Speaking of good deals... Walkera Runner 250 deal

or... 320, yea I don't know my classes. OK I'm super tempted. I might buy it in...... T minus......

@sportykev If I didn't already have one... I'd prolly be a buyer at $220. Sure, you can build one for a bit less, but this is a professionally engineered solution with camera, VTX and OSD all ready to fly out of the box. And TONS and TONS of replacement/repair parts available.

Oh, and I'm a bit of a Walkera fanboi.

@ruouttaurmind argh. I did it. I'm excited!

@sportykev Dammit! This happened when I was trying to goad Gary into getting a solo. I made such a good argument, I talked myself into getting it.

TomTop (via eBay) has the FPV version that comes with Walkera Goggle2 goggles for $489.

Thinking about it...

@ruouttaurmind lol! And I convinced myself to buy a p3 pro w/4K camera. Should be here mid week along with my p3 battery from buydig.com.

@garyhgaryh buydig is winning hearts and minds. I recently picked up a Sony Bravia 4K 65" TV from them. Big fan.

@garyhgaryh I'm anxious to see your review! The P3P is quite a bit more advanced than the P3S I bought from Sam's Club (and subsequently returned).

@sportykev I buy my camera equipment from buydig. they are top notch and no tax to CA residence.

@ruouttaurmind For $736, it's a great deal! I'm using the 8% ebay bucks for another P3 battery. I just don't like the battery prices on these and the latest firmware will render 3rd party batteries inoperable. I think I mentioned one vendor dropped their aftermarket P3 battery from $109 to $79 due to firmware issues. Why would you buy this (aftermarket) battery if it no longer works? Perhaps for those that can downgrade the firmware?

@garyhgaryh Can you choose not to upgrade firmware? On Solo it notifies me of updates in the app, but I must choose to install them.

@ruouttaurmind I'm not sure. I'll find out when I get mine.

@sportykev The Death Flip was prominent news shortly after the Runner's release. Since then there have been several home-spun solutions, and a factory firmware update that's supposed to solve the issue.

@ruouttaurmind yea looks like managing trim and throttle hold is a workaround but good to hear of a firmware that may address the issue. I'm familiar with the flip, heck I see it on my cheerson cx-10!

@ruouttaurmind second thoughts. Canceled my order. The advanced version looks a lot more appealing. I especially like the HD cam w recording capabilities and GPS. I see myself needing to keep my bearings and I'm lazy. $100 more though. I do dig the red accents! Am I being silly? Does $320 get me something way better? Getting into ballpark of meh p1 base cost lol.

@sportykev I hear ya. It's a different experience flying without GPS. You always have to stay on the ball. You can't just hit the brakes and get your bearings without a GPS.

Is it worth another hundy? Depends on what you'll get out of the "racer" experience. If speed thrills, I'd say ya, you'll probably get your money's worth.

I'm more into the tech, the programmed flights, and the video/pics. Telemetry, OSD, AUX features... the nerdy stuff. For me, $200 would worth the Runner 250 thrill. But for $300... I doubt I'd get $300 of fun out of it. Now if I had FPV goggles and could try the whole immersion experience... maybe that would be a different story.

@ruouttaurmind good points...... good... good......

@fultonmartin That's a great price. For another $200 I could add a set of FatShark Dominator v. whatever and be all in on a complete FPV system for about $365.

@fultonmartin OR... instead of going through all that, I could grab this Runner 250 bundle that includes Goggle3, flash sale priced at $399 from LA warehouse. http://www.gearbest.com/rc-quadcopters/pp_227356.html?wid=7

*Correction: Goggle2, not Goggle3

@ruouttaurmind cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! do you know if these goggles are .... as good as the fatsharks?

@sportykev I've never owned goggles before, so I wouldn't have a clue.

I know they have head tracking which I can connect to the Trainer port on my Devo F12e and use to control gimbal or flight on my Tali (and possibly also the Runner 250?).

