Get it!
If you're just starting, we recommend you get a full kit. If you're handy with a soldering iron and are looking for a fun assembly project, get an unassembled version. If you just want something that will fly right out of the box, get a ready-to-fly (fully assembled) one (you only need to add a battery and RC-gear of your choice).
Kits:
Quadcopters
3D Robotics kit ($535)
Jdrones kit ($549)
Hexacopters
3D Robotics kit ($649)
Jdrones kit ($749)
Pre-assembled and ready to fly:
Quadcopters
Hexacopters
Just the autopilot electronics (if you have your own frame)
You'll need these components:
- APM2 (flight controller): Sold ready-to-fly ($199) from 3D Robotics.
- Cable to connect it to your RC receiver: ($2)
Optional:
- Sonar: For autolanding and ground-hugging altitude hold, XL-MaxSonar EZ0 (3D Robotics)
Batteries and RC gear
If you don't already have batteries/chargers and RC gear, here are some suggestions:
- LiPo battery and charger: You can read basic info about LiPo batteries here. Here's one inexpensive source. You'll also need a charger, power supply (if not included with the charger) and some connectors (remember to use same type of connectors on battery, charger and PDB).
- RC gear: You'll need at least a six-channel RC unit. There are many, many models out there and ArduCopter works with all of them. Get a 2.4GHz one with a Failsafe feature, i.e. the throttle on the receiver goes to zero if there's no signal or out of range. We've used many of them, from the Futaba 7C series and Spectrum DX-8 to the very inexpensive Turnigy 9X (9X - No failsafe but can be added with some replacement modules)
The choice is yours but do some research and see what others are using.
Awesome kit!! My son and I built it in a couple weekends and it flys like a champ. Order lots of spare blades though, they are pretty delicate. Tis an amazing machine, lots of fun.
I've ordered the ready to fly kit from Jdrones. does it support 4S 4 cell LiPo?? What is the hardware version of the APM on that kit? Is there an "old" 1.0 and a new 1.0? Does it support a sum signal receivers? where is it connected?
ArduCopter does support 4 cell LiPos but it may require some PID tweaking; the code is optimized for 3 cells. The APM is an APM2560 (latest version).
It has a built-in PPM encoder (sum signal). If you wanted to bypass it to add an external one, you probably could but it would be tricky.
where can I get instructions on PID tweaking for 4s LiPo??, PPM encoder bypass?
Just look general tweaking information on here under AC2_Tweaks. There are no any special instructions on how to tweak between 3S and 4S, general rules applies on all of those. Just like adding more weight.
Is the remote control mandatory? I don't really have any other RC equipment, and I was wondering if I can run the arducopter without the remote control, autonomous only or controled via telemetry.
alvaro: it's technically possible to fly via Xbee telemetry but not recommended due to latency and range issues. Although it can fly totally autonomously, you'll need to set it up and tune it in flight with RC first.
hello,
We are student working on a UAV project. We are planning on using arducopter along with the ardu software ground station. Our drone needs to have the following features : - autonmous take off and landing (sonar sensor) - communication with a base station (telemetry, xbee, wifi ?) - waypoint navigation (GPS module) - camera and camera stabilization for image computing (CMUCam 3 with servo motors)
We are newbies in this field, we primarily studie computer sciense. We would like some help buying a full kit.
Is the following http://www.udrones.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACRTF1 with : - U-Blox - Full 2-way Telemetry 900Mhz (or 2.4 Ghz ?) - MB1200 Sonar - X Frame mode for camera mount - USB Mini-B Cable 6 Ft. going to meet our needs ? Do we need to buy an additional camera mount ? with servo motors ? and roll and tilt ? Like the following links http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/HITEC-HS-55-Micro-Servo-p/hs-55ser.htm http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/Arducopter-Roll-and-Tilt-Camera-Mount-p/ac-cam.htm
Thank you for your much needed help.
Hi Can arducopters work under freezing wether conditions 14 to 5 F (-5 to -15 Celcius) ? BTW, great site with lots of interesting information.
Thanks!
I want to fly for at least an hour with electric motors and 10 pounds of machine and a range of a 2 mile radius is it possible. thanks
Recommended for long flights and time an airplane. the multicopteros are designed to fly to short height and low weight. http://www.ecalc.ch/xcoptercalc_e.htm?ecalc at this site can calculate the time, engine, weight, battery of a multirrotor.
Operating in extreme cold conditions, would have to redesign the fucelaje with thermal protection, also change the characteristics of the propellers. I think that would be useful variable pitch due to air density.
I am new to the subject of arducopter and arduino, I would like to get their hands changing the distribution of programming pins but do not know where to start
Hi I am a new to this area I am just wondering if I want a full kit gps,airspeed camera control etc do I need any programming experience or is it download set up and use sorry if this is a dumb question
Many thanks
joshua: No programming is required. It's just a one-click software load.
Hi, I'am totally new in this area. I'm looking for a test platform, but would like to have the best possible flight time. I'm ready to buy the ArduCopter Quad or Hexa, but what's then you recommandation for the battery? Is the kit really ready to fly ? Or if I install bigger batteries I will have to adjust PID?
Thank you
cedg507: we recommend around a 3,000 mah battery for the standard quad. If you go much bigger, the weight will start to affect performance.
analoguedevices: thank you for your advice. I think I will go for an hexa as it may lift heavier payload. Which kind of battery shall I use? If I order a RTF hexa, is-it "easy" to add a sonar sensor and an Xbee telemetry kit?
Is there an Italian user to share info and helps? Thanks. Please contact me
Hi, I'm italian and I'm happy to help you coinfaslab@gmail.com
Hello sir.i'm Prasant.i'm making a quadrotors.at first i'm try to make it through wireline.so i have buy 28000RPM motor and prop 9*5.connect wires to battery as parrel but there is problem that it doesn't fly & itz geeting downward on one side.can u suggest me whats the problem is there??????????????
where can u buy components that would enable you to run a 2500 gm payload for an octo? Motors etc...
We are selling an arducopter in Spain:
http://anuncios.ebay.es/motor/arducopter/11467594 We can negociate the price
Hi Im new to arducopter and would like to know which is the best kit available and the the recommended RC transmitter RX. Thanks a lot.
can we achieve a flight time of 50 min. in quadcopter?????????
Any recommendations and complete prices for supply to Glasgow, United Kingdom???
I am totally inexperienced in this but have realised how useful a complete unit (ready to fly) can be. Due to time and other priorities my needs are based on practical use, not the joy of building.
NEEDS: Stability Programmability for flight path Heavy lift for high quality camera (stills only) Pan and tilt camera mount with Radio Controller (recommended camera?) Rock solid hold above photo target Max flight time GPS Good quality Controller, Tx and Rx Video unit for receiving & viwing camera images and real-time flight path at ground station Easy replacements (spares) Comprehensive assembly and flying instructions.
NOT NEEDED High manoeverability High speed...low speed and stability for high quality photography are the main needs
Hello, For my next project I was thinking about building a quad copter than can fly both autonomously and via rc. I am also looking for the largest range possible. Another feature I was thinking of was a camera that can pan and tilt that is hooked up to a pair of video glasses that track the movement of the head. Thank you for your comments and ideas.