Bardwell Nails it why FPV

Especially at 38 seconds.

Same logic that you should build you own 3D printer.

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Nah… Bambu is better print, easy maintenance, etc, etc… So not the same.

Self build FPV drone is different as the off the shelf ones can’t and don’t give you the same (I mean DJI offerings here, not nazgulls, etc where you WILL need to fix them). You can’t buy an easy to maintain/repair “proper” FPV drone :wink: Where as you can buy an easy to maintain with BETTER results 3d printer :wink:

I think you miss the point. By building yourself the first time you learn a lot more.

With 3D printers I first bought a Monoprice Select Mini.

Getting that ruddy thing working taught me a hell of a lot and now when I have a proper 3D printer (Prusa Mini) I know a lot more about how it works. I also completely satiated any desire I had to modify the printer uneccessarily…

It’s a tenuous comparison, but it is still valid. Even I dare say with the “Bambu”… as you will want to step outside their “safe-area” at some point for sure.

While i have spent a fair while watching build videos, I still wasn’t prepared for when my ‘Bind and Fly’ drone couldn’t be bound. Fitting an ELRS reciever and then a new FC once the one that it came with died (I’m sure it wasn’t me) has taught be a lot about building a drone that I wouldn’t have had if it had just bound and flown.

Most of the knowledge and skills to build and solder the Drone was gained through heavily modifying my 3D printer.

I admit that i enjoy these kind of projects though and its not for everyone. Those that just want to buy and use i understand but there is a lot they miss out on.

Oh I love faffing with the drones, and built a number, and watch Bardwell daily (repeated loads and even watched that “beginner” one yesterday as always something that can pickup).

With the 3d printer… Meh I don’t care. I want it to work. I have a artilery genuius (bought as would do TPU well for just under £200 a few years back), and not touched it… I had octoprint on it for a while, but when moved didn’t bother re-setting it up. I’d rather spend the time printing and learning the 3d design stuff than the physical printer.

When comes to planes and drones though… Flying something u’ve made (in part anyways), is awesome :slight_smile:

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For anyone wanting an introduction to FPV I can highly recommend the FPV Flea (there’s also a Happymodel branded version). This is a small Cinewhoop style quad that does not require any soldering. During the build you’ll learn basic terminology, calibration process, etc. and once built it’s a great trainer quad as it’s near indestructible.

Soldering is a skill that is best attained through repetitive practice. If you’ve never soldered before I highly recommend purchasing some practice pcb’s before embarking on a kit that requires soldering, especially as flight controllers are not the easiest to work with if you’ve not soldered before, and a simple mistake could also be a costly one.

This too was my first 3D printer, and still my only 3D printer. The 3D printing bug is one of the few geeky activities I haven’t over indulged in.

Here’s my flea. Flies lovely. Though not flown it for a while. I even printed my own frame for it … should I sell or fly it… Hmmm

Oooo looking to replace my frame on my whoop
Have you a URL for the STLs?

Is your flea Analogue? ELRS?

I can’t remember tbh

Yes to both

My google skill failed - could not find it.