Chapter 2. Buying a Turnkey System

Now, you know a bit about how a multicopter flies and what the parts basically do. But let's face it; building a multicopter from scratch just isn't for the faint of heart, and frankly, it can be a bit of a learning experience. You might wish to choose a system that comes prebuilt, pre-tuned, and (for the most part) hassle-free. In this chapter, we're going to cover some of the turnkey systems out there and what to look for (and what to avoid).

Why choose a turnkey system?

Turnkey systems are usually more expensive, they usually take a while to arrive, and there's still a shakedown period once you get them. So, why choose one? Because no matter how much of a tech genius you might be … you are not a team of engineers, software developers, or quality assurance engineers making sure your design works properly and reliably.

Let me share a brief anecdote. Although I've been developing and shooting videos professionally with multicopters for over a decade, there have been a lot of mishaps with custom aircraft. My shins are scarred from blade strikes; I've spent tens-of-thousands of dollars in crashed aircraft due to everything from engine failures to fly-aways. And I'm what you'd consider an expert in this field.

Building a reliable multicopter can be far less expensive if you make one that works properly out of the box. It can be a disaster (financially and otherwise) if it doesn't. It can't be rushed and you can't take shortcuts, and...

If someone is selling it, it probably works … right?

Wrong! There are literally thousands of multicopters out on the market now. Out of all of these, there are maybe two or three that you can use reasonably safely and reliably. Remember … these aircraft have the glide profile of a brick. Furthermore, they're flying food processors (I've also heard the term "lawnmowers" used). They could (quite literally) kill someone if something goes wrong. Minimizing these risks starts with a reliable multicopter and ends with a very responsible and safety-conscious pilot.

Believe it or not, these aircraft are surprisingly simple to fly. For this reason, there is an illusion of simplicity about them. Make no mistake … they are extremely advanced and complex aircraft, requiring a very low tolerance for mistakes in the stabilization computer and even less tolerance for mechanical mishaps. This illusion of simplicity has birthed many a business, started in a garage, of assembling multicopters with parts that...

Where to look for reviews and advice you can trust

First off, don't even bother to look at magazines. You can't trust them. Sure, they'll tell you the bad and good. But the bad always sounds okay, and the good sounds downright miraculous. It's like listening to a political speech. This is because magazines make their money from advertisement. If they completely trash a horrible product, that company might decide to not advertise anymore. I know … magazines charge per issue, so if they want to keep readers, they should tell the truth. Unfortunately, we don't live in the world of what should be. I won't get into the ins and outs of magazine reviews. Let's just say that I know of many a reviewer who have had their verbiage changed to cast a better light on the product they're reviewing than it deserves by the editors of magazines. Not all magazines are like this but sifting through which ones are can be even murkier than sifting through good multicopters and bad. It's better to just avoid magazine...

What to expect for your budget…

This greatly depends on what your final purpose is. As technology gets better, cameras get smaller and capture more stunning detail with less bulk.

Setting realistic expectations

Depending on how old you are, you might remember Betacam SP cameras: the last of the great SD analog cameras. They could cost anywhere from 50,000 USD to 150,000 USD and up. Yes … this much for one analog SD (720x486) camera that needed a muscle-bound cameraman to carry it. Compare this to the modern DSLR cameras, and you realize that the gargantuan relic is nothing better than a doorstop today. The lesson: bigger is not always better.

If your goal is to carry a giant cinematic camera (such as a RED Scarlet), let me stop you right there. Even the DJI Spreading Wings S1000 (which, according to reports, has overcome all of the problems the S800 had)—a gargantuan octocopter that will run you upwards of 6,500 USD (without a radio or most of the other necessary accessories)—doesn't work well...

Brands you can trust

In reality, this changes all the time. Technology is constantly evolving, and new companies come and go. But through it all, there have been two companies that have been producing stunning multicopter systems. Even the pioneer of the multicopter shooting platform (DraganFlyer) has fallen to the back of the pack. The two companies that have stood the test of time are DJI and MikroKopter.

I know I'm going to get some heat for that statement, but it's true. These systems are truly turnkey. Out of the box and ready to go, just snap it together, perform a few dozen flights of shakedown, and go earn some cash flying (provided you already know how to fly). However, what drone do you get for the camera you've chosen?

For GoPro shooting

This one's simple. Nothing but nothing compares to the DJI Phantom series. I've actually shelved my giant drone as of late because of the ease and reliability of the Phantom 2. Combined with its H3-2D or H3-3D gimbal, the mini iOSD (for onscreen...

Summary

In this chapter, we have explored the reasons to use turnkey systems. We also learned that there are pitfalls in choosing less expensive brands. Furthermore, we explored that some of these pitfalls are dire consequences indeed. It boils down to a choice: do you save a few bucks in the beginning with a fly-by-night manufacturer and risk getting sued by a crash victim (best case) or killing someone (worst case); or do you shell out more cash and get something reliable? Is there really a choice when choosing a turnkey system?

There is another option in saving some cash up front: building your own multicopter. In the next chapter, we'll discuss how to build your own multicopter. This will be a very in-depth process and will educate you significantly on the math involved and just how to tune a proper machine.