darkage

I would like to build a UAV out of a electric helicopter for aerial photography work. Insipred by this site http://perso.orange.fr/pascal.brisse...chromicro.html

It would be cool to survey a local area automatically via computer control.

What model currently on the market would have the best payload lifting abilities. The more I can lift the more I can do with this project (:

I guess the beginner twin main rotor models would have the smooth motion for aerial photography but may not have the power to lift much stuff & would be affect by light to medium winds.

& the more high performance models would have more lifting abilities but may not be that stable in flight.

Plan to lift a small 2.4Ghz wireless camera & a gumstick embedded linux board.

dannoh40

Wow, the heli you would need for this( if electric) would be somethin like the Logo 10 or somethin that size (big) And they have a price tag to match. Your looking at thousand of dollars.
There is a company that makes helis for camra work and they are very expensive too.You would need the camra system (includeing power) G.P.S. system and power for that and its transmitter. I've seen some members vidios with a nitro- heli carring six pounds(not varifiable) and they would be cheeper than electric helis with that capibility.

credence

My Feedback: (2)

Don't quote me, but I think some of the big gassers can lift about 20 pounds (give or take).

If all you're lifting is a micro camera, something the size of a t-rex 450 or X-400 would be more than adequate. Even the Blade CP would probably do it, albeit not overly well.

If you're talking more serious lifting such as a digital camera, most .50 size helicopters (nitro or electric) should be able to lift most cameras out there without trouble. If you want to lift heavy professional video cameras, then you'll need something with a high payload capacity like the gas helicopters i mentioned earlier. When you get that big, you're talking thousands of dollars, so unless you've got money to burn or a buisness that requires it, you're better off staying small .


For your purposes, though, something .30 size or under would be more than adequate.

colrod12

Have seen an Electric Rapy30 with cams on it doing this, quite well I might add

FLYBOY

My Feedback: (11)

I am doing photos with a raptor 60 and 90

darkage

I would be able to see your work?

Well looks like the $1000 helicopters would be the go for something getting more serious, but as I mentioned before dont have experience with flying helo's so should go for something a little cheaper first.

Have to find a suitable camera that Im happy with the quality & see how much I have to lift.

Tempted to buy a x400 & see how it goes with very light payloads. & just for a good play around. Have a 6FT R/C glider that would be able to lift something a bit more heavier. (:

hehe just out of interest is there any electric "elvis" skycrane models around?

While I got your guys attention, is this one any good. Similar to a X-400
http://tinyurl.com/j7z36

2nd Hand X-400 selling in my area, but depending on how cheap it goes a brand new one would definitely be better.
http://tinyurl.com/np8gd

This one is interesting launching a RC Glider from a electric helo
http://tinyurl.com/m4f66


Thanks again for your positive feedback (:

credence

My Feedback: (2)

None of the models you posted we're the X-400 (or T-rex) I had referred to. The first one is small (same size as a Blade CP or equivelent).
Second is a 3DX-400, which is just a gussied up Shogun and so really of an older design.

[link=http://www.x400tuning.com/build14.htm]This[/link] is the X-400 made by ARK Taiwan. Also badged under the Heli-Max MX400 name.

T-rex 450 is also a good choice, roughly the same size as the above helicopter. Both these helis will cost you about $500 to $600 not including the transmitter (if you want a good setup rather than the el-cheapo setup that places like rc-expert sell that is). You will still need a computer radio to fly any decent model too.

A .30 size helicopter should be able to lift most modern digital cameras except for the big professional ones. The only thing you'll lift with something like the mini-helis I posted above are cellphone cams or those really small credit card cameras.

darkage

Just had my eye on this kit as I was checking the forum feedback to my question

http://tinyurl.com/l5ayg (: A ark model.

If I wanted to go a tad cheaper would a Zap 400 be ok

http://tinyurl.com/esoqp

Have been researching credit card cameras to see which ones are the lightest. The sony credit card ones look good at 180 g (6.6 oz) I think 155g has been the lightest I've seen so far. Too bad they cost a bit I would love to pull one apart to shed some weight.

hydravien

many people on rr are using electrics like the joker II or big gassers as already mentioned.
fitted with mounts and cameras, they can cost between 5-20k.

if your carrying a small pinhole camera then a trex will be fine.

wldcwbypilot

http://www.strikenet.js.mil/uavairshow/rmax.htm, try this for lifting.