Ready to fly quadcopter

Hardware Multirotors
1

Having problems finding an affordable ready to fly quadcopter for experimenting with ArduPilot. I willing to spend up to $1,500.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help

2

I don’t know of any RTF quad using arducopter. Most drones you can buy that uses arducopter is professional aircrafts where you cant change settings.

One thing you could do is to buy a hexsoon kit (frame with motors and ESC) than buy a Cube orange with here 3 for it. The hexsoon kit is designed to use the cube orange and here 3.

Frame kit:

Cube kit:

3

Yes, agree with Axel there are few choices of a true RTF. Hexsoon as he linked, HolyBro has a couple, one they sell with a Flight Controller. Another alternative is RTF FPV models that have a Flight controller that supports Arducopter. But, this is not RTF either as you would have to flash Arducopter and Configure, Calibrate and Tune from scratch. Not a big deal for the experienced but a challenging task for the novice.

You just missed a big sale by a member here with several RTF quads up for Auction!

4

Thanks so much for the info!
Looks like the companies are in the UK.
Is there any problem ordering from the states?

I am a retired embedded software engineer that worked on UAVs in a hardware in the loop simulation lab.
Been retired now for 10 years and would like to experiment with the latest technology.

Thanks again.

5

Thanks so much for the info!
Looks like the companies are in the UK.
Is there any problem ordering from the states?

I am a retired embedded software engineer that worked on UAVs in a hardware in the loop simulation lab.
Been retired now for 10 years and would like to experiment with the latest technology.

Thanks again.

6

I checked there web pages,
It indicates international delivers are possible.

7

IR-Lock is a reputable shop in the US:
Hexsoon EDU-450 V2 – IR-LOCK (irlock.com)
Search: “cube orange” – IR-LOCK (irlock.com)

Many components are also available on Amazon if you’d like rushed delivery, but buyer beware, there are a lot of clones/fakes marketed as genuine there. The reviews (or lack thereof) often tell the whole story.

1 Like
8

Go for IR-lock as @Yuri_Rage posted. 3DXR would work but if you’re ordering from the US a US located store would be better for shipping cost and time.

You would need a remote as well, batteries and charger. There is also much more hardware such as laser rangefinders and such that you can add on later.

Write here if you have any more questions!

9

Philip, you might reconsider a kit rather than RTF as you will learn more that way and will probably need to make repairs.

I like the Holybro PX4 Dev Kit -

https://shop.holybro.com/px4-development-kit-x500-v2_p1340.html

The Kakute H7 is capable with Ardupilot -

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-holybro-kakuteh7mini.html

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-holybro-kakuteh7-v2.html

It is employed in the kit Holybro Kopis from getfpv -

https://www.getfpv.com/fpv-quad-kits/holybro-kopis-x8-5-cinelifter-diy-full-kit-caged-version.html

Andy Piper describes a similar build with this fc, but requires good soldering skills -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYLTNbcP9sY

The Ardupilot website lists some RTFs, albeit many are expensive.

https://ardupilot.org/copter/docs/common-rtf.html

However, this (toy/short flight time) one popped up for only $78 !

https://sky-viper.com/journey/

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G1RJNN9

But I would avoid it.

10

Hi Jack
Thanks for all the info.
Having a lot of fun working with Ardupilot SITL.
Looking forward to building my drone.
Looks like there are a lot of great people on this forum that are
willing to help.
Phil

11

Hello, Are you still looking for a quad?

12

Hexsoon’s EDU-450 looks like it’s back in limited stock. That’s about as close to an ArduCopter kit as you get under a limited budget.