I also know they have VGA resolution, which I don't love. But I imagine all the goggles in this price range are likely similar?

Of course I'll post a review...

@ruouttaurmind I messaged support and retracted my cancellation. Hoping they can credit me the difference of the Flash Sale. $164 is too 'cheap' to pass up.

@sportykev Which package did you order? The "Basic 3" set? That's the one with Devo 7 transmitter, FPV camera and TX, and OSD.

@ruouttaurmind yuppers, Basic 3. Can't wait to crash the Runner!

@sportykev Now I'm looking for a little squat DVR cam for it like the Mobius or RunCam. What good is all that FPV bashing and crashing action if I can post the aftermath videos here?

@ruouttaurmind good point. Now I'm kind of regretting now waiting for the Eachine FPV monitor w/ DVR. Oh wells. I guess I can still strap on my GoPro, or same as your thinking, a cheap Mobius cam.

@sportykev I've been reading quite a bit about Mobius, 808, and RunCam. Seems like they're all within a few bucks of same price for the same capabilities.

I'm thinking I'll start with a cheapo Chinese "spy cam" like this one from GearBest for about $16.

Video quality seems good enough for a starter...

Ordered. I figured for $17 I can always give it to my nephew to play with if I hate it.

Oh, perfect! Here it is attached to a little quad:

Definitely good enough for FPV cap considering the price.

@sportykev Shipping notification from GearBest. Shipping from LA, so I should have it in Phoenix by... Monday maybe?

I just checked the FedEx tracking number. They say I'll have it by end-of-day Saturday. The Runner 250 that is. The tiny camera is coming from China, so I should have that sometime in... oh, maybe July. :-)

@ruouttaurmind GearBest have been frustrating to deal with. They refused to make a price adjustment from the initial price tag $219.99, instead I have to cancel, and place a new order. Sheeeeeeesh!

@ruouttaurmind Let us know how the camera is. I have an 808 keychain camera. jello like crazy but it's cheap. I bought a few 2-3 years ago for about $20-$30. Probably cheaper now. A lot of people back then used the 808 keychain cameras for their RC toys.

@garyhgaryh When I first got into quadcopters, just about everyone was using the 808's. Then the Mobius seemed to take over because it was available in 1080p. Now the 808 Type... maybe #26? can do 1080p/30 in a 20g package. Can't be long before they crack 60fps lossless. RunCam has a model they claim can do that now, but it's a bit heavier and has (useless) wifi and a price tag of a hundred bucks.

The Runner 250 has a sort of anti-jello mount for a GoPro or Mobius, so I'm hoping to eliminate excessive vibration by just zip tying the mini-cam to that.

The SQ8 can do FPV-out/charge-in while recording (like a GoPro) so I may just gut it and eliminate the battery and IR LED's on the front to save some weight. Maybe even ditch the whole case and just use heat shrink tubing.

Runner 250 camera mount just left of the VTX 'shroom antenna:

@sportykev Buying from GearBest is like shopping at Walmart. I don't go there for the pleasant atmosphere or the superior customer service... I go there to save a few bucks on dog food and shotgun shells. :-)

@ruouttaurmind ah don't get me started... recently picked up a mossberg. Too, much, spending, way, too, much.

@fultonmartin Dammit. @ruouttaurmind tags me in a post, I come check out the forum, and wind up buying a 250 and the little camera.

I never have fully worked out the kinks in my ZMR250, but that price is unbeatable for the Walkera setup. Worst case if I get it in and hate it I can sell it on Craigslist for a profit. Or supply a craft for someone to race against me.

@djslack I received mine today. I ordered the FPV setup (includes Goggle2 RX goggles). Just about to post the un-boxing pix.

It's pretty freakin' sweet. Haven't flown it yet, but overall, it makes a great impression. I plugged in a battery, put on the goggles and wandered around the house. I can tell flying like that is going to take some getting used to.

