Recommendation for Heli Filming

[FlyerWhiteWing]

Hi,

Personally, I have been flying electric RC helicopter (Silverlit R0258) for close to a year. It's an indoor RC helicopter. I love this helicopter but there are 4 down side.

1) It can't fly under the sun as it is using an infrared receiver.
2) It is too light, hence it cannot fight against the wind. Even when I fly it indoor, a stray breeze can cause it to crash.
3) It is consuming too many alkaline batteries.
4) It's range is too short.

As such, I begin searching online for opinion, or suggestions for an electric RC helicopter that is able to carry/ mount a camera for filming outdoor, making video that can withstand decently in Singapore wind speed. While having a decent range. (Would love some high shots)

Would be really grateful if any member here can help me with this.

Thanks

[elmosan]

1) It can't fly under the sun as it is using an infrared receiver.
Use 2.4Ghz radio. I think nowadays it is becoming very affordable. Futaba FHSS or Spektrum. Even Frsky etc...

2) It is too light, hence it cannot fight against the wind. Even when I fly it indoor, a stray breeze can cause it to crash.
The current type you are flying is a coaxial. Very slow and suitable for beginners. You will need a Single Rotor- Collective pitch helicopter.

3) It is consuming too many alkaline batteries.
Fortunately, Hobby helicopters like many of us here fly uses rechargable Lithium Ion Polymer batteries that can be reused many times.

4) It's range is too short.
As in point 1, you will need to change your radio system to 2.4Ghz

In addition, you will need to decide the payload of your filming system. How heavy is it? Different helicopters can carry different weights. I will give 2 links just for reference:

A micro small helicopter with camera(MCPx)


A bigger Maxi Joker Helicopter with stabilised gimbal mount

[FyreSG]

If you are a beginner, I think quads may be a better option than collective pitch helicopters. Flying a CP helicopter is very different from a toy grade coaxial helicopter.

And if you're on a tight budget, you may want to check out these toy grade quads:

WLtoys V959 (with built in camera)



MJX X200 + C4003

[FyreSG]

Repost

MJX X200 + C4003

[yhchoong]

I second the quad, by the law of physics it is simply more stable than a heli for filming videos, not to mention easier to fly than a CP heli.

I think Derrick from Skyhobbies may be able to point you in the right direction, he flies quads to film commercial events so you may want to ask him about it.

[FlyerWhiteWing]

Thanks people, I will definitely check out quadcopter.
What I wanted to film are mainly school event and overseas trip etc so no peeping business here.

Is there any hobby shop that you will recommend?

I would also like to ask, (putting the filming aside), which one will be more suitable for me to step up to?
Blade 120 SR or the mCPX? (Kind of have s liking for Blade)

Thanks ^.^

[FyreSG]

What is your budget? These things can be quite expensive. You can check out SkyHobbies on their products as well as sample videos.

[FlyerWhiteWing]

Perhaps 200-250? On another forum, I was recommended the ncpx.

[FyreSG]

Perhaps 200-250? On another forum, I was recommended the ncpx.

I saw your post in RCG. You asked for a heli recommendation and you preferred Blade products. That is why OnceAFly suggested the NCPX. We did not know you wanted to do aerial filming.

I couldn't imagine attaching a camera onto the tiny NCPX. Even if you managed to do so, it wouldn't give you the stability required for filming.

Are you looking for a heli for flying or a heli for filming?

[FlyerWhiteWing]

Initially I wanted a heli for filming school event and scenery when I'm overseas. Thus I was searching for a heli for that and at the same time, for me to step up from coaxial.
But it seems that for that, a quadcopter is more suitable for filming thus now I decided to look for a heli to step up from coaxial and also keep an eye out for quad.

Have flown the nine eagle a couple of time as it's my friend's heli, and have no problem hovering. So I thought maybe to look for a collective pitch to grow into.

[perdification]

I've heard people say that CP helis are good for aerial filming, so are quads. If you're interested in CP, then go for it I think. Yeah sure, quads are easier to pick up for beginners then cp helis, I'm a beginner too, so I know. :-). But CP isn't really that hard to learn as well. Get yourself a good sim, it'll pay you dividends in the future with respect to repair costs.

[FyreSG]

WLtoys V959

I made a short video of my V959 flying below my flat (the camera is attached below the quad):

This may be a good option for a cheap and fun toy-grade filiming platform.

[FlyerWhiteWing]

This looks fun. Will definitely consider this when my budget allows.