To get flying, you'll need to get a few different systems together:
- Control link
- Video link
- The drone itself
Both your control and video links will need to be compatible with the systems on the drone, options can usually be selected during checkout.
There are some packages you can get that provide all 3, known as "ready-to-fly" bundles. It's very common to buy them separately, though, and it's not too hard to get the right gear.
You will need a transmitter (AKA radio) that allows you to control your drone. It will connect to the receiver on your drone and allow you to provide inputs.
Transmitters use different protocols to communicate. I recommend ELRS, as it provides a long range and very reliable link.
The Radiomaster TX16s is a very good transmitter, and you can get one with ELRS built in.
There are other good options that will save money, like the Zorro
The goggles you wear that show what the drone is seeing. Those goggles will need to be compatible with the video transmitter on the drone.
There are two main types of video systems, analog and digital (HD). Analog video systems can be cheaper, but the video quality is much worse. I started with an analog system and many do, but HD systems have become very popular because the difference in quality is huge. I can fly much more confidently with HD video because I can see things like small branches or wires that you often can not see with analog video.
Most analog systems are compatible with one another, but HD systems are not. If you get DJI goggles, you need a DJI video transmitter* on the drone.
Fat Shark makes the most popular analog systems, DJI makes the most popular digital (HD)
There is a range on the price of analog systems. Worth noting that you usually get what you pay for here
- Cheapest worth buying ($120)
- Mid-range ($350)
- If you're going above mid-range, don't bother with analog
For HD systems, DJI is the standard. For a set of HD goggles, the cost is $500-$700
- DJI Goggles v2 with a caddx vista transmitter
- DJI Goggles 2 (yes, different from v2...) with an O3 transmitter
I mostly fly a 5" 6S quad, which is the standard for most people.
The best pre-built options out there right now are made by iflight. Specifically, the evoque (newer) and nazgul (slightly older) are great options.
Here's an analog Evoque that can get ELRS for $325
The equivalent HD options are available for ~$500-$600
There are other bits and pieces you absolutely need to get flying and stay flying.
- LiPo batteries. These must the proper voltage. 6S (6-cell) is the most common. You can not put a 6s battery on a 4s drone. These should also be the right capacity. 1300mah is good for most 5" quads. You will want at least a few
- LiPo charger. Gotta charge batteries. ISDT is a great choice
- Propellers. Must match the drone size, 5" drones use 5" props. Get a lot of these, you will break them frequently. Seriously, you can not have too many propellers. These are my favorite
- Prop tool for changing out props
There are some extra things that may not come in whatever kits you end up buying.
- You'll likely want a 3d printed gopro mount that fits the model of the drone you get. Can usually be purchased at the big sites (getfpv, racedayquads)
- Parallel charging board. This will allow you to charge more than one battery at a time. Get one with fuses
- I wish I'd bought some backup parts early on. These drones are very tough, but you can still break them. An extra frame, some extra motors, prop nuts. Probably some other things I'm forgetting. It's frustrating to break or lose something and then have to wait on another order to get flying again.
Start flying using a simulator. You can buy your transmitter before anything else, connect it to your computer, and learn to fly in a simulator.
You will crash a lot when first learning; it's much cheaper to crash a lot in the simulator first. A handful of hours in the sim is probably good enough to get you started.
Most popular sims:
- Liftoff
- DRL
- Uncrashed
I like Uncrashed the most.
Learn how to use your LiPo batteries safely. It's not common, but they can catch fire if used improperly. This includes learning to use the parallel charger safely.