If you really want to blow your mind, buy a used DJI FPV next and then put it into full manual mode...
If you feel like you're going to crash, hit the button and disables manual mode, rights itself and hovers in place. Near immediately.
As long as you have your finger on that button (and practice using it), it is a pretty safe way to learn.
Best to go in manual mode with a bit of height and in an open area first too.
And yeah, the FPV ecosystem with interchangeable parts and open source code is eye opening. It's like building a desktop and installing Linux yourself vs buying a tablet. Mind you, your desktop won't fall out of the sky and shatter into pieces. But it's fun!
Yes, but the DJI FPV that the GP mentioned is an FPV quad.
1) how to solder,
2) how how charge and use lipo batteries,
3) how antennas work, polarisation, connectors etc,
4) what all these buzzwords in betaflight means
5) binding, expressLRS setting,
6) 3d printing protection parts,
7) even there are different connectors standards!,
etc so it's whole umbrella of little hobbies that comes with it. At least for me it's lots of fun, because it takes a few hours of learning time and you get working result. But it's not for everyone for sure. Drastic different with PnP experience of DJI drones.
The DJI is an absolute stunner with fantastic range and video transmission. The build quality is far superior than anything I have seen home built.
I would never recommend racing it, as I am ok with sacrificing my own drones because I can repair them easily, but as an introduction the DJI is an amazing platform.
Hmm, what's the range like? ELRS solves the RC link range (it's functionally infinite) and analog has longer range than DJI video (though DJI's quality is obviously leagues ahead).
I have the DJI video system in my home-built drones, I definitely recommend it but analog goes farther (though you get much better quality for 13km with DJI).
> The build quality is far superior than anything I have seen home built.
If by "build quality" you mean "it feels good", then yes, of course something factory-built is going to be more sleek than something you build in your garage. If you mean "sturdy", though, the carbon fiber quads will take much, much more punishment.
I'm not an expert flyer and I really have had no issues with it. It isn't that hard to fly at all, even in full manual. The "oh shit button" is a godsend.
After only flying other DJI's, manual mode was mind blowing for me. The concept of having control over the speed of the props changed everything. It is one thing to just fly upwards with the stick and another to point the drone in a direction and apply more "gas".
I "get" FPV now. It is real flying... but that doesn't mean I have the time or energy to invest in it. =)
I want same feature-set on a DIY frame, or at least DIY-able.
aerobatic, surely?
Just some meaningless trivia.