@ruouttaurmind wow a great deal.. so tempted......(stop gary stop!)

@garyhgaryh I've really got to stop this drone thing or I'm NEVER going to finish my hot rod! I bought a brand new engine for it a few months ago, thinking I would focus on final assembly over the winter and have it running by springtime. Well, that didn't exactly go as planned.

@ruouttaurmind hahahaha. My turbo conversion of an old 84 Supra has stopped. Then I decided to make it an e-car. I got the turbo motor and the electric motor for it. Nothing has happened in the last five years. I know how you feel. And I feel sad.

@garyhgaryh This is all still cheaper than the $7k+ to supercharger my Subaru Legacy so I'm sticking with the cheaper hobby :D

@DJMajickMan I'm too scared to add the receipts for the hot rod project. The project spans 12 years and 3 girlfriends.

@ruouttaurmind ouch 12 years and it's not complete :( at least I've only owned my car and thought about this upgrade for only 5 years

@DJMajickMan Well, I DID disclose the 3 girlfriends... somehow there never seems to be enough hot rod money when there is a girlfriend. :-)

@ruouttaurmind GF's and cars.. lol.. there's a mix. Either they deal with your car hobbies or not. All my other GFs are ok with my hobbies, except for my wife. I guess that's why I married her... NOT..

I have a FMIC still needing to be installed on my '94 RX7, my S2000 motor mounts need to be replaced (have the mounts, lack wrench time), have flood lights and surveillance system to install on the house, snowblower belt snapped after the blizzard, haven't replaced yet,,,, parts everywhere waiting for me to.... do... something. I'm in good company.

@sportykev FMIC - acronyms like that brings back memories of my youth (well, after college when I had more money).

I have an IP surveillance system (720p). It's great. I just upgraded from an 8 ch system to a 16 ch system. I also bought a new 1080p IP system from HIKVISION. I plan on obsoleting the 720p system or just use it in conjunction with. My 720p system is an inexpensive zmodo/funlux system. What system are you running. All the cameras on the zmodo/funlux system is sPOE. The hikvision is true POE.

It seems like we're all alike here! drones, cars, girls, engines, .....

@garyhgaryh I'm low tech compared to you guys. I have this wee little Samsung system. Only 4 wired cameras

@ruouttaurmind My systems are all wired. I don't like wireless systems. They're prone to interference and can saturate your network if you have too many cameras. Looks like your system is a coaxial CCTV system. They have 720p/1080p coaxials systems now and they look great. I've seen a two systems at costco

@garyhgaryh @ruouttaurmind my (un)installed system is even lower tech. LaView from Newegg, i dislike it because the cameras need individual connections and power. Wish it was daisy chained for easier install. 8 cams, 2 D1, rest are lower res. Don't know if I'll ever get to installing it. Zmodo is nice, I thought about 'em.

My RX7 has sat for a long while at my parents home. Afraid to start it up in the cold, I'm sure APEX seals will go flying everything. My S2000 is sitting in my driveway, doesn't get much use, bit of an event at the last track outing. The MDX gets the most mileage being the 'family' car.

What happened to me?

@sportykev Kev, I don't know how to break this to you... but it only gets worse as the years add up... LOL!

@sportykev What happened? You got married! lol

If the rx7 just sits there the APEX seals dry up right?

Hey, as long as your have a system installed you feel more secure and that's what matters as long as you can view it remotely and have it recorded on a HD (that can be offloaded).

@garyhgaryh married, with children. I don't ever want to sell the RX7, it's such a classic! But I don't have the time or the ability to rebuild a motor, and proficient shops are far and few in between. My thinking is, during the summer, warmer times should be less stressful to the engine when I finally try to turn her over.

I have an 8-cam setup, probably overkill, but I do want to mount them. I just need a ladder tall enough. Maybe I can just pay someone from Angie's list. I dunno!

@sportykev Yeah turn her over when it's warm. Probably better during a heat wave :). Definitely not now if it's still snowing over there.

