Hello everyone, this is my first post here.

I recently watched Make magazine's Maker Hangar series of videos on Youtube and it got me interested in RC.
I learned about brushless motors, ESCs, controller boards etc. Now I'm thinking of buying an RC multicopter to enter the hobby.

I am from a hilly region and there are next to no long flat fields here so RC planes are out of question. I was intrigued by the tricopter the Video series host on Maker Hangar built (you can watch it on Youtube.) Tricopters seem to be a better choice than quadcopters, right?

I'm looking for a multicopter that will have long range, long flight time, and could be upgraded, for possible FPV attachment.

I'm technically inclined so I don't mind kits with proper instructions, but since I don't have any experience with this field, I don't think I could choose most suitable individual parts myself, and hence require your help in choosing either a kit, or a list of compatible parts which will make a great multicopter.

I am assuming buying prebuilt drone with similar specifications will cost a lot more. If not, could you suggest those too. My budget is around Rs. 5k but I could spend 2-3k more if absolutely necessary.

Oh and since I am from hilly region, if the drone fails, its going to drop tens to hundreds of meters and won't survive. So what can I do to make it as fail safe as possible?

Sorry!! With tat budget its next to impossible for all ur needs!! Not meant to discourage!!

How much am I looking to spend then? What about 10k?

onlu My long range radio costed more than tat!! If u want at tat price u will have to go for all basic stuff!!

the cheapest option for long range as per my knowledge is 14k for a radio with 15 kms range and 6chl.

I was in your shoes some 2 years ago. Trust me when I say that the boudget will extend by a good length if you're new to RC . Take my example, planned for 20k, spent almost 35k on all ( things will break, sometimes wont work etc) .

Wow that's a lot, but as I'm just beginning what's the best I can get within 5 - 7k range? My priorities are upgradability, nice strong body, and since I don't want FPV right now, maybe 1-3 km range. I'm just testing the waters so don't want spend much.

But <10 minutes flight time would just ruin it all so as much flight time as possible within the budget.

Thanks for your patience with a noob.

You will get just a kit with no radio no batt no charger at that price.

Just get a normal radio build a good quad and on the go keep upgrading both. Tats for your budget. I have no idea about cheaper radio with >5 kms range!!

For your budget, these mini quads are RTF and include video camera

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0093p?SORT=A&CAT=EAQ

Those models can hardly be upgraded.

Could you post some links to listing of kits? I will be buying online since I don't think there are any shops with this kinda stuff in Himachal.

The Maker Hangar host mentioned Hobby King, a chinese manufacturer. What if I were to buy radio + kit from a chinese site like dx.com or aliexpress?

Ok, I can suggest you a combo for under 12k If it is ok with you.

Please do.

Radio http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/2011-avionic-rcb6i-24ghz-6ch-transmitter-with-receiver.aspx
motors http://www.rcdhamaka.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=100_93&products_id=391
esc http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/2444-avionic-white-20amp-esc.aspx
servo - I have the least idea on the servo used for a tricopter.
battery - http://www.rcbazaar.com/products/3521-wolfpack-white-2200mah-25c-111v.aspx
charger - http://www.quadkopters.com/product/lipo-chargers-accessories/b3ac-charger/
controller - http://www.quadkopters.com/product/flight-controllers/kk2-1-multi-rotor-lcd-flight-control-board-with-6050mpu-and-atmel-644pa/?utm_source=side%20banner&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=sale%20offer&utm_content=KK2.1

frame you could make the david windestals tricopter frame.

Total
3000(radio)+2100(controller)+1000(battery)+550(charger)+1800(motors)+2000(esc)+500(servo)+1000(accesories) = 12k

This is a perfectly hobby grade setup and is upgradable.

In the future you will have to upgrade the motors as these motors are not enough.

Then the hubsan x4 from banggood.com is agood choice. Its a screen too for fpv.

But that is not upgradable.
The OP is looking for something upgradable.

YUP!! But tat is d only way to get into fpv at tat budget!! If trying to upgrade there is a long way to go!! And dont u think he has to upgrade almost everything for fpv??(in ur kit)

Yeah I think you should disregard my babble. As someone who has never even flown a multi-copter, I have no idea what I should buy.

That Hubsan X4 looks great, with a controller with screen. But it has only 7 min flying time.

with a little mod in the battery u can reach upto to 15- 17 mins of flight time!! and i would suggest X4 only if ur not thinking for a long range coz it gives only 200mts videos range!! you could practise on that and go for your own build or start investing on ur own multirotor!!

Regards,
JK

Start off simple just to get the experience of flying.  Since you're new, there's a big risk of a major crash that can destroy your model.  Something lightweight with less inertia that will hardly break if flying over soft grass is a good idea.  

The main thing is to learn the hand eye coordination, orientation, and finding out if you really like getting out there everyday and flying.  

Don't be tempted with starting off with the fanciest gear.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

BTW hobbyking.com seems like a great site for RC components.  e.g.This TX, Turnigy 9XR costs around 3k, but has a lot of features. Has anyone bought from hobbyking?

I would suggest u to buy TX-rx from the local hobby store cause ordering it from hobbyking would lead u to clear customs and get many of the certificates (wpc) of which wpc says we don't allow TX from outside... U would also need to go to.customs many tyms..
So better opt for lhs for TX rx best deal could be found on www.rcmumbai.com

http://rcmumbai.com/index.php/product/turnigy-9xr-transmitter-mode-2-no-module/

Or http://rcmumbai.com/index.php/product/flysky-t6/

Would be better I think...

What a ripoff! rcmumbai is selling 9XR for twice the price! Stupid customs.

I guess I'll just get a small quadcopter for now and later move onto kits. I think $70 Hubsan X4 would be great as it is quite cheap and still has an onboard video camera. Could anyone post the link where I can buy this quad at best price.
Or is there some other model you would recommend?

Quotewith a little mod in the battery u can reach upto to 15- 17 mins of flight time!!

How?

@skylark
Its not customs its hobbyking's shipping charges
U can only order through dhl
And dhl is very costly if you order radios
Hubsan with and without camera is coming at rcmumbai shortly