Hi all,

I am planning to build one quad with following specs..

Please advise the cost effective solutions - based on what is available in India(Chennai) and low cost - as this is beginners(experimenting) phase only. Lateron, I want to graduate to Arducopter(Ardupilot 2.5) with tweaking of Arducopter code.

What items do you suggest - specifications - brand - price(approx) - where to get, etc

1) Flight controller
2) Motors
3) Props
4) ESC
5) Frame - i hope to build one myself
6) LIPO
7) Rx/Tx

Objective -> maximize payload, minimize total cost, maximise endurance.

A good quadcopter from decent oarts will cost you around 12-15,000.
It all depends on what you want to make the quadcopter for, in your case Heavy lift/payload (FPV/AP/AV?)

Low kv motors + large props are preferred for this. (aorund 700-900kv with 1045 or 1147 props)
You can choose any motor among dt700/750s, NTM propdrive 2830 750kv, or similar.

Choose a 25 or 30A ESC.

A 3s LiPo will do the job. 2200mAh, 3000mAh, 3300mAh - it depends on the flight time you want and the weight you want to 'spend'.

Tx/Rx: A basic 6Ch programmable Tx+Rx will do, if you don't mid plugging your Tx to the computer everytime you want to make changes, or it's better to buy the turnigy 9x or flysky 9x.

Then the flight controller, it's upto you. You can buy cheap FCs with peizo gyros and low precision or with MEMS gyros and better precision.
most kk boards: peizo gyros.
+ cheap
+ easy to setup
- limited programmability
- poor sensor quality
- 8-bit
- you can't add extra sensors/modules later (GPS module, baro, mag, etc.)
- No GUI, you have to use some 'pots' for tuning.

Other boards with MEMS gyros:
MultiWii
+ good programmability
+ MEMS gyros = nice precision
+ available in a wide price range (from $40 ~ $100+)
- 8-bit
APM, OP are also similar boards, except that they've got an advanced firmware on-board and a great GUI.

If you want the best board, ultimate precision, etc...
Go for the latest 32-bit boards flooding the market. But they're still developing, so you won't have good community support, etc. They're difficult to setup and debug. Most of them use the ARM 32-bit processors used by high-end FCs like DJI Naza, but cost way cheaper. eg. AfroFlight Naze32 (abusemark.com) and Kcopter STM32 boards (from goodluckbuy.com)

Also there is a good kit (to start with) avaliable at RcDhamaka.
http://www.rcdhamaka.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_103_108&products_id=1080

Thanks to hyd_quads and SunLikeStar....

hyd_quads, can you also sugges the approx price and where to get these (within india - preferably chennai) ......  a basic flight controller will do.... as i will get a APM 2.5 once I get the hang of it.

SunLikeStar, the one shown is just 1800 mah with 935kv motor .....  As hyd_quads suggested, i am looking for around 600-700 kv motors and 2200-3300 mAh lipos.... moreover, does it come with a rx/tx... not able to see on the specs....

hyd_quads sir - this is for FPV - intend to keep a go pro hero2 (in future) .... but want to build keeping this payload in mind....

so need higher payload and more endurance.... cost less (at beginning/learning stage) for trial and error.....

thanks for both replies...

cheers,
ganesh

I don't think you can manage to find the best parts you need in chennai, or even india for that matter (ofcourse unless you buy the RCD combo)

You can try aeroworks.co.in (an LHS in chennai), but you may have to end up placing atleast one order at hobbyking.com, for it's cheaper than other LHSs.
As I said, it's very difficult for one to decide an FC for you, for it's entirely dependent on what you want. The kk boards will cost you around 1500-2000. The most basic multiwii too is around the same price (from goodluckbuy.com, search for CRIUS multiwii lite). So it's upto you.
Don't call me sir.