Tri or Quad for an absolute beginner ? Opinions?

[Scubacrazy]

Hi all.
I';m very new to the world of multi rotors, and am itching to build and fly one.
I was looking and reading all I can about quads, and was about to buy a Robocat 270, for which I have made my shopping list.
But then I start seeing tricopters, and they look amazing.
(Just to clarify, I';m not looking to get  into DJI type machines, more speed/acro/fpv)
I have started with a little hubsan quad, £30 jobbie, which I am getting on fine with.
I intend to build my own, whatever I decide, and I was looking at a wooden frame y or t copter, either buy the frame, or make it entirely from a plan.
But which would be better to learn on?
Knowing me, I will almost certainly end up with both types, but which should I get first?

I would appreciate your opinions.
Thanks in advance,
Cheers,
Gary.

[Revs]

Hi buddy. If you';re wanting to build a tri, you can';t go far wrong with the RC Explorer.. http://rcexplorer.se/product/tricopter-v3-kit/

Though I would suggest a quad for your first build as they';re more mechanically simple. With there being an almost infinite choice of quads it would be helpful to know what kind of budget you have in mind, whether you';re wanting FPV and if you';re gonna need a TX.

[Cheredanine]

Agree with revs, quad for a first build, non of that servo malarkey

[apollo7]

I will play devil`s advocate and say tricopter, but i am into tricopters, look at the HJ-Y3 tri frame for £20 and some 2212 motors pus KK2.1 FC......i am building the Armatton 355 tri at the mo and starting to think i should have gone with HJ-Y3 frame

[Scubacrazy]

OK, Thanks for the prompt replies !
So, it seems a quad for my first build.
As for budget, it is pretty much flexible, with these caveats:

I don';t have a TX yet, but as I will get something I won';t outgrow, it will probably be a Taranis x9d plus.
The other (to me at least) important point is that I will not buy anything from China.
I want to buy from UK stores only.
No "clones" or cheap rip-offs. Not that I am made of money, but I want to support a UK business, rather than a Chinese one.

Having said that, I am almost finished on a shopping list for a Robocat 270 frame build, which I will post up within the next day or so.
As for fpv, yes I do want it, but I want that to be a "phase 2", after I can fly it LOS successfully

[Scubacrazy]

I will play devil`s advocate and say tricopter, but i am into tricopters, look at the HJ-Y3 tri frame for £20 and some 2212 motors pus KK2.1 FC......i am building the Armatton 355 tri at the mo and starting to think i should have gone with HJ-Y3 frame

Funnily enough, the Armattan 258 tricopter was one which I was looking at, but thought it might be a bit tight for a first build.
Armattan frames do look nice though. I like the Armadillo too, maybe that should be my first quad build.
Sometimes I hate so much choice !!

[apollo7]

Another option, build both 
sorry but have to post this so you can see what tricopters can do

! No longer available

[guest325]

Get yourself a Simplecopter T copter, best thing about them is the amount of abuse they will take without costing much to repair. If you decide to go that way Matt will sort out the cheapest postage option, I know from experience!
Using a servo is no biggie provide you buy a decent quality one, never had one go on me so far.
Take a look at what they can do:
http://youtu.be/LZF-zOXmrF8

[hoverfly]

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbykingtm-titus-600-carbon-fiber-tri-copter-frame-with-integrated-pcb.html

If you can get one of the above from the Uk  warehouse  to keep postage down  it';s a bargain. The legs are a bit long but that';s soon sorted with a visit to Mr Dremel. It will take a wide range of motors depending on how nuts you want to go.
It folds up neatly for transport.

[apollo7]

Get yourself a Simplecopter T copter, best thing about them is the amount of abuse they will take without costing much to repair. If you decide to go that way Matt will sort out the cheapest postage option, I know from experience!
Using a servo is no biggie provide you buy a decent quality one, never had one go on me so far.
Take a look at what they can do:
http://youtu.be/LZF-zOXmrF8

I think i will be buying some wood soon  might gut the trifecta for bits

[apollo7]

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbykingtm-titus-600-carbon-fiber-tri-copter-frame-with-integrated-pcb.html

If you can get one of the above from the Uk  warehouse  to keep postage down  it';s a bargain. The legs are a bit long but that';s soon sorted with a visit to Mr Dremel. It will take a wide range of motors depending on how nuts you want to go.
It folds up neatly for transport.