Is your house a 2 or 3 story house? I had a super long latter when I put mine up at the top of the 2nd story. You could also do it from the roof depending on camera placement and safety during install.

@garyhgaryh split level so yup have a second story. Too afraid to mount from roof. Picture myself rolling off.

Wanted to pick up a 22-24' extension ladder from HD but car is too small to transport and shipping is $$$. #FirstWorldProblems

@sportykev HD has hourly truck rental, $19 for 75 minutes...

@sportykev, @fultonmartin I think that even includes gas!

Ya, that adds another $20 into the cost of the ladder, but once it's done, you have it there for the next project!

@sportykev All the analog systems that use the Siamese cable with coax and power run together can be installed much more easily with a pair of baluns and a single run of Cat5 cable. The baluns take the coax and power and feed them across the Cat5 and aren't too expensive. Something like this will do it: http://www.seculife.com/details/One-Pair-CCTV-Passive-Video-Balun-with-Power-UTP-RJ45-CAT5-Cable-84000866A/ or just Google cat5 cctv balun.

I'm also right there with you guys on projects. I have a Miata with a 306 (GT40 crate 302 bored .30 over) and T-5 that's been sitting half done for 5 years or so now. Got the motor and transmission in but still needs wiring, exhaust, drivetrain, and the interior put back in it. And two bike projects in the storage unit with it.

@djslack I got the baluns for my cctv security systems (bought more than one). I was going to go that route but ended up with an ip based system.

@ruouttaurmind I've been posting on his thread but I totally missed the flash sale!! I would have bought the wr250 for $165! Damn.

@garyhgaryh Wow. I got in just in time, apparently. Glad i didn't decide to sleep on it.

@djslack didn't know about theses baluns! looks like it will heavily simplify the install, thanks! you're in good company. we are the group of individuals who have way too many hobbies and interests where time does not permit for us to fully enjoy them

@djslack No foolin'. I just checked the FPV kit that I bought and it's back up to $765. Nearly twice the price I paid.

@garyhgaryh it's back on sale at the US-E warehouse for $165 as of tonight. Come join the party!

@djslack You're really bad...

I ordered one! lol. Too good to pass up.

I think that's five so far. @fultonmartin was first, then @sportykev, @ruouttaurmind, @djslack and now @garyhgaryh. Did @DJMajickMan get in on this one too? That'll be six. We've got a turn-key racing league here!

@ruouttaurmind LOL! This is great. A support group! I had 4 AA charged to turn on the Devo7, then I realized it takes 8 AA. OMG AmazonBasic halppp

I'm debating getting in touch with them to see if i should cancel and reorder from the current sale. The LA warehouse appears to be on backorder. I think it said "preorder" when i bought. Now I'm impatient for my impulse buy to get here lol.

@ruouttaurmind not buying. have enough 250 class quads that I'm not flying yet. I don't need another one.

@DJMajickMan I envy your application of logic and reason.

@DJMajickMan I cancelled mine. I haven't even flew my new DJI P3 I recently got!

Oh, sure, @garyhgaryh and @DJMajickMan with all your logic and your wisdom and your responsible decisions. Whatevs.

LOL!

@ruouttaurmind Gotta save money for that supercharger I don't need in my car. LOL

@DJMajickMan great defense!!!

@ruouttaurmind lol.

@sportykev Comes up as $218.99 for me. The Basic 2 w/o Devo 7 is coming up as $155.99 though.

@sportykev lol. why are you doing this to me? This isn't the basic 3 with the battery + misc stuff so now I'm thinking for $10 more might as well go for the basic 3... ok... I'm on the fence again.. Damn @sportykev!

@garyhgaryh @ruouttaurmind oh apologies, the $156 was w/o the Devo7 . Woopsy. I'm bad at deal hunting.

@sportykev It's ok, Kev, just keep your wallet handy and I'll do the shopping for you. LMAO!