Building Multicopter Video Drones Paperback – Illustrated, August 26, 2014

Just finished Building Multicoptor Video Drones. I thought it was excellent especially for someone like myself who wants to build their first multicoptor. Best of all it goes into enough detail to do an actual build without bogging you down into too much detail. I made it through the book surprisingly fast. Covers all of the major components and systems to build a multicoptor to include airframes, motors, propellers, ESCs, guidance systems, gimbals and transmitters. The book also highlights FPV (First Person View) gear as well as camera flying techniques. Although the book walks the reader through a build for a specific hexacoptor, the same concepts and many of the same components could be applied to just about any multicoptor. I also liked the introduction to the online Multicopter Calculator to adjust your design and optimizing the many options for component selection to maximize flight time. Just the right amount of theory and practical knowledge required to get into this hobby/profession seriously through a build-your-own route. However do understand this is a book for a serious hobbyist or someone who wants to build their own multicoptor for aerial photography or video. It requires some basic mechanical and electronic skills. But even if you have limited skills in these areas I think the book will help anyone who takes their time to follow the instructions carefully. Also please note that although you can save money and get more bang for your buck building your own multicoptor vs. buying a similar setup, it is an investment either way for a quality craft. But for me I also like the satisfaction of building my own and knowing how to fix my own craft when something goes wrong.

I’m brand new to quads and fpv but even I can tell the info in this book is outdated. I read the book cover to cover and I learned a lot more in the first 2 or 3 episodes of Joshua Bardwells build videos (a lot more). There are some things in the book that were good but not enough to warrant buying it. The author calls some of the components by names I’ve never heard of and the build section only talks about one type or brand name that costs in the 10s of thousands. If your like me and interested in learning and building fpv quads I’d definitely stick to the videos I mentioned before. But if want to read about a $30,000 DJI camera drone well maybe you might like this book.

Well written and full of examples, safety precautions etc. from an author that has obviously been down the road in working with these fantastic flying craft. There are a few things that need to be addressed such as making the computerized pages a little larger to be able for some of us with aging eyes to see, and some color presentations would have been nice....but that would increase the cost of printing dramatically. It is really pleasant to encounter an author that can organize complicated materials into something that can have a comprehension level of both the neophyte and the professional. This belongs on every enthusiasts bookshelf.

I haven't finish reading the book but so far it is very informative. I hoping to get some current information on the likes of 3dr solo and the Q3.

as promised.

This is a great book for getting into multicopter building. I also, bought multiple books and this is the only one I ever use. It explains everything you need to know part by part in an easy to understand way.

I bought 4 that looked helpful, this is the only one you need to get started. Very helpful, thank you!

Not so good.

Very informative book - lots of useful and enlightening info for the beginner and budding RC flyer. If I would say anything negative it is that this field is likely to change rapidly and the equipment / manufacturers mentioned may change; we have already seen the introduction of DJI's P3... So view the text as an introduction and spring board to do your own research. The book will certainly point you in the right direction.

Received as expected.