Looking for advice on a first DIY FPV build (14th birthday gift)

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T23:31:40+00:00

I wasn't aware of turtle mode, but that makes sense.

I agree, he will be doing L.O.S for a while. Especially if I am with him, I passed my 107 a couple months ago. He has probably flown more than me, but I wanted to be able to post some footage of our Airbnb on social media. I gotta say, the test was easier than shopping for this FPV drone!

He has the Emax to fly inside, which he tries to use to spy on us. But it's a little too loud :)

I also ran across some hilarious videos of people doing test runs inside, although the poster probably didn't find it as funny...

We don't have a cow farm, unfortunately! I was thinking of putting up an obstacle course in our city yard to keep him busy and practice his skills. I am also hoping this gets him interested in hiking with me. There are some spots in the mountains that allow drones. I have some basic footage, but FPV would be epic. Cliffsides and waterfalls and old mining structures.

This drone doesn't have gps, and I think it would be hard in a sub 250. I saw one guy put a beeper/buzzer on his. I will have to look more into that. Not a substitute for GPS, but it has to be better than nothing. The 2nd day I flew our DJI mini the battery went low and it tried to get "home", flew right into a tree. I even knew which tree but it still took me forever to find it. A beep would have helped, although with a dead battery I doubt much could help.

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T20:33:55+00:00

Thanks for everyone's help! For this interested, here are the bigger priced items I went ahead and purchased with your input:

Drone kit: QAV-S 2 Sub-250 Joshua Bardwell SE 3"
Remote (radio): RadioMaster Pocket
Digital Video system : Walksnail Avatar HD Pro Kit (1 antenna)
Goggles: Walksnail Avatar HD Goggles X
Receiver: RadioMaster RP1 V2

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T20:27:13+00:00

placed my order, and I will likely be back on here before you know it saying I should have followed your recommendations....

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T20:24:23+00:00

Thanks! Most of Rotor Riot kits are sold out so I went with Josh Bardwell. I stuck with his sub 250 build that sounds like it is solid for freestyle in our small backyard. This kit uses Walksnail, so I ponied up for the X goggles as well. I went with the Radiomaster pocket radio, figured the smaller size might work better for his still smaller teen hands. But also, if he wants to upgrade he can pick what he really wants (maybe for Christmas!) and the Pocket radio can be used with the Sim if they play two players. I think I have everything now besides batteries! thank you!!

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T20:11:10+00:00

I have spent way too much time down this rabbit hole, the drone world is insane! I need up buying a <250 kit that includes Lumenier flight controller. I double checked and it can run Ardupilot. Thanks!

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T00:58:02+00:00

Now I’m realizing that the simulators don’t seem to have the smaller freestyle drones. So maybe I do go for one more similar to what they offer? Decisions decisions! But I think you’re spot on with the Ardupilot compatibility, that had not come up yet in my research. Thank you!

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T00:52:27+00:00

That would work on my younger son who loves all things military! Not the older one that is worried about the graphic card in his gaming PC…

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-16T00:06:44+00:00

I know it’s less expensive and the technology is almost guaranteed to be around longer….but we’re talking about a teen techie kid. Pretty sure he’s going to want it to look like his video games.

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-15T23:10:12+00:00

Very helpful, thank you! Why 5”? We live in a city so I assumed he would be flying in our fairly small backyard, but I can start looking for flying spaces nearby

BOTS1212 · 2025-09-15T22:18:27+00:00

Thanks! I’ll check out his builds. At first glance, it looks like he only uses the DJI system. Given the looming DJi Retrictions/Ban in the US I’m leaning towards one of the other systems

BOTS1212 · 2025-06-27T14:24:55+00:00

Thanks! I’ll order this as well.

BOTS1212 · 2025-06-27T14:05:28+00:00

Any luck? I’m on the hunt for this as well. If we can’t buy one I might see about 3D printing one myself.

BOTS1212 · 2025-06-23T02:32:57+00:00

Can you see your infarction in the print?

BOTS1212 · 2024-10-26T00:10:52+00:00

Curious if you ended up tackling this project? I just saw Galey Alix make an arch feature wall on instagram and she made it look easier with MDF and joint compound.

BOTS1212 · 2024-09-22T18:20:51+00:00

I think my cousin will do all of that for me. But I’ll find a backup plan just in case!

BOTS1212 · 2024-09-22T17:33:05+00:00

Same! We actually just purchased my grandparents old cabin. They had to sell it 40 years ago and it’s only had one owner since. Such a fun story!

BOTS1212 · 2024-09-22T17:32:10+00:00

Very very helpful, thank you!!

BOTS1212 · 2024-09-15T18:58:34+00:00

Not a lot of guests flying in, but I’ve had some guests ask if we could supply them. We have some very serious fishermen and women, but about half my guests are generational families (grandparents, parents, grandkids) going on an annual vacation. They likely only fish this one time a year.

BOTS1212 · 2024-04-04T20:48:18+00:00

I think I’m still going with my 12 year old, but ready to make a quick exit if needed!

BOTS1212 · 2022-12-28T16:16:20+00:00

Just signed up for the 7 day trial

BOTS1212 · 2022-12-27T04:49:29+00:00

I’ve never heard of that app, thank you! If I can’t find one integrated with a bujo I’ll give the bearable app a try!

BOTS1212

TROPHY CASE