for a system intended for commercial use. Eventually, the FAA might even get their rule mess worked out to where it won't hamper commercial use:

https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=18295

Click to expand...

The FAA just did that 2 days ago. :flyingpig:

SAN DIEGO, March 30, 2015 &#8211; The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) a Section 333 approval for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), allowing the utility to conduct aerial inspections of its electric and gas facilities, including emergency response damage assessments throughout its service territory. SDG&E is the second utility in the nation to be granted the Section 333 approval.

The SDG&E InstantEye is the smallest aircraft to be granted FAA Experimental Aircraft certification.

The video below is one of their power line inspection demonstration videos.

[YOUTUBE]YGpfpofGViA[/YOUTUBE]

The photo below are a few of our other users.



Photo Courtesy of US Office of Border Patrol

Pretty cool. :cool2:

:wave:

Bob

It occurs to me that you could really give a hive full of Africanized Bees fits with one of these. Lure them out into a desolate area and then hit them with Raid. :rofl: