Placing the Order

When I decided to get a Quadcopter, a series of questions came to mind that needed to be answered before I could move forward.

1. Build or Buy?
2. What Size (and how are Quadcopters "sized")?
3. How much to spend?
4. Most importantly, how to get funding thru the "Finance Committee (i.e. My Wife)?

The deal breaker question is always, Number 4...   Oh wait...  my birthday is coming soon..   Check - Number 4 is done.

Number 3 kind of is controlled by Number 4 so I am guessing if I keep it under $250 or so, I will be safe.

Now for the more interesting questions.  Buy or Build?
I previously have built my own home computers.  I really like doing that because you can choose the components you want, rather than having to get whatever the manufacturer chooses.  Building a Quad seemed a lot like building a PC.  Figure out what parts you want and place the order(s).  Test out the parts when they arrive.  Putting the parts together is pretty easy and doesn't require much skill.  The last step can be the hardest.  Getting it to work with a new operating system and software.

I really liked building the PCs and have been very successful so check off Number 1 - I am going to Build! A Quad seems a lot like a PC - just bolt the parts together and away you go (at least I hope that will be how it works).

Final question - Number 2 - What size (and how are Quads measured).  After a little research it seems that the distance between the motor shafts is a commonly used measure.  That measurement is usually in millimeters (mm).  So if a Quad is called a "450" is measures about 450mm between diagonal motor shafts.  In watching lots of Internet videos it seemed to me that the 350-450mm range looked to be the "right" size for me.  Smaller Quads are fast and nimble but have limited space for add-ons like cameras, etc.  Biggger and I would have storage problems.  So for me, the 350-450 range seemed perfect.

I decided to order my stuff from HobbyKing.  They seem to have the biggest selection and usually have stuff in stock (or get new stock very quickly).  Waiting for it to be delivered from China is a bummer (who likes to wait?) but my Birthday was over a month away so that helps convince Finance Committee (see Number 4 above) that I am serious.

Here is what I decided to order and why:

• SK 450 Frame - Right size, seemed harder to break, ball in front will help orientation, priced well.
• NTM 28-26 1200KV motors - Recommended as good size for SK450, description praises high level of testing before shipping and rugged build quality
• Turnigy Plush 18A ESC - Plush has good reputation, doesn't required reflashing for Quad use - but will 18A be big enough???  This was the only size they had in stock...  Hmmm  I'll chance it.
• KK2 Flight Control Board - General agreement that this is great "starter" board - easy to program and flys great
• 8X4.5 Slow Fly Props - Again, recommended size
• Other misc stuff - Programmers for KK2 and ESCs; assorted hardware, 2650 3S LiPo, Battery strap, servo tester.

Secrets to ordering Quad parts...  remember that you have to order four each of a number of parts - 4 ESCs, 4 Motors, 4 Props (of two different types, Normal and Counter rotating), Needed connectors, times four. 4 prop adaptors.

The ordering process actually went pretty quickly.  Everything I wanted was in stock, other than a larger ESC, but I am hoping that my choice will be OK since the specs seem to only call for a 9A draw from my motor and prop/battery combo.

So I double check and triple check the stuff in my HobbyKing basket to make sure I have thought of everything...   Finally with conviction that I have everything, I hit the "OK" button to place the order.
Success !!!  Oh, crap I forgot to order different colored arms for the front of the Quad.  I also forgot to order a servo tester and different colored props for the front of the Quad for orientation...
Too late...

Next Post: The Wait...  And Buyers Remorse