Or buy my one ready built  sorry for cheeky add delete if not allowed

[Scubacrazy]

Or buy my one ready built  sorry for cheeky add delete if not allowed

Haha, nice try !
I want to build my own, as I enjoy that part of it almost as much.

Still fancy a tri though.
I think It will follow my quad very shortly afterwards!
They seem more acrobatic, or is that my imagination?
So, apart from building it, how much difference is there in the flying side of things?
Are tri';s more difficult to get to grips with? (Obviously the antics in some of the vids above take a smidgeon more practice.

[guest325]

Still fancy a tri though.
I think It will follow my quad very shortly afterwards!
They seem more acrobatic, or is that my imagination?
So, apart from building it, how much difference is there in the flying side of things?
Are tri';s more difficult to get to grips with? (Obviously the antics in some of the vids above take a smidgeon more practice.

A tricopter can be acrobatic like Simplecopter vid but the same model can be stable and easy to handle - it';s all in the setup. A tricopter flys more like a plane than a quad does, those of us who fly them say that they are more ';natural'; to fly.
The learning curve is best done with one that stands abuse that';s why I suggested Simplecopter. It';s also very easy to modify - if you want an out and out acro flyer just use shorter arms, for stability use longer arms, it';s that simple!
Another great one to look at if you fancy a scratch build is the CPO 135, a great design!!!
http://everythingcpo.com/cpo-135-tricopter/

[Scubacrazy]

When I looked at Simplecopter, the Mini Tricopter 250mm caught my eye, in fact it was that one which made me start thinking tri instead of quad.
Having watched a few build vids for various models, I think I could definitely handle the build.
Is there a UK supplier for Simplecopter, or is it ordered from manufacturer direct?

Sorry for the inquisition.

[guest325]

You order it direct and find the cheapest shipping method, any problems give Matt a shout - he will sort it out for you.
First class mail is the best option.
If you want one my advice is to go for the Mini T rather than the Tri, it handles better.

[apollo7]

i think 300 to 350 size is good for a tricopter, i am meant to be building a Trifecta but i think i will use the motors, esc`s and kk fc in a wooden tri frame, also i think i could steal the tail boom with servo tilt from the trifecta and graft it into a wood build

[GdLookinMingeR]

Or you could buy my Bargain Titus in the For Sale section 
Jay

[richardg6paj]

Or you could get immense satisfaction from building from scratch, like me. 

[Scubacrazy]

Or you could get immense satisfaction from building from scratch, like me. 

Now that looks amazing.
Where did you get the plans from, or was it self designed too?
I really fancy doing a from scratch build, but wouldn';t know where to start on the design front.

[richardg6paj]

Yes, self designed. I get more enjoyment designing and building than flying. So worth getting into in my opinion.

[Scubacrazy]

Yes, self designed. I get more enjoyment designing and building than flying. So worth getting into in my opinion.

Yes, I completely understand. I';m trying to find guides/plans etc on the net.
I might start with a Simplecopter, and then when I find some plans, use them as a basis for my own design.
Hmm, maybe it';s about time I learned how to design in CAD. I have Sketch up !!

[guest325]

Or you could get immense satisfaction from building from scratch, like me. 

Nice design of the Tri Richard, are your top/bottom plates Polycarbonate? Something I';m thinking about trying on my next creation  I';m pretty sure that it will be tougher than ply.

[richardg6paj]

Yes, Darrell 3mm Polycarbonate. A little heavier than ply but much more durable and nice to work with. Wish they did a coloured version. But clear looks good in the sky.

[apollo7]

I ordered the rc explorer top and bottom plate this morning, then on my deliveries i got a chap to run a bit of light weight hard wood through the table saw t make a nice piece of 10mm x10mm timber for arms, this will be instead of the trifecta